Recommended test
Create a simple two-profile loft before adding guide rails.
- Draw a closed rectangle on an origin plane and finish the sketch.
- Create a parallel offset plane and draw a smaller closed rectangle on it.
- Choose Loft, add the profiles in order, compare Smooth and Ruled, and Apply a New body.
- Undo that test result; draw two open side rails that meet both profile boundaries, then repeat Loft with those rails.
Prepare the sections
Draw 2–16 closed profiles on different planes, then finish their sketches. Create parallel references with Plane offsets, or use other suitable saved planes.
Choose Loft and add profiles from the dropdown or by picking closed regions in the viewport. Pick them in the order the solid should pass through them. Use Earlier, Later and Remove profile to correct the list.
Profiles stay in their actual sketch positions. Loft does not automatically stack or space them.
Choose Smooth or Ruled
Without rails, Smooth creates a smooth transition through the sections. Ruled between profiles creates direct transitions between consecutive sections.
Inspect side views for unexpected twists or crossings. Clear profile order and compatible outlines make the result easier to control.
Add guide rails
Open Guide rails (optional) and add 2–8 open rails. Select sketch curves in the list or use Pick rail for sketch curves and solid-edge paths.
Each rail must meet the boundary of every profile. Rails may extend beyond the first and last profiles. A curve running near a profile, through its interior or only to one section does not satisfy that boundary requirement.
Use Connected path for a continuous chain. Add segment lets you choose the intended route through a branched sketch. Review each rail separately and remove unintended segments or rails.
When rails are present, Surface changes to Guided by rails. Joins between the resulting surface patches can have a crease; guided does not promise a seamless tangent transition everywhere.
Create the result
Choose New body, Join, Subtract or Intersect, and a target when needed. Use Done picking to leave a picking prompt, orbit the preview and Apply once it is valid.
The current loft requires profiles without holes. For a hollow shape, make an outer loft and use a separate inner loft with Subtract against it. Check that the resulting wall thickness and openings are intentional.
Cancel or Escape abandons the preview. The finished exact body and source sketches save in .strek, but editing a profile or rail later does not replay the loft automatically.