B.3. Mesh Morpher/Optimizer File Formats

This section describes the format of the ASCII text files that can be used as part of the setup for the mesh morpher/optimizer, as described in Using the Mesh Morpher/Optimizer.

The following is an example of a file that can be read or written from the Define Control Points Dialog Box:

Control Point Positions
CP No.	       X            Y             Z
1             0.73398191   -0.048181638  5.0344162
2             0.51003051   0.52833155    5.100265
3             0.10806149   0.72560567    5.1306067
4             -0.37284759  0.62890923    5.1368165
5             -0.69803506  0.21491928    5.144598

The following is an example of a file that can be read or written from the Motion Settings Dialog Box when Regular is selected from the Control Point Distribution list in the Regions tab of the Mesh Morpher/Optimizer Dialog Box:

Reg     CP      Par      X       Y       Z
def-0   2       par1     -1      0       0	
def-0   4       par1     2       -1      3	
def-0   2       par2     0       1       0	
def-1   2       par3     0       0       1	
def-1   3       par1     2       0       2

The following is an example of a file that can be read or written from the Motion Settings Dialog Box when Unstructured is selected from the Control Point Distribution list in the Regions tab of the Mesh Morpher/Optimizer Dialog Box:

Motion Definition
Name        Type        Par         Dir-x       Dir-y       Dir-z       Orig-x      Orig-y      Orig-z
rad-par1-1  Rad         par-1       0           0           1           0           0           0
tra-par2-1  Trans       par-2       1           1           1
rot-par3-1  Rot         par-3       1           0           0           2           1           1

Assignment to Control Points
Name        Control Points...
rad-par1-1  1           2           3           4           5           6           7

When creating or editing a text file used to set up the mesh morpher/optimizer, note the following:

  • The file can be created from nothing using a text editor or spreadsheet program, as long as it adheres to the formats described in this section. An easier alternative is to apply some sample definitions using the appropriate dialog box, write a file, and then edit the file using a text editor or spreadsheet program.

  • The file must be a tab-delimited ASCII text file.

  • The names of the deformation regions (for example, def-0), deformation parameters (for example, par1), and motions (for example, tra-par2-1) must correspond to those that exist in the intended case file.

  • When defining control points, the coordinates must lie within a deformation region in the intended case file.

  • For the motion settings, the control point numbers must range between 1 and the maximum number of available control points in the intended case file.

  • The direction components and coordinates can be any real numbers.