Solid EdgeSurfacing

Publication Number
MT01418160
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2004 UGS Corp. Al l Ri ghts Reserved. Thi s software and rel ated documentati on
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amended from ti me to ti me. I f thi s computer software and computer documentati on
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and are provi ded wi th "restri cti ve ri ghts,"and thei r use, dupl i cati on or di scl osure by
the U.S. Government i s subject to the protecti ons and restri cti ons as set forth i n
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and DFARS 252.227-7014 (for the Department of Defense), or any successor or
si mi l ar regul ati on, as appl i cabl e or as amended from ti me to ti me. UGS Corp.,
5400 Legacy Dri ve, Pl ano, Texas 75024.
Al l trademarks bel ong to thei r respecti ve hol ders.
2004 Copyright text.
All rights reserved.
Produced in the United States of America.
2 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide MT01418160
Contents
Introduction to SurfaceModeling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1
Course Overvi ew . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1
I ntroducti on to Surface Model i ng . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2
Surface Model i ng Overvi ew . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2
Surface Model i ng Workfl ow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-5
Surface Model i ng Workfl ow Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-6
Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-17
Creatingand EditingCurves . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1
Objecti ves . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1
Overvi ew of Spl i nes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1
Curve Command . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1
Curve Defi ni ti on . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-4
Curve Edi t . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-6
Si mpl i fy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-9
El ement Properti es . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-11
Bl ueDot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-12
Convert to Curve . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-17
Addi ti onal Curve Creati on Methods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-19
Curvature Comb . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-30
Revi ew . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-31
Acti vi ty 1 Drawi ng and Edi ti ng a Curve . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-33
Acti vi ty 2 Creati ng and Edi ti ng Bl ueDots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-57
Acti vi ty 3 Creati ng Keypoi nt Curves . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-67
Acti vi ty 4 Addi ti onal Curve Creati on Methods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-83
Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-104
SurfaceCreation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-1
Objecti ves . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-1
Overvi ew of Surfaces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2
Creati ng a Si mpl e Surface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3
Creati ng a Swept Surface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-7
Bl ueSurf . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-9
Bounded Surface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-26
Revi ew . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-31
Acti vi ty 1 Creati ng and Edi ti ng Si mpl e Surfaces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-33
Acti vi ty 2 Creati ng a Swept Surface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-39
Acti vi ty 3 Creati ng a Bl ueSurf Usi ng Anal yti cs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-47
Acti vi ty 4 Creati ng and Edi ti ng a Bl ueSurf . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-59
Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-69
Additional SurfacingCommands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
Objecti ves . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
Overvi ew of Addi ti onal Surfaci ng Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
MT01418160 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide 3
Contents
Extend Surface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2
Offset Surface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-3
Copy Surface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-4
Tri m Surface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-5
Del ete Faces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-6
Sti tched Surface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-7
Round . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-10
Repl ace Face . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-13
Parti ng Spl i t . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-14
Parti ng Surface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-15
Spl i t Face . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-16
Revi ew . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-17
Acti vi ty 1 Surface Mani pul ati on . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-19
Acti vi ty 2 Putti ng I t Al l Together . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-51
Acti vi ty 3 Parti ng Spl i t and Parti ng Surface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-81
4 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide MT01418160
Chapter
1 I ntroduction to Surface
Modeling
Course Overview
Course Description
Thi s course addresses usi ng Sol i d Edge model i ng functi ons to bui l d free form
surfaces. Free form surfaces are those that cannot be constructed usi ng standard
sol i d model i ng features. Thi s i ncl udes creati ng bspl i ne curves and other devel oped
curves, bui l di ng surfaces through one or more sets of curves, sweepi ng profi l es al ong
gui des, and appl yi ng surface transi ti ons between faces.
Intended Audience
Thi s course i s i ntended for desi gners, engi neers, manufacturi ng engi neers,
appl i cati on programmers, CAD/CAM managers, and system managers who have the
need to use Sol i d Edge surface model i ng.
Prerequisites
Thi s course i s i ntended for peopl e wi th experi ence usi ng Sol i d Edge. You shoul d
not take thi s course unl ess you have:
Attended the Sol i d Edge Fundamental s course
Basi c understandi ng of parametri c model i ng
Basi c understandi ng of profi l e/sketch constructi on.
Objectives
After successful l y compl eti ng thi s course, you shoul d be abl e to perform the fol l owi ng
acti vi ti es i n Sol i d Edge:
Create and edi t bspl i ne curves and devel oped curves.
Create and edi t surfaces usi ng curves.
I nspect surfaces and curves.
Create and edi t transi ti on surfaces.
Create a sol i d havi ng one or more surface faces.
MT01418160 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide 1-1
Chapter 1 I ntroduction to SurfaceModeling
Introduction to Surface Modeling
The Sol i d Edge product provi des two di sti nct 3D model i ng styl es: sol i d model i ng
and surface model i ng.
The sol i d model i ng styl e i s characteri zed by 2D sketches/profi l es, extrusi ons,
revol uti ons, and l ofts of those 2D sketches to form sol i ds, bl ends on the edges of
sol i ds, and Bool ean operati ons between sol i ds. Sol i d Edge i s an i ndustry l eader of thi s
model i ng styl e and exhi bi ts these addi ti onal characteri sti cs: the vari ous model i ng
operati ons are i denti fi ed as features, a hi story tree of features i s mai ntai ned, and any
of the properti es set when a feature i s created can be edi ted at any ti me.
The surface model i ng styl e i s characteri zed by control poi nts used to defi ne 2D
and 3D curves by a vari ety of methods, and these curves can be used to defi ne
surfaces, agai n by a vari ety of methods. Sol i d Edge extends thi s styl e by maki ng each
poi nt, curve, and surface an enti ty that knows how i t was created. Li ke the sol i d
model i ng features, any surface enti ty properti es set when an enti ty i s created can
be edi ted at any ti me.
What is surfacing, and why use it?
Wi th sol i d-based features, faces dri ve the model . Hol es are used for al i gnment. Faces
are used for mati ng and al i gni ng. Edges are rounded for safety and strength. Edges
and faces are mai nl y anal yti c based. The sol i d model i ng approach i s typi cal l y an
addi ti on or removal of materi al . The products functi on i s the pri mary concern.
Aestheti cs i s a secondary requi rement.
Wi th surface-based features, edges dri ve the model . Curves are a major part of
model defi ni ti on. The hi ghl i ght l i nes, si l houette edges and fl ow l i nes of a model are
i mportant. Surface shape i s sti l l i mportant. Edges and faces are mai nl y bspl i ne
based. The desi gner typi cal l y starts wi th a wi re frame and then adds surfaces.
Aestheti cs i s the pri mary concern and key el ement i n desi gni ng consumer products.
The products functi on i s secondary.
Surface Modeling Overview
The backbone of surface model i ng i s made up of cross secti ons and gui des. Cross
secti ons and gui des can be of enti ty type anal yti c or bspl i ne.
An anal yti c enti ty type consi sts of:
2D: Li nes, arcs, ci rcl es, el l i pse, parabol a, hyperbol a
I ntersecti on of pl ane and cone
3D: Cubes, spheres, cyl i nders, cones, torus
A bspl i ne enti ty type consi sts of:
2D: constructed bspl i ne curves, deri ved curves
3D: deri ved bspl i ne curves
Ori gi nal l y, a spl i ne was a styl i sts tool made from wood or thi n metal and
used to draw a curve through poi nts.
1-2 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide MT01418160
I ntroduction to Surface Modeling
Shown bel ow i s a 2-D bspl i ne.
Shown bel ow i s a 3-D surface.
3D: bspl i ne surfaces
Auxi l i ary parameter: u, v
MT01418160 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide 1-3
Chapter 1 I ntroduction to SurfaceModeling
A sol i d model i ng method usi ng revol ved features resul ts i n no edge control and
di ffi cul t edi ts. Edge (A) i s a resul t of the i ntersecti on of two revol ved surfaces.
You get what you get.
A surface model i ng method resul ts i n exact edge control and edges are through
character curves. User has control over edges such as (A).
1-4 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide MT01418160
I ntroduction to Surface Modeling
Definition: Character Curves
Character curves general l y have no structural val ue. The model contai ns Hard
Edges, whi ch are actual edges used to hel p defi ne the fl ow of a surface. These edges
are typi cal l y of i mportance for aestheti c defi ni ti on. The model contai ns Soft Edges,
whi ch are hori zon edges, typi cal l y vi si bl e from front, top, and end vi ews. These edges
are i mportant i n defi ni ng the overal l shape of the model . Modi fyi ng character curves
(A) modi fi es the shape of the model .
Surface Modeling Workflow
Step 1: Create Control Drawi ngs
Draw or i mport 2D sketches on reference pl anes
Draw 2D sketches i n draft and copy/paste
I nsert graphi c i mages and trace over
Step 2: Use 2D geometry to devel op 3D curves
Project curves to fi nd thei r i ntersecti ons
Step 3: Use 3D curves to devel op surfaces
Some addi ti onal 3D curves are obtai ned from surfaces
Step 4: Create a sol i d and add appropri ate sol i d based features such as hol es,
sti ffeni ng ri bs, rounds, thi n wal l operati ons, etc.
Step 5: Tweak
Anal yze curvature and edge conti nui ty
MT01418160 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide 1-5
Chapter 1 I ntroduction to SurfaceModeling
Modi fy character curves, surface tangency, etc.
Definition: Control Drawing
Control Drawi ngs are 2D drawi ng vi ews defi ni ng the top, si de, and end vi ews.
Typi cal l y one or two vi ews domi nate (defi ne the majori ty of the shape).
You can create control drawi ngs di rectl y i n the Part envi ronment by drawi ng di rectl y
on reference pl anes. Pi erce poi nts hel p you i n connecti ng curves.
You can create control drawi ngs i n the Draft envi ronment. Copy and Paste the
geometry from Draft i nto Part. You can use Create 3D or i mport sketches and
use exi sti ng geometry.
Definition: Pierce Points
A pi erce poi nt i s the poi nt of i ntersecti on wi th profi l e el ement and acti ve sketch
pl ane. Pi erce poi nts are extremel y val uabl e i n al i gni ng curves.
Surface Modeling Workflow Summary
Step 1: Control Drawings
Use the Li ne Col or command to hel p di sti ngui sh edges, constructi on edges, etc.
i n the control drawi ng. Control drawi ngs can end up wi th a l ot of el ements, thus
the l i ne col or command can hel p to el i mi nate confusi on of what each el ement i s.
Draw al l character curves.
1-6 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide MT01418160
I ntroduction to Surface Modeling
Do not over draw. Do not model rounds, ri bs, or features best created wi th
sol i d features.
Capture desi gn i ntent. Add di mensi ons and constrai nts.
Create si mpl e bspl i nes wi th few Edi t Poi nts.
Make sure vi ew sketches regi ster.
Bui l d edge conti nui ty i nto your sketches.
Definition: Register
Ensuri ng respecti ve curves from di fferent vi ews are connected or geometri cal l y
al i gned.
I t i s cri ti cal l y i mportant that 3D curves are connected to ensure an accurate desi gn.
You can al so i nsert an i mage as an al ternate control drawi ng process. Thi s process
woul d be used for reverse engi neeri ng. The i nserted i mage i s traced over to create
the control drawi ng el ements.
MT01418160 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide 1-7
Chapter 1 I ntroduction to SurfaceModeling
Step 2: Creating 3D Curves
Project curves from control drawi ngs.
You may need some constructi on surfaces to generate 3D curves. Thi s i s very
i mportant i n reduci ng model i ng steps.
3D curves gi ve si mpl i fi ed control over edges.
Capture your desi gn i ntent by usi ng control drawi ngs.
Wi thout 3D curves, character edges may not be captured.
Lack of 3D edges el i mi nates desi gn i ntent and adds more model i ng.
Wi th 3D Curves, desi gn i ntent i s preserved and model i ng i s reduced.
1-8 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide MT01418160
I ntroduction to Surface Modeling
You can easi l y change the shape by al teri ng the character curves for the
respecti ve vi ew.
Creati ng 3D edges guarantees an accurate desi gn and reduces model i ng steps.
Maki ng changes to the 3D curve i s si mpl e. Edi t the character curve i n the
control drawi ng.
Project Curve Method
Create a surface usi ng character curves from one vi ew.
Use the Project Curve command to project the appropri ate curves from
another vi ew.
Hi de auxi l i ary surface (these rarel y are the actual surface).
Intersection Curve Method
Create surfaces from two vi ews.
Use the I ntersect Curve command to generate the i ntersecti on curve.
Hi de auxi l i ary surface (these rarel y are the actual surface).
Cross Curve Method
Sel ect curves from two di fferent vi ews to create the projected curve.
Si mpl e and fast!
Sketch Tear Off
Fast way of repl i cati ng sketches.
New sketch can be paral l el , al ong curves, perpendi cul ar, angul ar.
Opti ons - associ ati ve, copy, or a move.
MT01418160 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide 1-9
Chapter 1 I ntroduction to SurfaceModeling
Repeat the process unti l al l 3D curves are created
A wi re representati on of the model shoul d resul t.
Al l 3D curves shoul d be touchi ng.
Step 3: Surface Creation
Bl ueSurf
I nputs are gui des and secti ons.
1 secti on, 1 gui de.
2 secti ons n gui des.
Gui des and secti ons can be automati cal l y generated from the surface.
Automati c creati on of Bl ueDots.
Secti on and gui de tangency control .
Repl aces the Loft command.
Edges wi thout gui de defi ni ti on are i nterpol ated from secti on ends.
Si ngl e face i s created.
Opti on for vertex mappi ng.
Swept Surface
I nputs are gui des and secti ons.
1 secti on /1 gui de (typi cal use).
3 gui de maxi mum.
Edges wi thout gui de defi ni ti on use i nput gui de for shape.
Surface By Boundary (Bounded Surface)
1-10 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide MT01418160
I ntroduction to Surface Modeling
N-si ded patch.
3 or more si des.
Tangency control between sel ected adjacent faces.
Fast easy way to patch hol es i n model s.
Can be used for l egacy data.
Definition: Vertex Mapping
Mappi ng techni que that hel ps create fl ow control between secti on verti ces.
I f there i s a vertex count mi smatch between secti ons, equal l y spaced verti ces are
used on each secti on.
(A) Defaul t vertex map.
(B) User defi ned vertex maps. I mproved fl ow control .
Di fference i n resul ts from Bl ueSurf and Swept Surface
For undefi ned Edges, Bl ueSurf edges are i nterpol ated.
For undefi ned Edges, sweep uses i nput gui de(s).
Bl ueSurf al l ows peri odi cs.
MT01418160 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide 1-11
Chapter 1 I ntroduction to SurfaceModeling
The Bl ueSurf command can add Bl ueDots automati cal l y. On the Bl ueSurf Opti ons
di al og box, you must set the Curve Connecti vi ty to the Use Bl ueDots opti on. The Use
Pi erce Poi nts opti on i s the defaul t setti ng.
1-12 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide MT01418160
I ntroduction to Surface Modeling
Definition: Periodic
Cl osed surface or curve
Definition: BlueDot
Hi ghl y edi tabl e poi nt where two curves are connected.
Each curve has control opti on for edi t type (shape, l ocal or ri gi d).
Connecti vi ty of curves i s order i ndependent.
Edi t of curves i s order i ndependent.
Hi story-free curve edi ti ng.
You can see changes i n real -ti me.
Step 4: Create A Solid
Sti tch
Add sol i d-based features
Thi nwal l
Sti ffeni ng ri bs
Hol es
Rounds
MT01418160 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide 1-13
Chapter 1 I ntroduction to SurfaceModeling
Web network
Li p /Groove
Step 5: Tweak
Anal yze edge conti nui ty
Curvature Comb
Zebra Stri pes
Edi t character curves
Edi t tangent vectors
Edi t vertex mappi ng
Definition: Tangent Vectors
Drag handl es that l et you change shape of curve or surface at the poi nt of tangency
wi th adjacent curves or surfaces.
Curvature Comb
Qui ck vi sual i ndi cati on of sketch conti nui ty.
Numeri cal reporti ng on radi us of curvature.
Adjustabl e magni tude and densi ty.
I l l ustrates poi nts of i nfl ecti on.
Determi ned by magni tude = scal e x 1/radi us.
Li nes have i nfi ni te radi us so magni tude = 0.
1-14 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide MT01418160
I ntroduction to Surface Modeling
Definition: Points of Inflection
Poi nt where sl ope of curve changes i n si gn (posi ti ve to negati ve).
(A) I nfl ecti on poi nts
Zebra Stri pes
Stri pi ng gi ves qui ck i ndi cati on of conti nuous edges between faces.
Edi t curves
Edi t Poi nts
Edi t through Bl ueDots
Control Verti ces
Change Curve type
Anal yti cs to bspl i nes
Shape Edi t/Local Edi t/Ri gi d
Surfaces are onl y as good as the underl yi ng curves.
MT01418160 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide 1-15
Chapter 1 I ntroduction to SurfaceModeling
Definition: Edit Point, Control Vertex
(A) edi t poi nts l i e on the curve
(B) control vertex poi nts l i e on the control pol ygon
Curve Edi t Control Opti ons
Shape Edi t: A method of preservi ng curve shape.
Local Edi t: Modi fi es a l ocal porti on of the curve.
Ri gi d: Transformati on of the curve (move).
(A) Shape Edi t
(B)Local Edi t
1-16 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide MT01418160
I ntroduction to Surface Modeling
Convert anal yti cs to bspl i nes
easy i ni ti al approach wi th anal yti cs.
add cool curvature l ater.
di mensi ons and constrai nts preserved.
hi story tree recomputes after you convert.
(A) Si mpl e i ni ti al anal yti c arc can be converted to a bspl i ne for i mproved shape
control .
Summary
You shoul d know the di fferences i n sol i d model i ng and surface model i ng. You shoul d
al so have a cl ear understandi ng of when to use a surface model i ng approach and
when to use a sol i d model i ng approach. I n surface model i ng, curves control the
model . I n sol i d model i ng, faces control the model .
