Sphere Tool

Overview

This tool allows the user to create a sphere on a face and unite it with the face-parent part using either Unite or To Part option. This way, the selected face can be removed from the model and the user can modify certain areas of the model where other operations like 'Remove Blend' or 'Cut' don't work.

Activation

Enter into command line

   (load "spheretool_removeblends") 

Or add this line to your customization file.

Loading this file will create a button "Sphere Tool" in the toolbox.

Description

The goody is an extension to the command Remove Blend. With the help of this goody, the user can create a temporary sphere which unites with a model. The sphere is located around a selected face and initially, it includes the face completely.

Inputs :

• Face : When the user selects a Face, other variables are enabled and initialized with the default values. The default value for Center is the center of the bounding box of the face and the default value for Radius is "0.55 * Diagonal length of the bounding box of the face". After this input, the feedback is shown in the viewport by taking the default values for other inputs. The user can modify the other inputs as per requirement and it will be reflected in the feedback.

• Center : After selecting a Face, the default value for the Center is already specified. The user can change the value of the Center by selecting any 3d-point or by entering x, y and z co-ordinates in the input buffer. When the Center is outside of the bounding box of the face, an alert is shown:

• Radius : After selecting a Face, the default value for the Radius is already specified. The user can change the value of the Radius either by using the drag handler or entering a value in the dialog.

There are two options available for the operation which combine the sphere with the parent part of the Face :

1. Unite : This option is useful for non shelled parts. It has the following drawback:

• It is easily possible to create unwanted artifacts like left pieces of the sphere on inner or outer side of the part. Such artifacts may lead to problems later when performing other model modifications.

2. To Part : This option is useful for shelled and thin walled parts. When the operation with To Part option fails, the user can try with other input parameters or use Unite option.

Also, the user has the option Keep as Feature to create a feature. This feature includes the resulting face which formerly belonged to the sphere. Default name of the feature starts with the prefix "sphere_tool" appended by a unique number. The user can change the default name. This feature can be used for easy face selection in other modify 3d commands.