Datum > Curve
Intersect First create at least one quilt on the surface of the model. Feature > Surface (> New) > Copy (do not use offset that creates a surface off the solid surface even with zero offset) > pick on top surface > Done > Ok At least one surface must be a quilt for this menu. The menu [Composite] can be used between solid surfaces desired. Pick on the quilt if not selected yet. Edit > Intersect > ctrl + pick on the front solid (can select more than one solid surfaces). See the References interface that now show both the quilt and solid surface. Done
Dimension
Thru Points 1. Datum Curve > Thru Points > Done 2. Spline / Whole Array / Add Point > Pick > pick two end points of front inclined edge > Done 3. Select [Tangency] in the dialog > Define > Start / Crv/Edge/Axis / Tangent > Select > pick on the edge to which the datum curve must be tangent. If necessary, flip the arrow for proper tangency > Okay. Note the tangency is defined relative to the direction of the curve. 4. End / Crv/Edge/Axis / Tangent > Select > pick another edge to which the curve must be tangent. 5. Done / Return > Ok
If more than two points are selected, then they can be connected in several different ways.
Copy Edit > Feature Operations > Copy
Projected 1. First, create a datum curve by Thru Points with Tangency as shown above. 2. Pick on the datum curve to project > Edit > Project 3. Pick on the left surface > click References interface > One by One Chain / Single Surfaces > click Direction References. Now, define the direction. 4. Click Datum Axis > pick the first corner at the front face > ctrl + pick the rear corner > Ok. 5. Resume > Done
Note on Projected Datum Curves Note that the projected entity is limited to the size of the projected plane. The first example is ok, but the second is not allowed because the projected curve will be out of the destination plane.
Another example of the projected datum curve 1. First extrude the solid with curved top with a spline 2. Click References > select Project a sketch > Sketch > sketch the datum curve on a datum plane above the solid as shown below 3. Done
Wrap (old Formed) 1. First, create the solid block by Extrude. 2. Create the datum curves at front and rear inclined edges. 3. Form a quilt by Boundary Blend. 4. Edit > Wrap > click Destination interface > pick on the round quilt 5. Sketch > pick on top surface of the block > Sketch (begins) > Close (references) 6. Draw a square with dimensions shown above 7. Done (sketch) > Done (feature)
Offset: Along the Surface 1. (Create a datum curve along the front inclined edge) Pick on the solid > pick on the front edge of the inclined surface > Copy > Done 2. Pick on the datum curve just created > Edit > Offset. 3. See the Direction interface with default Along Surface 4. Pick on the front face > enter an offset value 1.0 > Done (see the result below)
Another Example In this example, ctrl + pick all the curves and specify the offset distance.
Offset: Normal to the Surface
Offset: Graph 1. As in the previous case, for the datum curve at front edge, use Edit > Offset 2. Click the front face > select Direction as Normal to Surface > enter 1.0 for Scale 3. Click Graph interface > Insert > Model Datum > Graph > enter a name > Ok 4. Sketch a spline as shown below and place a coordinate at the point of the spline that should correspond to the starting point of the offset curve > use Constraint Horizontal to align two endpoints horizontally > change the total length to 1.0 5. Done > Resume > Done
From Equation 1. Datum Curve > From Equation > Done 2. Select > Pick > pick on a coordinate system 3. Cartesian > enter equations in the editor window below > File > Save > Close (editor) > Ok
Example 1: Projected
Dimensions of Block Use the spline menu in sketch mode for this curve.
Dimensions of Datum Curve
Datum Curve and Starting Point of Chain Suppose a datum curve is to be created by copying an existing line (i.e., the outer edge in the figure). But the datum curve must have the starting point in the middle of the larger arc (i.e., at top of the figure). First, create the basic feature by Protrusion. In the sketcher [Divide] the trajectory at midpoint of the larger arc (for future use in datum curve). This division must be done before creation of datum curve by [Edge > Offset]. If it is done after creation of datum curve, the starting point remains same even after [Divide]. Create the datum curve [Sketch > Edge > Offset > Type: Chain > select the first line segment shown in figure > Accept > -1 > Done > Ok
Note that the end point of the first line clockwise (CW) becomes the starting point of the chain. The chain goes around CW. This way a point can be easily placed at the starting point of the chain curve with option [Length Ratio]. The starting and ending points have length ratios of zero and one.
Dimension Just to see how to use the starting point of the chain curve, add a point at the starting point [Datum Point > On Curve > Length Ratio > the first line segment next to the hole position > Accept > -1 > Done > Ok
Style
1. Style > Active Datum Plane > pick the inclined plane 2. Click Curve tool > click points to create a spline curve. You may edit it with Edit Curve tool. 3. Click Show All Views and see the views below 4. Done