Deform - Point Options

The Point deformation is based on a point and its pull direction vector.

To open the Deform PropertyManager with Point options:

  1. Click Deform TOOL_DEFORM_FEATURES.GIF on the Features toolbar, or click Insert > Features > Deform.
  2. In the PropertyManager, under Deform Type, select Point.

Deform Point

select_edge_faces_vertex.png Deform Point To set the center of deformation, select a point on a face, an edge, a vertex, or a point in space.
  Deform Direction Choose a deform direction by selecting a linear edge, sketch line, planar face, plane, or two points or vertices.
  • If you select a linear edge or line, the direction is parallel to edge or line.
  • If you select a plane or planar face, the direction is normal to the plane or face.
  • If you select two points or vertices, the direction follows the first to second point or vertex.
  • Any combination of deform points and directions may be used.
  • If necessary, click Reverse deform direction PM_reverse_direction.gif.
When the deform point is on a face, edge, or vertex, the default direction is as follows:

Point on Face

The Deform Direction is normal to the face at the selected point. If you select another point, the deform updates to the selected point. Point-on-face selection is useful for quick design changes and adding localized features that do not require exact locations for the deformation.

Video: Deform - Point on Face

Point on edge

The Deform Direction is an average of the normals between the two adjacent faces at the selected edge point. The location of the point on the edge determines the center of the deformation. Point-on-edge selection is useful for creating more precise and predictable design changes compared to point-on-face selection.

Video: Deform - Point on Edge

Vertex

The Deform Direction is an average of the face normals sharing the selected vertex. The deformation is centered on the selected vertex.

Video: Deform - Point on Vertex

Point in space

When you select a point in space, there is no deform direction, so you must specify one by selecting two points or vertices, a linear edge or sketch line, or a planar face or plane. Point-in-space selection allows precise control of the point and deform direction and is useful when more control is needed for point deformations.

Video: Deform - Point in Space
PM_deform_deform_distance.gif Deform Distance Specifies the distance of deformation (point displacement).
  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

This section allows you to alter the shape by specifying a radius of deformation, a deform region, and additional bodies to deform.
You can use the options Fixed Curves/Edges/Faces PM_deform_fixed-edges-curves-faces.gif, Bodies to be Deformed solid_bodies.png Button, and Additional Faces to be Deformed PM_face.gif 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.
PM_deform_deform_radius.gif Deform Radius Changes a spherical radius value that passes through the point of deformation.

Selecting Deform region does not affect the Deform Radius PM_deform_deform_radius.gif value.

Example: Deform - Point with Deform Distance and Deform Radius
  Deform region Enables the Fixed Curves/Edges/Faces PM_deform_fixed-edges-curves-faces.gif and Additional Faces to be Deformed PM_face.gif options.

Example: Deform Region
 
Selected entity for Deform Point Deform region Option Status Results
A point on an edge, vertex, or in space Selected or cleared Deformation area is not affected if Fixed Curves/Edges/Faces PM_deform_fixed-edges-curves-faces.gif or Additional Faces to be Deformed PM_face.gif are cleared
A point on a face Selected Deformation area is limited to that face if Fixed Curves/Edges/Faces PM_deform_fixed-edges-curves-faces.gif or Additional Faces to be Deformed PM_face.gif are cleared
A point on a face Cleared Whole body is deformed
PM_deform_fixed-edges-curves-faces.gif Fixed Curves/Edges/Faces Prevents the selected curves, edges, and faces from deforming and moving. With closed contours, deformation behavior depends on the following:
PM_face.gif Additional Faces to be Deformed Allows you to select more than one face on the model to deform.

Example: Deform - Point with Additional Faces to be Deformed PM_face.gif
solid_bodies.png Button Bodies to be Deformed Allows you to select multiple bodies or to select a body when a point-in-space selection is used. Bodies to be Deformed solid_bodies.png Button is useful when you need to change multiple bodies in one part file.

Video: Deform - Point on Multibody Part

Shape Options

You control the shape of point deformations by modifying the degree of Stiffness, specifying a Deform axis axis.png, and modifying the Shape Accuracy PM_deform_shape accuracy.gif.

axis.png Deform axis (Available when Deform region is cleared). Controls the shape of the deformation by creating a bending axis parallel to a linear edge or sketch line, normal to a plane or planar face, or following two points or vertices. This option creates a bending-type deformation using the Deform Radius PM_deform_deform_radius.gif value, although not an exact bending. For exact bending, see Flexes.

Example: Deform with Deform Axis

You control the shape of point deformations by modifying the degree of Stiffness, specifying a Deform axis axis.png, and modifying the Shape Accuracy PM_deform_shape accuracy.gif.

  Stiffness Controls the rigidity of the deform shape in the deformation process. You can combine the stiffness level with other controls, such as Deform axis axis.png. There are three levels of stiffness:

Stiffness - Minimum PM_deform_stiffness_minumum.gif

Least amount of rigidity.

Stiffness - Medium PM_deform_stiffness_medium.gif

Medium amount of rigidity.

Stiffness - Maximum PM_deform_stiffness_maximum.gif

Largest amount of rigidity.

Example: Deform - Point Shape Stiffness Levels
PM_deform_shape accuracy.gif 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.
Point deformation that affects a small area may not display if you are using the default image quality settings. To increase the quality, click Tools > Options > Document Properties > Image Quality . Move the Shaded and draft quality HLR/HLV resolution slider to the right, or select Optimize edge length.
  Maintain boundary (Available when Deform region is selected). Ensures that boundaries selected for Fixed Curves/Edges/Faces PM_deform_fixed-edges-curves-faces.gifare fixed. Clear Maintain boundary to change the deform region, modify fixed edges, or allow the boundaries to move.
  Additional faces only (Available when Deform region is selected and Maintain boundary is cleared). Makes the deform affect only those faces selected for Additional Faces to be Deformed PM_face.gif.

Example: Deform - Point with Additional Faces Only