(Available in Platinum, Professional and Deluxe)

Default UI Menu: Draw/3D Object/Helix

Ribbon UI Menu:

This tool creates a curvilinear helix that can be used for creating springs and other helical elements.

1. Click to place the Base Point of the helix.
2. Move the mouse to specify the Base Radius, or enter a value in the Radius or Diameter fields of the Inspector Bar.
3. If you are specifying the radius by using the mouse, click to finish the extrusion.

Or If you are specifying the radius/diameter by using the Inspector bar, press Enter to set the radius/diameter.

1. Move the mouse to specify the Top Radius, or enter a value in the Radius or Diameter fields of the Inspector Bar.
2. If you are specifying the radius by using the mouse, click to finish the set the Top Radius.

Or If you are specifying the radius/diameter by using the Inspector bar, press Enter to set the radius/diameter.

1. Move the mouse to specify the height of the helix, or enter values in the Turns and Turn Height fields of the Inspector Bar.
2. If you are specifying the height by using the mouse, click to finish the helix.

Or If you are specifying the Turns and Turn Height by using the Inspector bar, press Enter to set the finish the helix.

Helix Properties

The Properties window of a Helix object contains a Helix page, in which you can set parameters defining how the object is created.

Constrain Type: This controls the dynamic for changing the properties by semi-locking the selected property. When one of the other properties is changed, the designated constrained property remains constant, and the third property is altered so that the constrained property can remain constant. The constrained properties work in the following pattern: If the Turn Height property is constrained, changing the Height property will also change the Turns property, and changing the Turns property will change the Height property. If the Turn Height value is changed the Height property will also change. If the Height property is constrained, changing the Turn Height property will also change the Turns property, and changing the Turns property will change the Turn Height property. If the Height value is changed the Turn Height property will also change. If the Turns property is constrained, changing the Height property will also change the Turn Height property, and changing the Turn Height property will change the Height property. If the Turns value is changed the Height property will also change.

General Properties

Height: Sets the total height of the helix. Turns: Sets the number of turns in the helix. Turn Height: Sets the height of each complete turn in the helix. Base Radius: Sets the radius of the first turn of the helix. Top Radius: sets the radius of the final turn of the helix. Twist Orientation: these options specify the direction that the helix will turn, clockwise, or counter-clockwise.