Curve Editor is used to create and modify blank outer, hole and weld, as illustrated in Figure 8.2.4.

Figure 8.2.4  Curve editor

The user can create blank outline by using the following 6 methods:

1.   Free Curve

Define blank outline via creating free curve. The free curve will close automatically when creating outer and hole. Create curve by creating free points on the screen, as illustrated in Figure 8.2.5.

Figure 8.2.5  Free Curve

X, Y, Z

Display the coordinates of the selected control points, which can be modified by the user.

dX, dY, dZ

Display the position of the selected points after movement, and the relative coordinate increment of the initial position.

R

This function is enabled if the two sides of the selected control point are both straight lines. After the user enters a radius value and clicks <ENTER> to confirm, the program will generate an arc.

Ang.

This function is enabled to define the angle of two straight lines if the two sides of the selected control point are both straight lines. The user enters a value and clicks <ENTER> to confirm.

Len.

Display the length of the selected line segment.

Unlock

Select Unlock when the created two curves intersects. The program will automatically create the point of intersection. The two curves will change simultaneously when editing this point of intersection.

Snap

This function is used to snap the point on the curve. During the creation of curve, the program will automatically snap the point on this curve when the cursor is moved to other curve, and use it as the control point of the new curve.

Curve

This option is enabled after one line is selected. If this option is selected, the selected straight line will turn to a curve.

Straight

This option is enabled after one line is selected. If this option is selected, the selected curve will turn to a straight line.

Add Point: Click Add Pt or hold the <Shift> button and click the left mouse button to add point on the curve.

Remove Point: Click Remove Pt or click the right mouse button on the point to remove it.

2.   Rectangle

Define blank outline via creating rectangle. The dialog box is illustrated in Figure 8.2.6.

Figure 8.2.6  Rectangle

X, Y, Z

Display the coordinates of the selected control points.

CX, CY, CZ

Define the coordinates for the intersection of rectangle diagonal. Change the position of rectangle by modifying these coordinates.

W

Define the Width of rectangle. The user enters a value and click <ENTER> to confirm. The program will re-generate a rectangle.

H

Define the Height of rectangle. The user enters a value and clicks <ENTER> to confirm. The program will re-generate a rectangle.

Ang.

Define the angle between the rectangle width direction and U direction. The user enters a value and clicks <ENTER> to confirm. The program will re-generate a rectangle.

Free Curve

Click Free Curve button to change the rectangle to free curve.

3.   Circle/Ellipse

Define blank outline via creating circle/ellipse. The dialog box is illustrated in Figure 7.5.30Figure 8.2.7.

   

Figure 8.2.7  Circle/Ellipse

X, Y, Z

Display the coordinates of the selected control points.

CX, CY, CZ

Define the coordinates of the center of circle or ellipse. Change the position of circle/ellipse by modifying these coordinates.

R1

Display the radius of circle when creating circle. Display the length of the long axis of ellipse when creating ellipse.

R

Display the length of the short axis of the ellipse when creating ellipse.

Theta

Display the angle between the long axis of ellipse and U direction when creating ellipse.

4.   Sector

Define blank outline via creating sector by defining the center of circle as well as the starting and ending points of the arc, as illustrated in Figure 8.2.8.

Figure 8.2.8  Sector

X, Y, Z

Display the coordinates of the selected control points.

CX, CY, CZ

Define the coordinates of the center of sector. Change the position of sector by modifying the coordinates.

R

Define the radius of the sector arc.

Ang1

Define the angle between the starting radius of sector and U direction.

Ang2

Define the angle between the ending radius of sector and U direction.

5.   Select Line

Define blank outline via selecting a closed curve and parameterizing it to free curve. If selecting a 3D curve, the program will automatically project curve onto the work plane as the blank outline.

Noter: If selected curves are not closed, either self-intersected or intersect with other curve, them cannot be as blank outline.U se Curve Editor to re-edit them as qualified curves..

6.   Boundary

Define blank outline via selecting the inner and outer boundary of the selected mesh. If the mesh boundary is a 3D curve, the program will automatically project curve onto the work plane as the blank outline.

Simplify – Define an angle and remove the points on the curve to simplify the curve, as illustrated in Figure 8.2.9.

Figure 8.2.9  Simplify curve

Angle the angle between the adjacent 3 points.

Number the number of points on the curve.

Simplify – Click this button to simplify the curve.

Offset – Offset the closed curve according to the offset distance, and take the offset curve as the blank outline. Click Offset button to display the dialog box illustrated in Figure 8.2.10.

Figure 8.2.10  Offset curve

Offset Dist – Define the offset distance.

Define Work Plane – The blank outline must be created in the specified plane. The default plane is XY-Plane. Click this button to display the dialog box illustrated in Figure 8.2.11. The user may define other plane as the work plane.

Figure 8.2.11  Work plane

Origin : the origin of the work plane.

Axes : Define the U- and V-Axes of the work plane. Click U (V or W) to display the Direction dialog box illustrated in Figure 8.2.12. Refer to Section 8.3.4.3 Tools for detailed description about defining direction.

Figure 8.2.12  Define direction

The user can also define the following planes as the work plane:

X-Y : set U-axis and V-axis of the work plane to be parallel to X-axis and Y-axis.

Y-Z:  set U-axis and V-axis of the work plane to be parallel to Y-axis and Z-axis.

Z-X:  set U-axis and V-axis of the work plane to be parallel to Z-axis and X-axis.

View: set the current view direction as the work plane.

LCS : The LCS is enabled after the user defines the Working coordinate system in General. The user can select working coordinate system and set its UV-Plane as the blank work plane.

Empty: Enabled after one type of curve is defined. Click this button to define other types of curve.

OK: Click this button to create curve and exit the Curve Editor.