Revolver

Overview

The Revolver Add-On helps create a revolving 3D pattern. It’s useful for objects like balloons or dome tents.

Creating a Revolver Pattern

Creating The Pattern

To create a Revolver Pattern, create a new pattern in the Pattern Editor. Start by creating a vertical line and set it to reference. Next, create your revolving elements to the left or right of that line.

Criteria

1. Must have one centerline or line of rotational symmetry that is set to reference.
   
   
2. The other elements will form a side view, representing one-half of what you want your finished object of resolution to look like.
   
   
3. The revolving elements can consist of lines, polylines, Arcs, Beziers, or Splines.
   
   
4. The revolving elements must form one continuous path.
   
   
5. There can not be any horizontal elements.
   
   
6. The elements can not cross the reference line.

Revolver Tool

Once the pattern is created, select the pattern and click the Revolver tool under the Tools tab.

Revolver Window

When you open a pattern in Revolver, the Revolver window will appear. Here you can view your 3D object of revolution. The Revolver creates this 3D image based on the pattern you selected.

Controls

You can zoom in and out using the Mouse Wheel or holding the Left and Right Buttons down at the same time and moving the mouse.

You can rotate the image by holding the Space Bar or the Mouse Wheel and moving the mouse.

Settings

From the Revolver window, you can specify the number of gores desired. You can also choose to view the image as just a wire frame or with the material surface and change the color of the wire and the surface by clicking on the boxes below the view section. 

Finishing

When you are finished modifying the 3D image, click Done. The Revolver window will close and the new pattern will be placed in the Project View. The new pattern will follow your mouse until you click.

 The pattern will automatically have the correct copy quota set depending on how many gores you chose. The pattern will use polyline elements for the two sides. They should be converted to smooth elements before cutting.