Something I have been looking at for a while is modelling of a race seat, but so far have not come up with an accurate and robust way of approaching this (am quite new to SW).
The seat in question is a Tillet T9.5XL
I initially attemped to use the 'blueprints' method, sketching multiple profiles, then using them to control a surface.. I created a 3D sketch for the rim, created a Surface Fill then used the freeform function to pull the surface (quite innacurately) into shape. Kind of.
I would be interested to know whether anyone would have a different method than this to create the seat moulding with the edge rim, and have it adaptive, symmetrical, accurate and parametrically driven. I have the seat in question at my disposal, so measuring to create a series of sketches through the part is also an option.
Thanks in advance.
Have you seen the list of tutorials out there for surfacing?
http://www.charlesculp.com/SWUG-2010-08.zip
http://files.solidworks.com/special-videos/advanced-modeling-301-mab.zip
Three part Razor demo:
http://files.solidworks.com/special-videos/advanced-modeling-demo-part1.swf
http://files.solidworks.com/special-videos/advanced-modeling-demo-part2.swf
http://files.solidworks.com/special-videos/advanced-modeling-demo-part3.swf
http://files.solidworks.com/special-videos/razor-mm.zip
Boat Hull Demo:
http://files.solidworks.com/special-videos/boathull-using-freeform.wmv
http://files.solidworks.com/special-videos/boathull-using-freeform.zip
Game Controller Model:
http://files.solidworks.com/special-videos/gamecontroller.zip
Boundary surface Spoon Demo:
http://files.solidworks.com/special-videos/boundary-feature.wmv
Miscel:
http://files.solidworks.com/special-videos/getting around project curve constraint problem.avi
http://files.solidworks.com/special-videos/applying a face tangent constraint.avi
http://www.solidworks.com/sw/support/subscription/SolidWorksTipsandTricksArchives.html
Might I suggest the Razor and Game Controller first. They are probably closest to what you need.
To answer your question directly, I think your sketching is probably in the right direction. I would start with using boundary surface through the main part (meaning the mid-section, where it ends is ambiguous). Then fill the ends with the filled surface tool. If I get a chance after lunch I will try and look at your part and post a sample. Unfortunately I am very busy and might not get a chance.