Deform - Surface Push Options

Surface push deform modifies surfaces of target bodies by pushing tool bodies into them. You select a customizable pre-built tool body, such as a polygon or sphere, or use your own tool bodies. Use the triad callout in the graphics area to size the tool body. Drag the triad or set values in the PropertyManager to control tool body movement.

The surface push deform approximates the surfaces of the tool bodies, while maintaining the identities of the surfaces of the target bodies (the number of faces, edges, and vertices remains unchanged in the final target body).  

Surface push deform provides more efficient control of the deform shape as compared to point deform. It is also a predictable way to create specific features based on tool body shapes.

Use surface push deform to design free-form surfaces, tooling, plastics, soft packaging, sheet metal, and other applications where it is useful to incorporate the characteristics of tool bodies into existing designs.

See Deform Feature - Surface Push Examples for more examples.

Push Direction

• Deform direction. Sets the direction of push (deform). Select a sketch line, linear edge, planar face, plane, or two points or vertices. If necessary, click Reverse deform direction .

If you do not see a surface push preview, click Reverse deform direction . Failed surface push deforms often result from an incorrect Push direction.

• Show preview. Previews results using wire frame (cleared) or shaded (selected) views. To improve performance with large and complex models, do not select this option until you have made all your selections.

Deform Region

• Additional faces to be deformed . Allows you to add specific faces to deform. Only the selected faces are deformed. If no faces are selected, the entire body is affected.

• Bodies to be deformed (target bodies). Determines the bodies to be deformed by the tool body. The entire body is affected wherever the tool body intersects the target bodies, or creates a relative displacement if the tool bodies do not intersect the target bodies.  

The following example shows the results of using Bodies to be deformed versus Additional faces to be deformed .

• Tool Body . Sets the tool body to use to deform the Bodies to be deformed (target bodies). Select a pre-defined tool body from the list: Ellipse, Ellipsoid, Polygon, Rectangle, Sphere. Set the tool body size using the callout in the graphics area. To use a tool body you have created, choose Select Body from the list, then select the tool body in the graphics area.

• Deform deviation . Specifies a fillet-like radius value for where the tool body intersects the target faces or bodies.

The following example shows how Deform deviation affects the surface push deform.

Tool Body Position

These options allow you to reposition the tool body by entering exact numerical values. This method is more accurate than using the triad.

• , , Delta X, Y, Z. Moves the tool body along the X, Y, and Z axes.

• , , Rotation Angle . Rotates the tool body about the X, Y, or Z axes and the origin of rotation.

• , , Rotation Origin. Locates the center of rotation, represented by the triad in the graphics area.

Shape Options

• Shape accuracy . Controls the surface quality. The default quality can be inadequate in high curvature areas. When you increase the accuracy by moving the slider to the right, you can increase the success rate of the deform feature. Move the slider only as needed because increasing surface accuracy decreases performance.