Create a surface in the shape of a spiral tube
(helix) in order to model objects such as appliance cords or springs.
First you need to model
a spiral curve to act as a rail. You then place a small circle or
other closed curve at the beginning of the spiral to act as the
profile. Finally, you use Swept surface tools such as Extrude or Rail
surface to produce the coil.
Create the spiral curve
- Draw a straight line that has the height
of the spiral.
- From one end of this line, create another
straight line, perpendicular to it. The length of this second line
should equal the radius of the spiral.
- Choose Surfaces > Swept Surfaces > Rail Surface
❒.
- In the control window set both Generation Curves and Rail
Curves to 1, and set Rotate
Xform to an angle of 360 or more. 360 degrees will produce
one coil, 720 degrees will produce two coils, and so on.
- Select the second curve as the Generation
Curve and the first curve as the Rail Curve to create a spiral surface.
- Choose Curve Edit > Create > Duplicate Curve
and select the outside edge
of the surface.
- Delete (or hide) the surface and keep
only the curve.
Create the coil surface
- Place a small closed curve (such as a
circle) centered at the beginning of the spiral, and perpendicular
to it.
- Choose Surfaces > Swept Surfaces > Extrude
(with Style set
to Tube) or Surfaces > Swept Surfaces > Rail Surface (with Generation Curves set
to 1 and Rail Curves set
to 1).
- Select the small closed curve first,
then the spiral curve.
