Create curves on surface from evaluation data
 
 
 

Create curves-on-surface corresponding to highlights, iso-curvature lines, contours, horizon lines, or parting lines.

Create curves on surface from highlight data

To create curves-on-surface corresponding to highlight lines:

  1. Pick the surfaces on which you want to create curves-on-surface.
  2. Choose Evaluate > Surface Evaluate > Highlights .

    The Highlights control window opens and the highlight manipulator appears.

  3. Click the Go button.

    Curves-on-surface are created.

  4. Set the following options in the option window:
    • The Number of Lights you want to create highlights from.
    • The Light Spacing (if there is more than one light) or the Light Width (if there is only one light).
    • Set the Subdivision option from 1 to 6. The higher the number, the more precise the result. Use low values for draft quality, use higher values for final results.

    The curves on surface update as the option values are modified. (If they do not, turn on Auto Recalc. or click Recalc. to create the curves-on-surface.)

    The manipulator reflects the changes.

  5. Drag different handles on the manipulator to position and orient the light(s), or type exact values into the Light Origin, Light Direction, and Vector/Plane/Point fields of the Highlights window.

    The curves on surface update.

  6. Click on additional surfaces to evaluate them, or deselect active surfaces.
  7. Click the Undo All button in the control window to remove the curves-on-surface.

Create curves on surface from curvature data

To create curves-on-surface along lines of constant curvature:

  1. Pick the surfaces on which you want to create curves-on-surface.
  2. Choose Evaluate > Surface Evaluate > Curvature .

    The Curvature control window opens.

  3. Click the Go button.

    Curves-on-surface are created.

  4. Set the following options in the control window:
    • The Curvature Type.
    • The Curvature Value at which you want to create curves on surface. For example, enter 0 to create curves-on-surface along inflection lines.
    • Set the Subdivision option from 1 to 6. The higher the number, the more precise the result. Use low values for draft quality, use higher values for final results.

    The curves-on-surface update as the option values are modified.

    If Auto Recalc. is off, click Recalc. to create the curves-on-surface.

  5. Click on additional surfaces to evaluate them, or deselect active surfaces.
  6. Click the Undo All button in the control window to remove the curves-on-surface.

Create curves on surface from contour data

To create a curve-on-surface where the surface intersects a plane:

  1. Pick the surfaces on which you want to create curves-on-surface.
  2. Choose Evaluate > Surface Evaluate > Contour .

    The Contour control window opens and the contour manipulator appears.

  3. Click the Go button.
  4. Use the manipulator to change the position and orientation of the plane, or type exact values in the Plane Origin and Plane Normal fields of the Contour window.

    The curve-on-surface updates as the plane is modified.

    If Auto Recalc. is off, click Recalc. to create the curve-on-surface.

  5. Click on additional surfaces to evaluate them, or deselect active surfaces.
  6. Click the Undo All button in the control window to remove the curves-on-surface.

Create curves on surface from horizon data

To create a curve-on-surface across the horizon as seen from a certain angle:

  1. Pick the surfaces on which you want to create curves-on-surface.
  2. Choose Evaluate > Surface Evaluate > Horizon .

    The Horizon control window opens, and a view point/direction manipulator appears.

  3. Click the Go button.
  4. Set the Horizon Type in the control window.
  5. If the Horizon Type is Perspective, drag the manipulator to move the viewpoint, or type exact coordinates in the View Point fields in the window.

    If the Horizon Type is Orthogonal, rotate the manipulator to change the view direction, or type a direction in the View Direction fields in the window.

    The curves-on-surface update as the horizon is modified.

    If Auto Recalc. is off, click Recalc. to create the curves-on-surface.

    NoteIf the horizon you set does not cross the surfaces, the tool will not create any curves-on-surface.
  6. Click on additional surfaces to evaluate them, or deselect active surfaces.
  7. Click the Undo All button in the control window to remove the curves-on-surface.

Create curves on surface from parting line data

To create curves-on-surface along parting lines given a pull direction (in other words, boundaries of out-of-draft areas):

  1. Pick the surfaces on which you want to create curves-on-surface.
  2. Choose Evaluate > Parting Line .

    The Parting Line control window opens, and the parting line manipulator appears.

  3. Click the Go button.
  4. Use the manipulator to change the pull direction, or type exact values into the Pull Direction fields of the window.

    The curves-on-surface update as the pull direction is modified.

    If Auto Recalc. is off, click Recalc. to create the curves-on-surface.

  5. Set the following options in the control window:
    • The Direction Type
    • The Pull Direction
    • The Draft Angle.
    • Set the Subdivision option from 1 to 6. The higher the number, the more precise the result. Use low values for draft quality, use higher values for final results.
  6. Click on additional surfaces to evaluate them, or deselect active surfaces.
  7. Click the Undo All button in the control window to remove the curves-on-surface.