In this chapter, you will learn the following:

• Creating a Sweep Feature

• Creating a Loft feature
• Creating a Coil feature
• Creating an Emboss Feature
• Creating a Rib Feature
• Applying an Image on a Face of a Model
• Creating a Shell Feature
Creating a Sweep Feature
A sweep feature is created by sweeping a profile along a path.
1. The profile must be a closed sketch for creating a solid sweep feature, whereas for
creating a surface sweep feature, it can be a closed or an open sketch.
2. The path can be an open or a closed sketch, which is made up of a set of end to end
connected sketched entities, a curve, or a set of model edges.
3. The starting point of the path must intersect the plane of the profile for best results.
4. The profile and path as well as the resultant sweep feature must not self-intersect.
5. It is recommended to create a profile on a plane that is normal to the start point of
the path for best results.
After creating a path and a profile, click on the Sweep tool in the Create
panel in the 3D Model tab.
Creating a Sweep Feature Along a Path

Feature Type

Profiles

Path
Orientation

Taper
Twist

Optimize for Single Selection

Creating a Sweep Feature Along a Path with Fixed Orientation
Creating a Sweep Feature Along a Path and a Guide Rail
In Autodesk Inventor, you can create a sweep feature such that the profile
follows the path as well as the guide rail.
Profile Scaling
Creating a Sweep Feature Along a Path and a Guide Surface
You can create a sweep feature such that the profile follows the path and its
twist is controlled by the guide surface.
Creating a Sweep Feature by Sweeping a Toolbody Along a Path
In Autodesk Inventor, you can also create a sweep feature by sweeping a
toolbody along a path.
 Creating a Loft feature
A loft feature is created by lofting two or more than two profiles such that
the cross-sectional shape of the loft feature transits from one profile to
another.

1. Two or more than two profiles/sections (similar or dissimilar) must be available in the
graphics area before invoking the Loft tool.
2. Profiles must be closed. You can select closed sketches, sketch points, faces, or vertices
as profiles.
3. All profiles must be created as different sketches.
4. The profiles and the resultant lofted feature must not self intersect.
Creating a Loft Feature with Sections
To create a loft feature with sections, click on the Loft tool in the Create
panel of the 3D Model tab.
Curves Tab
The options in the Curves tab of the Loft dialog box are used for selecting
sections of the loft feature, type of boolean operation, type of output
feature, guide rails, and so on.
Sections Area
Operation Area

Output Area
Closed Loop
Merge Tangent Faces
Conditions Tab
The options in the Conditions tab of the Loft dialog box are used for
defining the boundary condition for the start and end sections in order to
control the shape of the loft feature.
Free Condition
Direction Condition
Smooth (G2) Condition

Tangent Condition
Transition Tab
The Transition tab of the Loft dialog box is used for defining the
transition mapping between the sections of the loft feature.
Creating a Loft feature with Sections and Guide Rails
In Autodesk Inventor, you can also create a loft feature with profiles and
guide rails. Guide rails are used for guiding the cross-sectional shape of the
loft feature.
Creating a Loft feature with Sections and a Centerline
In Autodesk Inventor, you can also create a loft feature with profiles and a
centerline.
Creating an Area Loft feature
An area loft feature is one of the most powerful features that allows you to
control the cross-sectional areas of the loft feature at specified locations
along its centerline.
Creating a Coil Feature
A coil feature is used for creating a helical spring or a thread on a cylinder by
sweeping a profile around an axis of revolution.
Pitch and Revolution

Revolution and Height

Pitch and Height

Spiral
Taper
Transition Angle and Flat Angle fields
Creating an Emboss Feature
NOTE: On selecting the Wrap to Face check box, you can create an embossed or
engraved feature by wrapping the selected profile onto a selected face of a model.
Creating a Rib Feature
Rib features act as supporting features and are generally used for increasing the
strength of a model. You can create a rib feature from an open sketch by adding
thickness in a specified direction. In Autodesk Inventor, you can create a rib
feature that is normal to the sketching plane or parallel to the sketching plane by
using the Rib tool.
Creating a Rib Feature Normal to the Sketching Plane
NOTE: If the preview of the rib feature does not appear in the graphics area then you may need
to reverse the direction of the rib feature to the other side of the sketching plane by using the
Direction 1 or Direction 2 button of the dialog box.
To Next

