Modelling a Paddle in SOLIDWORKS – Basic and Advanced Lofting
SOLIDWORKS is a powerful tool for creating parts and features with complex geometries and structures. If you know how to use it, the process to create these shapes can be quick and very effective. Stuart, one of Cadtek’s Elite Application Engineers, will guide you through the creation of this paddle for use in Paddle-boarding, one of his hobbies outside of Cadtek. This two part tutorial came about while trying to solve a real world issue he had creating a GoPro camera mount for use when paddling down the River Thames. In part 1 you will be shown basic and advanced level Lofting to create the shaft & handle.
Throughout these videos you will be shown:-
- Loft
- Apply Material
- Advance Lofting
- Using Splines and creating new points
- Shelling
- Working with surfaces
- Showing tangency with visual effects
- Creating a new part in an assembly
Basic Lofting – The Paddle Shaft
Here Stuart introduces this tutorial series and guides you through creating the initial Loft for the shaft of the paddle. This is useful when modelling a feature with multiple profiles which differ in size and shape.
Advanced Lofting – The Paddle Handle
Focusing on the handle of the paddle, Stuart uses a loft with advanced settings to make an ergonomic handle. This allows the shape to be dictated by guide curves. You will see how to set these up and how to use splines to create free form shapes.
See Cadtek’s original article here. Look out for the second part in this series in the coming weeks covering the modelling of the paddle and seals. This will go into Surface and Reference modelling, other skills that every SOLIDWORKS user should have under their belt. For more hints, tips and content head over to our Twitter page or our YouTube channel.
Cadtek Designer Profile – Stuart Wortley
Stuart has been with Cadtek Systems for 18 years and is key part of our application team. Between paddle boarding down the Thames river, exploring in his VW Camper-van and doing a spot of DIY he is an avid designer and always keen to explore the capabilities of SOLIDWORKS. Stuart spends a lot of his time with customers showing them what the software can do and how they can speed up their design process with simple changes to their workflows. He recently picked up the accolade of Elite Application Engineer at this years SOLIDWORKS World in LA, the highest level achievable.
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