# Help please - Finding Loft very confusing - also what does this error message really mean?

**URL:** <https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/help-please-finding-loft-very-confusing-also-what-does-this-error-message-really-mean/25423>\
**Category:** Modeling Questions\
**Created:** [April 23, 2023, 11:16am UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/help-please-finding-loft-very-confusing-also-what-does-this-error-message-really-mean/25423 "2023-04-23T11:16:52Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 15\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Steve566074](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecc23a/32.png) [@Steve566074](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/Steve566074)\
**Post date:** [April 23, 2023, 11:16am UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/help-please-finding-loft-very-confusing-also-what-does-this-error-message-really-mean/25423/1 "2023-04-23T11:16:52Z")

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I am using Loft to create a model of a vintage car bonnet. I am finding it extremally confusing to work out what causes bulges and dips without using trial-and-error. Is there a detailed explanation/tutorial on the advanced use of Loft to help me understand the root cause and adjust?

I also keep getting this error message “All profiles should be positioned in a way that the lofted body won’t self intersect” What does this actually mean so that I can successfully de-bug the issue?

 ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/uploads/shapr3d/original/3X/e/1/e1e4dbd4b04c9673d094c9cdf99b6306e037f9a6.jpeg)

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**Author:** ![Stephen](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/discourse.shapr3d.com/stephen/32/16350_2.png) [@Stephen](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/Stephen)\
**Post date:** [April 23, 2023, 1:49pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/help-please-finding-loft-very-confusing-also-what-does-this-error-message-really-mean/25423/2 "2023-04-23T13:49:13Z")

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A hose folded over tightly would be an example of self intersecting.

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**Author:** ![TigerMike](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/discourse.shapr3d.com/tigermike/32/32650_2.png) [@TigerMike](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/TigerMike)\
**Post date:** [April 23, 2023, 4:01pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/help-please-finding-loft-very-confusing-also-what-does-this-error-message-really-mean/25423/3 "2023-04-23T16:01:16Z")

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**Guided Loft** is the way to go. Make sure the guide lines touch or connect to the loft planes (circled in red).

 ![guidedLoftSketch](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/uploads/shapr3d/original/3X/5/c/5c7fa5b965bc940f6e51e36127f3ba3c52da25bd.jpeg)

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**Author:** ![Steve566074](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecc23a/32.png) [@Steve566074](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/Steve566074)\
**Post date:** [April 23, 2023, 4:32pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/help-please-finding-loft-very-confusing-also-what-does-this-error-message-really-mean/25423/4 "2023-04-23T16:32:40Z")

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Hi,

Thanks TigerMike.  
I can see how this works when the edge of the loft is in a single plane. However I have a profile along the bonnet side view edge (actually it is a bonnet half). So I have profile 1 in the image below as the top view edge but also profile 2 as the side view edge. Any suggestions how I can make the guided Loft work in this scenario?

 ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/uploads/shapr3d/original/3X/d/b/db93af48bcdc0632134a7416390338ae61a920a2.jpeg)

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![TigerMike](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/discourse.shapr3d.com/tigermike/32/32650_2.png) [@TigerMike](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/TigerMike)\
**Post date:** [April 23, 2023, 4:55pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/help-please-finding-loft-very-confusing-also-what-does-this-error-message-really-mean/25423/5 "2023-04-23T16:55:46Z")

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Sorry to say that I do not follow at all what you are trying to do with your profiles 1 & 2.  
(Maybe it’s a right-hemisphere thing 😀)  
The use of guided loft doesn’t have to be in a single plane however it is a bit more work creating guide lines outside the initial single plane in 3D space.  
Not sure if this applies at all but you can do a secondary operation as shown below. Again, this may not be what you want to do but it may offer another approach.

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**Author:** ![Steve566074](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecc23a/32.png) [@Steve566074](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/Steve566074)\
**Post date:** [April 23, 2023, 5:14pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/help-please-finding-loft-very-confusing-also-what-does-this-error-message-really-mean/25423/6 "2023-04-23T17:14:27Z")

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Thank again Mike.

I see what you have done in the clip but it will not work for me - I make model cars and am trying to replicate an existing model piece so I can improve on the original and then 3D print - so the dimensions are important.

I think I need to do as you say and create the guide in 3d space to do this if I am to use guided loft. Otherwise I think I am stuck with lofting between cross section profiles.

Any guidance on how I generate a 3D guide as I cannot see how I would do this in Shapr ?  
( I have just tried using a projected edge in 3D space but does not seem to work)

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![TigerMike](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/discourse.shapr3d.com/tigermike/32/32650_2.png) [@TigerMike](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/TigerMike)\
**Post date:** [April 23, 2023, 8:11pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/help-please-finding-loft-very-confusing-also-what-does-this-error-message-really-mean/25423/7 "2023-04-23T20:11:25Z")

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Can you upload a pic of one of your existing model piece where dimensions are important? I’d like to see what it looks like and perhaps offer a different approach.

Here’s an example of using guided loft in more than one plane. The features are exaggerated so the result is easier to see.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Steve566074](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecc23a/32.png) [@Steve566074](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/Steve566074)\
**Post date:** [April 23, 2023, 8:56pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/help-please-finding-loft-very-confusing-also-what-does-this-error-message-really-mean/25423/8 "2023-04-23T20:56:34Z")

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Mike,  
Many thanks for your interest.  
Screenshot below is the best I have been able to achieve so far - but not perfect.

