What should I expect from choosing 'perpendicular' in the sweep command?

[HansenJC]

I am able to get the sweep command to produce something, but the result is unexpected. The explaination of what i should expect is: 

Orientation

• Perpendicular Keeps the region perpendicular to the path.
• Parallel Keeps the region parallel to the region sketch.

Photo attached is of a simple rectangle swept along a spline path. The command finished to the end of the spline, but I pushed it back to expose the profile at a narrow point for this photo. What might be causing the to not be perpendicular to the spline path?

[shahriarsifat1802164]

Hi,
It is difficult to get desired sweep geometry when you are using a spline as a path.

[shahriarsifat1802164]

I will recommend making extrude by using the path sketch.

[shahriarsifat1802164]

For solid geometry.

[shahriarsifat1802164]

For surface, it is difficult to find perpendicular.

[shahriarsifat1802164]

[shahriarsifat1802164]

So the thing you can follow is after making a solid sweep and the offset the face and make a new surface body.
Thank you.

[shahriarsifat1802164]

[laughingcreek · Accepted solution]

@HansenJC -the pic you posted is exactly what I would expect from the sweep inputs you are using.

the perpendicular to path orientation keeps every thing perpendicualar relative to how things started  it won't make a profile perpendicular to the path.

your profile doesn't start perpendicular.  so the sweep doesn't end perpendicular.  it ends at the same angle as the profile started.

try putting a construction "plane on path" on the spline, and put your profile sketch on that.

[chrisplyler]

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@HansenJC wrote:

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Looks totally perpendicular to me. Look at the orientation of the profile to the spline at the beginning. Since you chose the perpendicular option, that relationship is maintained at every point. If your spline had headed off from the profile at a straight 90-deg in the beginning, then that relationship would have been maintained also.

[chrisplyler · Accepted solution]

Here I've used Pattern-on-a-Path to replicate what's happening with the sweep. You can see that any lead angle between the profile and the path gets maintained along the path. You can also see that this is the reason for the sweep result looking like it swooshed off-center around turns. It doesn't, but because of the angle, it looks like it does.

[HansenJC]

That was a great way to visualize the result! BTU (Big Thumbs Up)

[chrisplyler]

Depending on the geometry you are seeking, you might like to do your sweep with a lead angle of 90-degrees, so that it stays centered and perpendicular the way you would like, and then come back afterwards and cut the ends off at an angle if desired.

[HansenJC]

All good suggestions depending on my needs and expectations. While studying this question I have also found methods to either start the spline perpendicular to the sketch plane, or set the sketch plane perpendicular to an existing spline spline. I appreciate your input.

[HansenJC]

Thanks, I understand much better now how the sweep function works and I founds ways to achieve my goal of starting with the profile perpendicular to the spline. BTU [BIG THUMBS UP]