Follow Path

Apr 14, 2026 | Igor

Table of contents:
Introduction
Follow Path
Duplicate
Extrude

Let's talk about the Follow Path tool. In other applications, similar functionality is commonly referred to as Sweep, Sweep Along Path, or Path Extrude. While the naming may vary, the function remains the same: it creates new geometry by sweeping a selected profile or object along a defined path, generating a continuous surface or solid based on that trajectory.

In SelfCAD, the Follow Path tool can be found in the Tools section of the main Toolbar. It allows you to select a profile (or an object) and a path, then generate a new surface or solid that follows the exact curvature of that path, or create a set number of copies distributed along the path. In practice, this allows users to model pipes, rails, wires, decorative trims, structural frames, patterned elements, and repeated components aligned precisely along curved trajectories.

Unlike Modify or Deform tools, the Tools category focuses on workflow-enhancing operations that generate or transform geometry in structured ways. Follow Path bridges sketching and solid modeling while also supporting controlled duplication along curves. In this article, we'll explore how to use the Follow Path tool effectively and create geometry along custom paths.

Create and select objects

You need to select the objects for the Follow Path before opening the toop. One object will sweep along the path, and the second will serve as the path for the sweep.

The first step of using the Follow Path tool is selecting the profile or a model that will be swept (Followed) along the Path, and then select a profile that will serve as the Path. You can add profiles with the help of Freehand and 3D Sketch tools and objects with the help of 3D Shapes tools. You can select them by either left-clicking on them in the workspace or by selecting them in the Object Management section, in the right-side panel. The second option has an in-built search engine, which is extremely useful when you are working with multiple objects.

Follow Path

Once the objects are selected, you can enable the tool by selecting it from the Tools category or by using a shortcut

Once the profiles are drawn and selected in the correct order, you can activate the tool itself. To activate the Follow Path tool, you need to choose it from the Tools drop-down list in the Main Toolbar or use a shortcut by using the 'T+P' combination on your keyboard. This way, you will open a Tool Setting Panel with all of the customizable options for this feature on the left-hand side of your screen. Depending on whether you selected a 3D model or a profile to be swept along the Path, you will find different customizable options.

Follow Path: Duplicate + Copies

First mode is Duplicate, which creates copies of the object along the specified path. Right below is the Plane option will helps you rotate the object for the Follow Path so the result is aligned with your expected result.

Duplicate is the first mode available for the Follow Path tool when used in combination with a 3D Shape. In this mode, the selected object will be copied and pasted along the Path. Alongside it, you can customize the Number of Copies that will appear along the Path and make the sweep more smooth or rough around the edges. Right after that, there is the option to select the Place, which helps you set the base position of the object for the sweep.

Follow Path: Spacing

Spacing changes how the copies are distributed on the path. By default, you can simply set up the number of copies, however with Spacing you can set up a distance between copies, and the software will calculate their number on the path.

It creates copies of the object along the path based on a set distance between them rather than by a fixed number of copies, giving you precise control over the spacing between each instance. The option to set the distance becomes available after enabling this option.

Follow Path: Tangent

It changes how to profile sweeps along the path by keeping it in fixed position along the path, sligtly changing the result of the sweep, offering a unique result.

Follow Path: Extrude

Secondary mode for the Follow Path, which simply sweeps one profile or shape along the specified path. Below is the Plane option which allows you to rotate the profile for the sweep to customize the result.

Extrude is the second mode available for the Follow Path tool when used in combination with a 3D Shape. In this mode, the selected object will sweep along the selected Path. Here, the result relies entirely on the level of the detail of the selected Object; the bigger the Resolution, the easier for the object to Extrude around a complex Path. Right below is the Plane option, which allows you to set the rotation of the profile for the sweep to customize the result.

Length of the Path + Fill

Option that customizes the Path - here you can set up from which point on the path the sweep will start and at what point it will end.

The first settings in the Follow Path tool, available when using it in combination with Profiles and Shapes, allow you to change the length of the Path by manipulating the slider. There are two values there, the Start and the End, and you can change the size of it from them both. Below you will find the Fill Settings, which will add polygons at the ends of the Path and make the object manifold.

Taper

Taper allows you to add a scaling option for the sweep - by muving the slider you can make one end of the sweep bigger or smaller than the other end.

Next in line is the Taper setting, which you can customize by moving the slider. Here, you customize the Taper, the size, of the Path at its end. Naturally, with the positives values, you will increase the size of the Path at its end, while the negative values will decrease it. Below you will find the Reverse setting, which will change the side from which the Taper will be added.

Weight

Weight sets the position of the thickest and smallest part of the sweep.

Tangent

At the bottom of the Tool Settings Panel, you will find the Tangent setting. It's available for using the Follow Path with both Profiles and Shapes, and it rotates the Shape or the Profile along the Path. When you deselect it, the object will be swept along the Path while locked in one plane.

And that’s about it for the Follow Path. After reading this article, you should know the basics of this tool and how to use it, and know about its different applications. Of course, the graphics shown here were just examples, and, depending on the selected Profile, Shape, and Path, you will get slightly different effects, but the underlying principles of this tool will stay the same.

That's all I have for you today. I wish you success in your future projects. See you, and stay tuned for more content to come!