In design software, what does the term "profile" typically refer to?

The term "profile" in design software typically refers to a series of 2D geometric shapes. In various design contexts, profiles are often used to represent the outline or contour of an object. This can include the shape of a section view or the boundaries that are essential for creating three-dimensional forms. By utilizing profiles, designers can easily define the parameters of a design and manipulate those shapes for extrusion, lofting, or other modeling operations.

Other options mention aspects such as color and texture collections, specific views of assemblies, or scale models, none of which accurately capture the definition of a profile in the context of CAD and design software. Profiles are fundamentally about the geometric outline, making them integral in the modeling process.