Creating a Helix

You can create helical curves, such as coils and springs for example. These curves are 3D curves, as opposed to the spirals.

Before you begin:

Create a 3D shape containing a point and an axis.

  1. Click Helix in the Wireframe toolbar (Curves sub-toolbar).

    The Helix Curve Definition dialog box appears.

  2. In the Starting Point box, select a point.



  3. In the Axis box, select an axis.



  4. Set the helix parameters.


    • Pitch: the distance between two revolutions of the curve

      Note: You can define the evolution of the pitch along the helix using a law. For further information, refer to Creating Laws and About Swept Surfaces.

    • Height: the global height of the helical curve, in the case of a constant pitch type helix
    • Orientation: defines the rotation direction (clockwise or counter clockwise)
    • Starting Angle: defines where the helical curve starts, in relation to the starting point. This parameter can be set only for the Constant pitch only.
    • Taper Angle: the radius variation from one revolution to the other. It ranges from -90 deg to 90 deg excluded. For a constant radius, set the taper angle to 0.
    • Way: defines the taper angle orientation. Inward: the radius decreases Outward: the radius increases.
    • Profile: the curve used to control the helical curve radius variation. The radius evolves according to the distance between the axis and the selected profile (here the orange curve). Note that the Starting point must be on the profile.

  5. Click Reverse Direction to invert the curve direction.

  6. Click OK to create the helix.

    The helical curve (identified as Helix.xxx) is added to the specification tree.