Creating Isoparametric Curves on Surfaces

You can create an isoparametric curve on a surface. Because the curve and its supporting surface are associated, any changes to the surface will result in the automatic update of the curve.

With a Generative Shape Design license installed, you can use the stacked commands.

  • Refer to the Stacked Commands section in Interface Concepts of Generative Shape Design.

  • This command is action/object only.

Important:

You can edit an existing isoparametric curve using the contextual menu from the Isoparameter.n object command (specification tree or geometrical object), and selecting the Definition contextual command:


  • You can change the curve support by selecting the Support field in the Isoparametric Curve dialog box that appears, then the new support.
  • You can modify the curve parameters in the same way as during its creation.

Before you begin: Open an existing 3D shape.

  1. Click Isoparametric Curve .

    The Isoparametric curve dialog box appears, the Support field is selected.

    The Isoparametric curve dialog box displays the isoparametric curve inputs:

    • Support defines the isoparametric curve support, you can:
    • Point defines the isoparametric curve point.
    • Direction defines the isoparametric curve direction.
      • Select the direction by clicking a geometrical element.
      • Create the direction using the contextual staked commands, for this right-click in the Direction field, see Creating Lines and Creating Intersections.
    • Swapped Cells displays the cell where the isoparametric propagation direction has been swapped from the nearest isoparametric propagation direction to the farthest isoparametric propagation direction. This functionality makes sense in case of multiple surfaces support.
      • Swapped Cells List: Displays the list of swapped cells in a dialog box.

  2. Select Join.1 as curve support.



    The Point field is highlighted in the Isoparametric Curve dialog box. The isoparametric curve is previewed on the surface when you move the cursor.

  3. Click to indicate where to create the isoparametric curve.


    • The isoparametric curve is pre-created, a manipulator is displayed. In case of multiple surfaces support, the selected surface is the reference cell.
    • You can move along the curve using the manipulator arrows. In case of multiple surfaces support you can only move the manipulator inside the reference cell.


    A contextual menu is available when you right-click the manipulator:


    • Edit: This option allows you to define the isoparametric curve according to its parameters.
    • Keep this point: This option allows you to create the point where you clicked.
    • Swap UV: This option allows you to swap U and V parameter values. This option is also available in the Isoparametric curve dialog box when you click the Swap UV

  4. Select Swap UV from the contextual menu.

    The isoparametric curve parameters are swapped.

  5. Re-select Swap UV from the contextual menu.

  6. Select Keep this point from the contextual menu.

    The point is created.

    The Point and Direction fields are filled according to the selection in the Isoparametric Curve dialog box. Point and Direction are editable from the Isoparametric Curve dialog box using icons at the right of each field:

  7. Select Edit from the contextual menu.

    The Tuner dialog box appears.

  8. Select Relative option in the Tuner dialog box.

    The relative origin of the curve is displayed on the curve support.

    The Tuner dialog box is modified:

    • True Length option is displayed.
    • Reset Origin button is displayed.


  9. Click Reset Origin in the Tuner dialog box.

    The relative origin of the curve is reset from the curve point.

    The Tuner dialog box displays the new origin values.

  10. Click Close in the Tuner dialog box.

  11. Select the surface as shown.



    The isoparametric propagation direction has been swapped from the nearest isoparametric propagation direction to the farthest isoparametric propagation direction in the selected cell.

    The selected surface has been added to the Swapped Cells field.

  12. Click Swapped Cells List

    The Swapped Cells List dialog box appears. You can Remove or Replace the selected elements inside this dialog box.

  13. Click Close in the Swapped Cells List dialog box.

  14. Click OK in the Isoparametric curve dialog box.

    The isoparametric curve is created.

    The Isoparameter.1 object is created in the specification tree.

    A point and line have been created:


    • The point corresponds to the cursor location when you define the curve.
    • The line corresponds to the curve orientation when you define the curve.

    The Swap UV parameter contains the information indicating that the curve has been swapped.