Happy CADing - Design an Elegant Pull Handle with ZW3D

A pull handle is the first thing you touch when opening something. Its shape and style indicate the owner's taste -- classic or modern, simple or delicate. But no matter which style, streamlined shape and smooth touch will be the basic demands for its design. So today, I am going to share how to design an elegant pull handle in ZW3D. Why not follow me and DIY one for your house? [embed]https://youtu.be/_VBdyhnO6Pg[/embed]

Figure 1. Design an elegant pull handle in ZW3D

First, create a 3D curve profile Step 1: Create the main profile sketch on the XY plane, then sketch three curves on the XZ plane separately as the profile of the handle model.

Figure 2. Create the profile sketches for different sides of the handle

Step 2:Extrude the middle curve located on XZ plane to create a surface, then project the main profile onto the surface by Project to Face Command. After that, you will get the 3D curve profile.

Figure 3. Project the main profile onto the extruded surface

Step 3: To better control the middle of the handle, create a section curve for it on the YZ Plane by Sketch command.

Figure 4. Create a sketch for the section curve on YZ Plane

Second, generate the surface You need the U curves and V curves to construct the surface of the handle. You’d better sketch them separately, so that you can create the surface more easily. Step 1: Click Curve Mesh in Free Form tab, then click the input box of Curve segment and select three curves (First U Go, 2nd U and Last U Go) as U curves. It’s worth noting that you should click the middle button of your mouse to finish the selection for each curve. For the discontinuous curves, you can press the shift button while picking the curves to select a complete one.

Figure 5. Create U Curves  

Step 2: Repeat the same operations of Step 1 in Curve Mesh to create V curves.

Figure 6. Create V Curves

Step 3: Select all the U curves and V curves in Curve Mesh, then click OK. After that, the top surface will be generated.

Figure 7. Create the top surface

Step 4: Repeat Step 1-3 to create the bottom surface, then sew the top surface and the bottom surface by selecting the top surface in Sew command.

Figure 8. Create the bottom surface

Third, add pillars and render Step 1: Create two pillars on the main profile plane by Cylinder. Then connect the pillars and the main part of the handle by Blend Face.

Figure 9. Create pillars and connect them with the handle

Step 2: Combine the independent shapes into a complete one by Add Shape. Make thread holes by the Hole command. Finally, render the handle by adding colors and materials as you need.

Figure 10. The handle model after rendering

Step 3: Insert the handle into the furniture like a cabinet in the assembly environment.

Figure 11. Insert the handle into a cabinet in assembly environment

So far, an elegant pull handle with streamlined shape has been finished in ZW3D. Have you got the tricks? Practice makes perfect. Why not design handles in your own styles with ZW3D? Look forward to your masterpiece.