Finite
Extend Profile

At Top

At Root
NOTE: In Autodesk Inventor, you can also create a rib feature with bosses at specified
locations by using the options available in the Boss tab of the Rib dialog box.
 Creating a Rib Feature Parallel to the Sketching Plane

TIP: While creating an open sketch of the rib feature, if the geometries of the model get projected
onto the current sketching plane as sketch entities, then it is recommended to convert the projected
entities into construction entities by using the Construction tool of the Format panel in the
Sketching environment.
Applying an Image on a Face of a Model
In Autodesk Inventor, you can apply or wrap an image on a face of a model
by using the Decal tool. Note that for doing so, you need to first insert an
image in the Sketching environment by using the Image tool.
TIP: After inserting an image in the Sketching environment, you can change its orientation,
position, scale, and so on by using the tools such as Rotate , Move , and Scale available
in the Modify panel of the Sketch tab.
Automatic Face Chain

Wrap to Face
Creating a Shell Feature
A shell feature is a thin walled feature, which is created by making a model
hollow from inside or by removing the faces of a model.
Inside

Outside

Both Sides

Thickness

Remove Faces
Automatic Face Chain

Solids
NOTE: In Autodesk Inventor, you can also create a multi-thickness shell model by using
the Shell dialog box.
Tutorial 1
Create the model shown in the below figure. The different views and
dimensions are given in the same figure. All dimensions are in mm.

To create this tutorial, follow the steps given in the textbook.

Tutorial 2
Create the model shown in the below figure. The different views and
dimensions are given in the same figure. All dimensions are in mm.

To create this tutorial, follow the steps given in the textbook.

Tutorial 3
Create the model shown in the below figure. All dimensions are in mm.

To create this tutorial, follow the steps given in the textbook.

Hands-on Test Drive 1
Create the model shown in the below figure. After creating the model, apply
the Stainless Steel material and then calculate its physical properties. All
dimensions are in mm.
Hands-on Test Drive 2
Create a model shown in the below figure and then apply the Steel, Alloy
material. Also, calculate the physical properties of the model. All dimensions
are in mm.
Summary
In this chapter, you have learned how to create a sweep feature, a loft feature,
a coil feature, an emboss feature, a rib feature, a shell feature, and the method
for applying images on a face of a model.
Questions
• The ________ tool is used for creating a sweep feature.

• While creating a sweep feature, the ________ option is selected in the

Orientation area of the Sweep property panel, by default. As a result, the
profile follows the path by maintaining the same angle of orientation from
start to end.

• On selecting the ________ option in the Sweep property panel, the profile
follows the path such that it remains parallel throughout the path.

• By selecting the ________ button, you can create a sweep feature by

sweeping a toolbody along a path.

• A ________ feature is created by lofting two or more than two profiles such
that the cross-sectional shape of the loft feature transits from one profile to
another.
• On activating the ________ button, the resultant loft feature will be created
as a surface.

• The ________, ________, and ________ options in the Operation area of

the Loft dialog box are used for defining the type of boolean operation to be
performed.

• The ________ are used for guiding the cross-sectional shape of the loft
feature.

• The ________ radio button in the Loft dialog box is used for creating a loft
feature with profiles and a centerline.

• On activating the ________ radio button, you can create an area loft feature
that allows you to control the cross-sectional areas of the feature at specified
locations along its centerline.
• The ________ tool is used for creating a helical spring or a thread on a
cylinder by sweeping a profile around an axis.

• The ________ tool is used for applying an image on a face of a model.

• In Autodesk Inventor, you cannot create a multi-thickness shell model.

(True/False)

• An emboss feature is created by embossing or engraving a sketch or a text

onto a face of a model. (True/False)

• You can create a rib feature from an open sketch by adding thickness in a
specified direction. (True/False)

• You cannot remove a face or faces of a model while creating a shell feature.
(True/False)
• The profiles/sections of a loft feature must be closed. (True/False)

• The guide rails must intersect with the profiles of the loft feature.
(True/False)