Understandi ng the surface model i ng workfl ow i s i mportant for success i n creati ng
and edi ti ng surfaces.
Step 1: Create Control Drawi ngs
Step 2: Use 2D geometry to devel op 3D curves
Step 3: Use 3D curves to devel op surfaces
Step 4: Create a sol i d and add appropri ate sol i d based feature
Step 5: Tweak
MT01418160 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide 1-17
Chapter
2 Creatingand EditingCurves
Objectives
After compl eti ng thi s modul e, you wi l l be abl e to:
Create curves
Edi t curves
Anal yze curves
Create Bl ueDots
Edi t Bl ueDots
Overview of Splines
A spl i ne i s a standard curve i n most CAD systems. Unl i ke l i nes and coni c curves,
the spl i ne can be adjusted to vi rtual l y any shape i n two or three di mensi ons. Thei r
fl exi bl e nature makes spl i nes the foundati on for surface model i ng.
For the remai nder of thi s course, the term curve wi l l be used i nstead of spl i nes. Just
remember that curves are spl i nes. There wi l l be two types of curves di scussed:
constructed and deri ved. You have di rect control of constructed curves but deri ved
curves are control l ed by the method used to create them. Deri ved curves cannot be
edi ted di rectl y.
Curve Command
The Curve command i s where we wi l l begi n. We wi l l cover how to create and edi t a
curve. To create a curve you wi l l need to sel ect a reference pl ane to draw a sketch on.
On the command menu, cl i ck the Sketch command.
MT01418160 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide 2-1
Chapter 2 Creating and Editing Curves
Sel ect a reference pl ane.
On the draw menu, cl i ck the Curve command.
2-2 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide MT01418160
Creating and Editing Curves
You wi l l need to l eft-cl i ck at l east three poi nts to defi ne a curve. The i mage bel ow
shows a curve wi th four poi nts.
(A) Curve wi th control poi nts (edi t poi nts) di spl ayed
(B) Resul ti ng curve
(C) Edi t Curve Di spl ay
(D) Control Pol ygon
(E) Edi t Poi nt
MT01418160 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide 2-3
Chapter 2 Creating and Editing Curves
Curve Definition
Defining a Curve
The order of a curve i s equal to the degree of the curve, pl us 1 (Order = Deg +1).
A pol ynomi al curve i s defi ned as:
x(t) = x0 +x1(t1) + x2(t2) + x3(t3)
y(t) = y0 +y1(t1) + y2(t2) + y3(t3)
2-4 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide MT01418160
Creating and Editing Curves
Determining Control Vertices
I f the number of edi t poi nts i s two or three, then the number of Control Verti ces =
Order.
Exampl e:
Edi t poi nts = 3
Degree = 8
Order = 9 (degree + 1)
Control Verti ces = 9
MT01418160 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide 2-5
Chapter 2 Creating and Editing Curves
I f the number of edi t poi nts i s >= 4, the number
of control verti ces i s (n+2) + {(n-1) x (k-4).
Where n = Edi t Poi nts, and k = Order.
Exampl e:
Edi t poi nts = 7
Degree = 5
Order = 6 (degree + 1)
Control Verti ces = 21
Curve Edit
You can edi t bspl i ne curves at any ti me. There are two methods for edi ti ng curves.
Method 1: Edi t Profi l e mode
To edi t a curve i n the sketch mode, sel ect a curve i n the Part wi ndow and then
cl i ck the Edi t Profi l e button on the ri bbon bar. You can now edi t the curve wi th al l
curve edi t opti ons avai l abl e.
Method 2: Dynami c Edi t mode
2-6 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide MT01418160
Creating and Editing Curves
To edi t a curve i n dynami c mode, sel ect a curve i n the Part wi ndow and then cl i ck the
Dynami c Edi t button on the ri bbon bar. Sel ect the curve and the control pol ygon
and edi t poi nts wi l l di spl ay. When you move a control poi nt or edi t poi nt, the curve
updates automati cal l y. Any surface that has the curve as one of i ts defi ni ng enti ti es
wi l l update dynami cal l y. The Add/Remove Poi nts and Curve Opti ons buttons are
di sabl ed i n dynami c edi t mode. These opti ons are onl y avai l abl e i n Edi t Profi l e mode.
Add/Remove Poi nts
Show Pol ygon
Show Curvature Comb
Shape Edi t
Local Edi t
Curve Opti ons
Curve opti ons are shown bel ow.
MT01418160 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide 2-7
Chapter 2 Creating and Editing Curves
Relationship modes:
Fl exi bl e al l ows you to modi fy the curve shape duri ng Bl ueDot edi ts or an edi t to a
curve connected to another curve wi th a connect rel ati onshi p appl i ed.
Ri gi d l ocks the curve shape. Curve shape wi l l not change duri ng Bl ueDot edi ts or an
edi t to a curve connected to another curve wi th a connect rel ati onshi p appl i ed.
These rel ati onshi ps are appl i ed to external edi ts (Bl ueDot or dynami c edi t). I n Edi t
Profi l e mode, a curve set to ri gi d can have i ts shape modi fi ed.
Degree:
The Curve Opti ons di al og box al l ows control of curve degree and rel ati onshi p mode.
The defaul t degree i s three. The hi gher the degree, the more control you have
i n maki ng l ocal curve edi ts.
Noti ce i n the i l l ustrati on bel ow that curve (A) shows the defaul t degree of 3. Curve
(B) has degree i ncreased to 4. The hi gher the degree, the more control you have
for edi ti ng the curve.
2-8 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide MT01418160
Creating and Editing Curves
Simplify
Curve data can be manual l y created or can be read i n from forei gn data. Manual l y
created curve data usual l y contai ns a l i mi ted number of control poi nts. Forei gn
data may come from a di gi ti zed set of control poi nts, whi ch coul d contai n a l arge
amount of poi nts.
Si mpl i fy curve i s a tool that al l ows you to defi ne a tol erance to reduce the number of
edi t poi nts and control verti ces.
Vi sual i ze tol erance as a tube. The ori gi nal curve i s at the center of a zero di ameter
tube. As the tube di ameter (tol erance) i ncreases, edi t poi nts are reduced as the curve
shape i s confi ned to the tube di ameter. As the tol erance i ncreases the curve i s
si mpl i fi ed. You can vi sual l y observe the curve si mpl i fi cati on process as the tol erance
i ncreases usi ng the ri ght arrow i n the di al og box.
MT01418160 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide 2-9
Chapter 2 Creating and Editing Curves
The fol l owi ng i s an exampl e of a curve wi th a l arge number of edi t poi nts and
control verti ces. Si mpl i fy curve was used to reduce the number of poi nts. The
curve shape changed sl i ghtl y. You can vi sual l y observe the curve changes as the
tol erance i ncrease.
(A) Ori gi nal curve
(B) Ori gi nal curve i n edi t mode wi th 25 edi t poi nts and 27 control
verti ces
(C) Dynami c di spl ay as curve si mpl i fy tol erance i s i ncreased
(D) Resul ti ng si mpl i fi ed curve reduced to 7 edi t poi nts and 9
control verti ce
(E) Si mpl i fi ed curve
I f the number of edi t poi nts i s equal to 2 then the si mpl i fi cati on conti nues
by removi ng control verti ces. Si mpl i fi cati on ends when the number of
control verti ces i s equal to the curve order.
2-10 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide MT01418160
Creating and Editing Curves
Element Properties
El ement properti es of a curve can be di spl ayed whi l e i n the Edi t Profi l e mode.
Ri ght-cl i ck on the curve and then on the pop-up menu, cl i ck Properti es.
The El ement Properti es form i s i nformati onal onl y. You cannot modi fy an el ement
usi ng the form.
MT01418160 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide 2-11
Chapter 2 Creating and Editing Curves
BlueDot
A Bl ueDot i s a poi nt where two curves or anal yti cs (or a combi nati on of the two)
connect. No more than two curves or anal yti cs (or a combi nati on of the two) can be
Bl ueDot connected. The Bl ueDot i s an edi tabl e poi nt. As the Bl ueDot l ocati on
i s changed, the connected curves/anal yti cs fol l ow the Bl ueDot l ocati on. Curves
have a control opti on for edi t type (shape, l ocal or ri gi d), whi ch i s appl i ed as the
Bl ueDot l ocati on i s edi ted. An anal yti c has no shape control opti on. Connecti vi ty
of the two curves/anal yti cs i s order i ndependent. Edi t of curves/anal yti cs i s order
i ndependent. Bl ueDot edi ti ng i s a hi story-free type of curve edi ti ng. You can see
changes i n real -ti me.
Noti ce i n the previ ous i l l ustrati on that as Bl ueDot (A) changes l ocati on, curves 1 and
2 remai n connected. The shape of curves 1 and 2 change. Thi s exampl e i l l ustrates
the edi t curve opti on set to shape edi t. Both curves mai ntai n thei r shape.
2-12 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide MT01418160
Creating and Editing Curves
BlueDot Creation
You create a Bl ueDot by i denti fyi ng the two curves to connect. No more than two
curves can be Bl ueDot connected. The fi rst curve you sel ect wi l l move to i ntersect the
second curve. The second curve i s unchanged (i t mai ntai ns i ts l ocati on and shape).
There are several sol uti ons possi bl e when creati ng a Bl ueDot. The sol uti on i s
dependent on how you sel ect the curves. Each curve has four sel ect zones (two
endpoi nts, a mi dpoi nt, curve). The endpoi nts and mi dpoi nt di spl ay a red dot for
sel ecti on. I f you sel ect a mi dpoi nt or endpoi nt, that poi nt on the curve wi l l move to
the zone you sel ect on the second curve. Experi ment wi th the Bl ueDot command to
best understand the several sol uti ons.
Shown bel ow are the sel ect zones on a curve.
You can onl y sel ect anal yti cs at thei r endpoi nts.
MT01418160 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide 2-13
Chapter 2 Creating and Editing Curves
BlueDot Display
1. Cl i ck on Tool s>Hi de Al l >Bl ueDots.
2. Ri ght-cl i ck i n the part wi ndow and cl i ck on Hi de Al l >Bl ueDots.
2-14 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide MT01418160
Creating and Editing Curves
BlueDot Edit
To edi t a Bl ueDot, cl i ck the Sel ect tool and pause the cursor over the Bl ueDot. Use
Qui ckPi ck because there are normal l y three el ements to choose from (two curves and
the Bl ueDot). From the Qui ckPi ck sel ect box, cl i ck the Bl ueDot.
On the ri bbon bar, cl i ck Dynami c Edi t.
A 3D tri ad di spl ays that al l ows you to defi ne the Bl ueDot edi t di recti on. The choi ces
are to l ock the movement i n the X, Y or Z di recti on by cl i cki ng on the appropri ate
axi s. You can al so choose to l ock movement to the XY, YZ or XZ pl anes. I f you do not
sel ect any axi s or pl ane from the tri ad, the movement i s free i n al l di recti ons.
MT01418160 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide 2-15
Chapter 2 Creating and Editing Curves
The i l l ustrati on bel ow shows possi bl e sel ecti ons from the 3-D tri ad.
You can al so l ock to an axi s by pressi ng Z unti l the preferred axi s
hi ghl i ghts. Lock to a pl ane by pressi ng X unti l the preferred pl ane
hi ghl i ghts. Press C to cl ear al l l ocks.
Noti ce that the coordi nates of the Bl ueDot are di spl ayed on the ri bbon bar. You can
drag the Bl ueDot to new l ocati ons or enter the coordi nate val ues. I f you sel ect a
di recti on on the 3D tri ad, focus on the ri bbon bar wi l l be on that di recti on fi el d. For
exampl e i f you sel ect the Z-axi s, you can onl y enter a new Z coordi nate. I f you sel ect a
pl ane, you can onl y enter coordi nates i n the 2 di recti ons of the pl ane.
To move a Bl ueDot a speci fi ed di stance, on the ri bbon bar cl i ck the Rel ati ve/Absol ute
Posi ti on button.
Sel ecti ng a di recti on on the 3D tri ad control s the focus of the del ta fi el ds (dX, dY,
dZ) on the ri bbon bar. For exampl e, i f you sel ect the Z-axi s, you can onl y enter a Z
del ta di stance. Press Enter to appl y the del ta di stance. Another Enter appl i es the
del ta di stance agai n.
2-16 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide MT01418160
Creating and Editing Curves
You can set the shape control of the two curves connected to the Bl ueDot on the
ri bbon bar.
Convert to Curve
Someti mes you mi ght create cross secti ons and gui de paths used for generati ng
surfaces wi th anal yti cs (l i nes and arcs). The resul ti ng surface created from anal yti c
el ements has l i mi tati ons on how i t can be edi ted. Li nes remai n l i near and arcs
remai n ci rcul ar. Convert anal yti c cross secti ons and gui des to bspl i ne curves to
provi de fl exi bi l i ty and control over the surfaces they create.
You can onl y convert anal yti cs to bspl i ne curves whi l e i n the Edi t
Profi l e mode.
MT01418160 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide 2-17
Chapter 2 Creating and Editing Curves
After you convert an anal yti c to a curve, you can modi fy i ts curve properti es. The
Convert to Curve command defaul ts to a degree of 2. You can i ncrease the degree
and edi t poi nts added for more control .
(A) Anal yti c l i ne and arc el ement
(B) Anal yti c el ements converted to curves
(C) Curve edi ts
2-18 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide MT01418160
Creating and Editing Curves
Additional Curve Creation Methods
Keypoint Curve
A keypoi nt curve i s a 3D curve that uses keypoi nts on wi reframe el ements, edges,
and curves to control i ts shape. You can al so use poi nt el ements to control a keypoi nt
curve. You can defi ne poi nts i n space for the curve defi ni ti on. You cannot edi t a
keypoi nt curve the same way you edi t curves. The control comes di rectl y from the
keypoi nts or 3D coordi nates for poi nts i n space.
An exampl e of the use of Keypoi nt Curve i s shown bel ow. You can use thi s command
to create a bri dge curve (A), whi ch can be used as a path for a swept feature (B).
MT01418160 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide 2-19
Chapter 2 Creating and Editing Curves
When you sel ect a keypoi nt on a wi reframe el ement or edge as the endpoi nt (C) of the
curve, the curve i s created tangent to the wi reframe el ement or edge you sel ected.
You can al so modi fy the radi us of curvature of the curve by draggi ng the curve
handl e (D) to a new l ocati on. I f the modi fi ed curve was used as a path for a swept
feature, the swept feature wi l l al so update.
2-20 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide MT01418160
Creating and Editing Curves
Curve by Table
Curve by Tabl e uses an Excel spreadsheet to defi ne a constructi on curve. The
spreadsheet, whi ch i s embedded i n the Sol i d Edge document, al l ows you to better
i mport and manage engi neered curves. You can generate a curve by creati ng a new
spreadsheet or by openi ng an exi sti ng spreadsheet.
Col umn A = Gl obal X Coordi nate Val ue
Col umn B = Gl obal Y Coordi nate Val ue
Col umn C = Gl obal Z Coordi nate Val ue
Rows 1 N = Curve Poi nts i n sequence
MT01418160 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide 2-21
Chapter 2 Creating and Editing Curves
The curve bel ow i s the resul t of data shown i n the previ ous spreadsheet.
The fol l owi ng are possi bl e error messages resul ti ng from Curve by Tabl e:
Invalid Geometry: Edit Feature Inputs
The data poi nts i n the spreadsheet are i ncorrect. Check the
spreadsheet and make certai n you have i nput at l east two rows of X,Y,Z coordi nates,
have not ski pped any cel l s, and have not entered data poi nts that defi ne a curve
that runs back through i tsel f ei ther i n 2-D or 3-D.
Curve Is Self Intersecting
The curve runs back through i tsel f i n 2-D or 3-D. Change
the data poi nts i n the spreadsheet.
Units Set Out Of Range
The uni ts are too l arge. Make sure the di ameter of the
model i s l ess than fi ve ki l ometers.
Curve By Table Feature Failed
Cl osed and Peri odi c opti ons are set on the Curve Tabl e
Parameters di al og box, and the fi rst and l ast data poi nts i n the spreadsheet are
coi nci dent. Change one of the coi nci dent data poi nts.
2-22 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide MT01418160
Creating and Editing Curves
Contour Curve
The Contour Curve command draws a curve di rectl y on a surface. You can then use
the curve for such thi ngs as a border i n tri mmi ng operati ons or as a tangent hol d
l i ne i n roundi ng operati ons.
You can sel ect a si ngl e face or mul ti pl e faces when defi ni ng the faces on whi ch you
want to draw the curve. You can onl y draw wi thi n the bounded regi on and the curve
wi l l onl y l i e wi thi n the bounded regi on. Curves that fal l off the surface or traverse
tri mmed regi ons are tri mmed.
When defi ni ng the poi nts for the curve, you can use exi sti ng poi nts that defi ne the
surface, such as vertexes, l i ne mi dpoi nts, and edges of the surface.
You can add and del ete poi nts for the curve to fol l ow and you can drag the poi nts
anywhere on the surface.
MT01418160 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide 2-23
Chapter 2 Creating and Editing Curves
Intersection Curve
The i ntersecti on curve command creates an associ ati ve curve at the i ntersecti on of
two sets of surfaces. The surface sets can be any combi nati on of reference pl anes,
model faces, or constructi on surfaces. The resul ti ng i ntersecti on curve i s associ ati ve
to the two i nput surfaces. Edi ti ng the i nput surfaces wi l l resul t i n an automati c
change to the i ntersecti on curve.
The i ntersecti on curve (A) can be used for a surface tri mmi ng operati on or an edge to
be used to create a new constructi on surface.
2-24 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide MT01418160
Creating and Editing Curves
Cross Curve
The Cross Curve command i s si mi l ar to the i ntersecti on curve command. The Cross
Curve command does not need exi sti ng surfaces to create an i ntersecti on curve.
The onl y i nput requi red i s two curves/anal yti cs or a combi nati on of the two. An
i ntersecti on curve i s created wi th the theoreti cal extruded surfaces resul ti ng from
the two i nput curves/anal yti cs.
