The loft thru profiles command allows the use to create a continuous feature from numerous sketches. You could sketch a circle in one workplane and square in another and then create a solid that connects the two sketches. A better example would be the nozzle on the end of a vacuum cleaner. The sketches that you connect via a loft can have any shape or size but the workplanes of the sketches must be parallel to each other

In this tutorial you will do a simple loft between two rectangles.

Start a new Design

Create a sketh called rectangle 1

Sketch a simple rectangle that is 3" x 2"

Rectangle 1 sketch will be the first sketch for the lofted feature

• Now create a workplane for the second sketch.

• One the windows command menu (word across the top)

• Workplane>New Workplane (or Alt-W)

• Offset the new workplane 4 inches

This new workplane will be used to sketch another rectangle that will be the second sketch in the loft feature.

• Start a new sketch in the new workplane (workplane1)

• Make sure the new workplane is pre highlighted (in red) It should be highlighted right after you created it.

• Right Click>New Sketch or just hit Alt N

• Name the new sketch: Rectangle 2

• Hit the View onto workface button to begin the second sketch on the new workplane you just created

• Sketch a 6 x 4 rectangle as shown. This 2nd rectangle will be the second sketch for the loft

You can now create a loft between the two sketchs. Keep in mind that you can use an unlimited number of sketches in a loft as long as all of the planes are parallel.

• Feature>Loft Thru Profiles
• The loft pop box will appear.
• You want to add material
• To select the profiles, click on your select line tool.
• Select a line in the smaller rectangle skecth and the rectangle sketch should get listed in the profile pop box.
• Select a line on the larger rectangle (2) and the rectangle 2 sketch should also be listed in the loft pop box

• After selecting at least two profiles a black line will conntect the two profiles and a small yellow dot will appear at one end.
• The black line is the path that the loft will follow.
• The yellow dot appears on the profile that is currently selected in the loft pop box.
• You can move the yellow dot by clicking and dragging it
• Move the yellow dot so that the profile line is straight (connects congruent corners)
• Try selecting Rectangle 1 in the loft pop box to see how the yellow dot moves to the rectangle 1 sketch.

Click OK to create the loft

The created loft should look as shown.

Hit the undo button and try moving the loft line around to create different shapes

How would you create the below vacuum cleaner nozzle? Give it a try using a loft through 3 profiles! Make sure your loft line is straight or you will get a twisted nozzle. (note: the object was shelled after the loft was complete)