Smoothing is a powerful and efficient tool for fine-tuning surfaces. Whereas a Surface Analysis displays the quality of a selected surface, the Smoothing function can be used to improve the surface interactively.
To smooth a surface is to minimize its variation in curvature. With the Creo Elements/Direct Modeling Smoothing tool, you refine a surface by specifying a tolerance on approximating the original surface. The shape of the original surface will be retained within the given tolerance.
After you have selected the face to smooth, Creo Elements/Direct Modeling displays an analysis of the surface in the viewport. Then, the smoothing process is done iteratively; you may continue to apply different tolerance factors to the current state of the surface, or step back if a smoothing result is not desired.
At any time in this process, you can adjust the analysis parameters, which are the same as those used in Surface Analysis. In addition to mean curvature and Gaussian curvature, you can view the analysis in terms of distance deviation. This shows the distribution of the maximum distance from the smoothed curve to the original curve. You can also view the analysis in terms of Zebra stripes. This shows the transitions between faces. When possible, the system will do an analysis of neighboring faces in order to support the face/face transition analysis.
While smoothing a surface, Creo Elements/Direct Modeling also provides data feedback on the current maximum deviation of the smoothed surface from the original surface. This allows you to check that the smoothed surface approximates the original one within an acceptable tolerance. To lower the maximum deviation, increase the surface approximation.
The Maximum Distance value is an estimate derived from the facet model of the smoothed surface. You can change the accuracy of the approximation by refining the facet model with the surface analysis parameters.
The figure shows a surface in its original state (left) and after it has been smoothed with a tolerance of 0.1.
Creo Elements/Direct Modeling also provides feedback, in the Max Distance field, on the maximum deviation of the smoothed surface from the original surface. This allows you to check that the smoothed surface approximates the original one within an acceptable tolerance. To lower the maximum deviation, increase the surface approximation. An analysis option allows you to view graphically the distribution of this distance deviation.
To smooth a surface,
1. Activate the Surfacing module.
a. Click File > Modules. The Modules dialog box opens.
b. On the Modules pane, click Surfacing under Licensed.
2. Click Surfacing and then, in the Advanced Surfacing group, click Smooth Surface. The Smooth Surface dialog box opens.
3. Click the surface you want to smooth. Creo Elements/Direct Modeling displays a surface analysis of the surface.
4. Enter a surface approximation tolerance in the Tolerance data entry field. A smaller tolerance will more accurately retain the shape of the original surface.
5. Click Smooth to smooth the surface with the given tolerance.
6. Continue smoothing the surface by entering further tolerance values and clicking Smooth. Note that tolerances are relative to each other; subsequent surface approximations are done on the current surface.
7. To reverse one step in the smoothing, click Back. You can continue clicking Back to go through the whole history of the operation.
8. Adjust any of the following settings under Surface Analysis:
◦ Surface Analysis
▪ Type - The type of curvature to apply in the analysis: Gaussian curvature, mean curvature, Zebra stripes, or distance deviation. The last option shows the distribution of the maximum distance from the smoothed curve to the original curve.
◦ Display Parameters
▪ Color Coding - The color distribution used in the graphical display of the analysis. The first color depicts the most positive curvature values, the middle color represents values close to 0, and the last color indicates negative curvature values.
▪ Displ Range - After you have selected a surface to smooth, Creo Elements/Direct Modeling automatically calculates the most informative maximum curvature to display in the surface analysis.
▪ Displ Range Auto - Click the checkbox to enter a value manually if you are interested in a particular curvature value range.
◦ Surface Parameter
▪ Max Dist
◦ Facet Refinement - A temporary refinement of the facet model of the selected parts or faces. A better model resolution can lead to a better analysis result. (You can see the facet model by turning on Wire in the Show menu.)
▪ Less, Reset, or More
▪ Distance
You can retain blends that are attached to the surface being smoothed. Click Redo Blends. Click the blends or chamfers to suppress. (This works in the same way as in the Modify 3D menu.)
Smooth Surface. The Smooth Surface dialog box opens.
to complete the operation.