Measure the deviation between two objects

Measure the exact deviation between two curves at a single location

Choose Locators > Deviation > Deviation.
Click the first curve on the point from which you want to measure.
Click the second curve.
A measurement appears indicating the distance between the selected point on the first curve and the closest point on the second curve.

Note
The curves can be either free curves, surface edges, trim edges, isoparametric curves, or curves-on-surface.
Do one of the following:
- Drag the arrowhead to move the measurement along the first curve. The measurement updates to show the distance between the new point on the first curve and the closest point on the second curve.
- Drag the label to move it.

Add a deviation comb plot between two objects

Choose the appropriate tool for the object types you want to compare:
- To compare a curve to a curve, choose Locators > Deviation > Curve to Curve.
- To compare a surface to a surface, choose Locators > Deviation > Surface to Surface.
- To compare a curve to a surface, choose Locators > Deviation > Curve to Surface.
- To compare a mesh to a surface, choose Locators > Deviation > Mesh to Surface.
- To compare a surface to a cloud, choose Locators > Deviation > Cloud to Surface.
Select the two objects. You must select the objects in the order specified by the tool name. For example, in Curve to Surface deviation, select a curve, followed by a surface.
Tip
Remember that for “curves” you can use surface edges, trim edges, isoparametric curves, and curves-on-surface in addition to free curves. For all tools, you can also select objects in reference layers.

The tool displays a deviation comb indicating the deviation across the length of the objects, labeling the minimum, maximum, and mean. The Mesh to Surface deviation tool only displays the minimum and maximum deviations.
Do any of the following:
- Drag the to change the scale of the quills.
- Drag the to change the density of the quills.
- Drag a label to move it.

View the exact numeric values from a deviation locator

Press on a row in the deviation table to highlight the corresponding position on the model with a red arrow.
To check for values within a certain range, set the Gap Band Min and Gap Band Max options. Values within this range are highlighted in the deviation table window.
To show only the values within this range, click Clip to Band.
To save the current settings in the deviation table window, choose Preferences > User Options > Save Options.
To reset the range to the defaults, click Reset Band.
To save the information in a file, click Save. You can then import the data into, for example, a spreadsheet program for analysis.
Tip
The deviation table updates as you change the model.