Cutting Plane Analysis Dialog Box

Elements

You can select the surfaces to be analyzed.

The icon lets you edit the list of surfaces selected for analysis. you can click the icon to display the Input Elements List dialog box that allows you to remove or replace an surface.

Note:

The Geometrical Set or valid elements (surfaces) under it can be selected as input elements. The entire geometrical set is not added as input on selection; only the surfaces under it are added. Press Ctrl key for multiple selection of geometrical sets.
Scan or tessellation surfaces can be selected as input elements.

Section Type

You will perform the analysis on the selected plane type.

You can select the Reference element in the Sections Type area. The field changes depending on the following types of analysis:

Parallel planes

In case of Parallel planes option, the field name is Reference and allows you to select the direction of reference plane. You can select the default planes (xy, yz, zx planes) or compass direction as reference element. These selection options are available in the contextual menu or can be selected from geometry or specification tree. The default direction is given by compass.

Planes perpendicular to curves

In case of Planes perpendicular to curves option, the field name is Curves, and allows you to select a curve as reference element. If On curve option is selected, multiple selection of curves is not possible and thus the option is not selectable.

In this case, if Geometric Set is selected, all the curves under it are added in the reference field.

Independent planes

In case of Independent planes option, the field name is Planes, and allows you to select the reference plane. You can select default planes (xy, yz, zx planes) or create a plane. These selection options are available in the contextual menu or can be selected from geometry or specification tree.

In this case, if Geometric Set is selected, all the planes under it are added in the reference field.

Number / Step

Number, Step

Choose whether you have a set number of planes or a distance (step) between two planes. In the latter case, the number of planes depends on the size of the analyzed area. This option is only available in Parallel panes and Planes perpendicular to curves mode.

On Curve

This option allows you to create perpendicular planes. This option is only available in Planes perpendicular to curves mode.

On Point

This option allows you to a create plane passing through a point. You can select an existing point or create a new point. To create a new point, right-click in the point field and select Create Point.

This option is available with following Section Types,

Parallel planes: The plane is created passing through the selected point and parallel to the reference plane defined by the compass. This reference point from which the plane position is defined is the origin of global axis system.
Planes perpendicular to curves: The plane is created passing through the selected point and perpendicular to the curve. This reference point from which the plane position is defined is the extremity of the curve which is closest to the origin of global axis system.

On Value

This option allows you to a create plane at the specified value from the global axis system. To enter values click

. The Value List dialog box appears that allows you to enter new values and further edit them. Multiple planes can be created by entering required values. Every new value creates a new plane.

This option is available with the following Section Types,

Parallel planes: The plane is created at the specified value with respect to the reference point. You can also create a plane passing through a pointed position on the geometry. Select a point (on the fly) on the geometry. The pointed position is projected on the axis defined by the compass and the computed value is shown in the value field. In both the cases, the cutting plane is created parallel to the reference plane defined by the compass. The reference point from which the plane position is defined is the origin of global axis system.
Planes perpendicular to curves: The plane is created at the specified value with respect to the reference point. You can also create a plane passing through a pointed position on the geometry. Select a point (on the fly) on the geometry. The pointed position is projected on the curve and the computed value is shown in the value field. In both the cases, the cutting plane is created perpendicular to the curve. The reference point from which the plane position will be defined is the extremity of the curve which is closest to the origin of global axis system.

Boundaries

These options are availabe in the Parallel Plane type only.

The Boundaries contains the following options:

Automatic: The analysis is performed based on all selected surfaces bounding boxes. The cutting planes are evenly distributed within this area, one being necessarily located on the reference plane if the Step option is active.
Manual: The analyzed area is defined by the Start and End values.
Start / End: The Manual mode defines the distance at which the first (start) and last (end) cutting planes are located on the reference plane axis.

Display

The display option is used to read the analysis

The options in the Display are as follows:

Planes: Activates/hides the representation of the cutting planes.
Arc Length: Displays the length of each section cut created.
Curvature: Activates the display of the curvature comb.

Settings

The Porcupine Analysis dialog box appears and allows you to perform the porcupine analysis on the cut sections.

For more information about Porcupine analysis, see Analyzing Using Porcupine Curvature