Changes

Glossary of EM.Cube's CAD Tools

0 bytes added, 04:06, 16 January 2017
[[File:cad_manual-70_tn.jpg|bridge]]
 
==Consolidate Tool==
 
ICON: [[File:consolidate_tool_tn.png]]
 
MENU: '''Tools → Transform → Consolidate'''
 
KEYBOARD SHORTCUT: '''Shift+C'''
 
FUNCTION: Converts open polymesh objects to generic [[Surface Objects|surface objects]] and converts closed polymesh objects to generic [[Solid Objects|solid objects]]
 
TO CONSOLIDATE AN OBJECT SELECTION:
 
# Activate the '''Consolidate Tool'''.
# Click on the polymesh object(s) you want to consolidate one by one and press the '''Enter Key''' when done.
# Generic surface of solid versions of the selected polymesh objects appear in the project workspace.
 
 
SPECIAL CASES OR EXCEPTIONS: You can also use the Consolidate Tool to convert Boolean objects to generic surface or [[Solid Objects|solid objects]]. In that case, you will lose access to the properties of the individual constituents of the original Boolean object.
 
PYTHON COMMAND: consolidate(object)
==Distance Tool==
[[File:cad_manual-64_tn.jpg|Loft Example 2]]
 
==Merge Tool==
 
ICON: [[File:merge_tool_tn.png]]
 
MENU: '''Tools → Basic → Merge'''
 
KEYBOARD SHORTCUT: '''Shift+M'''
 
FUNCTION: Combines nodal curves (polylines or NURBS curves) into a new curve or combines polymesh objects aligned along cell edges into a new polymesh object
 
TO MERGE AN OBJECT SELECTION:
 
# Activate the '''Merge Tool'''.
# Click on the objects of the same type you want to merge one by one and press the '''Enter Key''' when done.
# The original object selection is replaced with a larger object of the same type.
 
 
If there is a gap between the objects to be merged, it is eliminated as a result of merging as the last and first nodes of the two separate curves become part of a single node list.
 
 
SPECIAL CASES OR EXCEPTIONS: In order to merge one or more polymesh objects, they have to have one or more cells strictly and exactly lined up along common edges.
 
 
PYTHON COMMAND: merge_curve(object_1,object_2)
 
 
[[File:merge1_tn.png|Filling Outlines]]
 
Two NURBS curve to be merged into one.
 
[[File:merge2_tn.png|Filling Outlines]]
 
The resulting merged NURBS curve with the combine nodes.
==Mirror Tool==
</table>
==Translate Pipe-Sweep Tool==
ICON: [[File:move_tool_tnpipe_tool_tn.png]]
MENU: '''Tools &rarr; Basic Transform &rarr; TranslatePipe-Sweep'''
KEYBOARD SHORTCUT: '''TShift+I'''
FUNCTION: Moves Creates a tubular object of a specified radius from one or more curve objects to a different location by a specified translation vector
TO TRANSLATE AN PIPE-SWEEP CURVE OBJECT SELECTION(S):
# Activate the '''Translate Pipe-Sweep Tool'''.# Click on the curve object(s) you want to translate one by one and press the '''Enter Key''' when done.# Next, you have to establish the translation vector. Leftpipe-click on a point in the project workspace to specify the start of the vector. # Drag the mouse to draw a ghost of the translation vector in the desired direction. Left-click a second point to specify the end of the vector. # The object selection is translated by the specified vectorsweep. # A dialog pops up on the lower right corner of the screen where you can fine-tune or modify the translation vector before finalizing the translate operation.# Using the Translate Dialog, you can also simply type in the final destination coordinates for pipe radius and cap the resulting surface object to turn it into a solid object selection.
PYTHON COMMAND(S)SPECIAL CASES OR EXCEPTIONS:You cannot pipe-sweep a polyline object because of its sharp corners. However, you can first turn the polyline into a smoother curve object using the Fillet Tool and then pipe-sweep it.
translate_by(object,dx,dy,dz)
translate_toPYTHON COMMAND: pipe_sweep(object,x0,y0,z0radius)
<table>
<tr>
<td> [[Image:translate1_tn_newpipe-tool_tn_new.png|thumb|540px600px|Translating an Using pipe-sweep tool to turn a spiral curve into a solid object seletion at the same time.]] </td>
</tr>
</table>
<b>Moving Objects Around Using Snap Points</b>==Polygonize Tool==
The simplest and quickest way to move an object is to hover your mouse over a snap point of the object to highlight it. Then type the keyboard shortcut '''T'''. The cursor latches to the selected snap point and the Translate Dialog pops up at the lower right corner of the screen. Without clicking the mouse, begin to drag the object in the project workspace. A ghost of the object starts to move around. Click the left mouse button at the desired location to drop the object. You can fine-tune the final destination using the Translate DialogICON: [[File:polygonize_tool_tn. png]]
<b>Constrained Translation</b>MENU: '''Tools &rarr; Transform &rarr; Polygonize'''
When you use a snap point to translate an object, you can use the keyboard's '''Alt''' and KEYBOARD SHORTCUT: '''Shift+P''' keys to constrain the object move in certain directions. The type of constraint depends on which snap point you pick to translate the object. The following rules apply:
* With FUNCTION: Discretizes the boundary of a face snap point selected, you can constrain translate to the direction normal to that face only by holding curve object or a curved planar surface object into linear segments.  TO POLYGONIZE OBJECT(S): # Activate the '''Alt KeyPolygonize Tool''' down during dragging. You can also constrain translate # Click on the object(s) you want to the plane of that face only polygonize one by holding one and press the '''Shift Enter Key''' down during draggingwhen done.* With an edge snap point # The discretized versions of the selected, objects appears in the project workspace.# A dialog pops up on the lower right corner of the screen where you can constrain translate to modify the line along that edge only by holding side length of the '''Shift Key''' down during draggingresulting polygonal objects. You can also constrain translate # Make sure to click the line normal OK button of the dialog to that edge only by holding finalize the '''Alt Key''' down during draggingoperation. * With  The Polygonize Tool converts a vertex snap point selectedsurface object into a polystrip and converts a curve object into a polyline.  SPECIAL CASES OR EXCEPTIONS: You cannot polygonize [[Solid Objects|solid objects]].   PYTHON COMMAND: polygonize(object, you can constrain translate to the lines along the two edges passing through that vertex only by holding the '''shift Key''' or '''Alt Key''' down during dragging.side_length)
<table>
<tr>
<td> [[Image:consttranslate1_tn_newpolygonize1_tn_new.png|thumb|320px500px|Translating a box from a face snap point while holding the Alt Key downA circle strip to be polygonized.]] </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td> [[Image:consttranslate2_tn_newpolygonize3_tn_new.png|thumb|320px500px|Translating a box from an edge snap point while holding The polygonized version of the shift Key downcircle strip with a side length of 30 units.]] </td>
</tr>
</table>
 
