Using the Loft tool
Using the Loft tool, you can create a solid or surface by selecting a series of cross sections. The selected cross sections will define the shape of the lofted solid.
Example:
Create three circles as shown below. The diameters and center point locations are given in the table.
Click Home > Modeling > Solids drop-down > Loft on the ribbon or type LOFT in the command line and press ENTER.
Select the cross-sections one by one; the preview of the lofted solid appears.
Press ENTER to accept the selection; the message, “Enter an option [Guides Path Cross sections only Settings] <Cross sections only>:” appears in the command line.
Select the Settings option from the command line; the Loft Settings dialog box appears. In this dialog box, the Smooth Fit option is selected by default. As a result, a smooth connection is created between the cross-sections. If you select the Ruled option, the lofted solid or surface has sharp edges.
The Normal to option creates a solid or surface normal to the cross-section. You can select the loft solid or surface to be normal to Start Cross Section, or End Cross Section, or Start and End Cross Sections, or All cross sections.
The Draft angles option is used to specify the draft angle and magnitude at start and end cross sections. The draft angle is the beginning direction of the loft surface. If you set the draft angle to 90 degrees, the loft surface starts vertically from the cross section and the 0 degrees draft angle starts loft surface horizontally. The Magnitude is the relative distance upto which the loft surface will follow the draft angle before it bends.
The Close surface or solid option connects the start and end section of the lofted object. Note that
this option is available only for Ruled and Smooth Fit surfaces.
Select the Normal to option and select All cross sections. Click OK; the loft solid will be
created as shown below.
