Graphics Programs Reference
In-Depth Information
grips for editing is an easy but inaccurate method for changing the shape
of an extrusion. To apply specific dimensions, you can edit the sketch by
clicking the Edit Extrusion button on the contextual Modify | Extrusion tab
that appears when you select the extrusion in the drawing area. Clicking this
button activates sketch mode and allows you to make changes to the shape
handles of the geometry by using dimensional input.
Blends
A
blend
is solid geometry that comprises two profile sketches that can be
differentshapes,positions,andsizes.Theapproachtocreatingablendisthe
same as for an extrusion, with an extra step for creating the shape for each
end. When you click the Blend button on the Forms tab, sketch mode will be
activated, and you can begin creating the shape for the base of the blend.
The base of the blend is the face of the solid geometry that is drawn on the
reference plane with which the blend is associated. This is also referred to as
First End in the properties of the blend. The sketch for the base geometry of
a blend can contain only one closed loop.
Once you have completed the sketch for the base, you must click the Edit
Top button on the Mode panel of the contextual tab. This will keep you in
sketch mode, and the base geometry will be grayed out. You can sketch the
geometry for the top of the blend anywhere in the drawing area. The solid
geometry will be extruded to connect the base to the top along the depth
distance and any distances in the X or Y direction.
Figure 17.2
shows the
resultofatopsketchthatisadifferentshapefromthatofthebasegeometry.
