Is it possible to extrude along a curved path?

[Underdog]

Is it possible to extrude a shape along a curved path?
I need to make a round window molding in 4 sections, but I'm finding extrude only seems to extrude along a fixed vertical path inside a closed shape. Is this all it will do?

[gashawk]

I think you'll need to try sweep.

[Underdog]

Will that allow an exact width/height profile along a curved path?

[gashawk]

Something like this? 87529 or this? 87530

[Underdog]

Yup.
I tried out the sweep function yesterday, and if the 3D shape conforms exactly to the width and height of the profile drawn, then that's exactly what I need. I need the profile to be exactly 2" wide by 1-3/4 high w/ the inside diameter at 28-1/4 in a quarter circle. See pix.

87531875338753287534

[oscarl48]

Did a quick experiment to see if I could do the pattern with the precision that was specified. Blender is not CAD so takes a bit more attention to detail.

I uploaded to a card to see the carving times and holy cow those are long carving times.

I ordered some 1/8 long bullnose bits for some deeper carvings I was thinking of making but after seeing the carve times I may reconsider. Do deep carvings always take this long to carve? Is there something I am doing wrong?

[Underdog]

I figured it would be a long carving time. What did you come up with?
Here's mine with the long 1/16" ballnose bit with the best bit optimization:
At Normal: 4hrs 30+ Minutes
At Best: 6hrs 45+ Minutes
At Optimal 8hrs 50+ minutes

[oscarl48]

Just to do one piece its telling me about 5 hours (Normal) with the long 1/8 ballnose.
7hrs 21min for Best
9hrs 42min for Optimal

[Underdog]

Is there a way to turn on the grid snap while shaping the profile? I want to get this profile as exact as possible. (Man I need to start using this software more. I'm not even familiar enough with the line tools as I need to be.)

Or maybe there's a way to use construction lines or copy/paste some lines from the face view?

[Underdog]

Bump?
Anyone?
Can you turn on grid snap while shaping the profile in the sweep tool's bottom screen?

[fwharris]

Bump?
Anyone?
Can you turn on grid snap while shaping the profile in the sweep tool's bottom screen?

You will probably get a better answer if you call them.