Analyzing Using Isophotes

You can apply isophotes on a part to analyze the quality of its surface. The surface is considered to be reflective and the isophotes are the reflections of variable black and white stripes arranged in a predefined pattern around the part you are analyzing.

  • You can use the OpenGL shader technology with this functionality, refer to the Infrastructure Installation Guide documentation for more details on software & hardware prerequisites: Software Requirements.
  • You cannot simultaneously display the different mapping analyses of the same surfaces. You need to visualize them one after the other.

Before you begin:
  • Open an existing 3D shape.
  • Set the discretization to a maximum: Select Me > Preferences > Common Preferences > 2D 3D View Display > Performance, 3D Accuracy section, select Fixed and enter a value of 0.01.
  • Disable the highlight of geometry selection: Select Me > Preferences > Common Preferences > 2D 3D View Display > Selection > Selection section, clear the Highlight faces and edges check box.
  • Select Me > Preferences > App Preferences > 3D Modeling > Styling > Freestyle Shape Design, General tab, Mapping Analysis option section, and select No warning message if material mode is not ON.
  • Click Me > Preferences > Common Preferences > 2D 3D View Display, Performance tab, 3D Accuracy section, and set the Curves' accuracy ratio (x3D accuracy) to 0.10.
See Also
Isophotes Mapping Analysis Parameters
  1. From the Review section of the action bar click Isophotes Mapping Analysis .
  2. In the Type Option area, select Cylindric Mode.
  3. Click a surface in the work area.

    The Isophotes representing cylindrical zebra stripes are applied on the surface.



  4. Select Analysis mapping on part.

    Isophotes are displayed on all surfaces of the part, irrespective of whether they are selected or not.

    Note: If you want isophotes on all of the part in the work area, use this method of global selection rather than using a trap.



  5. Select Spheric Mode.

    Isophotes representing spherical zebra stripes are applied on the surface.



  6. In the Zebra parameters area, select Robot.
    The Robot is repositioned at the center of the reference planes and a representation of the spherical 3D handle is displayed with its center located at the base of the Robot.

  7. Select Cylindric Mode again.
    The 3D handle changes to a cylindrical shape.

  8. In the Zebra parameters area select Hide the 3D manipulator.
    The 3D handle disappears, but the Robot remains in the work area.
  9. Manipulate the Robot to modify the orientation of the hidden 3D handle.
    Because the 3D handle orientation has changed, the orientation of the isophotes also changes.

  10. In the Type Option area, select User eye.

    Note that Point Mode is selected automatically.

    • The User eye handle appears and it allows you to define another point of view independently from the screen point of view.
    • You can move the Eye User by dragging along its axes or by dragging its center.

      The isophotes mapping is modified according to the Eye User orientation.



    Note: If you right-click the Eye user handle, a context menu appears which allows you to Edit its position or Keep this point.
  11. Optional: Create the analysis by specifying accurate values for the Zebra parameters.
    1. To specify the step value for Number of stripes (Density), Width of stripes (Thickness), and Color transition (Sharpness), right-click the box and select Change step.
    2. To enter a new step value, right-click the box and select Change step > New one.
    3. To specify the range value for Number of stripes (Density), right-click the box and select Range > Edit.
      In the Range definition dialog box, enter values for Inf. Range and Sup. Range.
    4. To add range values, right-click the box and select Range > Suppress. Right-click Number of Stripes box and select Add Range…. In the Range definition dialog box, select the Inf. Range and Sup. Range check boxes and enter values.
  12. Click OK. The analysis appears in the tree and updates automatically when you modify the input elements.