Analyzing Using Cutting Planes

You can project curves onto one or more surfaces, each curve representing the intersection of a cutting plane with the surfaces.

The curves resulting from this command are used typically as the basis for a Porcupine Curvature Analysis.

FreeStyle Shape Design provides two commands for an analysis using cutting planes: the Cutting Plane Analysis and the Global Cutting Plane Analysis. The command functionalities of both analyses are identical.

This task shows you how to:

Before you begin: Open an existing 3D shape.

Analyze Using the Cutting Plane Analysis Command

You can analyze selected elements. The analysis is updated automatically when you modify an element.

  1. From the Analysis section of the action bar, click Cutting Plane Analysis .
    A reference plane is displayed in the work area.
  2. Select one or several elements.
  3. Create some cutting planes parallel to the reference plane:
    1. In the Sections Type area, click Parallel planes .
    2. In the Number/Step area, select the Number option and increase the value to 10.
    Curves representing the cutting planes are projected on the elements. The curves are in the same plane as the reference plane.

    In the example shown, both elements are selected.



  4. Drag one of the arcs of the Robot.
    The curves representing the cutting planes are updated on the elements.

  5. Create some cutting planes perpendicular to a curve:
    1. In the Sections Type area, click Planes perpendicular to curves .
    2. In the Curves box, select a curve.
    3. In the Display area, click Planes .
    Reference planes appear on the curve. Curves representing the cutting planes are projected onto the elements. The curves are perpendicular to the curve and aligned with the reference planes on the curve.

  6. In the Number/Step area, select On Curve and drag the reference plane along the curve.
    A curve representing the cutting plane is swept across the elements.

    You can create several planes: right-click the reference plane and select Keep this plane.



  7. Adjust the boundaries of the cutting plane curves:
    1. In the Sections Type area, click Parallel planes .
      Curves representing the cutting planes are projected onto the elements.

      The curves are spread evenly across the elements.



    2. In the Boundaries area, select Manual and adjust the values of Start and End.
      The boundaries of the curves projected onto the elements move accordingly.

  8. Use the cutting plane curves to create a curvature analysis of the elements:
    1. In the Display area, select Curvature.
    2. Click Settings and adjust the settings in the Porcupine Curvature dialog box as required.
    3. Click OK in the Porcupine Curvature dialog box when you are satisfied with the result.
    Porcupine curves are created on each cutting plane on the elements.

    Note: The Project on Plane option is implicit, meaning that a curvature analysis signature is applied because of its projection on the cutting plane. The result is similar to using the Porcupine Curvature Analysis command, except that it displays spikes for each intersection curve.
  9. Click OK.

Notes:
  • Right-click the intersection curves to create the curve on the analyzed surface.
    • Use Keep this intersection curveto create only the curve over which the cursor is, and Keep all intersection curves to drop all curves onto the element.
    • You can choose to keep the curve as NURBS or parameterized curve depending on the option selected in Me > Preferences > App Preferences > 3D Modeling > Styling > FreeStyle Shape Design, General tab, Curve Analysis Result section.
  • The Keep this point option is also available from the context menu.
  • You can select any type of solid as an input for the cutting plane analysis. The result displays an outline of cross section for the selected solid. This outline is applicable for the curvature analysis.