How to draw complex models in Solid Works and not dying in the attempt

If you happen to trust deeply in your SolidWorks skills, I challenge you to replicate the following model by your own method. Solid works complex models gives you the opportunity to be creative and show your modelling knowledge.

Example of a Solid works complex model

It is a seemingly easy candy for the christmas tree.
Well, if you thought that way, I tell you that trying to replicate it without oversimplify if turned out to be quite a challenge. I will show you my way of solving this problem.
Steps to take

1. Insert an image in each plane and draw the contours
2. Draw relevant sections 
3. Draw guide lines
4. Perform both covering features
5. Close the ends of the model
6. Twist by using the flex feature
7. Mirror the model
8. Optional: apply material and render with Photoview 360

1) Insert an image in each plane and draw the contours

Candy's rudimentary plane, made up with photos

As you can see, the model is defined by all non uniform curves (including the center). In these cases, I recommend taking a picture of each view and adjust every image to a rudimentary plane (unless you have the actual plane, obviously)
Save every image in a separate JPEG. Using a single image first makes easier to adjust the size to the same for every image.
This Solid works complex model has a reflective surface, and the table has a similar tone to the candy. That gave me a harder time adjusting lines to the drawing. When possible, avoid that reflective surfaces and maximize contrast between the model and the background.

"Image of croquis" lets you attach images to the 3D drawing

In order to have all planes positioned, use the command "move entities", when the image is selected. Use half the size in X and Y to center the image. You can even put the calculation inside the box in properties to calculate it.

Centering the planes

The result should look similar to the following

All photos in position

2) Draw relevant sections

We will need various sections to make the "Covering command" work. One for the knot, one for the center candy, and one for the twisted envelope.
For the twisted envelope we need to define an inclined plane. I hope this is clear with the following image.

Definen the "Section plane"

If the plane was not inclined, the drawing of the lateral envelope will be out of the actual candy envelope. To define the plane, draw a constructive line that unites most salient point of the envelope, in the bottom plane ("alzado" plane). Then simple use a "Geometry reference", "plane" and define it containing the line and perpendicular to the bottom plane.

Now, draw the following sections of the candy, to use the "covering command" later.

In blue: section lines necessary 

You can later mirror all operations with respect to the center. Do not draw everything two times! 
(although I will use the full candy for the explanations)
Important: to be able to relate the sections with the curves in other planes it is necessary to build point. In this case, which all are curves, we must build the points. I recommend drawing the axis of the sections, and cutting them "to the nearest object":

Draw an axis and cut it with "to the nearest" object (the ellipse in this case)

 Now, that point (between the axis and section) will be selectable for the lines in the other planes, allowing you to link lines with the section, necessary to use the "covering command".

3) Draw guide lines

Then, draw guide lines. You could use the covering command to draw the surface, but without the guide lines, it will be a uniform surface, very different from the actual candy.

Guide lines

 Important: every guide line should be a different drawing. If not, the covering feature can give you errors when building the surfaces.

 The following image shows you how all lines are drawn following the limits of the images provided. Note how blue lines end in the point of the ellipse, point defined by the axis and the ellipse itself. If you didn't draw the axis, you wouldn't be able to select that point, the blue line will end "in the air" and the covering feature will break. Solid works complex models will usually have this type of difficulties.

Splines follow the limits of the drawing, ending with the defined point

4) Perform both covering features

Apply the covering command for the center and the envelope

Violet: guide lines. Blue and yellow: section lines

Similar to the last example

5) Close the ends of the model

To draw the end parts of the envelope, you can make an approximation with the "Dome" feature.
Important: as this dome is non uniform, because of the non uniform base spline, you are forced to click on "non uniform dome" to build it.

Dome feature

Building the dome wasn't a perfect solution. Using a surface that included the guidelines drawn would be more accurate, but for some reason, SolidWorks couldn't build it.

6) Twist by using the flex feature

The following step is to use the "Flex feature" to apply torsion to the envelope.

 

Flex feature

Defining torsion planes

Select "torsion" and move the red plane to the knot. Then select the angle of torsion, which is 15° in this case.

Note: now, from the side, the envelope has been moved from its original plane. A better solution would be to initially draw the section 15° counterclockwise, so when it is twisted, it ends in the correct place and the envelope has that twisted look. The only way to know the angle is by try and failure.

7) Mirror the model

The drawing of our Solid works complex model is almost complete! Finally, apply symmetry to draw the other part of the candy.

Solids for symmetry

The only trick for the symmetry is to use "solids for symmetry", and select the center plane as the reference.

8) Optional: apply material and render you Solid Works Complex Model with Photoview 360

If you want a realistic look, you can use photoview 360 to make the rendered image, but those details for another post.

End result of our Solid works complex model