Revolve
Table of contents:
Introduction
Revolve
Let's talk about the Revolve tool. In other applications, similar functionality is commonly referred to as Revolve, Lathe, or Revolved Surface. While the naming may vary, the function remains the same: it creates 3D geometry by rotating a 2D profile around a defined axis, generating a symmetrical solid or surface.
In SelfCAD, the Revolve tool can be found in the Tools section of the main Toolbar. It allows you to revolve drawn profiles to transform them into fully developed 3D models, and it can also be applied to existing shapes by rotating them around a selected edge or axis. In practice, this enables users to create cylindrical parts, bowls, vases, mechanical components, wheels, handles, and other rotationally symmetrical objects with precise control over angle and axis.
Unlike Modify or Deform tools, the Tools category focuses on generating new geometry based on structured operations. Revolve is especially useful when designing objects with radial symmetry. In this article, we'll explore how to use the Revolve tool effectively and build models through controlled rotational geometry.
Select the object
The first step of using any modeling tool is selecting the object or a profile on which you want to use it. 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.
Activate the tool
Once the object is selected, you can activate the Revolve tool by selecting it from the Tools drop-down list or use a shortcut by pressing the 'T+V’ combination on your keyboard. This way, you’ll open a Tool Setting Panel with all of the customizable options for this tool on the left side of your screen.
Angle
The first setting in the Revolve tool is called the Angle, which allows you to customize the angle of rotation of the Revolved object. The default value is '360', and by lowering this value, you will create an arc. Doing so will give you access to Fill Settings, which allows you to either open or close the model at its ends.
Revolve: Segments
Following the Angle is the option called Segments, which corresponds to the resolution of the newly created shape. Naturally, you can increase this value to make the newly created Revolve more smooth or decrease it to make it a little rough around the edges.
Revolve: Flip Normals
Flip Normal allows you to reverse the vector of the faces of the model. Flipped Faces will interfere with both the modeling and printing, so when you notice that some of the faces have a darker color, you should enable this setting to flip them back to normal.
Revolve: Hide All Objects
Hide All Objects is an additional setting available for the Revolve tool. As its name suggests, enabling it hides every other object previously added to the grid, the shape used to Revolve included, allowing you to customize the current 3D Shape without other objects getting in the way.
Revolve Around Edge
Revolve Around Edge is an option exclusive to the Revolve tool. By enabling this option, you will enter a specific selection mode in which you can select an edge around the tool will Revolve. As you can guess, depending on the chosen Edge, the model will turn out differently.
And that’s about it for the Revolve. 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 using this tool on other shapes will give you slightly different effects, but its underlying principles will always 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!