(1) and (2) are the i nput curves. (A) and (B) are the theoreti cal extruded surfaces. (C)
i s the resul tant cross curve.
MT01418160 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide 2-25
Chapter 2 Creating and Editing Curves
Project Curve
The Project Curve command projects a set of curves (2-D or 3-D) onto a surface or set
of surfaces. You can project the curve al ong a vector or al ong surface normal s. You
can al so use thi s command to project a poi nt onto a surface.
You can sel ect wi reframe el ements from mul ti pl e Parasol i d bodi es and the el ements
wi l l remai n associ ati ve.
(A) Projecti on Curve
(B) Surface to be projected on to
2-26 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide MT01418160
Creating and Editing Curves
The fol l owi ng i l l ustrati ons show the resul ts of opti ons: Al ong vector and Normal to
sel ected surface.
Project Curve Opti on button
MT01418160 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide 2-27
Chapter 2 Creating and Editing Curves
Derived Curve
The Deri ved Curve command constructs a new curve that i s deri ved from one or
more i nput curves or edges. I f al l the i nput curves or edges are connected at
thei r endpoi nts, you can speci fy that the deri ved curve be constructed as a si ngl e
spl i ne curve. I f the i nput curves are connected, but not tangent, the output curve
wi l l have a mi ni mal amount of curvature added so that a si ngl e, smooth spl i ne
curve i s constructed.
A deri ved curve i s associ ati ve to the edge/curve i t was deri ved from.
Changes to the parent curve/edge al so changes the deri ved curve.
You can construct a si ngl e deri ved curve from mul ti pl e bodi es. I n the exampl e shown
bel ow, you can construct a deri ved curve from a sketch (A), edges on a constructi on
surface (B), and edges on a sol i d (C).
I f mul ti pl e edges or curves are needed to defi ne a si ngl e deri ved curve, sel ect each
curve/edge and then on the ri bbon bar, cl i ck the Accept button. To create a deri ved
curve from a si ngl e edge/curve, sel ect the curve/edge and then cl i ck the Accept button.
2-28 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide MT01418160
Creating and Editing Curves
Split Curve
The Spl i t Curve command i s a tool provi ded to spl i t a constructi on curve. Onl y
constructi on curves can be spl i t (deri ved curves, i ntersecti on curves and projected
curves). You can sel ect keypoi nts, curves, reference pl anes, sol i d faces or surfaces as
the i ntersecti ng features that spl i t the curve.
Spl i tti ng a constructi on curve can make i t easi er to construct other features, such as
a bounded surface, a tri mmed surface, a normal protrusi on, or a normal cutout.
You cannot use the Spl i t Curve command to spl i t an edge on a model . You can use the
Deri ved Curve command to create an associ ati ve copy of an edge on the model , and
then use the Spl i t Curve command to spl i t the deri ved curve.
MT01418160 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide 2-29
Chapter 2 Creating and Editing Curves
Curvature Comb
Curvature Comb enabl es the di spl ay of normal vectors on a curve or profi l e to hel p
i l l ustrate the radi us of curvature. The l ength of the normal vector i s a functi on of
the radi us of curvature. You can control the number of vectors (densi ty) and the
magni tude of the vectors i n the Curve Comb setti ngs form.
Curvature comb di spl ay i s not avai l abl e for constructi on curves.
2-30 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide MT01418160
Creating and Editing Curves
Review
What i s an edi t poi nt on a curve?
What i s a control poi nt on a curve?
What i s a control pol ygon?
Expl ai n the di fferences i n Shape Edi t, Local Edi t and Ri gi d. Defi ne the degree
of a curve.
How do you change the degree of a curve?
Expl ai n what a Bl ueDot i s and what i mpact i t has on curves.
Expl ai n the di fference i n i ndi rected and di rected curves.
How do you convert anal yti cs to bspl i nes?
How do you get tangency control on a keypoi nt curve?
What i s the Curvature Comb used for?
MT01418160 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide 2-31
Creating and Editing Curves
Activity 1 Drawing and Editing a Curve
Overview
I n thi s acti vi ty, you wi l l l earn to use the curve creati on tool s. Curves are the
backbone for creati ng and control l i ng surface shape.
Objectives
After compl eti ng thi s acti vi ty you wi l l be abl e to:
Create curves
Edi t curves
Anal yze curves
1. Open SURFACE LAB 2-01.PAR i n the C:/Surfaci ng/Parts fol der.
2. You wi l l begi n the acti vi ty by drawi ng a curve wi th edi t poi nts i n space. On the
Features tool bar, cl i ck the Sketch command. Sel ect the pl ane shown bel ow.
3. On the Features tool bar, cl i ck the Sel ect tool .
MT01418160 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide 2-33
Chapter 2 Creating and Editing Curves
4. I n EdgeBar, ri ght-cl i ck Sketch A and cl i ck Show. You wi l l use the sketch
el ements i n Sketch A as a gui de to where to pl ace the edi t poi nts.
5. On the Draw tool bar, cl i ck the Curve command.
2-34 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide MT01418160
Creating and Editing Curves
6. Cl i ck just above each of the poi nts from l eft to ri ght as shown. After cl i cki ng
above the l ast poi nt, ri ght-cl i ck to create the curve.
7. On the Draw tool bar, cl i ck the Sel ect tool .
MT01418160 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide 2-35
Chapter 2 Creating and Editing Curves
8. I n EdgeBar, ri ght-cl i ck Sketch A and sel ect Hi de.
The i mage bel ow shows the curve you just created.
2-36 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide MT01418160
Creating and Editing Curves
9. Sel ect the curve and noti ce the di spl ay of the edi t poi nts and control pol ygon.
10. At thi s poi nt you can edi t the curve shape by draggi ng edi t poi nts or control
poi nts. Noti ce the Edi t Curve ri bbon bar di spl ays when you sel ect the curve.
The Local Edi t opti on i s on.
Wi th the Local Edi t opti on, when you drag an edi t poi nt or control
poi nt, the shape of the curve changes near the poi nt you drag. Wi th
Shape Edi t, the enti re curve changes shape sl i ghtl y, preservi ng
the overal l shape of the curve.
MT01418160 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide 2-37
Chapter 2 Creating and Editing Curves
Wi th Local Edi t opti on sel ected, drag the edi t poi nt shown to observe how
the curve shape changes.
After you edi t the curve, on the Mai n tool bar, cl i ck the Undo command. Thi s
returns the curve i ts ori gi nal shape.
2-38 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide MT01418160
Creating and Editing Curves
Sel ect the curve. On the Edi t Curve ri bbon bar, sel ect the Shape Edi t opti on.
Wi th Shape Edi t opti on sel ected, drag the edi t poi nt shown and observe how
the curve shape changes.
After you edi t the curve, on the Mai n tool bar, cl i ck the Undo command. Thi s
returns the curve i ts ori gi nal shape.
MT01418160 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide 2-39
Chapter 2 Creating and Editing Curves
11. To add more control to the curve, you can i ncrease the degree of the curve. The
curve was created wi th a defaul t degree of 3.
Sel ect the curve. On the Edi t Curve ri bbon bar, cl i ck the Curve Opti ons
button.
Change the degree from 3 to 5 and cl i ck OK. Observe the change to the
control pol ygon.
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Creating and Editing Curves
Edi t the curve agai n wi th both Local and Shape Edi t opti ons to see how
the curve shape changes now wi th the hi gher degree. Be sure to undo any
changes you make to the curve.
Local Edi t
Shape Edi t
12. You can al so add more control to the curve by i nserti ng addi ti onal edi t poi nts.
Sel ect the curve and on the Curve Opti ons, set the degree back to 3 and
cl i ck OK.
On the Edi t Curve ri bbon bar, cl i ck the Add/Remove Poi nts button.
MT01418160 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide 2-41
Chapter 2 Creating and Editing Curves
Add addi ti onal edi t poi nts to the two l ocati ons shown bel ow.
You can onl y i nsert one edi t poi nt wi th the Add/Remove Poi nts
command. Resel ect the command to pl ace another poi nt.
However, you can al so hol d down the Al t key on the keyboard
and cl i ck on the curve to pl ace as many poi nts you need.
Edi t the curves agai n to observe how the shape changes. Undo to return the
curve to i ts ori gi nal shape.
13. You wi l l now use a curve i nspecti on tool cal l ed the Curvature Comb.
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Sel ect the curve. On the Edi t Curve ri bbon bar, sel ect the Show Curvature
Comb button.
You can adjust the curvature comb di spl ay wi th the Curvature
Comb Setti ngs di al og box.
On the Mai n menu, cl i ck I nspect>Curvature Comb Setti ngs.
Densi ty control s the number of normal vectors. Magni tude
control s the l ength of the vectors.
MT01418160 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide 2-43
Chapter 2 Creating and Editing Curves
Move the sl i der bars and observe the curvature comb di spl ay.
On the Curvature Comb Setti ngs di al og box, uncheck the Show curvature
combs box and cl i ck Cl ose.
14. Cl i ck Fi ni sh to compl ete the sketch.
15. Cl i ck Fi ni sh agai n to exi t the sketch mode.
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16. I n EdgeBar, ri ght-cl i ck the sketch you just compl eted and sel ect Hi de.
17. You wi l l now draw a curve wi th the edi t poi nts connected to el ements. You wi l l
edi t di mensi ons to observe how the curve shape i s control l ed by the sketch
el ements.
MT01418160 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide 2-45
Chapter 2 Creating and Editing Curves
Ri ght-cl i ck i n EdgeBar on Sketch B and cl i ck Edi t Profi l e.
On the Features tool bar, cl i ck the Curve command.
2-46 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide MT01418160
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Draw a curve wi th edi t poi nts at the endpoi nts of the l i nes (1-5) shown
bel ow. Make sure you get the endpoi nt connect symbol before cl i cki ng. After
pl aci ng the l ast edi t poi nt, ri ght-cl i ck to compl ete the curve.
Endpoi nt Connect Symbol
MT01418160 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide 2-47
Chapter 2 Creating and Editing Curves
Edi t the di mensi ons as shown to observe how the curve i s constrai ned to
the di mensi oned el ements.
18. You can al so add constrai nts to a curve usi ng the edi t poi nts and control verti ces.
You wi l l now use the l ast curve created to appl y constrai nts to.
Del ete al l el ements i n the sketch except for the curve.
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Sel ect the curve.
MT01418160 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide 2-49
Chapter 2 Creating and Editing Curves
You wi l l now add constrai nts to the curve. The fi rst constrai nt wi l l be a
hori zontal rel ati onshi p between edi t poi nts A and B. On the Drawi ng
tool bar, cl i ck the Hori zontal /Verti cal command.
Noti ce i n the i mage above that the edi t poi nts and control
verti ces di spl ay as crosses. I f you pause the cursor over a cross,
you wi l l see the fol l owi ng denoti ng i f i t i s an edi t poi nt (A)
or control vertex (B).
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Cl i ck poi nt A and then cl i ck poi nt B. Poi nts A and B wi l l al ways remai n
al i gned hori zontal l y.
Pl ace a di mensi on as shown between the hori zontal reference pl ane and
edi t poi nt C.
MT01418160 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide 2-51
Chapter 2 Creating and Editing Curves
Pl ace a di mensi on as shown between the hori zontal reference pl ane and
edi t poi nt A.
Add a verti cal rel ati onshi p between control vertex F and the center of
the reference pl anes.
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Appl y a fi nal constrai nt to control verti ces. Pl ace two di mensi ons as shown
between the verti cal reference pl ane and control verti ces D and E.
More constrai nts are needed to make the curve symmetri c about
the verti cal reference pl ane. But for thi s acti vi ty you wi l l stop
addi ng constrai nts at thi s poi nt.
MT01418160 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide 2-53
Chapter 2 Creating and Editing Curves
Edi t the di mensi ons as shown and observe the curve shape constrai nts.
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Drag control vertex F down and observe how the curve shape changes whi l e
mai ntai ni ng the rel ati onshi ps you appl i ed.
19. The acti vi ty i s compl ete. Exi t and save the fi l e.
MT01418160 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide 2-55
Creating and Editing Curves
Activity 2 Creating and Editing BlueDots
Overview
I n thi s acti vi ty, you wi l l l earn to manual l y create and edi t Bl ueDots.
Objectives
After compl eti ng thi s acti vi ty you wi l l be abl e to:
Create Bl ueDots
Edi t Bl ueDots
1. Open SURFACE LAB 2-02.PAR i n the C:/Surfaci ng/Parts fol der. The part fi l e
contai ns four curve sketches. You wi l l connect these curves usi ng the Bl ueDot
command.
Curves must be connected i n order to use them to create surfaces.
Onl y the Swept Surface command does not requi re i nput curves to be
connected. You wi l l l earn more about thi s i n the next modul e.
The order i n whi ch you sel ect curves determi nes whi ch curve wi l l
change l ocati on. The fi rst curve you sel ect wi l l move to connect to
the second curve. The fi rst curve sketch pl ane wi l l change to the
connected l ocati on. The second curve you sel ect does not change.
There are several curve sel ecti on l ocati ons. See the topi c on Bl ueDot
Creati on i n the theory secti on of thi s modul e.
MT01418160 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide 2-57
Chapter 2 Creating and Editing Curves
2. On the Surfaci ng tool bar, cl i ck the Bl ueDot command.
3. I n the next few steps, you wi l l experi ment wi th connecti ng two curves usi ng
di fferent sel ecti on l ocati ons. Remember to undo after each connecti on to return
the curves to thei r ori gi nal l ocati on.
Sel ect curve 1 at the l ocati on shown and then sel ect curve 2 at the l ocati on
shown. Noti ce the resul ti ng connecti on and then cl i ck Undo.
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Cl i ck the Bl ueDot command agai n. Sel ect curve 1 at the l ocati on shown and
then sel ect curve 2 at the l ocati on shown. You are sel ecti ng edi t poi nts on
the curves. Noti ce the resul ti ng connecti on and then cl i ck Undo.
Now that you have experi mented wi th di fferent curve sel ecti on possi bi l i ti es,
you wi l l connect the four curves at the end poi nts. Cl i ck the Bl ueDot
MT01418160 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide 2-59
Chapter 2 Creating and Editing Curves
command agai n. Connect the curves i n the sequence shown bel ow (1-2,
3-4, 5-6 and 7-8).
Make sure the endpoi nt connect symbol di spl ays before you cl i ck.
4. The four curves are now Bl ueDot connected. You wi l l now edi t a Bl ueDot to
observe how the curves behave.
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Cl i ck the Sel ect tool and then sel ect the Bl ueDot shown.
On the Sel ect ri bbon bar, cl i ck Dynami c Edi t.
Cl i ck the Z-di recti on axi s on the 3-D tri ad as shown. Thi s l ocks the Bl ueDot
edi t i n the Z-di recti on.
Noti ce on the Edi t Bl ueDot ri bbon bar that the focus i s l ocked to
the Z val ue. Thi s val ue i s the actual Z-coordi nate val ue.
MT01418160 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide 2-61
Chapter 2 Creating and Editing Curves
You can now edi t the Bl ueDot by draggi ng i t on the screen or by keyi ng i n a
new Z-coordi nate val ue. Drag the Bl ueDot a smal l di stance as shown and
observe the connected curves behavi or.
The Bl ueDot edi t you just made had both curves connected to
the Bl ueDot set to Local edi t.
Cl i ck Undo to return the Bl ueDot to i ts ori gi nal l ocati on.
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On the Bl ueDot Edi t ri bbon bar, set both curves to Shape edi t and then
repeat the previ ous step. Noti ce the di fferent resul t.
Cl i ck Undo to return the Bl ueDot to i ts ori gi nal l ocati on.
You can al so edi t a Bl ueDot by speci fyi ng a del ta di stance. Repeat the
previ ous step but thi s ti me cl i ck the Rel ati ve/Absol ute Posi ti on opti on
on the Bl ueDot Edi t ri bbon bar.
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Chapter 2 Creating and Editing Curves
Noti ce that the ri bbon bar changes to dX:, dY: and dZ:. Enter 20 i n the dZ:
fi el d and press Enter on the keyboard.
I f you press Enter agai n, a del ta val ue of 20 wi l l be appl i ed agai n.
Cl i ck Undo to return the Bl ueDot to i ts ori gi nal l ocati on.
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5. You can move the 3-D tri ad i f i t gets i n the way. Cl i ck the 3-D tri ad as shown
and drag to a new l ocati on.
6. The acti vi ty i s compl ete.
MT01418160 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide 2-65
Creating and Editing Curves
Activity 3 Creating Keypoint Curves
Overview
I n thi s acti vi ty, you wi l l l earn to create a keypoi nt curve. A keypoi nt curve i s a 3-D
curve. The curve i s defi ned by connecti ng to keypoi nts from exi sti ng geometry.
Objectives
After compl eti ng thi s acti vi ty you wi l l be abl e to:
Create a keypoi nt curve
Modi fy tangency vectors
1. Open SURFACE LAB 2-03.PAR i n the C:/Surfaci ng/Parts fol der.
The part fi l e contai ns three sketches that you wi l l use to create
keypoi nt curves. Each sketch has seven keypoi nts.
MT01418160 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide 2-67
Chapter 2 Creating and Editing Curves
2. Create a keypoi nt curve on each sketch and then create keypoi nt curves
connecti ng each sketch. The fi nal resul t i s shown bel ow.
You wi l l now create the fi rst keypoi nt curve usi ng geometry from Sketch A.
On the Surfaci ng tool bar, cl i ck the Keypoi nt Curve command.
Cl i ck the endpoi nt shown. Make sure the endpoi nt connect symbol di spl ays.
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There are other keypoi nt sel ect l ocati ons possi bl e on a l i ne. You
can sel ect the endpoi nts (A), mi dpoi nt (B), l i ne and endpoi nt (C)
or l i ne and mi dpoi nt (D). I f you sel ect a l i ne and endpoi nt or l i ne
and mi dpoi nt, the curve wi l l be tangent to the l i ne at that poi nt.
