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.

To open the Deform PropertyManager with Curve to Curve 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 Curve to curve.

Example: Deform - Curve to Curve

Example: Deform - Curve to Curve Using Multiple Sets of Curves and Edges

If the target curve is a face or surface edge, you can match the deform model's initial edges using position continuity (a sharp transition) or tangency (smooth transition).

Example of Deform Position Continuity
Position continuity at joining boundary results in sharp edges. Select None for Match under Shape Options.
Example of Deform Tangent Continuity
Tangency continuity at joining boundary results in smooth transition. Select Surface tangent for Match under Shape Options.

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

PM_deform_initial_curve.gif 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.
PM_deform_target_curve.gif 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 PM_Deform_SetAdd.gif, remove PM_Deform_SetSubtract.gif, and cycle PM_Deform_SetCycle.gif 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 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.
  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.

Example: Deform - Curve to Curve with Uniform Selected and Cleared

PM_deform_fixed-edges-curves-faces.gif Fixed Curves/Edges/Faces Prevents the selected curves, edges, and faces from deforming and moving.
Example: Deform - Curve to Curve with Fixed Edges
  • If the Initial Curves PM_deform_initial_curve.gif are within the closed contour, the deformation is confined to the contour.
  • If the Initial Curves PM_deform_initial_curve.gif are outside the closed contour, no point inside the contour is deformed.
PM_face.gif Additional faces to be deformed Allows you to add specific faces to deform. If no faces are selected, the entire body is affected.

Example: Deform - Curve to Curve with Additional Faces to be Deformed PM_face.gif

If the Initial Curves PM_deform_initial_curve.gif are sketch curves (not face or surface edges), you must select Bodies to be deformed solid_bodies.png Button or Additional faces to be deformed PM_face.gif.

 
  • If you select a fixed edge PM_deform_fixed-edges-curves-faces.gif, or a body solid_bodies.png Button, the whole body deforms.body def_1.gif
  • If you select a face for Additional faces to be deformed PM_face.gif without fixing edges, the deform is limited to the selected face. face select ex.gif
PM_deform_deform_radius.gif Deform radius (Available when Fixed edges is cleared and Uniform is selected.) Creates a bending-like deformation, using the Deform radius PM_deform_deform_radius.gif 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 PM_deform_deform_radius.gif value.

Example: Deform - Curve to Curve Deform Radius PM_deform_deform_radius.gif

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

Example: Deform - Curve to Curve Bodies to be Deformed solid_bodies.png Button

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

Shape Options

  Stiffness Controls the rigidity of the deform shape in the deformation process.
You can combine any stiffness level with the options under Deform Region. The effects of stiffness are generally more noticeable when you use Fixed Curves/Edges/Faces PM_deform_fixed-edges-curves-faces.gif.

Example: Deform - Curve to Curve Shape Stiffness Levels

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.

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.

Example: Deform - Curve to Curve Shape Accuracy PM_deform_shape accuracy.gif

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 PM_deform_fixed-edges-curves-faces.gif.

Moving curves

Weights the deform towards the edges and curves you specify under Deform Curves as Initial Curves PM_deform_initial_curve.gif and Target Curves PM_deform_target_curve.gif.

Example: Deform - Curve to Curve Weight Value

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

Example: Deform - Curve to Curve Maintain Boundary

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

Example: Deform - Curve to Curve Additional Faces Only

  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.

Example: Deform - Curve to Curve Match Options

Curve direction

Matches Target Curves PM_deform_target_curve.gif by mapping Initial Curves PM_deform_initial_curve.gif to Target Curves PM_deform_target_curve.gif using the normals of the Target Curves PM_deform_target_curve.gif to shape the deform.

Example: Deform - Curve to Curve - Curve Direction