Deform - Curve to Curve Options

Curve to curve deform is a precise method for deforming complex shapes that transition from initial curves to target curves. The initial and target curves can be edges of faces, surfaces, and section curves, or free sketch curves.

of a Curve to curve deform.

showing Curve to curve deform using multiple sets of curves and edges.

If the target curves are face or surface edges, the deform transition can be matched with either a sharp transition (position continuity ) or a smooth transition (tangency continuity).

The PropertyManager options to control Curve to curve deform features are described below. See Deform - Curve to Curve Examples for more curve to curve deform examples.

Deform Curves

• Initial curves . Sets the initial curves of the deform feature. Select one or more connected curves or edges as a set. These can be single curves, or sets of contiguous edges or curves.  

• Target curves . Sets the target curves of the deform feature. Select one or more connected curves or edges as a set. These can be single curves, or sets of contiguous edges or curves.

• Set[ n ]. Allows you to add , remove , and cycle through sets for modification. The curves can be part of a model (edges or section curves) or separate sketches.

• 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

You can use the options Fixed curves/edges/faces , Bodies to be deformed , and Additional faces to be deformed in any combination, dependent on the geometry of the model and the desired results. If the selected options conflict, the last entity selected overrides any previous, contradictory selected entity. For example, if you first specified a face to deform and then specified the same face as fixed, the face would be fixed.

• Fixed edges. Prevents selected curves, edges, or faces from moving. Select the fixed edges and additional faces to deform in the graphics area. If Fixed edges is cleared, you can select only bodies.

• Uniform. Attempts to maintain characteristics of the original shape during the deform operation. Uniform can help resolve certain curve to curve deform operations that produce shapes with sharp characteristics.
  
  of deform with Uniform selected and cleared

• Fixed curves/edges/faces . Prevents the selected curves, edges, and faces from deforming and moving.

of Fixed curves/edges/faces

• If the Initial curves are within the closed contour, the deformation is confined to the contour.

• If the Initial curves are outside the closed contour, no point inside the contour is deformed.

• Additional faces to be deformed . Allows you to add specific faces to deform. If no faces are selected, the entire body is affected.
  
  of Additional faces to be deformed
  
  If the Initial curves are sketch curves (not face or surface edges), you must select Bodies to be deformed or Additional faces to be deformed .

• If you select a fixed edge , or a body , the whole body deforms.

• Deform radius (available when Fixed edges is cleared and Uniform is selected). Creates a bending-like deformation, using the Deform radius value to determine the region affected by the deform. The region affected is calculated by sweeping a radial-shaped base along the initial curves using the Deform radius value.

of how the Deform radius value affects the shape in curve to curve deform

• Bodies to be deformed . Deforms bodies. Use this option when the Initial curves are not part of a solid face or surface (sketch curves), or if you want to deform multiple bodies.
  
  of Bodies to be deformed

If you have a multibody part, you can add Bodies to be deformed after you specify the initial body. Only the selected bodies are deformed.

Shape Options

  of shape Stiffness levels

There are three levels of stiffness:

• 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.

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• Weight (available when Fixed edges is selected and Uniform is cleared). Controls the degree of influence between two options:

• • Fixed edges. Weights the deform towards the entities you specify under Fixed curves/edges/faces .

  • Moving curves. Weights the deform towards the edges and curves you specify under Deform Curves as Initial curves and Target curves .

of weight value

• Maintain boundary. Ensures that boundaries selected for Fixed curves/edges/faces are fixed. Clear Maintain boundary to change the deform region, select additional faces only, or allow the boundaries to move.

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• Additional faces only (available when Maintain boundary is cleared). Makes the deform affect only those faces selected for Additional faces to be deformed . Remaining faces are essentially extruded to meet the additional faces.

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• Match. Allows you to match the deform surfaces or faces to the target surface or face edges using these conditions.

• • None. No matching condition applied.

  • Surface tangent. Matches target edges of faces and surfaces with a smooth transition.

  • Reverse Tangent. Changes the direction of the surface or face transition from the target curves or edges.

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• Curve direction. Matches Target curves by mapping Initial curves to Target curves using the normals of the Target curves to shape the deform.

of Curve direction