how to make a slope in onshape

Daniel Parker

3 min read

·

07-02-2025

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Creating slopes in Onshape is straightforward once you understand the available tools. This guide will walk you through several methods, from simple linear slopes to more complex curves. Whether you're designing a ramp, a roof, or any other sloped surface, this guide will help you achieve the desired result.

Method 1: Using the Extrude Feature with a Linear Slope

This is the simplest method for creating a basic linear slope.

1. Sketch Your Base: Begin by sketching the base shape of your slope. This could be a rectangle, triangle, or any other polygon. Make sure your sketch is fully defined.

2. Create a Line for the Slope: Draw a line that represents the slope's angle. This line should originate from one edge of your base shape and extend upwards, defining the desired slope's height. The angle of this line determines the slope's steepness.

3. Extrude the Sketch: Select the "Extrude" feature. Choose your base sketch. Then, instead of selecting a specific distance, select the line you created in step 2 as the "direction" for the extrude. This will extrude your base along the defined angle of your line, creating the slope.

4. (Optional) Adding Thickness: If you need a sloped solid rather than just a surface, simply set a thickness value to the extrude operation before completing the feature.

Example: Creating a sloped rectangle. Sketch a rectangle. Draw a line from one side of the rectangle upwards at a 45-degree angle. Extrude the rectangle along that line to create a sloped rectangular prism.

Method 2: Using the Plane Feature for More Complex Slopes

For more complex slope designs that aren't simply linear, using planes provides greater flexibility.

1. Create Your Base: Start with a base sketch and feature, like a rectangular prism.

2. Insert a Plane: Use the "Plane" feature. You can define this plane in a few ways: * Offset: Create a plane parallel to an existing face, offsetting it by a specific distance. * Angle: Create a plane at a specific angle relative to an existing plane or face. This is ideal for defining sloped planes. * Three Points: Define the plane by selecting three points in your model.

3. Create a New Sketch on the Plane: Sketch the desired shape of your slope on the newly created plane.

4. Extrude or other features: Now you can extrude this sketch to the appropriate thickness or use other Onshape features to form the sloped surface. You might combine this with a "Cut" feature to remove material from the base, creating a more complex shape.

Example: To create a sloped roof on a house, create the house walls. Use the plane feature to create an angled plane representing the roof slope. Then, sketch the roof shape on the plane and extrude it to add the roof section.

Method 3: Using a Surface Feature for Curvilinear Slopes

For curved slopes, Onshape's surface features are the best option.

1. Define the Curves: Create the curves that will define the boundaries of your curved slope. These could be splines, arcs, or other curves. Ensure these curves are well-defined and smoothly connect where necessary.

2. Use the Ruled Surface Feature: Select the "Ruled Surface" feature. This tool creates a surface by connecting two curves. Select your defining curves. This will generate a smooth sloped surface between your chosen curves.

3. Use the Lofted Surface Feature (for more complex curves): If you have multiple curves defining the slope's shape, the "Lofted Surface" feature offers more flexibility. This feature allows you to smoothly connect a series of cross-sectional curves to create a complex, three-dimensional surface.

4. Thicken the Surface (if needed): Use the “Thicken” feature to give the surface thickness, turning it into a solid body.

Tips and Considerations

• Units: Ensure your Onshape model is using consistent units to avoid errors.
• Constraints: Use constraints in your sketches to create well-defined geometry.
• Experiment: Onshape provides numerous ways to achieve the same results. Don't be afraid to experiment with different methods to find the most efficient approach.
• Precision: Double-check your dimensions and angles to ensure the slope is accurate to your specifications.

By using these methods, you can effectively create a variety of slopes in Onshape, adapting to different design needs and complexities. Remember to leverage Onshape's features to create clean and efficient models.