==Polymesh Tool==
 
ICON: [[File:polymesh_tool_tn.png]]
 
MENU: '''Tools &rarr; Transform &rarr; Polymesh'''
 
KEYBOARD SHORTCUT: '''P'''
 
FUNCTION: Discretizes one or more surface or solid objects into a set of triangular cells
 
TO POLYMESH AN OBJECT SELECTION:
 
# Activate the '''Polymesh Tool'''.
# Click on the object(s) you want to polymesh one by one and press the '''Enter Key''' when done.
# Discretized versions of the selected objects appear in the project workspace.
# A dialog pops up on the lower right corner of the screen which, allows you to change the edge length of the triangular cells.
# Make sure to click the OK button of Polymesh Dialog to finalize the operation.
 
 
Naturally, a solid object is turned into a closed polymesh (or a solid polymesh), while a surface object is converted to an open polymesh (or a surface polymesh). Each polymesh object is made up of a number of nodes, edges and faces.
 
 
SPECIAL CASES OR EXCEPTIONS: You cannot use the Polymesh Tool with curve objects.
 
PYTHON COMMAND: polymesh(label,object,edge_length)
 
 
<table>
<tr>
<td> [[Image:consttranslate3_tn_newpolymesh1_new.png|thumb|320pxleft|Translating 600px|Converting a box from pyramid to a vertex snap point while holding the shift Key downpolymesh object.]] </td>
</tr>
</table>
 
<b>Modifying a Polymesh Object</b>
 
After you convert an object to a polymesh, you can edit its properties through the polymesh's property dialog. You can change the mesh type from '''Regular''' to '''Structured''' and vice versa from the dropdown list labeled '''Mesh Type'''. You can also change the '''Edge Length''' to increase or decrease the mesh resolution. All the nodes, faces and edges of a polymesh can be accessed for further editing.
 
Each polymesh object is made up of a number of nodes, edges and faces. You can access the individual nodes, edges or faces. The '''Mode''' section of the property dialog has three radio buttons labeled '''Node''', '''Face''' and '''Edge'''. When the Node Mode is selected, a small red ball at the location of the selected node. You can cycle through all the nodes from the '''Active Node''' box or using the keyboard's '''Up Arrow''' or '''Down Arrow''' keys. The world coordinates of the active node are displayed in the property dialog. You can change these values and fine tune the position of any node. You can also delete the selected node by clicking the '''Delete''' button next to the node index.
 
When the Face Mode is selected, the perimeter of the active face is highlighted as a red triangle. You can cycle through all the faces from the '''Active Face''' box or using its spin buttons. The world coordinates of the centroid of the active face are displayed in the property dialog, but they are greyed out and cannot be edited. However, you can insert a new node at the location of the centroid of the active face and split it into three new smaller faces. To do so, click the '''Insert''' button of the dialog. At this time, a temporary local coordinate system is established at the centroid of the selected face with the local X-axis parallel to the first edge of the selected face and the local Z-axis normal to the plane of the selected face. The three active node coordinate boxes in this case represent the offset coordinates of the new node. You have an opportunity to type in new offset values to modify the location of the new node.
 
When the Edge Mode is selected, the active edge is highlighted as a red line segment. You can cycle through all the edges from the '''Active Edge''' box or using its spin buttons. The world coordinates of the midpoint of the active edge are displayed in the property dialog, but they are greyed out and cannot be edited. However, you can insert a new node at the location of the midpoint of the active edge and split it into two new smaller edges. To do so, click the '''Insert''' button of the dialog. As a result of this operation, the two triangular faces sharing the selected edge are split into four new smaller faces. At this time, a temporary local coordinate system is established at the midpoint of the selected edge with the local X-axis parallel to the selected edge and the local Z-axis normal is aligned along the average of the normal vectors of the two triangular faces sharing that edge. The three active node coordinate boxes in this case represent the offset coordinates of the new node. You have an opportunity to type in new offset values to modify the location of the new node.
 
