Flex - Overview and Options

Flex features deform complex models in an intuitive manner. You can create four types of flexes:

• Bending

• Twisting

• Tapering

• Stretching

bending, twisting, tapering and stretching example.

For more flex feature examples, see Flex - Examples.

General Information on Flex Features:

• The flex feature calculates the extents of the part using a bounding box. The trim planes are then initially located at the extents of the bodies, perpendicular to the blue Z-axis of the triad .

• The flex feature affects the region between the trim planes only.

• The center of the flex feature occurs around the center of the triad location.  

• To manipulate the extent and location of the flex feature, re-position the triad and trim planes. To reset all PropertyManager values to the state they were in upon opening the flex feature, right-click in the graphics area and select Reset flex. See Triad for more information on selecting entities.

Flex Input

Use these options to select bodies to flex, set a flex type, and adjust the amount of flex.

• Bodies for Flex . Select bodies to flex.

• Flex types. Determines the type of flex. To create more than one type of flex, create separate flex features. Choose from these types:

• Bending. Bends one or more bodies about the triad’s red X-axis (the bend axis). Position the triad and trim planes to control the degree, location, and extent of bending.  
  
  of the Bending flex type.

• Angle . Sets a bend angle and works with the bend Radius .

• Radius . Sets the bend radius.

• Twisting. Twists solid and surface bodies. Position the triad and trim planes to control the degree, location, and extent of twisting. Twisting occurs about the triad’s blue Z-axis.
  
  of the Twisting flex type.

•  Angle . Sets the angle of twist.

• Tapering. Tapers solid and surface bodies. Position the triad and trim planes to control the degree, location, and extent of tapering. Tapering follows the direction of the triad's blue Z-axis.
  
  of the Tapering flex type.

• Taper factor . Sets the amount of taper. The trim planes do not move when you adjust the Taper factor .

• Stretching. Stretches solid and surface bodies. Specify a distance or drag the edge of a trim plane with the left mouse button. Stretching follows the direction of the triad's blue Z-axis.
  
  of the Stretching flex type.

• Stretch distance . Sets the amount of stretch.

• Hard edges. Creates analytical surfaces (cones, cylinders, planes, and so on), which often result in split faces where the trim planes intersect the bodies. If cleared, results are spline-based, so surfaces and faces may appear smoother and original faces remain intact.

Trim Planes

Use these options to set the location of the trim planes.

• Select a reference entity for Trim Plane . Locates the origin of the trim plane to a selected point on the model.

• Trimming distance . Moves the trim plane from the outer extents of the bodies along the trim plane axis (blue Z-axis) of the triad. Set a value.

of setting the trim planes.

Triad

Use these options to set the location and orientation of the triad.

• Select a coordinate system feature . Locks the position and orientation of the triad to a coordinate system. You must add a coordinate system feature to the model to use this option.

If you lock the triad to a coordinate system, the Rotation Origin and Rotation Angle PropertyManager options are not available.

• Rotation Origin , , . Moves the triad along the specified axis, relative to the triad's default location. Set values.

• Rotation Angle , , . Rotates the triad around the specified axis, relative to the triad itself. Set values. The angle represents rotations about the component coordinate system and are applied in this order: Z, Y, X.

Flex Options

• Flex accuracy . Controls surface quality. Increasing the quality also increases the success rate of the flex feature. For example, if you get an error message, move the slider towards the right. Move the slider only as needed; increasing surface accuracy decreases performance.