I am using Blender 2.79b on a Mac.
I followed the steps in this tutorial to successfully make screw threads (a spiral): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4NHORCniJY
There, in Screw modifier we can enter for "Screw" a low number for a sharp turn with threads close together, or a larger number to push the thread turns farther apart.
When I use a much larger number, the thread, which is based on a circle, is not circular throughout the thread. It flattens like a ribbon. I want those long, snakelike threads to remain the same diameter throughout for a full 360-degree turn.
How do I keep the object round throughout the turn when at a higher number?
Here are the steps in the video:
1 Delete cube. 2 Left menu: create, Circle. 3 R to rotate, X for x-axis, 90 for 90 deg, and Enter. 4 Bottom menu: View, Ortho view. 5 Bottom menu: View, front view. 6 S to scale, .5, Enter. 7 Drag red arrow to right from centerline. 8 Ctrl + a and select Location. 9 Rt menu: Modifier wrench icon, 10 Add Modifier, Screw. 11 Rt menu: Axis to Y. You see the edge of the object. 12 Rotate the screen down with middle mouse button to see over the top. 13 Rt menu: Steps to 32. Smooths the surface. 14 Rt menu: Screw to 3.5 for a sharp turn and larger number for a longer turn, with threads farther away. 15 Rt menu: Iterations. Incrementing this adds more threads.
- Delete cube.
- Tool Shelf> Create> Circle.
- R to rotate, X for x-axis, 9,0 for 90 deg, and Enter.
- 3D View Header> View> Ortho view.
- 3D View Header> View> Front view.
- S to scale, .,5, Enter.
- Drag red arrow to right from centerline.
- Ctrl+A and select Location.
- Properties Editor> Modifier icon.
- Add Modifier> Screw.
- Screw Modifier: Set Axis to Y. You see the edge of the object.
- Rotate the screen down with middle mouse button to see over the top.
- Screw Modifier: Set Steps to 32. Smooths the surface.
- Screw Modifier: Set Screw to 3.5 for a sharp turn and larger number for a longer turn, with threads farther away.
- Screw Modifier: Set Iterations. Incrementing this adds more threads.