Creating the Lateral Channels for Setting

Objective: Learn how to create the lateral channels for setting by trimming, lofting, and joining surfaces to form a solid.

Creating the Lateral Channels for Setting

In the upper-left corner, locate the Trim icon and click on it.
In the command bar, it will prompt you to select the cutting objects—select the four projected curves and press Enter.
Next, it will ask for the elements to cut—click inside the projected curves to trim the shank.
Press Enter to complete the trimming process.
You can now hide the curves to declutter the view.
Lofting to Close the Cut Surfaces

Go to the Surface tab and use the Loft command to close the cut surfaces and create a solid.
Select the two edges of the cut and press Enter.
In the options window, set Rebuild with 18 control points and click OK.
Repeat the same process for the other side.
Joining the Lofts and Shank

To create the final solid, select both lofts and the shank.
Click on the Join command, located in the upper-left corner next to the Trim icon.
Verifying the Solid

To verify that the result is a solid, select the model and press F3 to view its properties.
In the properties panel, you should see the description: Closed Solid Polysurface.
This confirms that you now have a single, complete solid element.
Next Lesson: Adding Gems to the Lateral Channels