{{Note|Inserting new nodes on faces allows you to increase the mesh resolution locally at certain selected cells. Inserting new nodes on edges allows you to expand a polymesh object outward from its boundaries.}}
 
<table>
<tr>
<td>
[[Image:polymesh2_tn.png|thumb|left|360px|Selecting a node of a polymesh object.]]
</td>
<td>
[[Image:polymesh3_tn.png|thumb|left|360px|Editing the coordinates of a node of a polymesh object.]]
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
[[Image:polymesh4_tn.png|thumb|left|360px|Selecting a face of a polymesh object.]]
</td>
<td>
[[Image:polymesh5_tn.png|thumb|left|360px|Inserting a new node at a face's centroid.]]
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
[[Image:polymesh6_tn.png|thumb|left|360px|Selecting an edge of a polymesh object.]]
</td>
<td>
[[Image:polymesh7_tn.png|thumb|left|360px|Inserting a new node at an edge's midpoint.]]
</td>
</tr>
</table>
 
==Rail-Sweep Tool==
 
ICON: [[File:sweeo_tool_tn.png]]
 
MENU: '''Tools &rarr; Transform &rarr; Rail-Sweep'''
 
KEYBOARD SHORTCUT: '''Shift+R'''
 
FUNCTION: Sweeps a curve or planar surface object along a specified path represented by another curve object
 
TO RAIL-SWEEP CURVE OBJECT(S):
 
# Activate the '''Rail-Sweep Tool'''.
# Click on the curve object you want to rail to select it. This establishes the sweep path.
# Next, click on a surface or curve object you want to sweep along the previously specified rail path.
# A ghost of a new three-dimensional object appears in the project workspace. You can use '''Up Arrow''' or '''Down Arrow''' keys to rotate the cross section of the new object.
# Make sure to click the '''Enter Key''' to finalize the construction.
 
 
The LCS of the surface or curve object you want to sweep must positioned at the origin of coordinates on the default XY work plane. This profile will then be projected and swept along the rail path perpendicular to its curve. If the LCS of the surface or curve profile resides at a location other than the origin, you can use the '''Left Arrow''' and '''Right Arrow''' keys to slide the swept profile closer or further away from the origin. Sliding the profile changes the projection angle relative to the parent curve, which might change the shape of the resulting swept object.
 
 
SPECIAL CASES OR EXCEPTIONS: You cannot rail a polyline object because of its sharp corners. However, you can first turn the polyline into a smoother curve object using the Fillet Tool and then rail it.
 
 
PYTHON COMMAND: rail_sweep(object_1,object_2)
 
<table>
<tr>
<td> [[Image:sweep-tool_tn_new.png|thumb|720px|Railing a rectangle strip object along a spiral curve.]] </td>
</tr>
</table>
 
==Random Group Tool==
 
ICON: [[File:random_group_tool_tn.png]]
 
MENU: '''Tools &rarr; Basic &rarr; Random Group'''
 
KEYBOARD SHORTCUT: '''Shift+O'''
 
FUNCTION: Creates random clones of a specified key object with random locations and random orientations but confined into the volume of a container object
 
TO CREATE A RONDOM GROUP:
 
# Activate the '''Random Group Tool'''.
# Click on the object you want to clone (key object) and press the '''Enter Key''' when done.
# The Rough Surface Dialog opens up on the lower right corner of the screen. The '''Container''' dropdown list displays a list of all the [[Solid Objects|solid objects]] In the project workspace. Select the desired container object from the list.
# The default number of the elements is 100. Change it to any desired number.
# Click the OK button of the dialog to close it and complete the group creation.
 
 
SPECIAL CASES OR EXCEPTIONS: Only a solid object can act as a container for a random group.
 
PYTHON COMMAND: random_group(label,key_object,container_object,element_count)
 
==Revolve Tool==
 
ICON: [[File:revolve_tool_tn.png]]
 
MENU: '''Tools &rarr; Transform &rarr; Revolve'''
 
KEYBOARD SHORTCUT: '''V'''
 
FUNCTION: Revolves a surface or curve object about a specified axis of revolution and turns it into a solid or surface object
 
TO REVOLVE AN OBJECT:
 
# Activate the '''Revolve Tool'''.
# Click on the surface or curve object you want to revolve to select it.
# A trident representing a local coordinate system appears in the project workspace and floats around as you move the mouse.
# By default, the axis of revolution is oriented perpendicular to the current work plane and is drawn larger than the other two axes. Using the keyboard's '''Up Arrow''' or '''Down Arrow''' keys, you can cycle through all the three principal directions.
# Once you get the desired axis of revolution at the right location, left-click to create the object of revolution.
# A dialog pops up on the lower right corner of the screen where you can fine-tune the coordinates of the pivot point or the direction of the axis of revolution.
# Make sure to click the OK button of the revolution object's property dialog to finalize the construction.
 
 
You can use the edges of other objects to serve as the axis of revolution. Once you select the object to be revolved, hover your mouse on the middle snap point of any straight edge of any object including the original object to be revolved, and the axis of revolution is aligned along the selected edge.
 
 
SPECIAL CASE(S):
 
 
PYTHON COMMAND: revolve(label,object,x0,y0,z0,uX,uY,uZ,rot_angle)
 
 
[[File:cad_manual-56_tn.jpg|revolve process]]
 
In this example, a rectangular plane has been revolved by using a pre-drawn line as the axial reference.
 
