Flex features deform complex models in an intuitive manner.
You can create four types of flexes:
- Bending
-
Twisting
-
Tapering
-
Stretching
Video: Example of Flex
To create Flex features, click Flex 
(Features toolbar) or , set the PropertyManager options, and click 
.
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.
Repositioning the Triad and Trim Planes
To reposition the triad:
|
In the PropertyManager, under Triad, do any of the following:
- Select a coordinate system feature
 .
- Change the Rotation Origin
 ,  , or  to re-position the triad along these axes.
- Change the Rotation Angle
 ,  , or  to rotate the triad around these axes. The angle represents rotations about the component coordinate system and are applied in this order: Z, Y, X.
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In the graphics area:
- Move the pointer over the center of the triad. When the move pointer
 appears, drag the triad. The triad center snaps to geometry such as edges, points, vertices, and faces.
- Move the pointer over any of the triad arrows. When the move/rotate pointer
 appears, left-click and drag to re-position the triad along that axis. The triad has free motion unless you move the pointer over geometry, where it snaps to the geometry. Right-click and drag to rotate the triad about the axis over which the pointer is located.
- Move the pointer to the area between two triad arrows to constrain triad movement to the plane defined by the origin of the triad and the two arrows.
- Right-click the center of the triad and select an option:
| Align Trim Plane Axis to Selection |
Aligns the trim plane axis (blue Z-axis) to a selection that is parallel to a line, normal to a plane, or towards a point. Trim planes adjust themselves to stay perpendicular to the trim plane axis. |
| Align Bend Axis to Selection |
Aligns the bend axis (red X-axis) to a selection by rotating the triad about the trim plane axis (blue Z-axis) parallel to the selection (edge, line, and so on). |
| Center and Align to Component |
Moves the triad's origin to the centroid of the bodies and aligns the triad to the component or part coordinate system. |
| Center and Align to Principle |
Moves the triad's origin to the centroid of the bodies and aligns the triad to the principal axes of the bodies. |
| Move Triad to Plane 1 |
Moves the triad to Trim Plane 1. |
| Move Triad to Plane 2 |
Moves the triad to Trim Plane 2. |
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To reposition the trim planes:
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In the PropertyManager, under Trim Plane 1 and Trim Plane 2, do any of the following:
- For Select a reference entity for Trim Plane
 , select a point on the model to which to snap the origin of the trim plane.
- For trimming distance
 , set a distance to move the trim planes from the outer extents of the bodies along the trim plane axis (blue Z-axis) of the triad. Positive values move the planes towards the centroid of the model, negative values move them away from the centroid.
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In the graphics area:
- Drag a trim plane manipulator. The trimming distance dynamically updates as you drag.
- Move the pointer over the edge of a trim plane to display pointers based on the flex type, then drag the pointer to modify the flex feature.
| Bending |
 |
| Twisting |
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| Tapering |
 |
| Stretching |
 |
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