Composite on Mesh : Options and Results

Access: Open this function from one of the following locations:

Select Mesh > General Tools > Composite on Mesh from the menu bar.
Select Composite on Mesh from the Mesh Guide Toolbar.

Create composite curves by selecting mesh facet edges. The created contour can be used as input for any solid design, surfacing or mesh design operation.

Mesh object with open edges and loops.

Required Step 1

Select the contour creation option from the screen parameters and then pick the required geometry as prompted in the lower left corner of the Cimatron window.

The parameters displayed depend on the selected contour creation option:

		Dropdown list of contour creation options:

Along Open Edges

This is a dropdown list of contour creation options. The following options are available:

Along Open Edges

Create the contour along open edges of the mesh.
Pick open edges on a mesh object. A flip arrow is displayed; set the contour direction. The edges must be on the same open loop as the first picked edge.
Example:Example:

The edges must be on the same open loop as the first picked edge.

Open Loops

Create the contour along the edges of open loops on the mesh.
Pick open edge(s) on a mesh object. The edges of multiple loops may be selected.
This is the default option.
Example:Example:

The edges of multiple loops may be selected

Chain

Create the contour along edges of the mesh.
Pick edges on a mesh object.
With this option, the created composite is created on the edges of mesh facets between the selected points.
Example:Example:

Shortest Path Along Points

Create the contour along the shortest path along facets between selected points.
Pick points on a mesh object.
With this option, the created composite is not created on the edges of mesh facets, but finds the shortest path on the facets between the selected points.
Example:Example:

Composite / Spline

This is a toggle option which enables you to define the type of curve that is created: Composite / Spline.

Composite

Create a composite curve.
This is the default option. An additional option is displayed.

This is a toggle option With Simplify /Without Simplify to simplify the resulting contours to allow for a higher quality result with less edges.

With Simplify

Simplify the resulting contours to allow for a higher quality result with less edges. This option simplifies the creation of contours by merging edges and is particularly useful when the geometry is composed of many small segments.
Example:Example:

With Simplify:

When this option is selected, the additional parameter Max. Smooth Angle is displayed; this defines the maximum angle enabling you to control the smoothness of the contour.
Default = 5°
Min. = 0°, Max. = 45°.

Without Simplify

Do not simplify the result to reduce the number of edges.
This is the default option.
Example:Example:

Without Simplify:

If the With Simplify option is selected, an additional parameter Max. Gap is displayed. This controls the gap from the original edges.

Spline

Approximate the composite curve into Nurbs splines. When this option is selected, the Fair Spline / Don't Fair toggle option is displayed enabling you to fair the spline (smoothing and reducing the number of control points):

Fair Spline	Fair the resulting spline. ExampleExample:
Don't Fair	Do not fair the resulting spline. ExampleExample:

Planar Approximation / No Planar Approximation

If the contour is not planar, the toggle option Planar Approximation / No Planar Approximation is activated. Planar Approximation allows you to set the contour on the plane (allowing you to perform operations that require 2D input).

Open / Close

This is a toggle option Open / Close to define the type of curve that is created. This option lets you close the composite curve automatically or leave it open.
Example:Example:

The composite curve is OPEN.	The composite curve is CLOSED.

This option is only displayed if the Shortest Path Along Points contour creation option is selected.

Flip Direction

Flip the direction between the first and last curve.
Example:Example:

When completed, the Composite On Mesh feature will appear in the Feature Tree as follows:

Some functionality may be dependent on the product package. Contact your Reseller if you require a license.