curve creation
TRANSCRIPT
NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
Basic CurvesBasic Curves are available in NX5 but are not found in the Insert—Curve
drop down menu as in previous versions of NX.
The Curve cascading menu in NX5
offers the Line Feature creation
options but not Basic Curves. To
access Basic Curves use the Toolbar
Add or Remove Buttons option and
add the Basic Curve icon to the
Curve Toolbar.
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Select the Basic Curves icon to activate the
NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
Basic Curve dialog and Tracking Bar.
The Basic Curve dialog offers several of the Basic Curve creation tools
from left to right in the top of the dialog.
Line
Arc
Circle
Fillet
Trim
Edit Curve Parameters
Basic Curve dialog options will differ depending on the creation option
chosen.
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The Basic Curve dialog has a new look but offers
the same options as seen in NX3. The operators
work the same as they did before. The Tracking
Bar looks and functions the same as in previous
versions of NX.
The active option will highlight as
seen by the orange color Line icon.
NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
Line
Arc
Circle
When Basic Curves is accessed the Curve Tracking Bar is also made
active. This is used for input values and the cursor is not necessary for curve
creation. To advance from one text field to the next use the Tab Key. If
OK or MB2 is used either nothing will happen or the curve will be created
with the wrong input.
The Fillet option offers three methods for Fillet Creation:
Simple Fillet
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NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
2 Line Fillet
3 Line Fillet
Line Creation Options
Enter Start and End Point values in the proper text fields
in the Curve Creation Dialog bar.
Change the Point Method to Point Constructor and key in
the Start and End Point values in the XC, YC, and ZC
text fields.
Select existing geometry.
Create Parallel to the current XC, YC, or ZC axis.
Create Parallel at Distance From.
Create Perpendicular or at an Angle from an existing line.
Create an Unbounded Line using the Graphics Window
borders as the Start and End limits of the Line. This can
only be used if String Mode is deactivated.
Lines are created using the String Mode if active. String Mode provides a
Dynamic Preview or Rubber-banding display in the Graphics Window of
the new object from the end of the previous curve to the cursor. String
mode can be ended by either selecting the Break String toggle or pressing
MB2.
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NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
Delta is used in conjunction with the Tracking Bar. If active any value
entries will be measured from the previous defining point.
Angle Increment is a Snap Angle value that allows NX to create a
Horizontal or Vertical Line if your selection is with angle limits.
Lock Mode is available when creating a Line Parallel, Perpendicular, or
at an Angle to another line. It is only available after selecting a line start
point and selecting the Base Line. When the desired relationship to the
reference line is displayed in Preview press MB2 to activate Lock Mode
and lock in the relationship no matter where the cursor is moved. If Lock
Mode has been activated the toggle description changes to Unlock Mode
and can be activated using MB2.
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Start point of line to be created.
Dynamic Preview
Existing Line.
Cursor
Start Point of new line.
NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
Once the Base Line is selected the new line can only be created either
Angled, Perpendicular, or Parallel to it. The Rubber-Banding will
continue to change between the three options as the cursor is moved around
the Graphics Window. When the Rubber-Banding displays the desired
relationship to the Base Line pressing MB2 will lock that relationship.
Line Creation Methods:
Parallel at Distance From has two options.
Original allows you to create a single line or multiple lines Parallel
at a Distance From a base curve using a value keyed into the Offset
Text Field.
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Base Line selected between an
end point and the mid-point with
the cursor Selection Ball.
When creating offset lines Parallel at a Distance
selection is important. Select the curve with the
Selection Ball between the End and Mid Points.
The crosshair of the cursor is placed on the side of
the line to define the offset direction as shown in the
graphic to the right.
NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
This operator does not work if String Mode is toggled On.
Key in the Offset distance and press Enter. Every time you press Enter a
new line will be created. If you have the Original option active every new
line created will be on top of the previous line because the Offset is always
measured from the Original Base Curve.
Creating a line tangent to two arcs.
Select Arc 1 with the selection ball away from
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New Line
Base Line
Cursor location when selecting Base Line.
NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
a control point of the arc.
Drag the cursor away from the arc
to see the Tangency Condition.
There are two possible Tangency Conditions. If the tangency displayed is
incorrect pass the cursor between the arc center and the tangency attachment
point to reverse it.
Select Arc 2 with the selection ball away from any defining point of
the curve.
Creating a line midway between two parallel lines.
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Result of Tangency change
Line created using this method.
Curve 1
Select Curve 1 near the end point you want
the new line to start from.
Select Curve 2 from the same end making
sure no point is inside the selection ball.
Selecting the 2 existing curves in that
fashion establishes the base point of the
new curve midway between them.
NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
Create a line that bisects the angle between 2 lines.
Select Line 1 between control points.
Select Line 2 between control points.
