Loft

The Loft command fits a surface through selected profile curves that define the surface shape.

• Loft curves
• Command-line options

Loft curves

Steps:

1. Select the curves in the order in which the surface should pass through them.
   Select open curves near the same ends. For closed curves, adjust the curve seams.
2. When you are satisfied with the results, Click OK to close the dialog.

Loft Options

Style

Determines the knot and control point structure of the surface.
When some, but not all, endpoints of loft shapes touch, the loft type is restricted to Straight sections to avoid self-intersecting loops in the resulting surfaces.

• Loose
  The surface control points are created at the same locations as the control points of the original. This is a good option if the control points will be edited later.
• Normal
  The surface has an average amount of stretching between the curves. This is a good choice when the curves are proceeding in a relatively straight path or there is a lot of space between the curves.
• Straight sections
  Creates a ruled surface. The sections between the curves are straight.
• Tight
  The surface closely follows the original. This is a good choice when the input curves are going around a corner.
• Uniform
  Makes the object knot vectors uniform.

Closed loft
Creates a closed surface, continuing the surface past the last curve and around to the first curve. Available when you have selected three shape curves.

Match start tangent
If the start curve is a surface edge, the lofted surface maintains tangency with the adjacent surface. You must use at least three curves to activate this option.

Match end tangent
If the end curve is a surface edge, maintains tangency with the adjacent surface. You must use at least three curves to activate this option.

SplitAtTangents
If checked, the loft creates a single surface.
If unchecked, the loft creates a polysurface when the input curves are joined tangent curves. Faces in the resulting polysurface correspond to the tangent sub-curves in the input curves.

Cross-section curve options

• Align Curves Click the end of a shape curve to reverse the direction.
• Do not simplify
  Curves will not be rebuilt.
• Rebuild with __ control points
  Rebuilds the shape curves before lofting.
• Refit within __ units
  Refits the shape curves to the specified tolerance value.

Command-line options

Point
Allows picking a location for the start or end of the loft at a point. This tapers the loft to the selected point.
No point object is necessary, but it is a good idea to have some reference geometry in place to aid in picking the point location.

Adjust seam options (Closed curves only)

• Flip
  Reverses the curve direction.
• Automatic
  Attempts to align the seam points and directions without intervention.
• Natural
  Moves the seam points to the way they were at the beginning of the command.
• SnapToKnots
• Yes The seam points are always at the knots. You can only move them among the knots.
• No The seam points may leave the knots. You can move them without restriction.