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Continuous loft

anthony_cassaranthony_cassar Member Posts: 7

I need to create a continuous loft. ie. it has to end where it started from in a continuous loop. But every time it fails to create the final link. Any ideas please?

Answers

  • jelte_steur814jelte_steur814 Member Posts: 428 PRO

    a little more context as to the shape you're trying to accomplish would be helpful,

    could you create the loft in two section? of make a part of it with a sweep/revolve/extrude and loft the rest?

  • robert_scott_jr_robert_scott_jr_ Member Posts: 569 ✭✭✭

    As in an O ring? - Scotty

  • anthony_cassaranthony_cassar Member Posts: 7

    Creating it in two parts will not give the same natural bends. This screenshot shows the shape I want to create (with the missing connection)

  • MDesignMDesign Member Posts: 748 ✭✭✭

    2 parts can give whatever shape you need it to be. Do you have something started and can share a link? So that others may take a crack at it?

  • jelte_steur814jelte_steur814 Member Posts: 428 PRO

    seems like the section of the 'knot' is quite uniform. wouldn't a sweep work?

  • anthony_cassaranthony_cassar Member Posts: 7

    I tried doing it in multiple parts but the twists/bends were not that harmonious.

    This is my project link:

    https://cad.onshape.com/documents/444ee345df5d35c5e4b2da6c/w/12970996b940c3a9450eecad/e/718223423964dfbb6969744e

  • anthony_cassaranthony_cassar Member Posts: 7

    The sketches are on different planes/levels so I cannot use sweep

  • robert_scott_jr_robert_scott_jr_ Member Posts: 569 ✭✭✭

    Take a look at this document. Perhaps you can use some of the features in it (particularly Routing Curve) to get the results you seek. - Scotty

  • MDesignMDesign Member Posts: 748 ✭✭✭
    edited April 14
    image.png

    Added 1 3d fit spline through all your circle centers, Added a point to the center of one of the sketch circles (needed this to finish the 3d spline at its starting point). Created the sweep using one sketch circle and the the 3d spline as the path

  • anthony_cassaranthony_cassar Member Posts: 7

    Many thanks Scotty, I'll try that.

  • john_lopez363john_lopez363 Member Posts: 122 ✭✭✭
    edited April 14

    @anthony_cassar ….3D Spline…then Sweep your desired profile…

    PS: 3D Spline can really hurt your head, especially without reference points in space to help define them. In this case I used a Feature Script called "Freeform Spline".

    Screenshot 2025-04-14 at 1.15.15 PM.png
  • EvanReeseEvanReese Member, Mentor Posts: 2,329 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Ah the trefoil knot is a tricky one! Seems like this got solved (and is a good use of Freeform Spline, or the new native Routing Curve feature). Sweep is better than loft here unless you need to vary the cross section.

    To answer your original question though, a closed loft is possible if you use closed guide curves. I do often wish there was just a "Closed loft" button though like the 3D Fit Spline feature.

    Evan Reese
    Independent Onshape Consultant | Industrial Designer
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