Multiple Object Loft

michael_perry127

I am trying to create a square three way elbow.  I am fairly certain that Loft is the correct tool to use for this.  

The "inside" of the elbow is all rounded with channels for glass to slide into, while the "outside" is square.  I was able to use Loft to close the inside where the three different sides come together, but am unable to do the same with the much more complex outside.  I was hoping for some kind of rounded, smooth transition on the outside, just like there is on the inside.

As you can see in the last picture, I tried closing the three areas where the outside face was open in case the faces not being closed was causing the issue, but that made no difference.  I tried using a number of different tools, and even making an extrude to completely fill that space, and trying to remove material with a number of tools as well.  

I have been staring at this for quite some time now and definitely need a new set of eyes and a fresh head to take a gander at how to go about making the outside of the elbow look pretty.  At this point I do not even care how well it looks lol.  Any help is greatly appreciated.

robert_scott_jr_

Michael, please post a link to your document. - Scotty

michael_perry127

https://cad.onshape.com/documents/7e849d4c8b272a464a825815/w/8be238379b043f3ec55cb925/e/b40471e320f880c3aa50d3eb?renderMode=0&uiState=651f6ad49cf9a55719897b4f

Sorry about that.

robert_scott_jr_

Michael, take a look at the linked document and see if that is what you're looking for. - Scotty

https://cad.onshape.com/documents/bd84f55e39939fad07a594fa/w/0500e7dc14d442155408dea0/e/acc6a657390294ad159ddc83

EvanReese

Loft works great for 4-sided surfaces, but for this kind of 3-way blend the Fill feature is likely better. It also depends on how you want it to look. You have 3 very sharp square shapes coming together, so maybe a simple cube-shaped corner is good. You could always fillet it to get it smooth-ish (more for ergonomics of it not being sharp, than aesthetics of it looking all Appley and smooth). Not the prettiest, but for the sake of example, here's one using a cube corner, then splitting it and using Fill to soften it. You could use a similar approach for the internal corner of the cube too.
https://cad.onshape.com/documents/50e79a4bb6e7912f5495ddb7/w/50a826e51ea91ff1978a5533/e/2a0bb13e1bf5916934f0546a 

michael_perry127

Evan, super helpful!  I think I was mostly getting stumped at the splitting part, and than did not even know the right way to use the delete to remove that corner afterwards.  That is a surprise tool to help me later.  Thank you.

michael_perry127

Robert, that is definitely a move for someone capable of thinking ahead, not me lol.  You get to skip some steps that Evan uses, but my small brain can not think that far ahead.  Definitely works though just as well.  Thank you as well!