Example 1: Revolving Polygon Planes
 
This example illustrates revolving the face of a cylinder about the axis of a pyramid&quot;s edge.
 
[[File:cad_manual-57_tn.jpg|revolve sample 1]]
 
Example 2: Complex Planar Revolutions
 
This example illustrates an extremely complex face revolved about the axis of a line.
 
[[File:cad_manual-58_tn.jpg|revolve sample 2]]
 
Example 3: Unusual Revolutions
 
This example illustrates the face of a cylinder revolved about the axis of a pyramid&quot;s edge.
 
[[File:cad_manual-59_tn.jpg|revolve sample 3]]
 
Example 4: Partial Revolutions
 
This example illustrates the results of specifying a partial Rotation Angle.
 
[[File:cad_manual-60_tn.jpg|revolve sample 4]]
==Rotate Tool==
</tr>
</table>
 
==Roughen Tool==
 
ICON: [[File:roughen_tool_tn.png]]
 
MENU: '''Tools &rarr; Transform &rarr; Roughen'''
 
KEYBOARD SHORTCUT: '''Shift+H'''
 
FUNCTION: Converts the surface of an object into a random rough surface
 
TO ROUGHEN AN OBJECT SELECTION:
 
# Activate the '''Roughen Tool'''.
# Click on the object(s) you want to roughen one by one and press the '''Enter Key''' when done.
# The Rough Surface Dialog opens up on the lower right corner of the screen. Enter values for the RMS height and correlation length of the rough surface.
# Click the OK button of the dialog to close it and complete the transformation.
 
 
SPECIAL CASES OR EXCEPTIONS: The Roughen Tool doesn't work with [[Curve Objects|curve objects]].
 
