To Create a Curve from a Surface
1. Click > . The Curve from Surface tab opens.
2. Select a curve type:
◦ Free Curve ◦ Curve on Surface ◦ Isoline 3. To select the surface on which to create the curve, click the References tab, click the Surface collector, and then in the graphics window, select a surface.
4. To select a location for the curve to pass through, perform one of the following actions:
◦ For free curves or curves on surface, click a point on the surface.
◦ For isoline curves, click one of the following settings:
▪ By Value, and then type a value to set the curve location, or click a point on the surface.
| Alternatively, to switch to By Value, you can hold down the SHIFT key and either click the surface, or drag the isoline curve away from the reference curve. |
▪ By Reference, and then select a reference curve that has only one point of contact with the surface.
The reference curve can intersect the surface, touch the surface with its end point, or be tangent to the surface.
| Alternatively, to switch to By Reference, you can hold down the SHIFT key and select a reference curve. |
A curve from surface with a default orientation is created.
5. To switch between the U and V curve directions, perform one of the following actions:
◦ Click
.
◦ Hold down the CTRL key while you click the surface.
◦ Right-click and choose Flip.
6. For free curves, curves on surface, or isoline curves created using By Value, to move the curve along the surface, drag the curve, or type a value from 0 to 1 in the Value box.
7. Optionally, click
to export the parameter value to edit outside of Style.
8. Click
OK.
9. If needed, convert a curve from a surface to another curve type by selecting the curve and performing one of these actions:
◦ Click > > .
◦ Right-click and choose Convert.