You wi l l have the opportuni ty to modi fy the tangent vector. For
thi s l ab acti vi ty, onl y sel ect endpoi nts.
To make i t easi er to onl y sel ect endpoi nts, on the ri bbon bar cl i ck
the Keypoi nts button. Sel ect the endpoi nt opti on as shown.
MT01418160 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide 2-69
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Cl i ck the remai ni ng endpoi nts i n the fol l owi ng order.
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After you cl i ck the l ast endpoi nt, on the Keypoi nt Curve ri bbon bar, cl i ck the
Accept button. Cl i ck the Accept button agai n and then cl i ck Fi ni sh.
MT01418160 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide 2-71
Chapter 2 Creating and Editing Curves
Repeat the previ ous step to create keypoi nt curves usi ng Sketches B and C.
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You wi l l now create keypoi nt curves between the sketches. You wi l l create
seven keypoi nt curves. The fi rst curve i s shown bel ow and al so the
compl eted curves.
MT01418160 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide 2-73
Chapter 2 Creating and Editing Curves
On the Mai n menu, cl i ck Tool s>Hi de Al l >Sketches.
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The keypoi nt curves are not connected to each other. They are
onl y connected to the sketch el ements. I f you edi t one of the
sketches used to keypoi nt connect to, the keypoi nt curve wi l l
change wi th the edi t made to the sketch.
3. You wi l l now connect the keypoi nt curves wi th Bl ueDots. Once you add a
Bl ueDot, the hi story of how the curves were created i s l ost.
On the Surfaci ng tool bar, cl i ck the Bl ueDot command.
Cl i ck keypoi nt curve 1 and then cl i ck keypoi nt curve 2 as shown.
Make sure no keypoi nts di spl ay when you sel ect the curves to
Bl ueDot connect. Just cl i ck the curve away from any possi bl e
keypoi nt.
MT01418160 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide 2-75
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Conti nue pl aci ng the remai ni ng Bl ueDots. There wi l l be a total of 21
Bl ueDots. I f you make a mi stake, cl i ck the Undo command.
4. You wi l l now edi t a Bl ueDot and observe how the keypoi nt curves behave.
On Features tool bar, cl i ck the Sel ect tool .
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Sel ect the Bl ueDot shown.
On the Sel ect Tool ri bbon bar, cl i ck Dynami c Edi t.
Cl i ck the Z-di recti on on the 3-D tri ad.
Drag the Bl ueDot up and noti ce how the two keypoi nt curves remai n
connected.
MT01418160 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide 2-77
Chapter 2 Creating and Editing Curves
Noti ce i n the Bl ueDot Edi t ri bbon bar that curve edi t fi el ds
are grayed out. Keypoi nt curves cannot be control l ed wi th
l ocal or shape edi ts.
Cl i ck the Sel ect tool . Ri ght-cl i ck i n the part wi ndow and Hi de Al l >Bl ueDots
and Hi de Al l >Constructi on Curves.
5. You wi l l now create two keypoi nt curves that i ncl ude a tangency vector.
Cl i ck the Sel ect tool .
I n EdgeBar, hol d down the Ctrl key and sel ect features Extrude 4 and
Extrude 5. Ri ght-cl i ck these sel ecti ons and cl i ck Show.
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You wi l l now create keypoi nt curves between these two surfaces that are
tangent to an edge of each surface. On the Surfaci ng tool bar, cl i ck the
Keypoi nt Curve command.
Sel ect the edge of the surface as shown. Make sure the l i ne and endpoi nt
are hi ghl i ghted.
Sel ect the edge of the surface as shown. Make sure the l i ne and endpoi nt
are hi ghl i ghted.
MT01418160 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide 2-79
Chapter 2 Creating and Editing Curves
Noti ce the green dot and l i ne on each surface edge. These are the tangency
vectors. The keypoi nt curve i s tangent to the surface edge. By dynami cal l y
draggi ng the green dot, the curve changes shape whi l e remai ni ng tangent.
Drag the tangency vectors as shown.
On the Keypoi nt Curve ri bbon bar, cl i ck the Accept button. Cl i ck the Accept
button agai n and then cl i ck Fi ni sh.
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Create another keypoi nt curve on the opposi te edges of the surfaces.
You wi l l l earn i n the next modul e that the two keypoi nt curves
you just created are a step i n the process of constructi ng a
tangent transi ti on surface between two surfaces.
6. The acti vi ty i s compl ete.
MT01418160 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide 2-81
Creating and Editing Curves
Activity 4 Additional Curve Creation Methods
Overview
I n thi s acti vi ty, you wi l l l earn addi ti onal methods of creati ng curves. So far, you have
l earned to draw curves di rectl y, poi nt by poi nt. Now you wi l l l earn to create curves
i ndi rectl y, by combi ni ng i nputs from exi sti ng curves and surfaces.
Objectives
After compl eti ng thi s acti vi ty you wi l l be abl e to create the fol l owi ng:
i ntersecti on curve
cross curve
projected curve
contour curve
deri ved curve
spl i t curve
1. Open SURFACE LAB 2-04.PAR i n the C:/Surfaci ng/Parts fol der.
I n order to create curves i n thi s acti vi ty, you need exi sti ng
constructi on surfaces. Si nce you have not yet l earned how to create
surfaces, the surfaces needed i n the acti vi ty have al ready been
created for you.
2. The fi rst curve creati on method you wi l l use i s I ntersecti on Curve.
I n EdgeBar, sel ect features Bl ueSurf 1 and Extrude 1. Ri ght-cl i ck the
sel ected features, and cl i ck Show.
MT01418160 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide 2-83
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Ri ght-cl i ck i n the part wi ndow and Hi de Al l >Reference Pl anes.
You wi l l now create a curve where constructi on surfaces A and B i ntersect.
On the Surfaci ng tool bar, cl i ck the I ntersecti on Curve command.
On the I ntersecti on Curve ri bbon bar, set the sel ect fi l ter to Feature.
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Sel ect the surface as shown, and then on the ri bbon bar, cl i ck the Accept
button.
Sel ect the next surface as shown, and then on the ri bbon bar, cl i ck the
Accept button.
MT01418160 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide 2-85
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On the ri bbon bar, cl i ck Fi ni sh.
Noti ce i n EdgeBar the i ntersecti on curve you just created i s
named I ntersecti on 2.
The i ntersecti on curve i s associ ati ve to the two i nput surfaces i t
was created from. These surfaces are the i ntersecti on curves
parents. I f a parent i s edi ted, the i ntersecti on curve wi l l update
automati cal l y.
You wi l l see i n the next modul e how you can use the i ntersecti on curve i n
surface edi ti ng operati ons.
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Hi de the fol l owi ng features i n EdgeBar.
3. The next curve creati on method you wi l l use i s Cross Curve. A cross curve i s an
i ntersecti on curve that i s created wi th the theoreti cal extruded surfaces resul ti ng
from the two i nput curves/anal yti cs.
I n EdgeBar, show the fol l owi ng sketches.
On the Surfaci ng tool bar, cl i ck the Cross Curve command. The command
i s on the fl y out of the Project Curve command.
MT01418160 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide 2-87
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Cl i ck sketch A and then on the Cross Curve ri bbon bar, cl i ck the Accept
button. Cl i ck sketch B and then on the Cross Curve ri bbon bar, cl i ck the
Accept button.
On the Cross Curve ri bbon bar, cl i ck Fi ni sh.
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The cross curve i s the resul t of the i ntersecti on of the two theoreti cal
extruded surfaces A and B.
The Cross Curve command el i mi nates the need to construct
extruded surfaces from curves and then fi nd the i ntersecti on
between the two surfaces.
Hi de the sketch curves and cross curve shown.
4. The next curve creati on method you wi l l use i s Project Curve. Thi s command
takes a curve and projects i t onto a surface.
MT01418160 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide 2-89
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Show the fol l owi ng features i n EdgeBar.
You wi l l now project curve B onto surface A.
On the Surfaci ng tool bar, cl i ck the Project Curve command.
On the Project Curve ri bbon bar, cl i ck the Opti ons button.
The defaul t opti on i s Al ong vector. The curve wi l l be projected al ong i ts
normal vector. Cl i ck OK.
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Cl i ck curve B, and then cl i ck the Accept button.
Cl i ck surface A, and then cl i ck the Accept button. Then poi nt the di recti on
arrow down as shown.
Cl i ck Fi ni sh.
MT01418160 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide 2-91
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Cl i ck the Sel ect tool . I n EdgeBar, sel ect the Projecti on feature and press
the Del ete key on the keyboard.
You wi l l now project the curve normal to the surface. On the Surfaci ng
tool bar, cl i ck the Project Curve command.
On the Project Curve ri bbon bar, cl i ck the Opti ons button.
Cl i ck the Normal to sel ected surface opti on and cl i ck OK.
Cl i ck the curve, and then cl i ck the Accept button.
Cl i ck the surface, and then cl i ck the Accept button. Cl i ck Fi ni sh.
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Noti ce the di fferent resul ts. Hi de the features shown.
5. The next curve creati on method you wi l l use i s Contour Curve. You wi l l draw a
contour curve di rectl y on a surface.
I n EdgeBar, show the feature shown bel ow.
On the Surfaci ng tool bar, cl i ck the Contour Curve command.
Cl i ck the surface and then cl i ck the Accept button.
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Cl i ck on the surface to pl ace the si x contour curve poi nts approxi matel y as
shown. Poi nts 1 and 6 are on the edge. Poi nts 25 are on the face.
To i nsert poi nts on the edge, i n the Sel ect box cl i ck Edges. To
i nsert poi nts on the face, i n the Sel ect box cl i ck Face.
After you pl ace the l ast poi nt, cl i ck the Accept button.
Cl i ck Fi ni sh.
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Cl i ck the Sel ect tool .
You wi l l now edi t the shape of the contour curve. I n EdgeBar, ri ght-cl i ck the
contour curve feature, and cl i ck Edi t Defi ni ti on.
You can edi t the shape whi l e creati ng the contour curve.
On the Contour Curve ri bbon bar, cl i ck the Draw Poi nts Step.
MT01418160 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide 2-95
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Cl i ck the poi nts shown and drag to edi t the shape approxi matel y as shown.
Poi nts 1 and 6 wi l l remai n attached to the edge. Poi nts 25 can be moved
anywhere al ong the face.
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Cl i ck the Accept button and then cl i ck Fi ni sh.
Hi de the two features shown.
6. The next curve creati on methods you wi l l use are Deri ved Curve and Spl i t Curve.
MT01418160 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide 2-97
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I n EdgeBar, show the feature shown bel ow.
You wi l l now create deri ved curves from the four edges of the surface. You
wi l l spl i t the deri ved curves that woul d be used to create addi ti onal surfaces.
You wi l l not create the surfaces i n thi s acti vi ty.
On the Surfaci ng tool bar, cl i ck the Deri ved Curve command.
Cl i ck the edge shown, and then cl i ck the Accept button on the Deri ved
Curve ri bbon bar.
On the ri bbon bar, cl i ck Fi ni sh.
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Repeat the above step to create deri ved edges for the three remai ni ng
surface edges.
MT01418160 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide 2-99
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You wi l l now spl i t these deri ved curves. Cl i ck the Sel ect tool and then
ri ght-cl i ck the surface i n the part wi ndow and cl i ck Hi de.
Ri ght-cl i ck i n an open area of the part wi ndow and cl i ck Show Al l >Reference
Pl anes.
On the Surfaci ng tool bar, cl i ck the Spl i t Curve command. The command i s
l ocated on the fl y out of the Deri ved Curve command.
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Creating and Editing Curves
Cl i ck the deri ved curve as shown, and then cl i ck the Accept button.
On the Spl i t Curve ri bbon bar, set the Sel ect fi l ter to Body.
Cl i ck the reference pl ane shown.
MT01418160 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide 2-101
Chapter 2 Creating and Editing Curves
Cl i ck the Accept button, and then cl i ck Fi ni sh.
Noti ce the ori gi nal deri ved curve i s now spl i t and there are two new curves
that can be used for surfaci ng operati ons.
Repeat the previ ous step to spl i t the remai ni ng three deri ved curves.
2-102 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide MT01418160
Creating and Editing Curves
The fol l owi ng i mage shows a new surface created usi ng the spl i t curves.
7. The acti vi ty i s compl ete. Exi t and Save the fi l e.
MT01418160 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide 2-103
Chapter 2 Creating and Editing Curves
Summary
Curves are cruci al for control l i ng surfaces. You can edi t curves by movi ng edi t poi nts
and control poi nts. You can add more control to a curve by i ncreasi ng the degree of
the curve. You can draw curves di rectl y by defi ni ng the edi t poi nts. The di rect curve
methods are Curve command, Curve by Tabl e and Contour Curve command. You
can al so create curves i ndi rectl y from exi sti ng curves and surfaces. These curves
are control l ed by the parent curves and surfaces. As the parents change, so wi l l the
i ndi rected curves. These curve creati on methods are Deri ved Curve, Cross Curve,
I ntersecti on Curve, Project Curve and Keypoi nt Curve.
2-104 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide MT01418160
Chapter
3 SurfaceCreation
Objectives
After compl eti ng thi s modul e, you wi l l be abl e to:
Create si mpl e surfaces
Create a Bl ueSurf
Edi t a Bl ueSurf
Create a Bounded surface
MT01418160 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide 3-1
Chapter 3 SurfaceCreation
Overview of Surfaces
A surface i s a 3D el ement that i s control l ed by curves. Vi sual i ze a surface as a
thi n sheet. A surface has no thi ckness. A surface can be si mpl e or compl ex. The
more curves used to defi ne the surface the greater the surface compl exi ty. I n a
mathemati cal defi ni ti on, a surface has two di recti ons (u and v). I n model i ng terms, a
surface consi sts of cross-secti ons curves and gui de curves. Gui de curves can exi st or
be i nterpol ated by the system from the cross-secti on el ements.
(A) Gui de curves
(B) Cross Secti on curves
You can modi fy a surface shape by edi ti ng the underl yi ng cross secti on and gui de
curves. You can tri m a surface, extend, offset, copy and mi rror whi l e mai ntai ni ng i ts
shape. You can sti tch together mul ti pl e surfaces to form a sol i d or to i ncl ude rounds
between adjoi ni ng surfaces.
Curves form the mathemati cal basi s for a surface. As you i ncrease your
understandi ng of how to control curves, you are taki ng a major step towards
understandi ng how to control surfaces.
3-2 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide MT01418160
Surface Creation
Creating a Simple Surface
You wi l l begi n the surface creati on modul e wi th the si mpl est methods. An extruded
surface i s the si mpl est surface creati on method. The onl y i nput requi red i s a sketch
or profi l e contai ni ng curves or anal yti c el ements. The Extruded Surface command
works si mi l arl y to the Protrusi on command.
Extruded Surface Creati on Steps:
Start the Extruded Surface command.
Sel ect a profi l e pl ane.
Draw the cross secti on. You can use anal yti cs or curves.
Fi ni sh the profi l e step.
Defi ne the extruded di stance dynami cal l y or wi th a val ue on the ri bbon bar. The
symmetri c extent opti on i s avai l abl e.
Fi ni sh extruded surface command.
You can create a sketch to draw the cross-secti on. Use the Sel ect from
Sketch opti on to create an extruded surface from a sketch.
(A) profi l e/sketch
(B) extruded surface
MT01418160 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide 3-3
Chapter 3 SurfaceCreation
Noti ce the extruded surface feature i n EdgeBar. The extruded surface was created
from a sketch. The sketch i s shown i n EdgeBar as Sketch21.
You can use extruded surfaces as constructi on surfaces to create i ntersecti on curves
wi th other surfaces. An extruded surface may al so be the surface you actual l y need.
I f you use an extruded surface as a constructi on surface to generate i ntersecti on
curves, you can turn off i ts di spl ay. I t may no l onger need to be di spl ayed. You shoul d
not del ete i t because i t i s a parent to the i ntersecti on curves generated from i t. I f
you want to del ete a surface that has chi l dren, you must go to the chi l dren and drop
thei r parents. The surface coul d then be del eted but the chi l dren are no l onger
associ ati ve and cannot be edi ted. Cauti on i s hi ghl y recommended when usi ng the
drop parents command. As you become more fami l i ar wi th the surfaci ng process, you
wi l l understand when to use drop parents.
To hi de the di spl ay of the surface, i n EdgeBar ri ght-cl i ck the surface and cl i ck Hi de.
3-4 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide MT01418160
Surface Creation
The next si mpl e surface creati on method i s a revol ved surface. The onl y i nput
requi red i s a sketch or profi l e contai ni ng curves or anal yti c el ements and an axi s
of revol uti on. The Revol ved Surface command works si mi l arl y to the Revol ved
Protrusi on command.
Creati on Steps:
Start the Revol ved Surface command.
Sel ect a profi l e pl ane.
Draw the cross secti on. The cross-secti on can be open or cl osed. You can use
anal yti cs or curves.
Defi ne the Axi s of Revol uti on. You can sel ect a reference pl ane for the axi s or
sel ect a l i ne drawn i n the profi l e as the axi s of revol uti on.
Fi ni sh the profi l e step.
On the ri bbon bar, enter a revol ved angl e or dynami cal l y drag the revol ved
surface to an angul ar di stance. The symmetri c extent and 360 degree opti ons
are avai l abl e.
Fi ni sh the revol ved surface command.
MT01418160 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide 3-5
Chapter 3 SurfaceCreation
You can draw the cross secti on and axi s of revol uti on i n a sketch. Use the
Sel ect from Sketch opti on to create a revol ved surface from a sketch.
(A) profi l e/sketch
(B) axi s of revol uti on
(C) revol ved surface
Noti ce the revol ved surface feature i n EdgeBar. The revol ved surface was created
from a sketch. The sketch i s shown i n EdgeBar as Sketch101.
3-6 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide MT01418160
Surface Creation
Creating a Swept Surface
The Swept Surface command creates a constructi on surface by extrudi ng a profi l e
al ong a path.
