Moving Control Points

You can deform shapes by moving the control points.

Before you begin: Open a 3D shape containing a surface or a curve.
  1. From the Modification section of the action bar, click Control Points .
    Tip: Double-click a datum element in the work area or in the tree to modify its control points. This also works in a parallel command session (PCS) context.
  2. Select a surface or a curve.
  3. Select one or more control points.
  4. Use the handle to move the control point(s).


    Notes:
    • If you selected more than one control point, the movement of the control points is controlled by the Diffusion and Cross Diff settings (see About Moving Control Points and About Moving Mesh Lines).
    • If none of the Diffusion and Cross diffusion laws are selected, Constant Law and Cross Constant Law will be applied as default laws.
  5. Optional: Manipulate a control point using Freeze:
    1. Right-click a control point and select Freeze.
    2. Move the cursor anywhere in the work area and then drag the control point from this location.

      Note: Before you can select anything else you must first unselect Freeze.

  6. Optional: Move a control point by a set amount:
    1. In the App Options panel, click Step mode and then drag a control point or click a handle arrow.
      The control point handle snaps to a relative grid step. The distance between the steps is defined by the value in the Translation box.
    2. Click Grid mode and then drag a control point or click a handle arrow.
      The control point handle snaps to the grid.
    3. Click Dynamic and then drag a control point or click a handle arrow.
      The control point handle follows the cursor.
  7. Optional: Manipulate a control point with higher precision using Attenuation:
    1. Click Dynamic .
    2. In the App Options panel, click Low Attenuation and then drag a control point.
    The control point handle follows the cursor movement attenuated by the square of the default value.
  8. Optional: Select the modification mode:
    • Dynamic lets you to modify dynamically control points or mesh lines. This is the default mode.

    • Static lets you statically modify control points or mesh lines. The shape is only modified after releasing the mouse button.