Circular symmetry on freeform object (star-pattern)

[ARIA_FPV]

I'm struggling to understand how to use the symmetry tool correctly and how I could design the following in the most efficient way:

I have a star-like extrusion which I would like to keep as a base pattern to modify with different side profile shapes. Ideally I would like to link it to a spline/ line I can always readjust. For this reason I wanted to use symmetries to make the process faster, however I can't figure out how to align the symmetry lines using the circular internal tool for it to not mess up the base pattern.

Here is a video showing the issue + how it should look like (according to the sketch example):

https://youtu.be/4G2UmFLUGEw

I've never used freeform modeling much before, so any advice is appreciated:)

[MichaelT_123]

Hi Mr ARIA_FPV,

I am unsure if I sense your design intent correctly, but consider using a simple sweep for the task.
The demo file is attached.

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Regards
MichaelT

[Drewpan]

Hi,

I haven't looked at the solution in message two but another way to do this is to model a single instance of what you

want and use the circular pattern tool. I suspect that the above solution probably does this using the sweep tool.

You can model what you want once then use the pattern tool.

Cheers

Andrew

[ARIA_FPV]

Hey, thanks for the answers. I wasn't specific enough, so here is a picture of the finished model I designed using the following process:

edit form -> selecting all the faces at once -> scaling -> adding circular symmetry -> create the waves using edit form

(this vase design is just an example. I'm trying to learn how to work more efficiently in general)

Without having to redo all these steps for different shapes using the edit form tool I would prefer to be able to link it to a spline I can always adjust to get many different versions of the same model more quickly and more precise.

Regarding the sweep tool, it creates more of a "screw" symmetry and not an axial symmetry. Or am I using it wrong?

[laughingcreek · Accepted solution]

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@ARIA_FPV wrote:...

Regarding the sweep tool, it creates more of a "screw" symmetry and not an axial symmetry....

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Lots of fun stuff you can do with the sweep tool-

[etfrench]

Loft can be fun too.

[ARIA_FPV]

Thanks for the example file. It really helped me understand how to use the sweep tool correctly.

However, I would like to convert the model into a T-spline body for further adjustments like the highlighted pattern in the screenshot below. The problem is if I use the freeform working space and the convert Brep to T-spline tool, it creates many different bodies instead of a single one and as far as I know you can't join those in an easy way. What would you suggest is the best process to achieve this?

[TrippyLighting]

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I would like to convert the model into a T-spline body for further adjustments...

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Forget that!

It will not work as you expect. The curved four-sided faces of a solid body convert into individual T-spline bodies, which you then have to weld together manually, but that will change the shape.

Curved Faces with 3 sides, or more than 4 faces (trimmed NURBS), will convert into a quad-shaped mesh that is hard to consolidate with the other shapes.

[MichaelT_123]

Hi Mr ARIA_FPV,

Here are some more examples. Some are too ambitious … but anyway they might give you some ideas.

Regards
MichaelT

[Drewpan]

Hi,

I am interested in how you used loft to create that particular model. Can you upload the fd3 please.

Cheers

Andrew

[etfrench]

I've already deleted it😣  It's actually pretty easy.  Start by revolving the base shape.  On an origin plane draw a spline.  Mirror it. Use each of those in split face commands.  Create a plane on path at each end of each split face. Draw a circle in a sketch on each plane.  Loft between each set using the split face as a center rail.