An exampl e of a swept surface usi ng a si ngl e path and cross-secti on
(A) profi l e/sketch
(B) gui de path
(C) swept surface
MT01418160 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide 3-7
Chapter 3 SurfaceCreation
You must speci fy the Sweep Opti ons before the command begi ns.
The si ngl e path and cross-secti on opti on al l ows you to onl y defi ne one path and one
cross secti on. The path and cross secti on can be open or cl osed.
The mul ti pl e paths and cross-secti ons opti on al l ows you to defi ne up to three paths
and an unl i mi ted number of cross secti ons. After you defi ne one or two paths, cl i ck
the Next button on the ri bbon bar to proceed to the cross-secti on step. After you
defi ne the thi rd path, the command automati cal l y proceeds to the cross-secti on step.
The cross secti ons can be al l open or al l cl osed and can be pl anar or non-pl anar. You
cannot mi x open and cl osed cross-secti ons. You can pl ace them anywhere al ong the
path. A sweep path can consi st of ei ther tangent or non-tangent el ements.
When you create a swept surface usi ng a cl osed profi l e, you can use the Open Ends
and Cl ose Ends opti ons on the SmartStep ri bbon bar to speci fy whether the ends of
the swept surface are open or cl osed. When you set the Cl ose Ends opti on, faces are
added to the ends of the feature to create a cl osed vol ume.
For cross secti ons and paths, you can sel ect wi reframe el ements from mul ti pl e
Parasol i d bodi es or sketches and the el ements wi l l remai n associ ati ve.
P1, P2, P3 path curves
C1, C2 cross secti ons
3-8 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide MT01418160
Surface Creation
BlueSurf
Bl ueSurf i s a surface creati on command for devel opi ng compl ex surfaces. A Bl ueSurf
i s a hi ghl y edi tabl e surface. I t behaves si mi l arl y to the l oft and sweep commands,
where numerous secti ons and gui des can be used. You can i nsert new secti ons or
gui des on a Bl ueSurf wi th i ntersecti on pl anes, whi ch wi l l be added to the surface for
addi ti onal control . You can mani pul ate the surface by movi ng Bl ueDot Edi t poi nts.
You can use the Shape Edi t or Local Edi t opti on when you move Bl ueDots on a
Bl ueSurf. As you add secti ons or gui des, the amount of edi t poi nts may need to be
reduced or added, through another concept cal l ed (Edi t Poi nt Data Mani pul ati on).
To begi n the overvi ew of the Bl ueSurf command, l ook at the Bl ueSurf Opti ons
di al og box.
MT01418160 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide 3-9
Chapter 3 SurfaceCreation
On the Standard tab, there are opti ons to control tangency for cross-secti ons and
edge gui des. The defaul t setti ng for cross-secti on tangency i s natural . The fol l owi ng
exampl e shows the resul ts from a natural (A) and normal to secti on (B) tangency
control setti ng.
The Edge Gui de opti on speci fi es the tangency control for the gui de curves. The
opti ons avai l abl e for defi ni ng gui de curve tangency condi ti ons depend on the type
of el ement you sel ect for the gui de curve. For exampl e, i f you want to be abl e to
control the tangency of the Bl ueSurf feature wi th respect to an adjacent surface, use
an edge on the surface as the gui de curve rather than, for exampl e, the sketch you
used to construct the adjacent surface.
The End Cappi ng opti on i s avai l abl e when you use cl osed cross secti ons. The defaul t
opti on i s Open. The resul ti ng surface wi l l have both ends open. The Cl ose ends
opti on caps the ends of the surface, creati ng a cl osed vol ume. The fol l owi ng exampl e
shows Open ends (A) and Cl osed ends (B) resul ts.
3-10 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide MT01418160
Surface Creation
The Extent Type control al l ows Open or Cl osed extents. Open extent creates a
surface that starts at the fi rst cross-secti on and ends at the l ast cross secti on. A
cl osed extent starts and ends at the fi rst cross secti on, to form a cl osed l oop. The
fol l owi ng exampl e shows the two extents: (A) Open, (B) Cl osed.
The Curve Connecti vi ty opti on appl i es to i nserted sketches. You wi l l l earn about
i nserti ng sketches l ater i n thi s modul e. The i nserted sketches can be ei ther connected
wi th pi erce poi nts or wi th Bl ueDots.
The Advanced tab l ets you appl y vertex mappi ng. Thi s i s covered l ater i n thi s modul e.
MT01418160 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide 3-11
Chapter 3 SurfaceCreation
Exami ne the Bl ueSurf SmartStep ri bbon bar.
The fi rst step i n creati ng a Bl ueSurf i s sel ecti ng cross secti ons. The Cross Secti on
Step (B) acti vates automati cal l y. At l east two cross secti ons are requi red. After the
cross-secti on step, you can sel ect a gui de curve i f needed. Cl i ck the Gui de Curve Step
(C) and sel ect the gui de curve(s). Once you sel ect the cross secti ons and gui de(s),
cl i ck Previ ew and then Fi ni sh.
Thi s exampl e shows the Bl ueSurf resul t of two cross-secti ons (C1, C2) and two
gui de curves (G1, G2).
A Bl ueSurf can al so consi st of a si ngl e cross-secti on and a si ngl e gui de curve.
Thi s exampl e shows the Bl ueSurf resul t of usi ng cross-secti on (C1) and gui de curve
(G1) from the previ ous exampl e.
At thi s poi nt, edi ti ng any of the cross-secti ons or gui de curves modi fi es the shape of
the Bl ueSurf. I f you need addi ti onal surface shape control , the Bl ueSurf command
provi des a step to i nsert addi ti onal sketches.
3-12 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide MT01418160
Surface Creation
Inserting Sketches
When you add a cross secti on or gui de curve to an exi sti ng Bl ueSurf feature usi ng the
I nsert Sketch opti on, the new sketch i s connected to the cross secti on(s) or gui de
curve(s). You can use the Bl ueSurf Opti ons di al og box to speci fy whether a connect
rel ati onshi p or a Bl ueDot i s used to connect the sketch to the gui de curves. The
opti on you speci fy al so affects how you can edi t the feature l ater.
On the Bl ueSurf Opti ons di al og box, there are two methods for curve connecti vi ty
(Use Pi erce Poi nts or Use Bl ueDots).
Use Pierce Points
Speci fi es that a connect rel ati onshi p i s used to connect the cross-secti on and
gui de curve where they i ntersect. The posi ti on of the connect rel ati onshi p i s
cal cul ated usi ng the Pi erce Poi nt opti on on the I ntel l i Sketch di al og box. When
you connect the new sketch usi ng the Use Pi erce Poi nts opti on, you can modi fy
the cross secti on or gui de curve the new sketch i ntersects and the bspl i ne curve
for the i nserted sketch wi l l update. The Use Pi erce Poi nts opti on i s typi cal l y
used when constructi ng engi neered surfaces, such as the surfaces for a fan or
turbi ne bl ade, where engi neeri ng data or di mensi on-dri ven cri teri a must be
mai ntai ned. The Use Pi erce Poi nts opti on mai ntai ns the exi sti ng parent/chi l d
hi story of the model .
Use BlueDots
Speci fi es that a Bl ueDot be used to connect the cross secti on and gui de curve
where they i ntersect. When you connect a cross secti on and a gui de curve wi th a
Bl ueDot, you can use the Bl ueDot as a handl e to dynami cal l y modi fy the shape of
the cross-secti on and gui de curve. The Use Bl ueDots opti on i s typi cal l y used on
model s that are dri ven by aestheti c requi rements, such as consumer el ectroni cs
products, bottl e and contai ner desi gn, and so forth. When you use Bl ueDots to
connect an i nserted sketch, movi ng a Bl ueDot can al so change the l ocati on of the
reference pl anes of the sketches i t connects. Thi s i s because a Bl ueDot al l ows
you to overri de the exi sti ng parent/chi l d hi story of the model . For exampl e, i f
you i nsert a sketch usi ng a paral l el reference pl ane wi th an offset val ue of 25
mi l l i meters, edi ti ng the l ocati on of the Bl ueDot can al so change the offset val ue
of the reference pl ane. Thi s behavi or can be preferabl e when expl ori ng the
aestheti c possi bi l i ti es of a surface, but can be counter-producti ve when worki ng
wi th engi neered surfaces. I n some cases, usi ng Bl ueDots can al so cause a model
to take l onger to update, because movi ng a Bl ueDot may requi re more of the
model to recompute than a connect rel ati onshi p woul d.
Insert Sketch Option
You can al so defi ne a tol erance val ue for sketches you i nsert. The tol erance
val ue you speci fy i s used to control the compl exi ty of the curve that i s created.
As the tol erance val ue decreases, more control poi nts are added to the i nserted
sketch curve.
You can sel ect the I nsert Sketch Step whi l e i n the Bl ueSurf command. I f the Bl ueSurf
has al ready been created, you can sel ect the Bl ueSurf wi th the Sel ect tool and then
cl i ck the Edi t Defi ni ti on command on the Sel ect tool ri bbon bar.
MT01418160 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide 3-13
Chapter 3 SurfaceCreation
I n the fol l owi ng exampl e, the Use Bl ueDots opti on i s used for curve
connecti vi ty.
On the Bl ueSurf ri bbon bar, cl i ck the I nsert Sketch Step. Noti ce al l reference pl anes
are di spl ayed. You must sel ect a pl ane to i nsert a sketch on. Al l of the pl ane creati on
methods are avai l abl e.
3-14 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide MT01418160
Surface Creation
I n the fol l owi ng exampl e, the paral l el pl ane opti on was sel ected. Reference pl ane (A)
was sel ected as the pl ane to be paral l el to. Reference pl ane (B) can be dynami cal l y
dragged to the l ocati on to i nsert a sketch. You can al so key i n a di stance. Cl i ck
l ocati on to i nsert a sketch (C).
MT01418160 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide 3-15
Chapter 3 SurfaceCreation
Now consi der i nserti ng a sketch (C) i n the gui de curve di recti on and noti ce the
resul ts. The paral l el pl ane i s used agai n.
3-16 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide MT01418160
Surface Creation
Now turn off the reference pl anes and observe the resul ts.
When the gui de curve di recti on sketch was i nserted, i t crossed another sketch. The
Bl ueSurf command automati cal l y i nserts Bl ueDots at the i ntersecti on of the curves.
I f there were several sketches i n the cross-secti on di recti on, the i nserted sketch i n
the gui de curve di recti on woul d be connected wi th Bl ueDots to al l of the sketches i t
crosses. The above exampl e now has surface shape control at the Bl ueDot l ocati ons.
The fol l owi ng exampl e shows Bl ueDot (C) edi ted wi th a del ta di stance of 15 i n the Z
di recti on. The two curves connected to the Bl ueDot were set for Shape edi t.
MT01418160 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide 3-17
Chapter 3 SurfaceCreation
The fol l owi ng exampl e shows Bl ueDot (C) edi ted wi th both curves set to Local edi t 5
i n the Z di recti on. Noti ce the di fferent resul ts.
3-18 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide MT01418160
Surface Creation
Adding Additional Cross Sections
You can add addi ti onal cross secti ons to an exi sti ng Bl ueSurf. An added cross secti on
redefi nes the surface shape defi ni ti on. The i nsert sketch command i nserts a sketch
that fol l ows the shape of the Bl ueSurf and does not al ter the surface shape. Edi ti ng
an i nserted sketch al ters the Bl ueSurf shape. Any cross secti on sketch created after
the Bl ueSurf i s created wi l l not be seen by the Bl ueSurf feature. When you edi t a
Bl ueSurf, i t onl y recogni zes sketches created before i t was created.
The fol l owi ng i s an exampl e of how to add a new cross secti on. The Bl ueSurf feature
bel ow was created wi th two cross secti ons (C1, C2).
MT01418160 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide 3-19
Chapter 3 SurfaceCreation
Fi rst, add a new cross secti on (C3) that was created before the Bl ueSurf feature.
Cl i ck the Sel ect Tool and then sel ect the Bl ueSurf feature. On the ri bbon bar, cl i ck
Edi t Defi ni ti on.
On the Bl ueSurf ri bbon bar, cl i ck the Cross Secti on Step.
I denti fy the new cross secti on (C3). Noti ce that cross secti on C3 i s pl aced l ast i n
the cross secti on order, whi ch causes the Bl ueSurf feature to reverse di recti on. The
cross secti on order bel ow i s C1, C2 and then C3. You can reorder the cross secti ons to
make C3 be defi ned between C1 and C2.
3-20 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide MT01418160
Surface Creation
On the Bl ueSurf ri bbon bar, cl i ck the opti ons button. Cl i ck the Advanced tab.
Cross secti on C3 i s shown as Secti on 3. To reorder C3 to be between C1 and C2, cl i ck
Secti on 3 and then cl i ck Up. Cl i ck OK to appl y the reorder.
The fol l owi ng shows the resul t wi th cross-secti ons ordered C1, C2 and C3.
MT01418160 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide 3-21
Chapter 3 SurfaceCreation
I f you create a cross secti on after the Bl ueSurf feature, the cross secti on wi l l have to
be moved up i n the feature tree to be recogni zed by the Bl ueSurf feature.
To move the cross secti on up i n the feature tree, cl i ck the Sel ect tool . I n EdgeBar,
cl i ck and hol d the Sketch and drag the sketch above the Bl ueSurf feature as shown.
The sketch can now be seen by the Bl ueSurf feature.
3-22 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide MT01418160
Surface Creation
Vertex Mapping
Vertex mappi ng i s a techni que to hel p create fl ow between secti on verti ces. I f there
i s a vertex count mi smatch between secti ons, equal l y spaced verti ces are used
on each secti on.
Noti ce i n the i mage bel ow that secti on (A) has four verti ces and secti on (B) has three
verti ces. The Bl ueSurf command automati cal l y i nserts verti ces equal l y spaced on
each secti on. Noti ce the surface fl ow i s not smooth.
You can add vertex map sets to create a smooth surface fl ow. You can add vertex
maps whi l e creati ng a Bl ueSurf or by edi ti ng an exi sti ng Bl ueSurf.
On the Bl ueSurf ri bbon bar, cl i ck the opti ons button. On the Bl ueSurf Opti ons di al og
box, cl i ck the Advanced tab.
MT01418160 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide 3-23
Chapter 3 SurfaceCreation
Cl i ck Add and then sel ect two verti ces to be mapped together as shown.
Cl i ck Add agai n and sel ect the next two verti ces to be mapped together as shown.
3-24 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide MT01418160
Surface Creation
Cl i ck OK i n the di al og box and then Fi ni sh on the ri bbon bar. The resul t i s shown
bel ow.
MT01418160 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide 3-25
Chapter 3 SurfaceCreation
Bounded Surface
The Bounded Surface command creates a surface between curves or edges. The
curve/edge set must form a cl osed l oop. You can al so speci fy whether any adjacent
faces are used to control tangency on the new bounded surface. Thi s command i s
useful when you want to fi l l i n gaps between other adjacent surfaces. I n prepari ng
the edges/curves to be used to create a bounded surface, you may need to use the Spl i t
Curve and Deri ved Curve commands. I f the edge/curve you need does not exi st, you
can use the Keypoi nt Curve command to construct a curve for the bounded surface.
I n the fol l owi ng exampl e, you wi l l created a bounded surface i n the open area (gap) A.
3-26 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide MT01418160
Surface Creation
The i mage bel ow shows four edges that can be used to create a bounded surface.
However, these edges do not form a cl osed l oop. Curves are needed al ong edges 1
and 2 that are spl i t at the endpoi nts of edges 3 and 4.
Si nce an edge cannot be spl i t, you wi l l need to create a deri ved curve from edges 1
and 2.
On the Surfaci ng tool bar, cl i ck the Deri ved Curve command. Sel ect edge 1 and 2, and
then cl i ck the Accept button. You can now spl i t the deri ved curve.
On the command menu, cl i ck the Spl i t Curve command.
MT01418160 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide 3-27
Chapter 3 SurfaceCreation
Sel ect the deri ved curve as shown.
On the Spl i t Curve ri bbon bar, set the Sel ect opti on to Keypoi nt.
Sel ect the two keypoi nts shown. Cl i ck the accept button and then Fi ni sh.
Repeat the process for the edge on the other si de. You now have the four curves
needed to construct the bounded surface.
On the command menu, cl i ck the Bounded Surface command.
3-28 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide MT01418160
Surface Creation
Sel ect the four edges shown and cl i ck the accept button.
Noti ce the two surfaces that are hi ghl i ghted. These faces wi l l be used as tangent
faces. I f you do not want the bounded surface to be tangent to these faces, just cl i ck
on them to remove them from the tangency set.
MT01418160 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide 3-29
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Cl i ck Previ ew and then Fi ni sh.
3-30 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide MT01418160
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Review
What i s a cross secti on used for i n creati ng a surface?
What are gui de curves?
When do cross secti ons and gui de curves have to be connected?
Name the two ways to edi t a cross secti on or gui de curve?
How do you add more cross secti ons to a Bl ueSurf?
How do you add more gui de curves to a Bl ueSurf?
What happens to i nserted sketches on a Bl ueSurf when the Bl ueSurf i s del eted?
How do you get Bl ueDots on i nserted sketches on a Bl ueSurf?
How do you turn off the di spl ay of Bl ueDots?
On the Bl ueDot ri bbon bar, what does the Rel ati ve/Absol ute Posi ti on opti on do?
MT01418160 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide 3-31
Surface Creation
Activity 1 Creating and Editing Simple Surfaces
Overview
I n thi s acti vi ty, you wi l l l earn to create and edi t si mpl e surfaces. You wi l l use
sketches i n a trai ni ng fi l e to create an extruded surface and a revol ved surface.
After compl eti ng the surface, you wi l l edi t the sketch curve to observe the surface
shape changes.
Objectives
After compl eti ng thi s acti vi ty you wi l l be abl e to:
Create and edi t an extruded surface
Create and edi t a revol ved surface
1. Open SURFACE LAB 3-01.PAR i n the C:/Surfaci ng/Parts fol der.
2. You wi l l now create an extruded surface. I n EdgeBar, show Sketch A.
The Extruded Surface command has the same steps as the Protrusi on
command.