After selecting Line 2 NX creates the base point of the new line at the
intersection of the two lines selected. Because of this it does not matter
which end of the two lines you select.
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Curve 2
Select the end point of either existing curve to
establish the end point of the new Curve.
Select the End Point of Curve 2 for Length.
New curve created midway between Curve 1 and Curve 2
NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
Drag the cursor to where you want the end point of the line to be and
either select geometry or do a cursor location pick to crate the line.
Creating lines using the Dialog Bar
Key in the coordinate location of the Line Base Point in the XC, YC,
and ZC Test Fields and Press the Enter key.
Using the Dialog Bar for Point 2.
a. Activate the XC Text Field by Double Clicking it and key in the
desired value.
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Place the cursor where the new line end point will be.
The Asterisk displayed is the cursor location pick defining the new line end point
The values used for the graphic on the left
were:
XC = 0.00YC = -50.00ZC = 0.00
These values establish the Base Point of the Line to be created.
NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
b. Press the Tab key.
c. Key in the value in the Second Text Field.
d. Press the Tab key.
e. Key in the value in the third Text Field.
f. Press the Enter key.
When using the Dialog Bar for creation Press the Enter key to execute the
desired values. Using MB2 does not work.
Use the Tab Key to get to the Text Field needed to key in the second set
of coordinate values. When completed Press the Enter key.
Result
Create a line normal to a face through a point.
Select an Existing Point to define the Lines Base Point.
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Select a Base Point for the line to be created.
NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
Change the Point Method to Select Face in the Basic Curve dialog.
Select the face the line is to be created normal to.
Arc Creation
Arc offers two creation options:
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A line is created from the point
selected to the face selected.
NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
There is also an Alternate Solution toggle that will create an Arc opposite
the one defined. This toggle is only available before the final point is
specified and can be tricky during creation. It is easier to get the Alternate
Solution using the Compliment Arc toggle found in the Edit Curve
Parameters dialog.
Start, End, Point on Arc
This creation option requires the selection of a Start Point for the Arc, an
End Point for the Arc and a Point on Arc that defines the Radius value of
the Arc being created. All three points can be either screen selections,
points on geometry, or values entered in the Tracking Bar.
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Start, End, Point on Arc.
Center, Start, End.
NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
The Tracking Bar for Start, End, Point on Arc has two text fields grayed
out. These fields are only available when using the Center, Start, End
creation option.
These two text fields are used to enter a Start and End Angle value when
creating the Arc using Center, Start, End option if desired. Geometry can
also be used to define the Start and End points of the Arc as well as screen
selections.
This is an example of selecting the Arc Center as a screen selection and the
Start and End Points being defined using geometry.
The next example uses the Tracking Bar for the entries that will define the
Arc to be created. The XC, YC, and ZC entries define where the Arc
Center will be located in space. The Radius and Diameter values
determine the Arc size, and the Start Angle and End Angle entries define
the actual Arc Delta Angles.
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Select the Arc Start Point
Select the Arc Center
Select the Arc End Point
45 m/m Radius Value
124° End Angle
NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
Full Circle is only available if String Mode is deactivated. Use this to
create a Full Circle once the third point is specified.
String Mode and Delta both work the same way described in Line
Creation.
Circle Creation
This creation method is limited. The only option available is Multiple
Positions. Once a Circle has been created this option can be activated
allowing Multiple Circles of the same value to be created by selecting
different origins.
Fillet Creation
Fillet offers three methods of creation:
Simple Fillet- will apply a Fillet of the value in the Radius
text field if the intersection of two curves will fit inside the
cursor selection ball. The cursor crosshair will identify the
Fillet Center. The curves are trimmed automatically.
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0, 0, 0 Arc Center
33° Start Angle
NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
2 Line Fillet- will apply a Fillet at the intersection of two
curves of the value in the Radius text field. Select the
Curves in a Counterclockwise rotation and identify the
Approximate Fillet Center. The Curve Trim options are
available for deactivation.
3 Line Fillet- will apply a Fillet between three curves. The
Radius is determined by the curve relationship and no
Radius value can be entered. An Approximate Fillet Center
is required. The Trim options are also available using this
creation method.
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Selection Result Selection Result
Curve 1
Curve 2
Select Approximate Center
Result
NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
Trim Curve
Trim Curve has four selection options.
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Fillet created as a result of the selection sequence shown to the left.
NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
Trim Curve dialog collapsed.
Trim Curve selection options.
Select Curve
Bounding Object 1
Bounding Object 2
Intersection
Settings
Trim Curve dialog expanded.
