This function is used to change the local shape on part by creating element morph of any shape. The dialog box is illustrated in Figure 7.4.13.

Figure 7.4.13  Element morph

l    RIB LIST

All the element morphs are added to this list and the selected morph is highlighted in the graphic display area, as illustrated in Figure 7.4.13.

l    REGION

Click Add button to display the Curve Editor dialog box illustrated in Figure 7.4.14. The user is prompted to define a closed curve for morph region:

ADD A CLOSED CURVE FOR MORPH REGION

Figure 7.4.14  Curve editor

The Curve Editor provides four methods to create curve: Free Curve, Rectangle, Circle/Ellipse, and Sector. Refer to Section 7.5.5 for detailed description about Curve Editor. The defined morph region is illustrated in Figure 7.4.15.

Figure 7.4.15  Morph Region

Note: The created curve will automatically be projected onto the model mesh. The curve is required to be closed for the defined morph region. If the user creates free curve as the boundary line of morph region and the curve is not closed, the program will automatically close the curve when the user clicks the middle mouse button to confirm.

After the morph region is defined, the user can click Edit button to edit the boundary line of the defined morph region, as illustrated in Figure 7.4.16.

Figure 7.4.16  Define morph region

l    CONTROL CURVES/POINTS

Curves/Pts: Display all the curves/points in the morph region and the morph type, as illustrated in Figure 7.4.17.

Figure 7.4.17  Curves/points

Control Curves/Pts: The user is allowed to add control curves/points in the morph region, and set the morph type, as illustrated in Figure 7.4.18.

Figure 7.4.18  Add control curves/points

Add Curve: add control curve in the morph region.

Add Points: add points in the morph region.

Edit: Click this button to edit the selected curves/points.

Type of Curves/Points

Type1: Perform element morph directly without changing the selected control curves/points.

Type2: Translate the selected control curves/points, and then perform element morph, as illustrated in Figure 7.4.19.

Figure 7.4.19  Type2

Type3: This only takes effect on the closed control curves. The region within the closed control curve becomes flat after morphing, as illustrated in Figure 7.4.20.

Figure 7.4.20  Type3

Shift

For Type2 and Type3, the user is allowed to move the control curve/point along the specified direction, as illustrated in Figure 7.4.21.

Figure 7.4.21  Shift of control curve/point

Move Direction: Define the move direction of control curve/point by defining the direction vector. The default move direction is +Z-Axis.

View Dir.: Define the view direction as the move direction.

Z-Axis: Define Z direction as the move direction.

User Define: The Vector dialog box illustrated in Figure 7.4.22 appears. Refer to Section 5.1.4 Shortest Curve for detailed description about defining direction vector.

Figure 7.4.22  Vector dialog box

Distance

Define the distance for the control curve/point move.

l    Apply

Click Apply to create element morph. The generated embossment is illustrated in Figure 7.4.23.

Figure 7.4.23  Element Morph