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PowerSHAPE 9. Surface from Curves
9. Surface from Curves
CurvesA curve can be defined as a continuous profile of lines,
arcs or curves that contains at least
two points. They can be 2 or 3D as the following illustrations
show, and they can be open or
closed.
Once a surface is generated, the curves used are called
laterals. A closed lateral has a curve
from the last point to the first point. A surface must contain 2
or more laterals. Once the
laterals are defined, the surface is filled in between the
laterals. Each point number on each
lateral is joined up together by the smoothest curve, which
means that each lateral should
have the same number of points on it.
The curve that joins each point on the laterals together to
create the surface is known as a
longitudinal.
ExampleCreate the following surface with 5 curves.
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9. Surface from Curves PowerSHAPE
Create a workplane at 0 0 0.
Create a line from the workplane, 10mm inY, 10mm in X, and 10mm
in -Y
to produce the 'n-shape'
This section will be the basic for the other sections so it will
be
copied up the Z-axis as individual lines.
Select the three lines and then the Copy icon.
Enter2 for the number of copies and the value of0 0 5 in the
position
window, giving you three laterals.
Each set
of lines
will be
filleted by
a different
radius.
Create a fillet radius of1mm on the bottom lines, at each
corner.
Create a fillet radius of2mm on the middle lateral, at each
corner.
Create a fillet radius of3mm on the top lateral, at each
corner.
Each shape needs to be turned into a composite curve before
a
surface can be made.
Select create a composite curve icon.
Select the bottom lines and then the Save button.
Select the middle lines and then the Save button.
Select the top lines, and then the Save button and the Eject
button to
finish.
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PowerSHAPE 9. Surface from Curves
Select the lower composite curve and copy it up the Z-axis by
20mm.
Select the second from bottom composite curve and copy it up the
Z-axis
by 10mm.
All of the shapes have been turned into composite curves, ready
for
surface generation. Each of the composite curves will be turned
into a
lateral on the surface.
Select all of the composite curves.
Select the surface from separate curves icon.
This form allows you to try different options of
joining the laterals together with a very useful
Preview setting. The default option gives a
smooth result, but if a different surface is
required other options can be tried.
Accept the form and the surface is complete.
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9. Surface from Curves PowerSHAPE
Pump Project Example.continuedUsing the pump example we can use
the two curves to make a surface from laterals.
Open the model pump-project2.
Blank all apart from the two long curves either side of the
model.
With these curves selected apply Createsurface from separate
curves. Save the model.
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