Can you have rails for lofts in two different dimensions?

[Anonymous]

Hello, I am new to inventor and am trying to learn how to use certain tools. I've been learning via youtube videos and I tried to learn the loft tool. I know how to use rails in one dimension. But what about two? Rather, can you have rails for lofts on two separate sketch planes that are perpendicular to each other? Thanks in advance!

Also a novice question: What do the different colored sketches mean? For instance, a circle that is purple and a pentagon that is green.

[johnsonshiue]

Hi Simon,

Welcome to Inventor family! You sound like a new user to Inventor and also new to 3D feature-based parametric solid modeling CAD. The different colors in the sketch geometry denote the state of constraints. Depending on your background color setting, the fully-constrained or under-constrained sketch will show different colors. I suggest you go through the basics, since you do need to have good understanding of how to create a sketch in order to start modeling geometry. Here is a good place to start.

https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/inventor-products/getting-started?_ga=2.126287053.1732899649....

In the part you attached, the two rails in Sketch12 do not touch Sketch9 at the boundary. As a result, the Loft cannot be created. As long as the rail intersects the section profiles at perimeter, it can be used as the rail.

Based on your understanding of Inventor and parametric modeling, I personally strongly discourage you delve deep into Loft at the moment. Loft is an advanced modeling command. You need to have good understanding of the basics before using it effectively. Loft is a very powerful and versatile command. However, it is suitable for certain modeling needs. It cannot and should not be used as a general modeling tool.

Many thanks!

[TheCADWhisperer]

---

@Anonymous wrote:

... I've been learning via youtube videos and I tried to learn the loft tool...

---

In addition to @johnsonshiue - when you reference a youtube video (or other source) - you should cite your reference with an web url.

It is standard practice in the educational/scientific/technilogical world to always cite your references.

See example file of your Loft completed.

[kelly.young · Accepted solution]

Hello @Anonymous I see that you are visiting as a new member to the Inventor Forum.
Welcome to the Autodesk Community!

Thanks for attaching the part, looks like you were very close, but had a few points that were not touching so it wouldn't complete the Loft.

Here is a screencast showing how to fix the sketches so it will complete. 

Please select the Accept as Solution button if a post solves your issue or answers your question.

[Anonymous]

Thanks so much! What a small and lazy error. 😞 Thanks for your help. You explained everything great!!

[Anonymous]

Okay thank you!! I do know how to draw basic sketches and extrusions and stuff though so I'm not starting from zero knowledge. I get your point though. 

;

[Anonymous]

I've learned by using almost 40 videos. Are you saying that I should cite all of them because that would take a while?I'm not mad, just trying to understand the extent of your recommendation and advice. Thanks!!