Sweeping Objects

The Sweep command converts 2D objects into 3D cylindrical objects. Use it to convert a single object at a time, or to convert several selected objects. While more than one object can be swept at a time, grouped objects must first be ungrouped. Locked objects must first be unlocked in order to create a sweep.

A sweep has four basic elements: a centroid (locus), an arc angle, a segment angle, and a pitch. The locus acts as the sweep’s center of rotation. If a locus is not selected, VectorWorks automatically sweeps the object around its left edge or point farthest on the left if more than one object is selected. A locus can be relocated or added after creation using the Edit Group command. The other three elements (arc angle, segment angle, pitch) can be edited after the sweep has been created through the Object Info palette.

If more than one object is selected when creating a sweep, the objects are automatically grouped. To edit an object within the sweep, use the Edit Group command.

To create a sweep:

1.	Select the 2D object(s) to sweep and, if created, the locus.

2.	Select Model > Sweep.

The Create Sweep dialog box opens. Enter the sweep criteria and click OK.

Parameter	Description
Size
Height	Indicates the sweep height
Radius	Indicates the sweep radius
Angles
Start Angle	Specifies the angle to begin the sweep; normally start at 0
Arc Angle	Specifies the degree of the sweep. By default, objects are swept a full 360º.
Segment Angle	Indicates the number of segments that make up the sweep. The default is 36 segments, each one 10º from the next on the arc. The angle setting must be a positive number. A large number of segments can slow down performance.
Pitch	Sets the degree to which the sweep spirals. A sweep’s pitch is represented in the plus- or minus-height per revolution. For example, if the pitch is 1”, every revolution raises the object a single inch. The default is 0.