How do I extrude in a direction not normal to the sketch?

[davidinindy]

Can I extrude a sketch along a different vector than perpendicular to the sketch? I'm using Wildfire, and the help... was no help.
Thanks.

David

 

[Guest0527211403]

You can, using a variable section sweep.

Create a curve to represent the vector you want to extrude. A curve throuh 2 points or a sketched datum curve, for example.

Start the variable section sweep tool, and select the curve for the trajectory.

Select the "References" tab and under "Section Plane Control" select "Constant Normal Direction", and then select the plane to which you want the section to be normal to.

You can then create the sketch from within the Variable Section Sweep tool. By default it creates a surface feature so switch it to solid if you need to.

Hope it helps

 

[jeff4136]

"... and then select the plane to which you want the section to be normal to."

Might be a little confusing. Your section plane will be parallel to the plane picked to define the constant normal direction.

 

[stephenweinstein]

This is not the "correct" answer, but I think it works.

Create a "blend" (NOT a swept blend) with two sections.

Make your two sections identical in shape and size, but offset in position by the proper amount to create the 3D geometry that you want.

 

[Guest0527211403]

That'll work too.. The only limitation is how it is dimensioned. Using a blend you are limited to 2(3) dimensions: the offset(s) between the sections and the separation between the planes. If you create a trajectory for a variable section sweep, you can define the vector as an angle and a length.