PYTHON COMMAND: roughen(label,object,rms_height,corel_Length)
==Scale Tool==
</table>
==Subtract Skin Tool==
ICON: [[File:subtract_tool_tnskin_tool_tn.png]]
MENU: '''Tools &rarr; Basic Transform &rarr; SubtractSkin'''
KEYBOARD SHORTCUT: '''DShift+K'''
FUNCTION: Subtracts one Creates a transition (skin) among two or more planar surface objects from another object in the Boolean sense
TO SUBTRACT FROM AN OBJECTSKIN PLANAR SURFACE OBJECTS:
# Activate the '''Subtract Skin Tool'''.# Click on the object you want to subtract from and press the '''Enter Key'''.# Click on the planar surface object(s) you want to subtract from the previously selected object skin one by one and press the '''Enter Key''' when done.# All A new solid object is created in the project workspace. Note that the original selected surface objects are replaced with not deleted as a new Boolean object with a new default nameresult of this operation.
PYTHON COMMAND: subtractOn occasion, the resulting solid object created from the skin operation may be twisted at the center. You can use the '''Left Arrow Key''' or '''Right Arrow Key''' to untwist (label,object_1,object_2or twist)the transition by cycle the surface objects’ node order clockwise or counter-clockwise. You can also use the '''Up Arrow Key''' or '''Down Arrow Key''' to reverse the selected object’s node order.
<table>
<tr>
<td> [[Image:Cad_manual-49_tn_new.png|thumb|540px|(Left) Two overlapping boxes and (Right) the result of their Boolean subtraction after subtracting the gray box from the blue one.]] </td>
</tr>
</table>
==Union Tool==SPECIAL CASES OR EXCEPTIONS:
ICON: [[File:union_tool_tn.png]]
MENUPYTHON COMMAND: '''Tools &rarr; Basic &rarr; Union'''None
KEYBOARD SHORTCUT: '''U'''
FUNCTION[[File: Forms a union of an object selection in the Boolean sensecad_manual-65_tn.jpg|skinning process]]
TO UNION AN OBJECT SELECTION:NOTE how X and Y LCS coordinates of the above two planes are at right angles to each other. If the LCS orientation of each profile are not properly aligned, twisting of the skinned surface will occur. You can enable on-screen LCS (local coordinates) feedback for each object via the View menu.
# Activate the '''Union Tool'''.# Click on the objects you want to union one by one and press the '''Enter Key''' when done.# The original object selection is replaced with a new Boolean object with a new default name. Example 1: Skinning Multiple Profiles
# Make sure all profiles are de-selected then select the Skin Tool from the CAD toolbar (A and B).
# Left click the first profile (C).
# Left click the next profile (D).
# Continue to left click on each successive profile you want to skin between.
# After clicking on the final profile, press ENTER to complete the skinning operation (E).
PYTHON COMMAND[[File: union(label,object_1,object_2)cad_manual-66_tn.jpg|skin profiles 1]]
<table><tr><td> [[ImageFile:cad_manual-50_tn_new67_tn.pngjpg|thumb|540px|(Left) Two overlapping boxes and (Right) the result of their Boolean union.skin profiles 2]] </td></tr></table>
==Slice Tool==
</table>
==Revolve Spline Tool==
ICON: [[File:revolve_tool_tnspline_tool_tn.png]]
MENU: '''Tools &rarr; Transform &rarr; RevolveSpline Fit'''
KEYBOARD SHORTCUT: '''VShift+N'''
FUNCTION: Revolves a surface or curve object about a specified axis Creates smooth cubic-spline interpolated versions of revolution and turns it into a solid one or more discretized (polystrip, polyline or surface objectpolymesh) objects
TO REVOLVE SPLINE-FIT AN OBJECTSELECTION:
# Activate the '''Revolve Spline Fit Tool'''.# Click on the surface or curve object (s) you want to revolve to select it.# A trident representing a local coordinate system appears in the project workspace consolidate one by one and floats around as you move press the mouse. # By default, the axis of revolution is oriented perpendicular to the current work plane and is drawn larger than the other two axes. Using the keyboard's ''Enter Key'Up Arrow''' or '''Down Arrow''' keys, you can cycle through all the three principal directionswhen done. # Once you get the desired axis Generic surface of revolution at the right location, left-click to create the object solid versions of revolution.# A dialog pops up on the lower right corner of selected polymesh objects appear in the screen where you can fine-tune the coordinates of the pivot point or the direction of the axis of revolution. # Make sure to click the OK button of the revolution object's property dialog to finalize the constructionproject workspace.
You can use The Spline Fit Tool converts a polyline to a NURBS curve with the edges of other objects same nodes and converts a polystrip to serve as a NURBS strip with the axis of revolutionsame nodes. Once you select In the case of a polymesh object to be revolved, hover your mouse on the middle snap point of any straight edge of any object including the original Spline Fit Tool creates a smooth generic surface object version. The latter case doesn't always yield satisfactory results due to be revolvedthe complexity of spline fit operation for arbitrary nodal surfaces. In some cases, and the axis Gibbs effect may produce undesirable overshoot spikes at the boundary of revolution is aligned along the selected edgesurface object.
SPECIAL CASE(S)CASES OR EXCEPTIONS: The Spline Fit Tool doesn't work with close of solid polymesh objects.
PYTHON COMMAND: spline_fit(object)
PYTHON COMMAND: revolve(label,object,x0,y0,z0,uX,uY,uZ,rot_angle)
[[File:spline1_tn.png]] [[File:spline2_tn.png]]
[[File:cad_manual-56_tn.jpg|revolve process]] In this example, a rectangular plane has been revolved by using a pre-drawn line as the axial reference. Example 1: Revolving Polygon Planes This example illustrates revolving the face of a cylinder about the axis of a pyramid&quot;s edge. [[File:cad_manual-57_tn.jpg|revolve sample 1]] Example 2: Complex Planar Revolutions This example illustrates an extremely complex face revolved about the axis of a line. [[File:cad_manual-58_tn.jpg|revolve sample 2]] Example 3: Unusual Revolutions This example illustrates the face of a cylinder revolved about the axis of a pyramid&quot;s edge. [[File:cad_manual-59_tn.jpg|revolve sample 3]] Example 4: Partial Revolutions This example illustrates the results of specifying a partial Rotation Angle. [[File:cad_manual-60_tn.jpg|revolve sample 4]] ==Skin Tool== ICON: [[File:skin_tool_tn.png]]  MENU: '''Tools &rarr; Transform &rarr; Skin''' KEYBOARD SHORTCUT: '''Shift+K''' FUNCTION: Creates a transition (skin) among two or more planar surface objects TO SKIN PLANAR SURFACE OBJECTS: # Activate the '''Skin Tool'''.# Click on the planar surface object(s) you want to skin one by one and press the '''Enter Key''' when done. # A new solid object is created in the project workspace. Note that the original surface objects are not deleted as a result of this operation.   On occasion, the resulting solid polymesh object created from the skin operation may be twisted at the center. You can use the '''Left Arrow Key''' or '''Right Arrow Key''' to untwist (or twistleft) the transition by cycle the surface objects’ node order clockwise or counter-clockwise. You can also use the '''Up Arrow Key''' or '''Down Arrow Key''' to reverse the selected object’s node order.  SPECIAL CASES OR EXCEPTIONS:   PYTHON COMMAND: None  [[File:cad_manual-65_tn.jpg|skinning process]] NOTE how X and Y LCS coordinates of the above two planes are at right angles to each other. If the LCS orientation of each profile are not properly aligned, twisting of the skinned surface will occur. You can enable onits spline-screen LCS fitted version (local coordinatesright) feedback for each object via the View menu. Example 1: Skinning Multiple Profiles # Make sure all profiles are de-selected then select the Skin Tool from the CAD toolbar (A and B).# Left click the first profile (C).# Left click the next profile (D).# Continue to left click on each successive profile you want to skin between.# After clicking on the final profile, press ENTER to complete the skinning operation (E). [[File:cad_manual-66_tn.jpg|skin profiles 1]] [[File:cad_manual-67_tn.jpg|skin profiles 2]]
==Strip-Sweep Tool==
</table>
==Pipe-Sweep Subtract Tool==
ICON: [[File:pipe_tool_tnsubtract_tool_tn.png]]
MENU: '''Tools &rarr; Transform Basic &rarr; Pipe-SweepSubtract'''
KEYBOARD SHORTCUT: '''Shift+ID'''
FUNCTION: Creates a tubular object of a specified radius from Subtracts one or more curve objects from another object in the Boolean sense
TO PIPE-SWEEP CURVE SUBTRACT FROM AN OBJECT(S):
# Activate the '''Pipe-Sweep Subtract Tool'''.# Click on the curve object you want to pipe-sweepsubtract from and press the '''Enter Key'''. # A dialog pops up Click on the lower right corner of the screen where object(s) you can modify want to subtract from the pipe radius previously selected object one by one and cap press the resulting surface object to turn it into '''Enter Key''' when done.# All the original selected objects are replaced with a solid new Boolean objectwith a new default name.
SPECIAL CASES OR EXCEPTIONS: You cannot pipe-sweep a polyline object because of its sharp corners. However, you can first turn the polyline into a smoother curve object using the Fillet Tool and then pipe-sweep it.   PYTHON COMMAND: pipe_sweepsubtract(objectlabel,object_1,radiusobject_2)