On Surfaci ng tool bar, cl i ck the Extruded Surface command.
On the Extruded Surface ri bbon bar, cl i ck the Sel ect From Sketch button.
MT01418160 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide 3-33
Chapter 3 SurfaceCreation
Cl i ck the sketch curve shown bel ow, and then cl i ck the Accept button on
the ri bbon bar.
On the ri bbon bar, cl i ck the Symmetri c Extent button and type 150 i n
the Di stance fi el d.
Cl i ck Fi ni sh.
3. You wi l l now modi fy the shape of the extruded surface by dynami cal l y edi ti ng
the sketch curve.
On the Features tool bar, cl i ck the Sel ect tool .
Ri ght-cl i ck i n the part wi ndow and cl i ck Hi de Al l >reference Pl anes.
3-34 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide MT01418160
Surface Creation
Sel ect the extruded surface and on the Sel ect Tool ri bbon bar, cl i ck the
Dynami c Edi t button.
Cl i ck the sketch curve. Use the curve Local Edi t opti on and drag the edi t
poi nt shown. Drag the edi t poi nt around sl i ghtl y and noti ce how the surface
shape changes.
Cl i ck the Sel ect Tool to end the dynami c edi t.
I n EdgeBar, hi de the features shown.
MT01418160 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide 3-35
Chapter 3 SurfaceCreation
4. You wi l l now create a revol ved surface. I n EdgeBar, show Sketch B.
The Revol ved Surface command has the same steps as the Revol ved
Protrusi on command.
On the Surfaci ng tool bar, cl i ck the Revol ved Surface command. The
command i s l ocated on the fl y out of the Extruded Surface command.
On the Revol ved Surface ri bbon bar, cl i ck the Sel ect From Sketch opti on.
Sel ect the sketch curve shown bel ow and then cl i ck the Accept button
on the ri bbon bar.
3-36 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide MT01418160
Surface Creation
Noti ce on the Revol ved Surface ri bbon bar that the next step i s to defi ne
the axi s of revol uti on. Cl i ck the l i ne as shown.
On the ri bbon bar, for the extent step cl i ck the revol ve 360 degrees button.
On the ri bbon bar, cl i ck Fi ni sh.
5. You wi l l now edi t the shape of the revol ved surface by dynami cal l y draggi ng an
edi t poi nt on the sketch curve.
On the Features tool bar, cl i ck the Sel ect tool .
Press Ctrl -R to rotate the vi ew to a ri ght vi ew.
MT01418160 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide 3-37
Chapter 3 SurfaceCreation
Sel ect the revol ved surface and on the Sel ect Tool ri bbon bar, cl i ck the
Dynami c Edi t button.
Sel ect the sketch curve. Use the curve Local Edi t opti on and drag the
edi t poi nt shown. Drag the edi t poi nt around sl i ghtl y and noti ce how the
surface shape changes.
Drag the control verti ces around to come up wi th your own surface shape.
6. Thi s concl udes the acti vi ty. Exi t and save the fi l e.
3-38 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide MT01418160
Surface Creation
Activity 2 Creating a Swept Surface
Overview
I n thi s acti vi ty, you wi l l l earn to create and edi t a swept surface. You wi l l use
provi ded sketches to create a swept surface. After compl eti ng the surface, you wi l l
edi t the sketch path and cross secti ons to observe the surface shape changes.
Objectives
After compl eti ng thi s acti vi ty you wi l l be abl e to:
Create and edi t a swept surface
1. Open SURFACE LAB 3-02.PAR i n the C:/Surfaci ng/Parts fol der. The part fi l e
contai ns four sketches. Sketch A i s the gui de path (curve) and sketches 1-3
are the cross secti ons (arcs).
The Swept Surface command has the same steps as the Swept
Protrusi on command.
2. You wi l l now create a swept surface usi ng the sketches provi ded.
On the Surfaci ng tool bar, cl i ck the Swept Surface command.
MT01418160 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide 3-39
Chapter 3 SurfaceCreation
On the Sweep Opti ons di al og box, cl i ck the Mul ti pl e paths and cross secti ons
button. Cl i ck OK.
For the Path step, sel ect the curve shown and then cl i ck the Accept button
on the ri bbon bar.
Si nce there i s onl y one path, cl i ck the Next button on the ri bbon bar to
proceed to the Cross Secti on step.
3-40 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide MT01418160
Surface Creation
Sel ect cross secti on 1 and then cl i ck the Accept button. Sel ect cross secti on
2 and cl i ck the Accept button. Sel ect cross secti on 3 and cl i ck the Accept
button.
On the Swept Surface ri bbon bar, cl i ck Previ ew and then cl i ck Fi ni sh.
3. The swept surface i s compl ete. You wi l l now edi t the cross secti ons to modi fy the
shape of the surface.
Cl i ck the Sel ect Tool . Sel ect the surface and on the Sel ect Tool ri bbon
bar, cl i ck Dynami c Edi t.
MT01418160 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide 3-41
Chapter 3 SurfaceCreation
Cl i ck the 70 mm radi us di mensi on on cross secti on 1 and on the ri bbon bar,
type 50 and press enter on the keyboard.
Cl i ck the 10 mm radi us di mensi on on cross secti on 2 and on the ri bbon bar,
type 40 and press enter on the keyboard.
Cl i ck the 60 mm radi us di mensi on on cross secti on 3 and on the ri bbon bar,
type 20 and press enter on the keyboard.
3-42 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide MT01418160
Surface Creation
Cl i ck the Sel ect tool to end the dynami c edi t.
4. You wi l l now dynami cal l y edi t the path curve.
Cl i ck the Sel ect Tool . Sel ect the surface and on the Sel ect Tool ri bbon
bar, cl i ck Dynami c Edi t.
MT01418160 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide 3-43
Chapter 3 SurfaceCreation
Cl i ck the path curve as shown.
3-44 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide MT01418160
Surface Creation
Sel ect the edi t poi nt shown and drag to the ri ght.
5. The acti vi ty i s compl ete.
MT01418160 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide 3-45
Surface Creation
Activity 3 Creating a BlueSurf Using Analytics
Overview
I n thi s acti vi ty, you wi l l l earn to create a Bl ueSurf feature. You wi l l use provi ded
sketches to create a Bl ueSurf surface.
Objectives
After compl eti ng thi s acti vi ty you wi l l be abl e to:
Create a Bl ueSurf feature
1. Open SURFACE LAB 3-03.PAR i n the C:/Surfaci ng/Parts fol der.
2. You wi l l create several Bl ueSurf features usi ng the provi ded sketches. The
sketches contai n al l anal yti c el ements (arcs and l i nes). You wi l l not edi t the
surface i n thi s acti vi ty.
On the Surfaci ng tool bar, cl i ck the Bl ueSurf command.
Noti ce on the Bl ueSurf ri bbon bar that you are i n the Cross Secti on Step.
MT01418160 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide 3-47
Chapter 3 SurfaceCreation
To defi ne the fi rst cross secti on, cl i ck the arc shown and then ri ght-cl i ck. You
can al so cl i ck the Accept button on the Bl ueSurf ri bbon bar.
For the next cross secti on, cl i ck the arc shown and then ri ght-cl i ck.
For the l ast cross secti on, cl i ck the arc shown and then ri ght-cl i ck.
3-48 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide MT01418160
Surface Creation
On the ri bbon bar, cl i ck Previ ew.
On the ri bbon bar, cl i ck Fi ni sh.
Noti ce the Bl ueSurf feature shown i n EdgeBar.
Del ete the Bl ueSurf feature.
3. You wi l l now create another Bl ueSurf usi ng gui de curves.
Cl i ck the Bl ueSurf command.
For the fi rst cross secti on, sel ect the poi nt shown.
MT01418160 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide 3-49
Chapter 3 SurfaceCreation
Cl i ck the arc shown for the second cross secti on and then ri ght-cl i ck.
Cl i ck the arc shown for the l ast cross secti on and then ri ght-cl i ck.
On the ri bbon bar, cl i ck Previ ew. Do not cl i ck Fi ni sh.
3-50 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide MT01418160
Surface Creation
You wi l l now appl y gui de curves to the Bl ueSurf. Cl i ck the Gui de Curve Step
on the ri bbon bar.
I n the Sel ect drop down l i st, cl i ck Si ngl e. Thi s al l ows you to sel ect si ngl e
sketch el ements for the gui de curve.
Sel ect sketch el ements 1 and 2 as shown and then ri ght-cl i ck to compl ete the
fi rst gui de curve.
Noti ce how the Bl ueSurf fol l ows the gui de curve.
MT01418160 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide 3-51
Chapter 3 SurfaceCreation
Sel ect sketch el ements 3 and 4 as shown and then ri ght-cl i ck to compl ete the
second gui de curve.
On the ri bbon bar, cl i ck Previ ew and then Fi ni sh.
Del ete the Bl ueSurf feature.
4. You wi l l now create a Bl ueSurf wi th two poi nts, a cross secti on and two gui de
curves.
Cl i ck the Bl ueSurf command.
3-52 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide MT01418160
Surface Creation
Cl i ck the poi nt shown.
Cl i ck the cross secti on shown and ri ght-cl i ck.
Cl i ck the poi nt shown.
On the ri bbon bar, cl i ck the Gui de Curve Step.
MT01418160 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide 3-53
Chapter 3 SurfaceCreation
I n the Sel ect drop down l i st, cl i ck Si ngl e. Thi s al l ows you to sel ect si ngl e
sketch el ements for the gui de curve.
Sel ect sketch el ements 1 3 as shown and then ri ght-cl i ck. Sel ect sketch
el ements 4-6 as shown and then ri ght-cl i ck.
On the ri bbon bar, cl i ck Previ ew and then cl i ck Fi ni sh.
5. You wi l l now add cross secti ons to Bl ueSurf just created.
3-54 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide MT01418160
Surface Creation
Cl i ck the Sel ect tool and then sel ect the Bl ueSurf feature.
On the Sel ect tool ri bbon bar, cl i ck Edi t Defi ni ti on.
On the Bl ueSurf ri bbon bar, cl i ck the Cross secti on Step.
Cl i ck the cross secti on shown and ri ght-cl i ck.
Cl i ck OK on the error di al og box. The cross secti on order i s the cause for the
error. You wi l l correct thi s l ater.
MT01418160 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide 3-55
Chapter 3 SurfaceCreation
Cl i ck the cross secti on shown and ri ght-cl i ck.
Cl i ck OK on the error di al og box. The cross secti on order i s the cause for the
error. You wi l l correct thi s l ater.
On the ri bbon bar, cl i ck the Bl ueSurf Opti ons button.
Cl i ck the Advanced tab on the Bl ueSurf Opti ons di al og box.
3-56 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide MT01418160
Surface Creation
Noti ce the order of the Secti ons i n the di al og box. You can pause your cursor
over a secti on and i t wi l l hi ghl i ght i n the part wi ndow.
Sel ect Secti on 4 and then cl i ck the Up button to reorder the secti on between
Secti ons 1 and 2.
Sel ect Secti on 5 and then cl i ck the Up button to reorder the secti on between
Secti ons 2 and 3.
Cl i ck OK.
MT01418160 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide 3-57
Chapter 3 SurfaceCreation
On the ri bbon bar, cl i ck Fi ni sh.
6. The acti vi ty i s compl ete.
3-58 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide MT01418160
Surface Creation
Activity 4 Creating and Editing a BlueSurf
Overview
I n thi s acti vi ty, you wi l l l earn to create and edi t a Bl ueSurf. You wi l l use provi ded
curve sketches to create a Bl ueSurf.
Objectives
After compl eti ng thi s acti vi ty you wi l l be abl e to:
Create a Bl ueSurf
I nsert sketches
Edi t Bl ueDots
Dynami cal l y edi t curves
1. Open SURFACE LAB 3-04.PAR i n the C:/Surfaci ng/Parts fol der.
The part fi l e contai ns four curves that are Bl ueDot connected.
2. You wi l l now create a Bl ueSurf wi th gui des usi ng the curves provi ded.
On the Surfaci ng tool bar, cl i ck the Bl ueSurf command.
MT01418160 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide 3-59
Chapter 3 SurfaceCreation
Cl i ck curve 1 as shown for the fi rst cross secti on and then ri ght-cl i ck. Cl i ck
curve 2 as shown for the second cross secti on and then ri ght-cl i ck.
On the Bl ueSurf ri bbon bar, cl i ck the Gui de Curve Step.
Cl i ck gui de curve 3 as shown and then ri ght-cl i ck. Cl i ck gui de curve 4 as
shown and then ri ght-cl i ck.
On the ri bbon bar cl i ck Previ ew and then cl i ck Fi ni sh.
3. You wi l l now i nsert sketches on the Bl ueSurf to provi de addi ti onal shape control .
Cl i ck the Sel ect tool and then sel ect the Bl ueSurf feature.
3-60 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide MT01418160
Surface Creation
On the Sel ect tool ri bbon bar, cl i ck Edi t Defi ni ti on.
On the Bl ueSurf ri bbon bar, cl i ck the Opti ons button.
On the Bl ueSurf Opti ons di al og box, under Curve Connecti vi ty cl i ck Use
Bl ueDots. Under I nserted-Sketch type .01. The tol erance control s the
number of edi t poi nts used on i nserted sketches. Cl i ck OK.
On the ri bbon bar, cl i ck the I nsert Sketch Step button.
On the ri bbon bar, cl i ck the Pl ane Normal to Curve opti on.
MT01418160 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide 3-61
Chapter 3 SurfaceCreation
Cl i ck the curve shown.
3-62 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide MT01418160
Surface Creation
Noti ce a normal pl ane i s attached to the curve, whi ch can be dynami cal l y
dragged al ong the curve. Drag the pl ane unti l the Posi ti on val ue i s 0.25. You
can al so enter .25 on the ri bbon bar. Cl i ck to pl ace the pl ane.
MT01418160 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide 3-63
Chapter 3 SurfaceCreation
Repeat the previ ous step to i nsert sketches at posi ti ons .50 and .75 as shown.
You wi l l now i nsert sketches normal to the cross secti on curve. Cl i ck the
curve shown and i nsert sketches at posi ti ons .25, .50 and .75.
3-64 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide MT01418160
Surface Creation
On the ri bbon bar, cl i ck Fi ni sh and the cl i ck Fi ni sh agai n.
4. You wi l l now perform Bl ueDot edi ts to change the shape of the surface. You wi l l
edi t the Bl ueDots al ong the center by changi ng thei r posi ti on i n the Z-di recti on.
You wi l l edi t Bl ueDots 1 and 5 wi th a del ta di stance of 5. You wi l l edi t
Bl ueDots 2-4 wi th a del ta di stance of 10.
MT01418160 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide 3-65
Chapter 3 SurfaceCreation
Cl i ck the Sel ect tool . Sel ect Bl ueDot shown bel ow and on the Sel ect tool
ri bbon bar, cl i ck Dynami c Edi t.
Cl i ck the Z-axi s on the 3-D tri ad.
On the ri bbon bar, cl i ck the Rel ati ve/Absol ute Posi ti on button.
3-66 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide MT01418160
Surface Creation
I n the dZ: fi el d, type 5. Make sure Curves 1 and 2 are set to Shape edi t.
Press the Enter key on the keyboard.
I f you press Enter agai n, the val ue wi l l be appl i ed agai n.
Cl i ck i n an open space i n the part wi ndow to exi t the Bl ueDot edi t.
Repeat the previ ous step to edi t Bl ueDots 2-5.
MT01418160 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide 3-67
Chapter 3 SurfaceCreation
Ri ght-cl i ck i n the part wi ndow. Turn off the di spl ay of Bl ueDots and
sketches. The acti vi ty i s compl ete.
3-68 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide MT01418160
Surface Creation
Summary
You control surfaces by curve defi ni ti ons. You change the surface shape by edi ti ng
the underl yi ng curves. Edi t curves by usi ng Dynami c Edi t or by edi ti ng the curve
sketch/profi l e.
The extruded and revol ved surfaces creati on methods work si mi l arl y to the sol i d
protrusi on and revol ved protrusi on commands. These surfaces are useful i n the
devel opment of more compl ex surfaces.
Bl ueSurf provi des you the same resul ts of a swept or l ofted surface. However,
Bl ueSurf provi des much more control and edi ti ng capabi l i ty. You can add addi ti onal
cross secti ons and gui de curves. You can control tangency at the start and end
cross secti ons. You can use Bl ueDots or Pi erce poi nts to connect the i nserted
cross secti on and gui des. Edi ti ng the Bl ueDots gi ves you real -ti me surface shape
updates as they are moved.
Bounded surfaces are used to fi l l i n gaps i n a model . A bounded surface i s created
by sel ecti ng edges/curves that form a cl osed l oop. You have the opti on to make the
resul ti ng surface tangent to adjacent surfaces.
MT01418160 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide 3-69
Chapter
4 Additional Surfacing
Commands
Objectives
After compl eti ng thi s modul e, you wi l l be abl e to:
Learn the use of the surface mani pul ati on commands.
Overview of Additional Surfacing Commands
Thi s modul e covers the remai ni ng surfaci ng commands avai l abl e i n Sol i d Edge.
These commands are al l used to mani pul ate exi sti ng constructi on surfaces.
Extend Surface
Offset Surface
Copy Surface
Tri m Surface
Del ete Faces
Sti tched Surface
Round
Repl ace Face
Parti ng Spl i t
Parti ng Surface
Spl i t Face
MT01418160 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide 4-1
Chapter 4 Additional Surfacing Commands
Extend Surface
Extends a constructi on surface al ong an edge. The extended edge can ei ther fol l ow a
natural or l i near path. You can step back i n the command to try di fferent extent
opti ons and di stances unti l you achi eve the resul ts you want.
The fol l owi ng i l l ustrati on shows a constructi on surface extended wi th di stance (A)
wi th a l i near extent (B) and a natural extent (C).
