Sweep and Revolve — Path-Based 3D Generation

Before using Sweep or Revolve, draw the required source shapes:

For Sweep:

• Profile — the cross-section shape. Draw a closed 2D polygon representing the cross-section of the form (e.g., an L-shape for an L-profile edging, a rectangle for a beam, a circle for a tube). Draw it in the 2D plan view.
• Path — the route along which the profile will be swept. Can be a straight line, polyline, arc, or curve. Draw it as a 2D path in the plan view. The profile will follow the path's direction.

For Revolve:

• Profile — the outline to be rotated. Draw it as an open or closed 2D shape representing half the final form in cross-section (e.g., the side profile of a planter).
• Axis — a straight line that will serve as the rotation center. The profile will revolve 360° around this line.

1. Click Sweep in the 3D editor toolbar (or search for Sweep in the command palette) 2. Click ① the profile shape — the cross-section polygon. It highlights to confirm selection. 3. Click ② the sweep path — the route line. The 3D swept solid is generated immediately and appears in the 3D view.

The resulting object is a standard mesh. It can be selected, moved, scaled, and entered in the Mesh Editor for further modification.

Common garden design uses:

• Curved garden edging: L-profile swept along a curving path
• Pergola rafters and beams: rectangular profile swept along structural lines
• Handrails and fencing rails: tube or rod profile swept along a fence line
• Custom molding profiles: decorative cross-section swept along a straight run

1. Click Revolve in the 3D editor toolbar 2. Click ① the profile shape — the half-profile outline. It highlights to confirm selection. 3. Click ② the revolve axis — the straight line around which the profile will rotate. The 3D revolved solid is generated immediately.

By default the profile revolves 360° to produce a closed solid. To create a partial revolution (e.g., 180° for a semi-circular planter), set the Revolve Angle in the Revolve settings panel before clicking the axis.

Common garden design uses:

• Circular planters and urns: draw the outer-wall profile and revolve around the center line
• Columns and bollards: draw the column profile and revolve around its center axis
• Fountain bowls and basins: draw the bowl cross-section and revolve
• Spherical or ovoid topiary forms: draw a half-ellipse and revolve

Select the Sweep or Revolve object in the 3D view, then toggle Edit profile in 3D in the Inspector. Colored bezier handles appear on the path (for Sweep) or on the half-profile silhouette (for Revolve). Drag any handle to move that control point — the 3D form rebuilds instantly as you drag. Path handles are constrained to the horizontal plan plane at the path's elevation. Profile handles for Revolve move in the meridian (vertical cross-section) plane. Press Done or click away to exit edit mode.

With the object selected, the Inspector panel on the right shows its parametric settings. For a Sweep you can change the segment count along the path, which controls mesh resolution on curves. For a Revolve you can set the rotation angle (1°–360°) to open the form, and the radial segments count to control how smooth the circular cross-section appears. All changes are non-destructive and regenerate the geometry immediately.

Select the object and open the Style tab in the Inspector. Assign a surface class or a custom photoreal material to control how the form appears in both 3D and Presentation mode. While the object is parametric it uses a single material across all faces.