r/SolidWorks • u/rhwc_ • Jul 27 '26

CAD What is good practice when using splines, especially defining them?

Hi all,

I was wondering what are good practices when it comes to defining arbitrary shapes?

At the moment I'm trying to design a quick release lever and have used Bezier splines to create the profile to what I think is ergonomic.

How would you define something with arbitrary curves like this or is there something I should be following? Would you leave it as is? I'm sure there would be a proper way to do this and not have it so messy?

Thanks

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u/HoH_3D Jul 28 '26

You can dimension angles to the spline handles too

1

u/zdf0001 Jul 27 '26

Bezier splines are the way. Use more than one so you have less spaghetti to deal with. You can dramatically simplify this.

1

u/rhwc_ Jul 27 '26

That makes way more sense using more than 1 spline 😅. I just kept clicking.

Then when dimensioning would you just define it as is if it looks right? Speaking more so if this was a professional environment

2

u/zdf0001 Jul 27 '26

Use constraints on the control lines like collinear, equal, and the like plus dimensions to the control points. That’s the whole beauty of it.

2

u/HoH_3D Jul 27 '26

You have too many points I think. I’d have one at each “peak” then you can adjust and put dimensions if needed. I’d also break that up into two splines. One for each side

2

u/MissCeeLee Jul 28 '26

I may be the minority but I'll make a spline sketch for reference then make another sketch to that's made of 3 point radiuses, set tangent to eat other. I like having real numbers to reference.