4-2 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide MT01418160
Additional Surfacing Commands
Offset Surface
Creates a constructi on surface by offsetti ng a sol i d body, sol i d face, a constructi on
surface face or chai n of faces, or a constructi on surface. The new surface i s offset
al ong a normal vector at a speci fi ed di stance from the ori gi nal surface, and i s
associ ati ve to i t.
I f the face or surface has boundari es, the Offset Surface ri bbon has opti ons to remove
or keep the boundari es on the offset surface.
The fol l owi ng i l l ustrati on shows an offset surface B offset i n di recti on A wi th the
show boundari es opti on on.
MT01418160 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide 4-3
Chapter 4 Additional Surfacing Commands
Copy Surface
Creates a constructi on surface feature that i s deri ved from one or more i nput faces.
The faces you sel ect do not need to be adjacent to each other. You can speci fy whether
any i nternal or external boundari es are removed on the new copy of the surface.
The fol l owi ng i l l ustrati on shows surface face A copi ed wi th boundari es removed B.
4-4 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide MT01418160
Additional Surfacing Commands
Trim Surface
Tri ms a surface al ong i nput curves. The curves must l i e on the surface you are
tri mmi ng. When tri mmi ng non-pl anar surfaces, you can use the Project Curve
command to project the curve onto the surface fi rst.
MT01418160 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide 4-5
Chapter 4 Additional Surfacing Commands
Delete Faces
Del etes faces from a model . You can use thi s command to si mpl i fy a model so that i t
processes faster when used i n an assembl y, to remove faces from a sheet metal part
when worki ng i n the Fl atten envi ronment, or to del ete faces from a constructi on body.
When you del ete a face on a part body, whi ch must al ways be a sol i d body, the gap
created by the del eted surface i s automati cal l y cl osed.
When you del ete a face on a constructi on body, whi ch i s not requi red to be a sol i d
body, you can speci fy whether the gap i s cl osed or l eft open usi ng the Heal opti on on
the ri bbon bar.
When you cl ear the Heal opti on, the gap i s not cl osed and you can construct another
surface to cl ose the gap. Thi s can be useful when worki ng wi th forei gn data whi ch
cannot be converted i nto a sol i d body when you i mport i t.
4-6 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide MT01418160
Additional Surfacing Commands
Stitched Surface
Sti tches together mul ti pl e, adjacent constructi on surfaces to form a si ngl e
constructi on surface feature. Thi s command i s useful for joi ni ng i mported surfaces.
I f the sti tched surfaces form a cl osed vol ume, you have the opti on to desi gnate the
sol i d body as a base feature.
Noti ce the defaul t tol erance on the Sti tched Surface Opti ons di al og box. You can
change thi s val ue i f the edges of two surfaces bei ng sti tched together do not meet
the defaul t tol erance.
I f you need to pl ace a round at a common edge of two surfaces, you must sti tch the
two surfaces together fi rst. You wi l l l earn more about roundi ng i n the next secti on.
Ti ps:
You can set the sti tched surface opti ons for tol erance and surface heal i ng on the
Sti tched Surface Opti ons di al og box.
To remove surfaces from the sel ect set, sel ect the surfaces whi l e pressi ng the
SHI FT key.
To del ete the l i nk between the sti tched surface feature and i ts parents, use the
Drop Parents command on the shortcut menu. Thi s command reduces the
amount of data i n the fi l e. Once you drop the parent i nformati on, the sti tch
surface feature can no l onger be edi ted.
You can use the commands on the shortcut menu to di spl ay, hi de, edi t, rename,
or recompute the sti tched surfaces.
I f the output forms a cl osed vol ume, a sol i d body wi l l be created. Otherwi se,
the sti tch surface wi l l be a sheet body wi th free edges that can be sti tched to
other surfaces.
I f the sti tched surfaces resul t i n a sol i d body and there i s no base feature i n the
fi l e, the Make Base Feature command becomes avai l abl e on the shortcut menu,
and you can make the sti tched body the base feature for the part.
Possi bl e errors:
MT01418160 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide 4-7
Chapter 4 Additional Surfacing Commands
Parent Surface Lost
I f a parent surface i s l ost, Sol i d Edge presents the warni ng message, "The sti tch
operati on was unsuccessful . One or more of the i nput constructi on surfaces no
l onger exi sts."I f thi s message di spl ays, you can re-sel ect the i nput surfaces.
Gap Too Great
I f the gap between the edges i s greater than the gap tol erance, the surfaces wi l l
not sti tch. Thi s error can occur on creati on or recompute. Fi l l the gap between
the surfaces by i ncreasi ng the gap tol erance i n the Sti tch Opti ons di al og box.
Non-Manifold Condition
I f the sti tch surface resul ts i n a non-mani fol d condi ti on, wherei n three or more
surfaces of the i nput set share a common edge, Sol i d Edge presents the warni ng
message: The sti tch operati on was unsuccessful . Three or more faces share a
common edge resul ti ng i n a non-mani fol d condi ti on. Redefi ne the i nput set to
el i mi nate the non-mani fol d condi ti on.
Solid Construction Body Given As Input
I f a sol i d constructi on body i s gi ven as i nput, Sol i d Edge wi l l not attempt the
sti tch.
Stitch Failed: Unable to Stitch to a Single
Sheet Sol i d Edge i s unabl e to create the sti tch. Thi s can be caused by a number
of reasons, such as attempti ng to sti tch surfaces that are not adjacent or the
surfaces are beyond the l i mi ts of the sti tch tol erance.
To show the sti tchabl e edges on constructi on surfaces, cl i ck the Show Non-Sti tched
Edges command l ocated on the fl yout from the Sti tched Surface command.
4-8 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide MT01418160
Additional Surfacing Commands
The i l l ustrati on bel ow shows the sti tchabl e edges for surface A and surface B.
Surfaces A and B were sti tched together to produce C and the sti tchabl e edges
are shown.
MT01418160 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide 4-9
Chapter 4 Additional Surfacing Commands
Round
You can use the Round command to pl ace fi l l ets and rounds on surface edges or
between two adjoi ni ng surfaces.
4-10 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide MT01418160
Additional Surfacing Commands
(A) no tri m
(B) tri m i nput surfaces onl y
(C) tri m bl end surface onl y
(D) tri m both i nput and bl end surfaces
MT01418160 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide 4-11
Chapter 4 Additional Surfacing Commands
Possi bl e sol uti ons of i ntersecti ng surfaces:
4-12 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide MT01418160
Additional Surfacing Commands
Replace Face
The Repl ace Face command repl aces sel ected faces on a part. The repl acement face
can be a constructi on surface, a reference pl ane, or another face on the part. When
repl aci ng more than one face, the faces bei ng repl aced cannot touch each other.
When you repl ace a face usi ng a constructi on surface, the constructi on surface i s
hi dden automati cal l y when you fi ni sh the feature.
MT01418160 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide 4-13
Chapter 4 Additional Surfacing Commands
Parting Split
The parti ng Spl i t command spl i ts a set of faces al ong the si l houette edges of the part,
whi ch can be useful when worki ng wi th a part that wi l l be mol ded or cast. Parti ng
l i nes are the same as si l houette l i nes for a gi ven face. You defi ne the vector di recti on
for cal cul ati on of the parti ng l i nes by defi ni ng a reference pl ane (A). A parti ng spl i t
feature (B) i s represented by a curve.
4-14 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide MT01418160
Additional Surfacing Commands
Parting Surface
Constructs a parti ng surface al ong a parti ng curve you sel ect. You construct a
parti ng surface by sel ecti ng a reference pl ane (A) to defi ne the ori entati on of the
l i near cross secti on curve, and a 2-D or 3-D parti ng curve (B), whi ch defi nes the
sweep path for the parti ng surface (C).
You create the parti ng curve i n a separate operati on. For exampl e, you can use the
I ntersecti on Curve command or the Parti ng Spl i t command to create the parti ng
curve.
MT01418160 Solid EdgeSurfacingStudent Guide 4-15
Chapter 4 Additional Surfacing Commands
Split Face
Spl i ts one or more surfaces (A ) usi ng an el ement (B) you defi ne. You can sel ect
curves, edges, surfaces, reference pl anes, and desi gn bodi es as the el ements that
spl i t the face.
Spl i tti ng a face can be useful when constructi ng a model that you want to use for
fi ni te el ement anal ysi s purposes or when you want to i sol ate a porti on of a face so
you can to appl y a decal or i mage i n a speci fi c l ocati on.
I f the el ement you are usi ng to defi ne the spl i t l ocati on does not extend to the
boundary of the face you are spl i tti ng, the Spl i t Face command wi l l extend the
i mpri nted spl i tti ng curve tangenti al l y. The ori gi nal el ement you sel ected i s not
extended. For exampl e, i f you spl i t a face usi ng a sketch that consi sts of a l i ne and an
arc, the i mpri nted curve i s extended l i nearl y and tangent to the ori gi nal l i ne and arc.
I f the i mpri nted curves i ntersect when they are extended, the spl i t face feature
wi l l not succeed.
When you use a surface as the spl i tti ng el ement, the surface must physi cal l y
i ntersect the surface you want to spl i t. When you use a reference pl ane as the
spl i tti ng el ement, the reference pl ane must theoreti cal l y i ntersect the surface you
want to spl i t (the reference pl ane i s consi dered to be i nfi ni te i n si ze).
When you use curves or edges as the spl i tti ng el ements, such as a sketch to spl i t a
face, the spl i tti ng el ements must l i e on the face you are spl i tti ng. You can use the
Project Curve command to project the el ements onto the 3-D face.
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Review
What are the two extent opti ons avai l abl e on the Extend Surface ri bbon bar?
How do you create an offset surface wi thout boundari es from an i nput surface
that has boundari es?
Name the methods of creati ng a boundary curve on a surface. Can you tri m
a surface wi th mul ti pl e open curves i n one step?
Can you tri m a surface wi th mul ti pl e cl osed curves i n one step?
Expl ai n what sti tch tol erance i s.
After sti tchi ng surfaces together, what happens when there are no sti tchabl e
edges remai ni ng?
How do you round a common edge of two separate surfaces?
What i s a surface bl end?
Do two surfaces have to be sti tched together to i nsert a surface bl end?
Can mul ti pl e faces of a sol i d be repl aced i n one step?
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Activity 1 Surface Manipulation
Overview
I n thi s acti vi ty, you wi l l l earn to use the surface mani pul ati on commands. These
commands l et you mani pul ate exi sti ng surfaces.
Objectives
After compl eti ng thi s acti vi ty you wi l l be abl e to:
Extend a surface
Offset a surface
Tri m a surface
Copy a surface
Del ete faces of a surface
Sti tch surfaces together
Round surfaces
Repl ace a face on a sol i d body
1. Open SURFACE LAB 4-01.PAR i n the C:/Surfaci ng/Parts fol der.
2. You wi l l begi n the acti vi ty by usi ng the Extend Surface command.
On the Surfaci ng tool bar, cl i ck the Extend Surface command. The command
i s on a pul l out menu.
Cl i ck on the surface. I n EdgeBar the feature name i s Sweep A.
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Cl i ck the edge shown and cl i ck the Accept button on the ri bbon bar.
Noti ce on the Extend Surface ri bbon bar the opti ons for Natural
or Li near Extent. The natural opti on extends the surface to
fol l ow the curvature of the surface. The l i near opti on extends
the surface i n a l i near di recti on. For thi s exampl e, the l i near
extent opti on i s grayed out because the surface cannot be
extended l i nearl y.
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Drag the di stance vector approxi matel y as shown, and cl i ck.
On the ri bbon bar, cl i ck Fi ni sh.
Cl i ck the Sel ect tool .
I n EdgeBar, ri ght-cl i ck on the Extend feature and cl i ck del ete. Thi s i s
the l ast feature l i sted i n EdgeBar.
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You can al so extend mul ti pl e edges. Repeat the previ ous step. Sel ect al l four
edges and then cl i ck the Accept button.
Drag the di stance vector approxi matel y as shown and cl i ck.
On the ri bbon bar, cl i ck Fi ni sh.
I n EdgeBar, del ete the Extend feature.
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3. You wi l l now use the Offset Surface command.
On the Surfaci ng tool bar, cl i ck the Offset Surface command.
Cl i ck the surface, and then cl i ck Accept.
On the Offset Surface ri bbon bar, type 50 for the offset di stance and press
ENTER.
Posi ti on the di recti on arrow as shown, and cl i ck.
The offset surface i s offset al ong normal vectors from the i nput
surface a di stance of 50mm.
On the ri bbon bar, cl i ck Fi ni sh.
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Repeat the previ ous step. Use 50 for the offset di stance and posi ti on the
di recti on arrow shown. Offset surface A.
On the ri bbon bar, cl i ck Fi ni sh.
I n EdgeBar, del ete the two offset surfaces.
4. You wi l l now use the Tri m Surface command. Thi s command i s used extensi vel y
i n surface model i ng.
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I n order to tri m a surface, a tri m curve needs to l i e on the surface. You
wi l l now project two sketches onto a surface to use as tri m curves. I n
EdgeBar, show Sketch B.
On the Surfaci ng tool bar, cl i ck the Project Curve command.
Cl i ck the ci rcl e shown bel ow and then cl i ck the Accept button.
Cl i ck the surface, cl i ck Accept and then posi ti on the di recti on arrow as
shown, and cl i ck.
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Cl i ck Fi ni sh.
Cl i ck the ci rcl e shown bel ow and then cl i ck the Accept button.
Cl i ck the surface, cl i ck Accept and then posi ti on the di recti on arrow as
shown, and cl i ck.
Cl i ck Fi ni sh.
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I n EdgeBar, hi de Sketch B.
On the Surfaci ng tool bar, cl i ck the Tri m Surface command.
Cl i ck the surface and cl i ck Accept.
Cl i ck the projecti on curve as shown and cl i ck the Accept button.
Posi ti on the di recti on arrow as shown to tri m the surface outsi de the
projecti on curve.
Cl i ck Fi ni sh.
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Cl i ck the surface and cl i ck Accept.
Cl i ck the projecti on curve as shown and cl i ck the Accept button.
Posi ti on the di recti on arrow as shown to tri m the surface i nsi de the
projecti on curve.
Cl i ck Fi ni sh.
Noti ce the Tri m features i n EdgeBar.
Hi de al l constructi on curves.
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5. You wi l l now use the Copy Surface command.
On the Surfaci ng tool bar, cl i ck the Copy Surface command. The Copy
Surface command i s l ocated on the fl y out of the Offset Surface command.
Noti ce on the Copy Surface ri bbon bar the two opti ons for removi ng
boundari es. To remove i nternal boundari es on the copi ed surface cl i ck opti on
A. To remove external boundari es on the copi ed surface cl i ck opti on B. I f
nei ther opti on i s sel ected, the copi ed surface wi l l mai ntai n al l boundari es.
On the ri bbon bar, cl i ck the Remove External Boundari es button B.
Cl i ck the surface and then cl i ck the Accept button.
Cl i ck Fi ni sh.
Noti ce the Copy feature i n EdgeBar.
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I n EdgeBar, del ete the Copy feature, the two Projecti on features and the
two Tri m features.
Hi de feature Sweep A.
6. You wi l l now use the Del ete Faces command. You can del ete faces on a
constructi on body and repl ace the del eted faces wi th a new surface.
I n EdgeBar, show feature Extrude 2. Cl i ck the Fi t command.
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You wi l l del ete faces A, B and C. On the Surfaci ng tool bar, cl i ck the Del ete
Faces command. The Del ete Faces command i s l ocated on the fl y out of the
Extend Surface command.
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Sel ect the three faces shown and cl i ck the Accept button.
On the ri bbon bar, cl i ck Fi ni sh.
Noti ce the Del ete Face feature i n EdgeBar.
Hi de feature Extrude 2. Show feature Extrude 3. You wi l l now use the Heal
opti on on the Del ete Faces ri bbon bar. I n order for the heal opti on to work,
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the constructi on body must be cl osed. The Extrude 3 feature was constructed
wi th a cl osed profi l e and the ends were capped.
On the Surfaci ng tool bar, cl i ck the Del ete Faces command.
On the Del ete Faces ri bbon bar, cl i ck the Heal Opti on button.
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Cl i ck the surface shown and then cl i ck the Accept button on the ri bbon bar.
Cl i ck Fi ni sh.
Noti ce the resul t. The face was del eted and the two adjoi ni ng faces adjust to
fi l l the gap. The two end caps were al so modi fi ed.
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Del ete the face shown.
Cl i ck Fi ni sh.
I n EdgeBar, hi de the Extrude 3 feature.
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7. You wi l l now use the Sti tched Surface command. I n EdgeBar, show features
Bl ueSurf 1, Bl ueSurf 2, Bl ueSurf 3, and Bl ueSurf 4.
You wi l l now sti tch these Bl ueSurf features together. On the Surfaci ng
tool bar, cl i ck the Sti tched Surface command.
Type .01 i n the Sti tch tol erance fi el d and then cl i ck OK.
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Sel ect al l four surfaces and then cl i ck the Accept button.
Cl i ck Fi ni sh.
Noti ce i n EdgeBar the Sti tch feature.
On the Surfaci ng tool bar, cl i ck the Show Non-Sti tched Edges command. The
command i s l ocated on the Sti tched Surface fl y out.
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Cl i ck the sti tched surface. Noti ce the yel l ow edges. These are the
un-sti tched edges.
On the ri bbon bar, cl i ck Cl ose.
I n order to make a sol i d feature from these sti tched surfaces, you must
have surfaces sti tched to al l of the non-sti tched edges. You wi l l now create
surfaces needed to make a sol i d feature. On the Surfaci ng tool bar, cl i ck the
Keypoi nt Curve command.
Draw a keypoi nt curve as shown. The curve has two poi nts.
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You wi l l now create fi ve bounded surfaces. On the Surfaci ng tool bar, cl i ck
the Bounded Surface command.
Cl i ck the edges shown and cl i ck the Accept button.
Turn off the Face Tangency opti on.
Cl i ck Previ ew and then cl i ck Fi ni sh.
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Repeat the same steps to create the remai ni ng bounded surfaces.
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Repeat the steps for the three ci rcul ar edges.
