Show Me: Create and Modify a Helix

Click the Play arrow to start the animation. For more information about creating helixes, see Draw Helixes.

You can use the grips on a helix to change the following:

• Start point
• Base radius
• Top radius
• Height
• Location

When you use a grip to change the base radius of a helix, the top radius scales to maintain the current ratio. Use the Properties palette to change the base radius independent of the top radius.

You can use the Properties palette to change other helix properties, such as

• Number of turns (Turns)
• Turn height
• Direction of the twist — clockwise (CW) or counterclockwise (CCW)

With the Constrain property, you can specify that the Height, Turns, or Turn Height properties of the helix are constrained. The Constrain property affects how the helix changes when the Height, Turns, or Turn Height properties are changed either through the Properties palette or through grip editing. The table below shows the behavior of the helix depending on which property is constrained.