Deforming a Model Using Point

You can combine different point deform options to achieve different results. The examples in this topic demonstrate only some of these options.

1. Click Deform on the Features toolbar, or click Insert > Features > Deform.
2. In the PropertyManager, under Deform Type, select Point.
3. Under Deform Point, select one of these entities in the graphics area for Deform Point :
   • Point on a face or plane
   • Point on an edge
   • Vertex
   • Point in space
   Examples of Deform Point selections:

   Point on Face or Plane
   Initial part Point on face is a simple method for quickly making changes to complex models. Point on face is useful for performing multiple design iterations and adding complex feature changes to models.
   Select a point on a face or plane. The pull direction is normal to the face.
   Result of point-on-face deform Note the degree of change that can be made with a point deform operation.

   Point on Edge
   Initial part Using a point on an edge allows a more predictable movement and location for a deform.
   Select a point on an edge. The pull direction is calculated as an averaged normal from the two adjoining faces. If you move the point along the edge, the center of the deform moves with it.
   Result of point-on-edge deform Point-on-edge deform allows you to make complex and quick design changes to any type of model.

   Point on Vertex
   Initial part Using a point on a vertex is a predictable way to locate the deform when the normal to adjacent faces is the desired pull direction.
   Select a vertex. This example uses the vertex of a rib. The pull direction is an average normal of all adjacent faces.
   Result of point-on-vertex deform

   Point in Space
   Select a point in space for Deform point and select one of the following for Deform direction: edge sketch line two points or vertices plane planar face (Point in space and sketch line for direction shown)
   Preview of deform using a point in space The direction is determined by the sketch line in this case. If the point you select is on a plane, the pull direction is normal to the plane.
   Result of deform using a point in space

4. When you use a point in space as the Deform point , select a linear edge, two points or vertices, a planar face, or a plane as the Deform direction.
   With a point on a face, edge, or vertex, you only need to select a Deform direction to use a different direction than the default. If necessary, click Reverse deform direction .
5. In the Deform distance box, set a value.
6. Under Deform Region:
   1. In the Deform radius box, set a value. This radius value determines a spherical influence around the selected point.

      Point deform showing how the Deform radius value around the point influences the shape.

      The theoretical sphere (red arrow) represents the value of the Deform radius .

      

   2. Select Deform region to confine the deformation to an area enclosed by the perimeter of the selected face.
      When you select a point on a face and select Deform region, by default you confine the deformation to the area enclosed by the perimeter of the face selected. When you select a point on an edge, vertex, or point in space, the deformation is not directly affected by Deform region.

      With Deform region selected, you can also select Fixed Curves/Edges/Faces and any Additional Faces to be Deformed .

      Example of how Deform region affects the deform:

      Initial part

      Deform region cleared

      Result with Deform region cleared When using a point on a face, clearing or selecting Deform region affects the deformation.

      Deform using the same point with Deform region selected.

      If you select an edge or vertex, clearing or selecting Deform region does not affect the deformation. This preview (edge selected) is the same with Deform region selected or cleared.

   3. Select Bodies to be deformed .
      This option is useful for making changes to multibody parts. For example, use Bodies to be deformed when a symmetry must be maintained among all bodies affected using one set of Deform distance and Deform radius values, as shown in the following example.

      Initial multibody part

      Single body selected

      Result of single body deform

      All four bodies selected

      Result of multibody deform

7. Under Shape Options:
   1. Select a level of stiffness. Stiffness determines the rigidity of the deform shape, whether constrained within a face (Deform region selected) or free (Deform region cleared). The level of stiffness to apply is determined by the shape you want to create.

      All stiffness examples use a Deform distance of 10, Deform radius of 50, and the same point on the face.
      Deform region selected	Deform region cleared
      Stiffness - Minimum
      Stiffness - Medium
      Stiffness - Maximum

   2. When Deform region is cleared, you can optionally select a Deform axis to further control the shape of the deformation. The Deform axis is defined by selecting a linear edge, two points or vertices, a sketch line, a planar face, or a plane. This results in a bending-like deformation, parallel to the axis you select.

      Initial part

      Initial part Point deformation with two vertices (red arrows) selected for Deform axis .

      Result using two vertices to create an axis line

      Point deformation using an axis line defined by two different vertices (red arrows) for Deform axis .

      Result using the new axis line

      Point deformation using a plane (red arrow) for Deform axis . The axis of bend is perpendicular to the plane and centered around the centroid of the bodies.

      Result using a plane for the axis line

   3. When Deform region is selected, clear Maintain boundary to achieve the following:

      Initial part A point in space deformation is used. The deform face (red arrow) is the same in all examples.

      Maintain boundary cleared Additional faces only selected The top face is selected for Additional Faces to be Deformed

      Result: Only the top face is deformed, while the sides are essentially extruded to meet the top face.

      Maintain boundary selected

      Result: Only the top face is affected. All other faces remain unchanged.

   4. Move the Shape accuracy slider to control surface quality. Increasing the quality also increases the success rate of the deform feature. For example, if you get an error message Could not replace geometries, move the slider towards the right. Move the slider only as needed; increasing surface accuracy decreases performance.
8. Click .