 ![Screenshot 2023-04-23 214408](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/uploads/shapr3d/original/3X/8/9/894caec279617c9ba562465335af08ab5350dd4a.jpeg)

Pictures below are of the bonnet I am trying to emulate. Ignore the louvers - these are the reason I am wanting to 3D print my own as you can see the kits depiction is pretty poor. I have already mastered how to do these as you can see.

 ![Test bonnet](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/uploads/shapr3d/original/3X/a/e/ae569c35cfbccd73ec325a2132d626c728f6cb3d.jpeg)

It is now just a case of getting the basic shape correct.

 ![One](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/uploads/shapr3d/original/3X/7/c/7c0ad4ed26adabcaa3c1ce5bfe890e813c5bc389.jpeg)  
 ![Two](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/uploads/shapr3d/original/3X/0/c/0c32c69eb0c297e31bb52209f8a75267a9aac8a5.jpeg)  
 ![Three](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/uploads/shapr3d/original/3X/0/3/0321811b6507ffa8375b1ed6a733ea471f22210f.jpeg)  
 ![Four](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/uploads/shapr3d/original/3X/f/8/f848de094a76306f898ca92b9c253440829dc1ce.jpeg)

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**Author:** ![Steve566074](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecc23a/32.png) [@Steve566074](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/Steve566074)\
**Post date:** [April 23, 2023, 9:00pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/help-please-finding-loft-very-confusing-also-what-does-this-error-message-really-mean/25423/9 "2023-04-23T21:00:05Z")

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For clarity - the blue one is my attempt - the louvers are good but the general shape is wrong. The orange one is the one I am trying to accurately model.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![TigerMike](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/discourse.shapr3d.com/tigermike/32/32650_2.png) [@TigerMike](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/TigerMike)\
**Post date:** [April 23, 2023, 9:59pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/help-please-finding-loft-very-confusing-also-what-does-this-error-message-really-mean/25423/10 "2023-04-23T21:59:53Z")

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Thanks for clarifying and for the pics. Nice model. I too like model kits. I think trying to do a complex loft is…shall we say, too complex.  
I would consider my 2nd approach with a double subtract after the initial loft and shell.  
Are your 3D printing with a resin printer?

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Steve566074](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecc23a/32.png) [@Steve566074](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/Steve566074)\
**Post date:** [April 24, 2023, 6:04pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/help-please-finding-loft-very-confusing-also-what-does-this-error-message-really-mean/25423/11 "2023-04-24T18:04:56Z")

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Hi Mike,

I took your advice and I think I have cracked it. I needed to produce a Loft Guide for the front edge that was at an angle to the x plane which was a little more involved. I will now need to 3D print a prototype and adjust from there but the process should be straightforward now I have the workflow (thanks to you). see below.

I am using resin printers and have already done the engine - Shapr pic and pictures of the parts and finished product below.

Many, many thanks for your help. What are you working on at the moment?

 ![Shapr Image-2023-04-24 183635](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/uploads/shapr3d/original/3X/c/4/c461826801fe39461df8302864af0e1bf6f4f164.jpeg)  
 ![Screenshot 2023-04-24 184227](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/uploads/shapr3d/original/3X/f/5/f5ab62e9bfe43d288a4edd5c11ff0697ede4626a.jpeg)  
 ![IMG_3032](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/uploads/shapr3d/original/3X/1/9/194caee248660155af8476ae60334f2cd8c9601f.jpeg)  
 ![Engine](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/uploads/shapr3d/original/3X/7/0/7053bf19e8f99a9736965323ea1ace76421f831b.jpeg)

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**Author:** ![danno11](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b19c9b/32.png) [@danno11](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/danno11)\
**Post date:** [April 24, 2023, 7:33pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/help-please-finding-loft-very-confusing-also-what-does-this-error-message-really-mean/25423/12 "2023-04-24T19:33:04Z")

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Steve that looks great, what type of 3D printer are you using to make your parts.

Thank you

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**Author:** ![Steve566074](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecc23a/32.png) [@Steve566074](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/Steve566074)\
**Post date:** [April 24, 2023, 7:49pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/help-please-finding-loft-very-confusing-also-what-does-this-error-message-really-mean/25423/13 "2023-04-24T19:49:21Z")

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Hi,

I am using a Phrozen Sonic Mini 8K with Phrozen’s Aqua-Gray 8K resin for most of the detailed work. I also have a Prusa SL1S which is great for prototyping as it is around 3 to 4 times faster - but the trade-off is in the resolution/level of detail.

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**Author:** ![TigerMike](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/discourse.shapr3d.com/tigermike/32/32650_2.png) [@TigerMike](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/TigerMike)\
**Post date:** [April 24, 2023, 10:55pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/help-please-finding-loft-very-confusing-also-what-does-this-error-message-really-mean/25423/14 "2023-04-24T22:55:01Z")

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Steve,

Glad it worked for you and am happy to have helped you out. When it comes to sketches and modeling, I’m a proponent of ‘less is more’. That’s a really nice model- both the physical and the engine CAD model.

I have three FDM printers that gets lots of use. I recently bought an Anicubic resin printer to add to my repertoire of model making and prototyping. I’m currently doing some freelance prototype work.

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**Author:** ![Stephen](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/discourse.shapr3d.com/stephen/32/16350_2.png) [@Stephen](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/Stephen)\
**Post date:** [April 25, 2023, 3:56pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/help-please-finding-loft-very-confusing-also-what-does-this-error-message-really-mean/25423/15 "2023-04-25T15:56:24Z")

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That’s a very impressive model Steve.