Extrude Along Path

The Extrude Along Path command extrudes profile objects along a given path. Profile objects can be 2D objects, 3D polygons, and NURBS curves. Profile objects cannot be non-planar, self-intersecting, or a mixture of 2D and 3D profiles. If the path is not a NURBS curve, it is converted into a NURBS curve during this operation.

When using the Edit Group command on a 3D object created using Extrude Along Path, a dialog box opens with the choice to either edit the original path or profile object.

To extrude along a path:

1.	Select the object to be extruded, and the object to use as the path.

 

2.	Select Model > Extrude Along Path.

The Extrude Along Path dialog box opens. Enter the extrusion parameters.

 

Parameter	Description
Select a path object	Click the Next or Prev button to select the object that represents the path
Uniform Scale	Scales the object linearly along the designated path; enter a Scale Factor of 1 to perform no scaling, or enter a positive scale factor other than 1 for uniform scaling
Exponential Scale	Scales the object exponentially along the designated path; enter a Shape Factor of 0 to perform no scaling, or enter a shape factor other than 0 for exponential scaling

Scaling options are available when the path object is a single continuous curve without sharp corners or discontinuities.

3.	Click OK to extrude the object along the selected path.

4.	The type of Scale and Shape/Scale Factor of an Extrude Along Path object can be edited in the Object Info palette.