Gap Analysis Dialog Box

Selection

Source: Selects the original elements for the gap measurement.
Target: Selects target elements for the gap measurement.
Curve: Selects a curve used as the driving curve along which the true sections are calculated.

Options

Parameters

Without definition of gap values, the computed total distance values will be displayed. However, you can specify values for a desired gap. In this case, the deviations from the determined values are calculated and displayed. According to the display type set, either bars on the source (Comb/Envelope), or a color information (option Shaded) is the output result. For the interpretation of the graphical display of the analysis result see Interpretation of the Gap Analysis.

Range

Specifies a value range for the optimal gap. Only those values that are lying outside of the defined range are taken into consideration. The numerical display at the object indicates the minimum and/or maximum distance value that is independent from the defined range.

Optimal Gap

Specifies a particular value for the optimal gap. At the object will be indicated the optimum value, as well as the minimum and/or maximum deviation from the optimum. If the corresponding deviation value is lying below the optimum, it is displayed with a negative sign. If the value is lying above the optimum, it is displayed with a positive sign.

Delta

Additionally, delta values can be specified for the Optimal Gap. They define a value range that has the same effect as Range:

Optimal Gap - Delta Min = lower range limit
Optimal Gap + Delta Max = upper range limit

The following figures show the effect of Range and Optimal Gap:

System

Specifies the direction in which the gap should be measured.


System		Direction: X, Y, Z	Direction: 3D
Model Model coordinate system		Specified coordinate system is valid for calculating the X, Y, or Z/Depth coordinate of the deviation	3D deviation is calculated in space (no projection)
Plane Coordinate system of the selected plane			3D deviation is projected into the specified plane
User-Defined User-defined coordinate system which can be additionally modified by the 3D manipulator in the work area
	View View plane
	Robot Robot plane

Display

Density

Number of true sections which are calculated along the selected curve. This corresponds to the number of values displayed after the computation. For a dynamic analysis (option Dynamic), the number of saved distance values is shown here.

Scale

Scaling factor for the display of the distance values.

Points

Number of points which are regularly distributed on each generated intersection line on the source surfaces.

Tolerance

Curve Limits

There is the possibility to use only a part of the selected curve for the calculation. After selecting the check box, the curve can be restricted by moving the manipulators. Entering values between 0 and 1 defines a relative range that will be applied to topologically contiguous curves.

Options

Min, Max

One distance value is generated for each true section through source and target. From all distance values, the minimum and/or maximum value is computed and can be numerically indicated.

Comb

Output of the analysis result as bar information. The displayed lines correlate with the individual 3D distance values. With the color button, you can choose the line color.

Envelope: The output of the analysis result as bar information with the option Comb can also be displayed with an envelope. You can choose the envelope color using the color button.

Shaded

Output of the analysis result as color information. For this, colors are distributed on the 3D bars framework. The colored display always shows the ratio:

of a measured value to the minimum (WITHOUT Range or Optimal Gap,
of a measured value to the next range limit (WITH Range), or
of a measured value to the optimum (WITH Optimal Gap).

The following applies

System - Model: The 3D distance values are used.
System - Plane/User defined: The 2D values calculated by projection of the 3D values into the selected or user defined plane are used.

Dynamic

Executes a dynamic gap analysis. An axis system representing the current section plane is displayed at the guide curve.

The axis system can be moved along the curve tangent.


Comb	Envelope	Shaded

Results

Apply Modes

Defines the update mode of the active feature while editing it.

Dynamic: Feature update occurs dynamically when moving handles or editing parameter values by sliders in the dialog box.; This option is not available for each command.
Static: Feature update occurs only after releasing the handle.
Preview: Displays a preview when geometry is modified by means of the handle and LMB pressed. The original geometry remains unchanged. Feature update occurs only after releasing the LMB.; This option is not available for each command.
None: Feature update occurs only after selecting Apply.

Deviation

Minimum and maximum deviation of the calculated result.

Interpretation of the Gap Analysis


	Displays the values	Length (3D Framework)	Direction (3D Framework)	Color
Without usage of Range or Optimal Gap:
	All values	3D distance values	positive direction	Green: distance values up to the minimum
	All values	3D distance values	positive direction	Red: distance value from the minimum up
Usage of Range or Optimal Gap and Delta:
	Values within the range	= 0	-	- (connection of the adjacent values)
	Values below the range	= deviation from the lower range limit	Negative direction	Green
	Values above the range	= deviation from the upper range limit	Positive direction	Red
Usage of Optimal Gap without Delta:
	Values below the optimum	= deviation from the optimum	Negative direction	Green
	Values above the optimum	= deviation from the optimum	Positive direction	Red