The Create Character Curve option creates a Bspline patch to replace an area of the faceted surface where two features join. This can be a sharp, smoothed or arc (fillet) connection. You can define the rough character line and how far on either side of this line should be used to make the patch. An array of faceted surface locations on either side of the character line are determined and smoothed out to create a smoother surface. These are then used to extract an intersection curve to define the theoretical intersection of the character curve. Finally, the faceted surface within the character curve area is replaced with the Bspline surface.
Figure 219: Replacing a Faceted Fillet Using the Create Character Curve Option shows the use of this option to replace a faceted fillet with a smoother Bspline fillet.
- PreCurve
allows you to select locations along the character line you want to capture.
- PreSides
allows you to select two locations, one in each plane on either side of the character curve. This determines how far from the character curve the Bspline patch extends in each direction.
- Curve Shape
determines how the surface locations are used to define the PreCurve.
Lines: Locations are connected by straight lines.
Smooth : Locations are connected by a smooth curve.
Arc : First three locations are used as three points on a circle. The arc is then projected to the faceted surface to determine the curve.
- Show Presurface
shows a preview of the Bspline surface before applying the function.
Note: This was part of the Mesh Prototyper product functionality and the algorithm includes other options which can be scripted for.