Creating Contoured and Plastic Parts - Autodesk Inventor 2010: No Experience Required - page 385

FIGURE 8.24 The fan with the Bearing cover added
What makes a fan a fan is the blade, and being able to create a complex con-
tour is essential. To make this contour, you want to transition from one shape to
another. When you did this in sheet metal, it was referred to as a lofted fl ange .
In solid modeling, it's referred to as a lofted feature . You create these by using
the Loft tool.
The Loft Tool
When it comes to creating the complex surfaces that are sought for many modern
designs, extrusions and revolved features can fall short. Lofted features create sol-
ids and surfaces by calculating the shapes that transition between sketches.