This function allows the user to
extend the part boundary and provide side-step features. The dialog box is
illustrated in Figure 7.1.106.
Figure 7.1.106 Sidestep dialog box
·
SIDESTEP
MANAGER
All the created Side Steps will be
added into the Side Step Manager list illustrated in Figure 7.1.106. The selected Side Steps will be
highlighted in the graphic display window, as illustrated in Figure 7.1.107.
Figure 7.1.107
Highlight the selected SideStep2
·
ADD
Click the Add button to highlight
the boundary of the part as illustrated in Figure 7.1.108.
Figure 7.1.108 Highlight the boundary of part
The following message is printed
in the message prompt window:
SELECT TWO POINTS ON BOUNDARY TO DEFINE THE FILL REGION
SELECT FIRST POINT ON
BOUNDARY
SELECT SECOND POINT ON
BOUNDARY
After two points are selected to define the fill region, it prompts:
SELECT TWO POINTS IN MARKED REGION TO DEFINE UPPER PLANE
After the four points are selected, the program will automatically generate the outline of the Side Step, as illustrated in Figure 7.1.109, and pop up the Sidestep dialog box illustrated in Figure 7.1.110.
Figure 7.1.109 Outline
Figure 7.1.110 Add sidestep
1.
TO PART
Specify a part for sidestep. The
user may directly input a part name or click the select part button to select a created part.
2.
CONTROL LINE
After the desired region is
selected, the program will automatically create Upper Plane-Line, Lower Plane-Line
and Profiles, as illustrated in Figure 7.1.109, and add the plane lines and
profiles into the list for the user to edit, as illustrated in Figure 7.1.111.
Figure 7.1.111 Control line
Note: The user is allowed to edit plane lines but is not allowed to add and delete them. The user is allowed to add, edit and delete profiles.
3.
ADD
Click the Add button to add a profile
in the specified position.
4.
EDIT
This function allows the user to
edit the shape of control lines. Select the plane lines or profiles to be
edited in the list. Click the Edit button to display the Curve Edit dialog box
illustrated in Figure 7.1.112. Edit the lower plane-line as illustrated
in Figure 7.1.113.
Figure 7.1.112 Curve edit window
Figure 7.1.113 Edit lower plane-line
The detailed description about Curve Edit dialog box is given below:
X, Y, Z Show the coordinates of
the selected control point.
dX, dY, dZ Show the
coordinate increments of the initial position and the moved position for the
selected control point in the global coordinate system.
CURVE
This option is enabled after selecting a line segment. If this option
is toggled on, the selected straight line will change to a curved line.
STRAIGHT
This option is enabled after selecting a line segment. If this option
is toggled on, the selected curved line will change to a straight line.
R
This option is enabled if line segments on both sides of the selected
control point are straight lines. The user may enter the radius value and press
Enter to confirm. The program will generate an arc.
THETA
This option is enabled if line segments on both sides of the selected
control point are straight lines. It is used to define the angle between the
two straight lines. The user may enter an angle value and press Enter to
confirm.
LEN
Show the length of the selected line segment.
ADD PT
Click this button to add points on plane lines.
REMOVE PT
Click this button to remove points from plane lines by using the left
button.
MOVE PT
Click this button, select a point by clicking the left mouse button and
hold the left button to move point, or directly move point in the display area
by holding the left mouse button.
OK
Click this button to confirm all the settings and exit the Curve Edit
window.
RESET
Restore the latest Curve Edit window without any modification of line.
REMOVE
Allow the user to remove the selected profile.
EDIT END-POINT
Allow the user to edit the end-point of plane lines and profiles.
EDIT PLANE LINE END-POINT
Select Upper Plane-Line or Lower Plane-Line
in the control line list. The program will automatically highlight the four
end-points of the plane line as illustrated Figure 7.1.114. The user may re-define the
filled region by moving the end-points of plane line using the mouse cursor.
Figure 7.1.114 Edit the filled region
EDIT PROFILE END-POINT
Select a profile from the control
line list. The program will automatically highlight all the end-points of the
profile. The user may edit the position of end-point by moving the mouse cursor
as illustrated in Figure 7.1.115.
Figure 7.1.115 Edit end-points of profile
7. PLANE LENGTH
This function allows the user to edit the length of plane line. This function is enabled after selecting the Upper Plane-Line or Lower Plane-Line in the control line list, as illustrated in Figure 7.1.116. Drag the slider bar to the desired length or or enter a specific value in the field.
Figure 7.1.116 Plane Length
8.
PLANE DIRECTION
This function is used to define the direction of plane lines. This function is enabled after selecting the the User Define in the control line list, as illustrated in Figure 7.1.117. The user may drag the slider bar to adjust the direction or select the User Define option. After clicking this button, a Vector dialog box illustrated in Figure 7.1.118 appears. Refer to Section 5.1.4 Shortest Curve for detailed description about defining vector.
Figure 7.1.117 Plane Direction
Figure 7.1.118 Define direction vector
After finishing the editing, click
Apply button to generate sidestep as illustrated in Figure 7.1.119.
Figure 7.1.119 Generate sidestep
·
EDIT
SIDESTEP
This function is used to edit the
created sidestep. Select the desired sidestep in the list and click the Edit button
to re-edit all the parameters for sidestep in the dialog box illustrated in Figure 7.1.106.
·
DELETE
SIDESTEP
This function is used to delete
the created sidestep.