<table>
<tr>
<td> [[Image:pipeCad_manual-tool_tn_new49_tn_new.png|thumb|600px540px|Using pipe-sweep tool to turn a spiral curve into a solid object(Left) Two overlapping boxes and (Right) the result of their Boolean subtraction after subtracting the gray box from the blue one.]] </td>
</tr>
</table>
==Rail-Sweep Translate Tool==
ICON: [[File:sweeo_tool_tnmove_tool_tn.png]]
MENU: '''Tools &rarr; Transform Basic &rarr; Rail-SweepTranslate'''
KEYBOARD SHORTCUT: '''Shift+RT'''
FUNCTION: Sweeps a curve Moves one or planar surface object along more objects to a specified path represented different location by another curve object a specified translation vector
TO RAIL-SWEEP CURVE TRANSLATE AN OBJECT(S)SELECTION:
# Activate the '''Rail-Sweep Translate Tool'''.# Click on the curve object (s) you want to rail to select it. This establishes translate one by one and press the sweep path'''Enter Key''' when done.# Next, you have to establish the translation vector. Left-click on a surface or curve object you want point in the project workspace to sweep along specify the previously specified rail pathstart of the vector. # A Drag the mouse to draw a ghost of a new three-dimensional object appears the translation vector in the project workspacedesired direction. You can use '''Up Arrow''' or '''Down Arrow''' keys Left-click a second point to rotate specify the cross section end of the new vector. # The objectselection is translated by the specified vector. # Make sure to click A dialog pops up on the '''Enter Key''' to finalize lower right corner of the constructionscreen where you can fine-tune or modify the translation vector before finalizing the translate operation.# Using the Translate Dialog, you can also simply type in the final destination coordinates for the object selection.
The LCS of the surface or curve object you want to sweep must positioned at the origin of coordinates on the default XY work plane. This profile will then be projected and swept along the rail path perpendicular to its curve. If the LCS of the surface or curve profile resides at a location other than the origin, you can use the '''Left Arrow''' and '''Right Arrow''' keys to slide the swept profile closer or further away from the origin. Sliding the profile changes the projection angle relative to the parent curve, which might change the shape of the resulting swept object.PYTHON COMMAND(S):
translate_by(object,dx,dy,dz)
SPECIAL CASES OR EXCEPTIONS: You cannot rail a polyline translate_to(object because of its sharp corners. However, you can first turn the polyline into a smoother curve object using the Fillet Tool and then rail it.   PYTHON COMMAND: rail_sweep(object_1x0,y0,object_2z0)
<table>
<tr>
<td> [[Image:sweep-tool_tn_newtranslate1_tn_new.png|thumb|720px540px|Railing a rectangle strip Translating an object along a spiral curveseletion at the same time.]] </td>
</tr>
</table>
==Merge Tool==<b>Moving Objects Around Using Snap Points</b>
ICON: [[File:merge_tool_tnThe simplest and quickest way to move an object is to hover your mouse over a snap point of the object to highlight it. Then type the keyboard shortcut '''T'''. The cursor latches to the selected snap point and the Translate Dialog pops up at the lower right corner of the screen. Without clicking the mouse, begin to drag the object in the project workspace. A ghost of the object starts to move around. Click the left mouse button at the desired location to drop the object. You can fine-tune the final destination using the Translate Dialog.png]]
MENU: '''Tools &rarr; Basic &rarr; Merge'''<b>Constrained Translation</b>
KEYBOARD SHORTCUT: When you use a snap point to translate an object, you can use the keyboard's '''Alt''' and '''Shift+M'''keys to constrain the object move in certain directions. The type of constraint depends on which snap point you pick to translate the object. The following rules apply:
FUNCTION: Combines nodal curves (polylines or NURBS curves) into * With a new curve or combines polymesh objects aligned along cell edges into a new polymesh object  TO MERGE AN OBJECT SELECTION: # Activate face snap point selected, you can constrain translate to the direction normal to that face only by holding the '''Merge ToolAlt Key'''down during dragging.# Click on You can also constrain translate to the objects plane of the same type you want to merge one that face only by one and press holding the '''Enter Shift Key''' when donedown during dragging.# The original object selection is replaced with a larger object of the same type.   If there is a gap between the objects * With an edge snap point selected, you can constrain translate to be merged, it is eliminated as a result of merging as the last and first nodes of the two separate curves become part of a single node list.  SPECIAL CASES OR EXCEPTIONS: In order to merge one or more polymesh objects, they have to have one or more cells strictly and exactly lined up line along common edges.   PYTHON COMMAND: merge_curve(object_1,object_2)  [[File:merge1_tn.png|Filling Outlines]] Two NURBS curve to be merged into one. [[File:merge2_tn.png|Filling Outlines]] The resulting merged NURBS curve with that edge only by holding the combine nodes. ==Polygonize Tool== ICON: [[File:polygonize_tool_tn.png]]  MENU: '''Tools &rarr; Transform &rarr; Polygonize''' KEYBOARD SHORTCUT: '''Shift+PKey''' FUNCTION: Discretizes down during dragging. You can also constrain translate to the boundary of a curve object or a curved planar surface object into linear segments.  TO POLYGONIZE OBJECT(S): # Activate line normal to that edge only by holding the '''Polygonize ToolAlt Key'''down during dragging.# Click on the object(s) * With a vertex snap point selected, you want can constrain translate to polygonize one the lines along the two edges passing through that vertex only by one and press holding the '''Enter shift Key''' when doneor '''Alt Key''' down during dragging. # The discretized versions of the selected objects appears in the project workspace.# A dialog pops up on the lower right corner of the screen where you can modify the side length of the resulting polygonal objects.# Make sure to click the OK button of the dialog to finalize the operation.   The Polygonize Tool converts a surface object into a polystrip and converts a curve object into a polyline.  SPECIAL CASES OR EXCEPTIONS: You cannot polygonize [[Solid Objects|solid objects]].   PYTHON COMMAND: polygonize(object,side_length)
<table>
<tr>
<td> [[Image:polygonize1_tn_newconsttranslate1_tn_new.png|thumb|500px320px|A circle strip to be polygonizedTranslating a box from a face snap point while holding the Alt Key down.]] </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td> [[Image:polygonize3_tn_newconsttranslate2_tn_new.png|thumb|500px320px|The polygonized version of Translating a box from an edge snap point while holding the circle strip with shift Key down.]] </td></tr><tr><td> [[Image:consttranslate3_tn_new.png|thumb|320px|Translating a side length of 30 unitsbox from a vertex snap point while holding the shift Key down.]] </td>
</tr>
</table>
==Polymesh Union Tool==
ICON: [[File:polymesh_tool_tnunion_tool_tn.png]]
MENU: '''Tools &rarr; Transform Basic &rarr; PolymeshUnion'''
KEYBOARD SHORTCUT: '''PU'''
FUNCTION: Discretizes one or more surface or solid objects into Forms a set union of triangular cellsan object selection in the Boolean sense
TO POLYMESH UNION AN OBJECT SELECTION:
# Activate the '''Polymesh Union Tool'''.# Click on the object(s) objects you want to polymesh union one by one and press the '''Enter Key''' when done. # Discretized versions of the selected objects appear in the project workspace. # A dialog pops up on the lower right corner of the screen which, allows you to change the edge length of the triangular cells. # Make sure to click the OK button of Polymesh Dialog to finalize the operationThe original object selection is replaced with a new Boolean object with a new default name.
Naturally, a solid object is turned into a closed polymesh (or a solid polymesh), while a surface object is converted to an open polymesh (or a surface polymesh). Each polymesh object is made up of a number of nodes, edges and faces.  SPECIAL CASES OR EXCEPTIONS: You cannot use the Polymesh Tool with curve objects.  PYTHON COMMAND: polymeshunion(label,objectobject_1,edge_lengthobject_2) 
<table>
<tr>
<td> [[Image:polymesh1_newcad_manual-50_tn_new.png|thumb|left540px|600px|Converting a pyramid to a polymesh object(Left) Two overlapping boxes and (Right) the result of their Boolean union.]] </td>
</tr>
</table>
 
