Extrude along path

Task area 3D Objects

You can use this tool to create solids or surfaces by extruding an open or closed profile along a path.

Tip: The Extrude Along Path tool deletes neither the profile nor the path. We recommend that you draw the basic elements in a separate drawing file. You can then open this drawing file in edit mode and create the surfaces or solids in the current drawing file.

To extrude a profile along a path

• Draw the profile and the path.

1. Click Extrude Along Path (How).
   

   Activate Extrude Along Path in one of the following ways

   • Actionbar:Role Draft Task Modeling Task area 3D Objects

   • Menu bar: Create Bonus Tools 3D Modeling

   • Palette: Tools Create area in the following module(s):

   3D Modeling

2. Select the profile that you want to extrude.

   Note: The profile must be planar and continuous; it must not intersect itself. The profile can be open or closed. If the profile consists of several elements that you cannot select with one click, you can use the Brackets to select them.

   Note: You can also use edges of existing elements for the profile.

   

3. Select the path.

   Note: The path must be planar and continuous; it must not intersect itself. If the path consists of several elements that you cannot select with one click, you can use the Brackets to select them.

   Note: You can even use a path that does not touch the profile. In this case, you can select the starting point and the end point of the path and move the path to a defined point of the profile.

   

   ALLPLAN checks whether it can process the geometry of the profile and the path, choosing an appropriate setting for Profile rotation.

   You can see a preview of the solid; the input options appear. If ALLPLAN cannot process the geometries, you can see a message.

4. You can now change the type of Profile rotation:
   • None
     The profile does not revolve along the path.
   • Default
     The original angle between profile and path does not change (tangential).
   • No lateral rotation
     Only with Default profile rotation: When you select the No lateral rotation option, the result of Extrude Along Path matches that of Copy Along Any Path with the Object rotation - Default setting.
   • Z-axis locked
     The original angle between profile, path, and z-axis does not change. For example, think of a ramp in a parking garage.
5. Use Interior profiles to add additional edges along the path. This is useful if you do not use a polyline for the path.
   Enter 0 if you do not want to create interior profiles.
6. If the profile is closed, you can select the Closed volume option. You can choose to create solids or 3D surfaces.
7. After you have defined all options, select Esc.

   Allplan creates the solids or 3D surfaces without deleting either the profile or the path.

   

   Note: When you use polygonal elements as initial elements, Allplan creates polygonal 3D objects if this is possible. When you use initial elements with curves, Allplan creates general 3D objects (BREPs, NURBS).

   Note: Solids and surfaces get the color selected in the Properties palette.