Cl i ck the Sti tched Surface command. Type .01 i n the Sti tch tol erance
fi el d and cl i ck OK.
Cl i ck the sti tched surface and then cl i ck the fi ve bounded surfaces.
Cl i ck the Accept button. Si nce there are no non-sti tched edges remai ni ng,
the sti tched surfaces resul t i n a sol i d body. Cl i ck OK.
Cl i ck Fi ni sh.
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I f there i s no base feature (sol i d) i n the fi l e, you can ri ght-cl i ck on the sti tched
surface and cl i ck Make Base Feature to create a sol i d of the sti tched surface.
Hi de features Bl ueSurf 1-4 and the keypoi nt curve.
8. You wi l l now use the Round command. You wi l l round an edge between two
surfaces and al so perform a surface bl end between two surfaces.
I n EdgeBar, show features Bl ueSurf 5 and Bl ueSurf 6. Cl i ck the Fi t
command.
I n order to i nsert a round between these two surfaces, the two surfaces must
be sti tched together. Sti tch the two surfaces together.
On the Features tool bar, cl i ck the Round command.
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Cl i ck the edge shown.
On the Round ri bbon bar, type 25 i n the radi us fi el d and then cl i ck the
Accept button.
Cl i ck Previ ew and then cl i ck Fi ni sh.
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I n EdgeBar, hi de features Bl ueSurf 5 and Bl ueSurf 6. Show features
Extrude 4 and Extrude 5.
You wi l l now i nsert a surface bl end between these two extruded surfaces. On
the Features tool bar, cl i ck the Round command.
On the Round ri bbon bar, cl i ck the Round Opti ons button.
Cl i ck the Surface bl end opti on and cl i ck OK.
Cl i ck the two surfaces and type 70 i n the radi us fi el d on the ri bbon bar.
Cl i ck the Accept button.
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Posi ti on the di recti on arrows as shown. Thi s assi gns whi ch si de of the
surface to pl ace the bl end.
Cl i ck Previ ew and then cl i ck Fi ni sh.
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Located on the ri bbon bar i s a Surface Bl end Parameters opti on
button. The defaul t setti ng tri ms the i nput faces and output
bl end. Try each opti on and observe the resul ts.
I n EdgeBar, hi de features Extrude 4 and Extrude 5.
9. You wi l l now use the Repl ace Face command. I n EdgeBar, show feature
Protrusi on A. You wi l l repl ace faces A and B on Protrusi on A wi th a constructi on
surface.
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I n EdgeBar, show feature Bl ueSurf 7.
On the Surfaci ng tool bar, cl i ck the Repl ace Face command.
Cl i ck the faces shown and cl i ck the Accept button.
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Cl i ck the surface shown for the repl acement surface.
Cl i ck Fi ni sh.
You wi l l now repl ace the bottom face on the protrusi on. I n EdgeBar,
show Bl ueSurf 8.
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Cl i ck the Repl ace Face command.
Cl i ck the face as shown and cl i ck the Accept button.
Cl i ck the surface shown for the repl acement surface.
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Cl i ck Fi ni sh.
10. Thi s compl etes the acti vi ty. Exi t and save the fi l e.
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Activity 2 Putting It All Together
Overview
I n thi s acti vi ty, you wi l l use the surfaci ng tool s and workfl ows l earned i n thi s course
to bui l d a tub spout.
Objectives
After compl eti ng thi s acti vi ty you wi l l be abl e to:
Read a control drawi ng
Create and edi t curves
Create and edi t surfaces
Make a sol i d feature
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1. Open SURFACE LAB 4-02.PAR i n the C:/Surfaci ng/Parts fol der.
Control Drawi ngs were di scussed i n modul e 1. For thi s acti vi ty the
control drawi ng i s provi ded. You wi l l use the sketches i n the control
drawi ng to bui l d curves and surfaces.
2. You wi l l begi n by constructi ng the top surface.
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Create i ntersecti on curves to be used to devel op the top surface. On the
Surfaci ng tool bar, cl i ck the Cross Curve command.
On the ri bbon bar, cl i ck the Sel ect from Sketch opti on.
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Sel ect sketch el ement (A) and then cl i ck the Accept button. Sel ect both
sketch el ements (B) and then cl i ck the Accept button. Cl i ck Fi ni sh.
Construct another cross curve. Cl i ck the Cross Curve command.
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Cl i ck Sel ect from Sketch. Sel ect sketch el ement (A) and then cl i ck the
Accept button. Sel ect sketch el ement (B) and then cl i ck the Accept button.
Cl i ck Fi ni sh.
Create the top surface. On the Surfaci ng tool bar, cl i ck the Swept Surface
command.
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Sel ect the Mul ti pl e paths and cross secti ons opti on.
For the Path Step, sel ect path (A) and cl i ck the Accept button or cl i ck the
ri ght mouse button. Sel ect path (B) and cl i ck the Accept button or cl i ck
the ri ght mouse button.
On the Swept Surface ri bbon bar, cl i ck Next to proceed to the Cross Secti on
Step.
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Sel ect cross secti on (A) and cl i ck the ri ght mouse button. Sel ect cross secti on
(B) and cl i ck the ri ght mouse button. Sel ect cross secti on (C) and cl i ck
the ri ght mouse button.
On the ri bbon bar, cl i ck Previ ew and then Fi ni sh.
3. You wi l l now create i ntersecti on curves to be used to devel op the front surface.
Cl i ck the Cross Curve command.
On the ri bbon bar, cl i ck Sel ect from Sketch.
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Sel ect sketch el ement (A) and then cl i ck the Accept button. Sel ect both
sketch el ements (B) and then cl i ck the Accept button. Cl i ck Fi ni sh.
Construct another cross curve. Cl i ck the Cross Curve command and on the
ri bbon bar, cl i ck Sel ect from Sketch.
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Sel ect sketch el ement (A) and then cl i ck the Accept button. Sel ect sketch
el ement (B) and then cl i ck the Accept button. Cl i ck Fi ni sh.
Create the front surface. Cl i ck the Swept Surface command and sel ect the
Mul ti pl e paths and cross secti ons opti on.
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Sel ect path (A) and cl i ck the ri ght mouse button. Use Qui ckPi ck to sel ect
path (A). Make sure you sel ect the cross curve el ement. Sel ect path (B)
and cl i ck the ri ght mouse button.
Cl i ck Next to defi ne the cross secti ons.
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Set the Sel ect fi l ter to Si ngl e. Sel ect cross secti on (A) and cl i ck the ri ght
mouse button.
Sel ect cross secti on (B) and cl i ck the ri ght mouse button.
Sel ect cross secti on (C) and cl i ck the ri ght mouse button.
Cl i ck Previ ew and then Fi ni sh.
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4. You wi l l now create i ntersecti on curves to be used to devel op the si de surfaces.
Cl i ck the Cross Curve command and on the ri bbon bar cl i ck Sel ect from
Sketch.
Toggl e the Sel ect fi el d to Si ngl e.
Sel ect sketch el ement (A) and then cl i ck the Accept button. Toggl e the
Sel ect fi el d to Si ngl e. Sel ect both sketch el ements (B) and then cl i ck the
Accept button. Cl i ck Fi ni sh.
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Construct another set of cross curves. Cl i ck the Cross Curve command.
Cl i ck Sel ect from Sketch.
On the ri bbon bar, set the Sel ect fi el d to Si ngl e. Sel ect sketch el ements (A)
and then cl i ck the Accept button.
There are two el ements i n (A).
On the ri bbon bar, set the Sel ect fi el d to Si ngl e. Sel ect both sketch el ements
(B) and then cl i ck the Accept button. Cl i ck Fi ni sh.
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Create the si de surfaces usi ng the cross curves generated i n the previ ous
steps. Cl i ck the Bounded Surface command.
Sel ect the si x edges as shown.
On the ri bbon bar, cl i ck the accept button. Cl i ck the Face Tangency opti on
and make sure i t i s off.
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Cl i ck Previ ew and Fi ni sh.
Repeat the previ ous step to create the other si de surface.
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Shown are the surfaces created so far.
5. You wi l l now create the bottom surface. To begi n, you wi l l need to create two
sketches.
Show al l reference pl anes. On the Features tool bar, cl i ck the Sketch
command.
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Sel ect the pl ane shown for the fi rst sketch.
Hi de al l constructi on surfaces.
Draw the fol l owi ng sketch.
Fi ni sh the sketch.
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For the second sketch, create the sketch on a paral l el pl ane as shown. To
defi ne the di stance, cl i ck the keypoi nt as shown.
Cl i ck the I ncl ude command and sel ect the arc shown.
Fi ni sh the sketch.
To create the bottom surface, you wi l l use the Bl ueSurf command. Cl i ck
the Bl ueSurf command.
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Sel ect cross secti on (A) and cl i ck the ri ght mouse button. Sel ect cross secti on
(B) and cl i ck the ri ght mouse button.
On the ri bbon bar, cl i ck the Gui de Curve Step.
Sel ect gui de curve (C) and cl i ck the ri ght mouse button.
Set the Sel ect fi l ter to Si ngl e to sel ect the two el ements i n gui de curve (D).
Sel ect gui de curves (D) and cl i ck the ri ght mouse button.
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Set the sel ect fi l ter to Chai n to sel ect gui de curve (E). Sel ect gui de curve
(E) and cl i ck the ri ght mouse button.
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Cl i ck Previ ew and Fi ni sh.
Shown bel ow are the surfaces created so far.
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6. You wi l l now add the surface as shown i n the control sketch bel ow.
To create thi s surface, an i ntersecti on curve i s needed between the bottom
bl uesurf and an extruded surface created from the el ement shown i n the
control sketch. Create an extruded surface from the el ement shown i n the
i mage bel ow.
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Cl i ck the I ntersecti on Curve command. Sel ect the bl uesurf and the extruded
surface as the surface set to i ntersect. The i ntersecti on curve i s shown
i n the i mage bel ow.
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You wi l l now tri m the bottom surface usi ng the i ntersecti on curve. Cl i ck the
Tri m Surface command. Sel ect the bl uesurf. Sel ect the i ntersecti on curve
and make sure the arrow poi nts i n the di recti on shown.
7. You wi l l now create the fi nal surface. You wi l l now create a curve to control the
shape of the fi nal surface.
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Create a sketch on the pl ane as shown.
Cl i ck the Curve command.
Posi ti on cursor over area (1) unti l you get the pi erce poi nt di spl ay, and then
cl i ck. Thi s makes the fi rst poi nt of the curve connected to thi s pi erce poi nt.
Cl i ck the second curve poi nt wi th the poi nt on di spl ay, and cl i ck.
Posi ti on cursor over area (3) unti l you get the keypoi nt di spl ay, and then
cl i ck. Thi s makes the thi rd poi nt of the curve connected to thi s keypoi nt.
Cl i ck the ri ght mouse button to compl ete the curve.
Fi ni sh the sketch.
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You wi l l now create an addi ti onal surface. Cl i ck the Bl ueSurf command.
Sel ect the cross secti ons shown. Set the sel ect fi l ter to Si ngl e i n order to
sel ect the fi rst cross secti on (A). Sel ect cross secti on A and ri ght-cl i ck. For
the second cross secti on (B), set the sel ect fi l ter to Si ngl e i n order to sel ect
the cross secti on. The second cross secti on (B) has (3) segments. Sel ect
cross secti on B and then ri ght-cl i ck.
After sel ecti ng cross secti ons (A) and (B), cl i ck the Gui de Curve Step. Sel ect
the curve (C) created i n the previ ous step and then ri ght-cl i ck. Make sure
you sel ect the correct cross secti on C. Observe the status i n the upper ri ght
porti on of the part wi ndow. The name shoul d match the curve name i n
EdgeBar of the l ast sketch created.
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Cl i ck Previ ew and then Fi ni sh.
8. The spout i s fi ni shed except for cappi ng the ends. You wi l l now cap the ends.
Cl i ck the Bounded Surface command. Sel ect the edges shown for (A) and make
sure face tangency i s turned off. Sel ect the edges shown for (B) and make sure
face tangency i s turned off.
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The surface model i s compl ete.
9. The surface model can now be converted to a sol i d base feature. The fi rst step i s
to sti tch al l surfaces together.
Cl i ck the Sti tched Surface command and type .01 for the Sti tch tol erance.
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Sel ect al l surfaces and then cl i ck the Accept button. A di al og box i s
di spl ayed as shown.
Cl i ck Yes.
The sti tched surface entry i n EdgeBar i s now grayed out and a Sol i d Body
Feature i s created.
10. Thi s compl etes the spout l ab acti vi ty.
You rarel y get the surface you want from the i ni ti al surface creati on method. You
wi l l probabl y need to mani pul ate the surface by: addi ng boundari es, creati ng
an offset, extendi ng, roundi ng, etc.
Sol i d Edge provi des several commands for you to use to devel op the fi nal surface
shape. A good understandi ng of these tool s wi l l hel p you to master surface
model i ng.
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Activity 3 Parting Split and Parting Surface
Overview
When you compl ete thi s acti vi ty, you wi l l be abl e to use the Parti ng Spl i t and
Parti ng Surface commands.
Objectives
I n thi s acti vi ty, you wi l l create a si mpl e mol d. You wi l l use the exi sti ng model
PAD.PAR to devel op two mol d hal ves. Thi s acti vi ty covers the fol l owi ng topi cs:
I nsert Part Copy
Bool ean Feature
Parti ng Spl i t
Parti ng Surface
Di vi de Part
PAD.PAR
Fi l es for thi s acti vi ty are l ocated i n the C:/Surfaci ng/Parts fol der.
1. Create a new metri c part fi l e. You wi l l begi n by constructi ng a core for the
mol d. The core needs to be si zed to accommodate the fi l e PAD.PAR that wi l l be
the cavi ty.
2. Create the fol l owi ng sketch.
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Sel ect the pl ane shown by the arrow. Create a paral l el pl ane 35mm as shown.
Draw the fol l owi ng profi l e. Make sure the mi dpoi nts of the l i ne el ements are
hori zontal /verti cal al i gned to the center of the reference pl anes.
Cl i ck Fi ni sh and then cl i ck Fi ni sh agai n.
3. You wi l l now create the core part.
Cl i ck the Protrusi on command.
Cl i ck the Sel ect from Sketch opti on.
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Sel ect the sketch shown and cl i ck the Accept button.
Cl i ck the Symmetri c Extent button and type 200. Cl i ck Fi ni sh.
4. You wi l l now create the cavi ty.
On the Mai n menu, cl i ck I nsert>Part Copy.
I n the Sel ect Part Copy di al og box, set the fol der to C:/Surfaci ng/Parts.
Sel ect PAD.PAR and cl i ck Open.
On the Part Copy Parameters di al og box, make sure Desi gn Body i s checked
and then cl i ck OK.
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On the ri bbon bar, cl i ck Fi ni sh. Noti ce the Part Copy i s now l i sted i n
EdgeBar.
To create the cavi ty, you wi l l now perform a Bool ean di fference to remove
PAD.PAR from the core. On the Surfaci ng tool bar, cl i ck the Bool ean
Feature command.
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On the ri bbon bar, cl i ck the Subtract button.
Cl i ck the Part Copy and then cl i ck the Accept button.
Cl i ck Fi ni sh. Noti ce the Bool ean l i sted i n EdgeBar.
The core now has a cavi ty of PAD.PAR.
5. You wi l l now create a parti ng spl i t curve on the cavi ty.
A parti ng spl i t curve i s deri ved from si l houette edges as vi ewed
normal to a sel ected pl ane. The parti ng spl i t curve i s used to defi ne
where a part needs to spl i t to al l ow for removal from a mol d.
On the Surfaci ng tool bar, cl i ck the Parti ng Spl i t command.
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Sel ect the pl ane shown.
On the ri bbon bar, set the Sel ect fi l ter to Body.
Sel ect the body as shown.
Cl i ck the Accept button and then cl i ck Fi ni sh.
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The parti ng spl i t i s hi ghl i ghted for you to observe.
6. You wi l l now create a parti ng surface usi ng the parti ng spl i t curve as i nput. The
resul ti ng parti ng surface wi l l be used to spl i t the core i n a l ater step.
On the Surfaci ng tool bar, cl i ck the Parti ng Surface command.
Sel ect the pl ane shown. The parti ng surface wi l l use thi s pl ane as reference
for al l normal vectors i n creati ng the surface.
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Sel ect the parti ng spl i t curve as shown and cl i ck the Accept button.
On the ri bbon bar, type 150 i n the di stance fi el d and press ENTER.
Posi ti on arrow (poi nti ng outward) as shown and cl i ck. Cl i ck Fi ni sh.
Save the fi l e as PAD CORE.PAR i n the C:/Surfaci ng/Parts fol der.
7. You wi l l now spl i t the core al ong the parti ng surface to create two mol d hal ves.
You wi l l use the Di vi de part command.
On the Surfaci ng tool bar, cl i ck the Di vi de Part command.
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Sel ect the parti ng surface shown as the surface to be used to di vi de the core.
Posi ti on the di recti on arrow as shown as the si de to be di vi ded i nto a new fi l e.
On the ri bbon bar, cl i ck Fi ni sh.
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On the Di vi de Part di al og box, you wi l l enter fi l enames for the two new
di vi ded parts.
Cl i ck on the fi rst < cl i ck here to enter a fi l ename > and type TOP. Cl i ck on
the second < cl i ck here to enter a fi l ename > and type BOTTOM. Do not
cl i ck Cl ose.
You wi l l now save the fi l es. Cl i ck the Sel ect Al l button as shown.
Cl i ck the Save Sel ected Fi l es button.
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The two new fi l es are created and noti ce that they are l i nked to the parti ng
surface. Cl i ck Cl ose.
8. Cl ose PAD CORE.PAR.
9. You wi l l now open each of the two mol d hal ves to observe the resul ts.
Open TOP.PAR i n the C:/Surfaci ng/Parts fol der. I n the i mage bel ow, the
part was fl i pped 180 degrees to show the cavi ty.
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Cl ose TOP.PAR and open BOTTOM.PAR i n the C:/Surfaci ng/Parts fol der.
10. The acti vi ty i s compl ete.
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