<b>Modifying a Polymesh Object</b>
 
After you convert an object to a polymesh, you can edit its properties through the polymesh's property dialog. You can change the mesh type from '''Regular''' to '''Structured''' and vice versa from the dropdown list labeled '''Mesh Type'''. You can also change the '''Edge Length''' to increase or decrease the mesh resolution. All the nodes, faces and edges of a polymesh can be accessed for further editing.
 
Each polymesh object is made up of a number of nodes, edges and faces. You can access the individual nodes, edges or faces. The '''Mode''' section of the property dialog has three radio buttons labeled '''Node''', '''Face''' and '''Edge'''. When the Node Mode is selected, a small red ball at the location of the selected node. You can cycle through all the nodes from the '''Active Node''' box or using the keyboard's '''Up Arrow''' or '''Down Arrow''' keys. The world coordinates of the active node are displayed in the property dialog. You can change these values and fine tune the position of any node. You can also delete the selected node by clicking the '''Delete''' button next to the node index.
 
When the Face Mode is selected, the perimeter of the active face is highlighted as a red triangle. You can cycle through all the faces from the '''Active Face''' box or using its spin buttons. The world coordinates of the centroid of the active face are displayed in the property dialog, but they are greyed out and cannot be edited. However, you can insert a new node at the location of the centroid of the active face and split it into three new smaller faces. To do so, click the '''Insert''' button of the dialog. At this time, a temporary local coordinate system is established at the centroid of the selected face with the local X-axis parallel to the first edge of the selected face and the local Z-axis normal to the plane of the selected face. The three active node coordinate boxes in this case represent the offset coordinates of the new node. You have an opportunity to type in new offset values to modify the location of the new node.
 
When the Edge Mode is selected, the active edge is highlighted as a red line segment. You can cycle through all the edges from the '''Active Edge''' box or using its spin buttons. The world coordinates of the midpoint of the active edge are displayed in the property dialog, but they are greyed out and cannot be edited. However, you can insert a new node at the location of the midpoint of the active edge and split it into two new smaller edges. To do so, click the '''Insert''' button of the dialog. As a result of this operation, the two triangular faces sharing the selected edge are split into four new smaller faces. At this time, a temporary local coordinate system is established at the midpoint of the selected edge with the local X-axis parallel to the selected edge and the local Z-axis normal is aligned along the average of the normal vectors of the two triangular faces sharing that edge. The three active node coordinate boxes in this case represent the offset coordinates of the new node. You have an opportunity to type in new offset values to modify the location of the new node.
 
