Can I create a line/path in 3d space controlling its projections on all 3 axis with splines?

[Anonymous]

Hi all,

I'm trying to create a path for the loft tool to connect two faces on different planes at a different angle. I first sketched on xz and yz planes two splines and intersected them, now how can I control/constraint the resulting projection on xy plane?

On a side note, what's the most reasonable way to do what I'm trying to do (create a "spline editable" path for the loft tool when faces are not co-planar)?

Attached f3d.

I tried to embed the screencast (still in pending status ) and my posts are being deleted.

Thank you!

[davebYYPCU]

I don't know what you want from your file, 

Loft needs more sketches, maybe like this?

Pic will not embed, forum is weird today.

Might help....

[Anonymous]

I hope this clarify.

[chrisplyler · Accepted solution]

You cannot control X with X's projection. You can only control X's projection with X.

So you would have to make the desired overhead sketch, then use its projection as your path. Which in this case will be a whole lot of pain in the rear end. It will be orders of magnitude easier to set up 2D sketches that will control tangencies and control points, then make a 3D sketch with a spline on those points, and constrained appropriately.

Then you can just change one or more of the "controlling" 2D sketches and your spline path will adjust accordingly.

[chrisplyler · Accepted solution]

You CAN control a projected curve with two splines, but not three. And for some reason every time you make a change, you have to edit the loft and re-pick the curves.

https://knowledge.autodesk.com/community/screencast/de391492-612d-484f-ab0c-789aed628532

[Anonymous]

I like your your solution, with just 2 sketches. One of them MUST be constructed on the midplane of both surface, right?

[chrisplyler]

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@Anonymous wrote:

I like your your solution, with just 2 sketches. One of them MUST be constructed on the midplane of both surface, right?

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Well, not necessarily, although it would certainly be desirable if you want the loft path to be symmetrical. Or...at least on an offset plane that remains parallel to that midplane. That's what I did in my video, just to make things easier to visualize. I offset the top plane upwards above the model, and I offset the midplane out to the side of the model.

[chrisplyler]

Oh, wait... If you were talking about my first picture using 2D sketches to control points...then yes. One sketch is on the midplane, such that I could get a point out in space symmetrically between the two profiles, which served as an anchoring point for the 3D spline.

[gandalf.kudell]

Hello!

Just wanted to share experience for the ones, who like me, where getting crazy about combining the two paths.

The operation is "-create, -project/include, - intersection curve"

Thanks all for your helpful advises!