This function allows the user to edit lines. After selecting a line, the program will display the Curve Edit dialog box, as shown in Figure 5.1.25.
Figure 5.1.25 Curve Edit dialog box
There are four options available in this dialog box.
1.
EDIT
This function edits lines by editing points on the selected lines. Figure 5.1.25 shows the options for editing lines.
ADD POINT
If this option is selected,
the By Cursor and Between
The user can select By Cursor button to pick any point on the line to add.
If the Between
MOVE CURVE
This function allows the user to move a selected curve. Once this option is selected, the input box for DX, DY and DZ will be activated. The user can enter any motion vector value relative to the global X, Y and Z directions, then click on the middle mouse button orthe Apply button to confirm.
MOVE POINT
This function enables the user to move the selected point on line. Once this option is selected, the Select Point button and two check boxes are activated, as shown in Figure 5.1.26. Toggle on the Move Distance option and the User Define option to define the moving direction. Please refer to Section 5.1.4 Shortest Curve for details on User Define. The user can select a point on line directly by cursor or click the Select Point button to select a point on line. Input the specified distance in the Move Distance field. Press <ENTER> button to confirm. Click Apply to edit.
Figure 5.1.26 Move point on curve
REMOVE POINT
This function enables the user to remove point on the selected line. Once this option is selected, the Select Point button is activated. The user can select points on the line and click the middle mouse button to delete the selected points.
2.
MORPHING
This function allows the user to modify lines by morphing. There are four methods in the Morphing function. Figure 5.1.27 illustrates the features and results of various morphing methods.
Figure 5.1.27 Morphing Methods
NO CONSTRAINT: There is no constraint imposed on the line when it is morphed. The morphed shape will assume a natural spline curve. Refer to type 1 as illustrated in Figure 5.1.27 for the shape of line after morphing.
KEEP C ANGLE: The tangency at the control point on the line is constrained. The morphed shape will maintain the original tangent direction at the control point of the line. Refer to type 2 as illustrated in Figure 5.1.27 for the shape of line after morphing.
KEEP E ANGLE: The tangent at both end points on the line is constrained. The morphed shape will maintain the original tangent direction at the end points of the line. Refer to type 3 as illustrated in Figure 5.1.27 for the shape of line after morphing.
KEEP CONVEX: Maintain the
convex edge by changing the curvature of the line. Refer to type 4 as
illustrated in Figure 5.1.27 for the shape of line after
morphing.
Figure 5.1.28 illustrates the dialog box of the Morphing function. Click on the Select Morphing Point button to select the control point. eta/DYNAFORM will highlight the points on the line and request the user to select one control point. A vector is plotted at the morphing point to indicate the morphing direction. The user may move the cursor to see the new shape of the line in real time. Click on the right mouse button to accept the morphed shape. Click on the Apply button to update the morphed line automatically. eta/DYNAFORM calculates a default morphing direction that is normal to the line. The user may click on the User Define option to enter the desirable vector for the morphing direction. Please refer to Section 5.1.4 Shortest Curve for details on User Define.
Figure 5.1.28 Morphing Curve
3.
SMOOTH
This function enables the user to smooth the selected lines, as shown in Figure 5.1.29. There are four methods that can be used to smooth lines.
Figure 5.1.29 Smooth Curve
AUTO SMOOTH: If this function is toggled on, the program will automatically smooth the selected section line.
MANUAL SMOOTH: If this function is toggled on, the slider and Select Fixed Point button will be activated.
The user can enter any
value between 0 and
THROUGH FIXED POINTS: When this function is toggled on, the Select Fixed Points button will be activated. Click on the Select Fixed Point button to select control point(s) on curve. A new spline curve passing through the selected fixed point(s) will be created.
STRAIGHT SEGMENT: When this function is
toggled on, the Select Segment button will be activated, as shown in Figure 5.1.30. The user can select two points on the selected curve directly by cursor or click on Select
Segment button and then select point by cursor. The curve between two selected points
will be smoothed to be a straight segment. Click the middle mouse button or
Apply button to confirm.
Figure 5.1.30 Straight Segment
4.
SIMPLIFY
This function is used to simplify the selected line by reducing the number of points on curve. The dialog box is illustrated in Figure 5.1.31.
TOL
The criteria used to simplify the curve.
If the chord height of three adjacent points is less than the defined
tolerance, the middle point will be removed from the curve.
PREVIEW
Preview the change of points after
simplify operation.
RESELECT CURVE
This function enables the user to
select another line to simplify.
APPLY
Accept the operation without
exiting the dialog box..
OK
Accept the operation and dismiss
the dialog box.
CANCEL
Abort the operation and dismiss
the dialog box.
Figure 5.1.31 Simplify Curve