Freestyle > Modifying Geometry Using Brushes
Modifying Geometry Using Brushes
The brushes help you manipulate the control mesh. They are especially useful in dense meshes.
To modify geometry using brushes, do the following:
1. Click Freestyle > Manipulation > Brush. The Brush dialog box opens.
2. Under Brushes, select a brush.
3. Under Brush Settings, adjust the brush settings to match your needs.
Define Brush Settings
Each brush contains two concentric circles that illustrate brush softness: outer circle and inner circle. The outer circle indicates the brush size.
The softness of the brush is always maximal inside the inner circle and there is a softness gradient between the two circles.
Use the brush settings to define the size, softness, and intensity of brushes.
The following table describes the brush settings:
Brush Setting
Description
Keyboard Shortcuts
Size
Controls the radius of the brush.
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To adjust the range in model units, click Operations > Options and specify the minimum and maximum Brush Size in the Freestyle Options dialog box.
This setting is applicable to all the brushes in the Brush dialog box in the current session.
To reduce the brush size, press the Minus key (-).
To increase the brush size, press the Plus key (+).
Softness
Controls the softness gradient between the inner circle and the outer circle.
This setting is applicable only to the selected brush.
To reduce the brush softness, press Ctrl + Minus (-).
To increase the brush softness, press Ctrl + Plus (+).
Intensity
Controls the effect of the brush on the vertices.
This setting is applicable only to the selected brush.
To reduce the brush intensity, press Ctrl + Shift + Minus (-).
To increase the brush intensity, press Ctrl + Shift + Plus (+).
Modify Geometry Using Brushes
Use the brushes to modify geometry. Each brush performs a specific task.
The following table describes how to use each brush:
Brush
Function and Usage
Select
Select mesh elements.
• To select the elements, drag the pointer along the geometry.
• To add more elements to the selection, press Ctrl and drag the pointer along the geometry.
• To remove elements from the selection, press Alt and drag the pointer along the geometry.
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You can use the selection as a mask for other brushes.
You can use the selection filter to selectively pick mesh elements.
You can select and lock mesh elements. To lock, select the elements, right-click in the graphics window, and then click Lock.
Erase
Remove or delete control mesh elements.
• To remove the elements, drag the pointer along the geometry.
• To delete the faces instead of edges, press Shift and drag the pointer along the geometry.
Reset
Reset the mesh changes that are made in the active resolution level.
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This task is applicable only in the Resolution mode.
Pull
Pull or push vertices along their average surface normal.
• To pull the vertices, drag them away from the surface.
• To push the vertices, press Shift and drag the vertices towards the surface.
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Select the Buildup check box to turn on the Buildup mode. In Buildup mode, vertices can be pushed or pulled without any limitation.
Move
Move the vertices in screen space orientation.
• To move the vertices, drag the pointer along the geometry.
Smooth
Smoothen the surface by averaging the location of vertices.
• To smoothen the surface, drag the pointer along the surface.
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Hold the pointer longer for more pronounced effect.
Inflate
Inflate or deflate a beam-like geometry.
• To inflate, select the beam-like geometry. Each vertex in the selected area moves away from the surface along its normal.
• To deflate, press Shift and select the beam-like geometry. Each vertex in the selected area moves towards the surface along its normal.
Flatten
Planarize surfaces by flattening vertices to sampled orientation.
To flatten, do the following:
1. Select the geometry or a datum plane to sample an orientation.
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The sampling mode is activated when you click Flatten and it is deactivated when you make the selection.
To activate the sampling mode again, press the Shift key.
2. In the By Angle box, specify the angle that indicates brush influence limit.
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The surfaces with larger angles than the specified angle threshold are ignored.
3. Drag the pointer along the surface to flatten it.
Attach
Connect shape vertices to the selected triangulated mesh.
To attach, do the following:
• Click Attach and select the triangulation geometry.
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To use Attach for facet triangulation, you must have the Restyle license.
To use Attach for hybrid bodies, you must have the Generative Design license.
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