Creating Freeform Features

To create a freeform feature:

  1. Open a part to which you want to add the freeform.
    It might be helpful to have a reference sketch curve or a sketch picture to base the freeform on. The image shows a reference sketch curve created from a sketch picture.

  2. Click Freeform (Features toolbar) or Insert > Features > Freeform.
  3. Set the options in the PropertyManager:
    1. Select a face to modify. Click to set the Continuity callouts, which control the relation of the modified face to the original face before you modify it (along the selected boundary).

      Continuity callouts (one per side)

      Option Description
      Contact Maintains contact along the original boundary. Tangency and curvature are not maintained.
      Tangent Maintains the tangency along the original boundary. For example, if the face originally made an angle of 10° where it meets the boundary, the angle is maintained after you modify the face.
      Curvature Maintains the curvature of the original boundary. For example, if the face originally had a normal radius of curvature of 10 meters with a plane along the boundary, that same radius is maintained after you modify the face.
      Moveable The original boundary is moveable but original tangency is not maintained. You can drag and modify the boundary using control points just like you can modify the face. Select a boundary handle or point and drag to move it. Video: Moveable Freeform Callout
      Moveable/Tangent The original boundary is moveable and it maintains its original tangency parallel to the original face. You can drag and modify it using control points like you can modify the face. Select a boundary handle or point and drag to move it. Video: Moveable Tangent Freeform Callout
    2. Add control curves.


    3. Add control points to the control curves. Use the grid lines to help match the points.
    4. Adjust the display by adding transparency, zebra stripes, etc. This does not affect anything in the model itself.
    5. Select a control curve and use the triad to drag the control points to modify the face.
  4. Click .

    Final feature