{{Note|Inserting new nodes on faces allows you to increase the mesh resolution locally at certain selected cells. Inserting new nodes on edges allows you to expand a polymesh object outward from its boundaries.}}
 
<table>
<tr>
<td>
[[Image:polymesh2_tn.png|thumb|left|360px|Selecting a node of a polymesh object.]]
</td>
<td>
[[Image:polymesh3_tn.png|thumb|left|360px|Editing the coordinates of a node of a polymesh object.]]
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
[[Image:polymesh4_tn.png|thumb|left|360px|Selecting a face of a polymesh object.]]
</td>
<td>
[[Image:polymesh5_tn.png|thumb|left|360px|Inserting a new node at a face's centroid.]]
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
[[Image:polymesh6_tn.png|thumb|left|360px|Selecting an edge of a polymesh object.]]
</td>
<td>
[[Image:polymesh7_tn.png|thumb|left|360px|Inserting a new node at an edge's midpoint.]]
</td>
</tr>
</table>
 
==Consolidate Tool==
 
ICON: [[File:consolidate_tool_tn.png]]
 
MENU: '''Tools &rarr; Transform &rarr; Consolidate'''
 
KEYBOARD SHORTCUT: '''Shift+C'''
 
FUNCTION: Converts open polymesh objects to generic [[Surface Objects|surface objects]] and converts closed polymesh objects to generic [[Solid Objects|solid objects]]
 
TO CONSOLIDATE AN OBJECT SELECTION:
 
# Activate the '''Consolidate Tool'''.
# Click on the polymesh object(s) you want to consolidate one by one and press the '''Enter Key''' when done.
# Generic surface of solid versions of the selected polymesh objects appear in the project workspace.
 
 
SPECIAL CASES OR EXCEPTIONS: You can also use the Consolidate Tool to convert Boolean objects to generic surface or [[Solid Objects|solid objects]]. In that case, you will lose access to the properties of the individual constituents of the original Boolean object.
 
PYTHON COMMAND: consolidate(object)
 
==Spline Tool==
 
ICON: [[File:spline_tool_tn.png]]
 
MENU: '''Tools &rarr; Transform &rarr; Spline Fit'''
 
KEYBOARD SHORTCUT: '''Shift+N'''
 
FUNCTION: Creates smooth cubic-spline interpolated versions of one or more discretized (polystrip, polyline or polymesh) objects
 
TO SPLINE-FIT AN OBJECT SELECTION:
 
# Activate the '''Spline Fit Tool'''.
# Click on the object(s) you want to consolidate one by one and press the '''Enter Key''' when done.
# Generic surface of solid versions of the selected polymesh objects appear in the project workspace.
 
 
The Spline Fit Tool converts a polyline to a NURBS curve with the same nodes and converts a polystrip to a NURBS strip with the same nodes. In the case of a polymesh object, the Spline Fit Tool creates a smooth generic surface object version. The latter case doesn't always yield satisfactory results due to the complexity of spline fit operation for arbitrary nodal surfaces. In some cases, the Gibbs effect may produce undesirable overshoot spikes at the boundary of the surface object.
 
 
SPECIAL CASES OR EXCEPTIONS: The Spline Fit Tool doesn't work with close of solid polymesh objects.
 
PYTHON COMMAND: spline_fit(object)
 
 
[[File:spline1_tn.png]] [[File:spline2_tn.png]]
 
A surface polymesh object (left) and its spline-fitted version (right).
 
==Roughen Tool==
 
ICON: [[File:roughen_tool_tn.png]]
 
MENU: '''Tools &rarr; Transform &rarr; Roughen'''
 
KEYBOARD SHORTCUT: '''Shift+H'''
 
FUNCTION: Converts the surface of an object into a random rough surface
 
TO ROUGHEN AN OBJECT SELECTION:
 
# Activate the '''Roughen Tool'''.
# Click on the object(s) you want to roughen one by one and press the '''Enter Key''' when done.
# The Rough Surface Dialog opens up on the lower right corner of the screen. Enter values for the RMS height and correlation length of the rough surface.
# Click the OK button of the dialog to close it and complete the transformation.
 
 
SPECIAL CASES OR EXCEPTIONS: The Roughen Tool doesn't work with [[Curve Objects|curve objects]].
 
PYTHON COMMAND: roughen(label,object,rms_height,corel_Length)
 
==Random Group Tool==
 
ICON: [[File:random_group_tool_tn.png]]
 
MENU: '''Tools &rarr; Basic &rarr; Random Group'''
 
KEYBOARD SHORTCUT: '''Shift+O'''
 
FUNCTION: Creates random clones of a specified key object with random locations and random orientations but confined into the volume of a container object
 
TO CREATE A RONDOM GROUP:
 
# Activate the '''Random Group Tool'''.
# Click on the object you want to clone (key object) and press the '''Enter Key''' when done.
# The Rough Surface Dialog opens up on the lower right corner of the screen. The '''Container''' dropdown list displays a list of all the [[Solid Objects|solid objects]] In the project workspace. Select the desired container object from the list.
# The default number of the elements is 100. Change it to any desired number.
# Click the OK button of the dialog to close it and complete the group creation.
 
 
SPECIAL CASES OR EXCEPTIONS: Only a solid object can act as a container for a random group.
 
PYTHON COMMAND: random_group(label,key_object,container_object,element_count)
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Kazem Sabet
28,333
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