Create a free curve from existing geometry

Creates free curve copies of free curves, curves-on-surface, trim edges, or isoparametric curves.

Tip

The Duplicate curve tool duplicates any curves that are picked when you click the tool, and any curves you click while the tool is active.

Choose Curve Edit > Create > Duplicate Curve.
Click a free curve, curve on surface, trim edge or isoparametric curve.

Create a curve from an arbitrary isoparametric curve

Choose Curve Edit > Create > Duplicate Curve .
In the Duplicate Curve window, turn on Interactive, then click Go.
Click an existing isoparametric curve on a surface.
Drag to the point where you want to duplicate the isoparametric curve, or type a parameter.
Click Go.

What if...?

Nothing seems to happen/I can’t see the new free curve?

The new curve occupies the same space as the original, so in many cases you will not actually see the separate curves until you move one of them.

The free curve I create from a curve-on-surface or trim edge is not identical to the original?

Because they use different mathematical representations, free curves duplicated from curves-on-surface and trim edges are only close approximations of the originals.

The free curve I create from a curve-on-surface or trim edge is very complex?

Curves duplicated from curves-on-surface or trim edges can be very complex (many spans).

To reduce the number of spans in the duplicated curve, do one of the following:

Reduce the number in the Spans box in the control panel.
Use Curve Edit > Rebuild Curve to recreate a simpler version of the curve.