Checking Connections Between Surfaces

You can check and analyze how two surfaces are connected to each other based on continuity, constraints, and tolerance.

The Connect Checker Analysis command is used typically to analyze the connections between two surfaces following a blend or a match operation.

Before you begin: Open a 3D shape.
  1. From the section of the action bar, click Connect Checker Analysis .
  2. In the Type area, select the type of connection you want to check.
    • Curve-Curve Connection
    • Surface-Surface Connection
    • Surface-Curve Connection
    In this example, Surface-Surface Connection is selected because we are analyzing only the connection between two surfaces.
  3. Select one or several elements.
  4. Select Quick display mode.

    The quick analysis provides a simple visual indication of connections which exceed the threshold values for each selected continuity analysis type.



  5. Select the continuity analysis type to display.
    • Overlap Defect: overlapping elements (selecting this disables the other analysis types)
    • G0 continuity: continuity in point
    • G1 continuity: continuity in tangency
    • G2 continuity: continuity in curvature
    • G3 continuity: continuity in curvature tangency

    Note: Depending upon your selection in the Type area, you may be able to select more than one analysis type.

    In this example, G0 continuity is selected.

    The visual representation of the analysis appears on the elements.

    In the example, the thick red line indicates all points that are separated by a gap which exceeds the threshold value for G0 continuity, which in this example is set at 0.1 mm.



    The Max Deviation area at the bottom displays the maximum values of the G0, G1, G2 and G3 continuities.

  6. Optional: Use the spin boxes to adjust the threshold values.
    The visual representation of the analysis is updated.
  7. Optional: If you are analyzing elements which have been joined (using a join or match command) and you want to analyze the internal connections, select Internal Edge (this command is by default unselected).
  8. Clear Quick display mode to display the full mode's options, and then select Comb and Envelope .

    The thick red line of the quick analysis is replaced by a comb of spikes bounded by an envelope.

    The color of a spike indicates whether the connection at the position of the spike is below the threshold value and the length of the spike indicates the magnitude of the discontinuity.



  9. In the Information area, select MinInfo and MaxInfo .
    The minimum and maximum values of the analysis are displayed on the element.

    Important: The full result is only available with the Generative Shape Design product.
  10. Adjust the analysis color scale on the element:
    1. In the Display area, select Full Color Scale .
      The color scale dialog box is displayed.
    2. In the color scale dialog box, select the Auto Min Max check box.
    • The maximum and minimum values in the dialog box are set according to the values detected on the element.
    • The analysis colors are updated to match the color scale in the dialog box.
    Note: To access the Edit and the Unfreeze contextual commands for a color and a value on the color scale, ensure that the Auto Min Max check box is cleared.
  11. Click OK. The analysis is added to the tree and will be updated automatically whenever you modify any of the input elements.

Tips:
  • If you wish to edit the Connect Checker Analysis, simply double-click it from the tree.
  • If you no longer need the Connect Checker Analysis, right-click Connect Checker Analysis in the tree, and choose Delete.
  • The G2 curvature is defined with:
    • A ratio of curvature: |C1 - C2| / max(C1, C2) The result of this formula is between 0% et 100%.
    • A concavity information is provided (0 or 1) for surface/surface and surface/curve cases, or an osculator angle for curve/curve case.
  • You can create an analysis on an entire geometrical set simply by selecting it in the tree.
  • You can analyze internal edges of a surface element, such as a Join for example, by selecting only one of the initial elements:

Important: There may be a tangency discontinuity while a curvature continuity exists. This may appear for instance in the case of two non tangent planar surfaces.