The selection sequence for Trimming Curves in NX5 is different than in
previous NX versions. The first object to select now is the Curve to be
Trimmed. If the Curve is to be shortened to a Bounding Object select the
Curve in the area that is to be removed by the Trim operation. After
selecting the Curve to be Trimmed the Cue Line will prompt you to select
the Bounding Object or Objects. If the Curve being Trimmed is to be
extended to a Bounding Object select the Curve near the end to be affected
by the Trim. If the end selected is incorrect use the End to Trim option to
modify the selection.
Select Curve is the Curve
to be Trimmed.
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NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
Curve to Trim is the Curve that is to be either Lengthened or Shortened.
Select the end of the Curve to be modified. When a Curve is selected to be
Trimmed it is flagged Select Curve and a small circle will appear at the end
nearest where it was selected. When a Bounding Object is selected it is
flagged Select Object.
If the ball is at the wrong end use the End to Trim drop down to change
ends.
A Bounding Object 1 must be selected but a Bounding Object 2 does not.
If a second Bounding Object is not needed press MB2 to skip that selection
step.
Vector Direction is only available
if the Intersections method
is set to Specify Vector.
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The Select Curve is the Curve to be Trimmed and the small circle indicates the end of the curve to be affected by the Trim.
The Select Object is the Trimming Boundary and the small circle indicates the end of the curve to be affected by the Trim.
NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
If the Bounding Object is to be trimmed as well as the Curve to Trim
activate Trim Bounding Objects. If the Bounding Object is to be used for
more than one trim activate Keep Bounding Objects Selected.
Curve Extension
There are four Curve Extension
options that affect a splines shape if
it is to be extended.
Natural. This extends the spline by attempting to calculate the additional
length based on the shape of the end to be extended.
Linear. A straight transition tangent to the spline at the end to be extended.
Circular. Extends the spline by calculating a radius value based on the
spline end being extended.
None. If None is selected you can only shorten to a boundary but not
extended.
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NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
Inferred Intersection will Trim a curve to the nearest intersection point to
the Bounding Object. The Method to Find Intersections options only
have an impact on the result if the curves being Trimmed are not on the
same plane as the Bounding Object.
Associative Output will Trim a Curve but keep the original String to
Trim only display it in a Dashed Font.
Input Curves controls what happens to the original Curve being Trimmed.
Retain- keeps a copy of the original Trimmed Curve
Delete- only keeps a copy of the Trimmed Curve
Blank- keeps a copy of the original Trimmed Curve only
Blanks it.
Replace- replaces the original Curve to be Trimmed with
the Trimmed Curve.
If Associative Output is active only Replace and Blank are available under
Input Curves.
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Spline Natural Extension Spline Linear Extension
Spline Circular Extension Spline None Extension
NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
The selection sequence can be
changed by activating the
Select Object buttons for each
select step in the desired
sequence.
Select Object Button
To change the selection
sequence select the Select
Object button for Bounding
Object 1 and select the first
boundary for the curve to be
trimmed to. You will automatically advance to the Bounding Object 2
selection step. Select Bounding Object 2 if desired, if no second bounding
object is to be used press MB2 to return to the Select Curve step to select
the Curve to be Trimmed.
Edit Curve Parameters allows the Editing of any Curve Creation Input.
Editing Line Parameters.
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NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
When you select a line to edit the Text Fields will display its current values.
You can key in new Length or Angle values. The Angle is measured in
relationship to the current XC axis of the WCS.
Key in the new values as required and press the Enter or Return key to
execute the edit.
The line will update to the new values.
a. A line end point can also be relocated. If you select Edit Curve
Parameters and select the end point of a line that point will attach
itself to the cursor and you can move it to a new location.
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Select the line with its end point inside
the Cursor Selection Ball.
The line is now attached to the
cursor and can be placed in a
new location by selecting
another curve end point.
New values
NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
Editing the Parameters of Arcs and Circles
When you select Insert—Curve—Basic Curve—Edit Parameters the
creation tool bar will appear. When a Circle or Arc is selected the Text
Field dialog will change listing the current values which you can change.
The edit options are the same for Arcs and Circles.
It is important when an Arc or Circle is selected to know what the small
balls appearing on the geometry are telling you.
a. The small circles on an Arc are indicating the Start, Mid, and End
Point of that Arc. The small circles are indicating the Start and
End points of a Circle, which are the same, and the Circle Center.
If you are using Pre-Selection a Plus sign will also display at the center of
both Arcs and Circles. That display will disappear once the object is
selected.
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Select the end point of another curve to
complete the edit.
NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
b. If you select either curve with an end point inside the selection ball
that point attaches itself to the cursor. This allows you to move the
cursor and modify the Delta Angle of the creation.
c. If you select the curve at the radius center indicator, the small plus
sigh, the arc or circle attaches itself to the cursor and can be moved
to a new location.
Edit Curve Parameters Options:
1. Parameters- Activates the Text Fields Dialog bar when curves are
selected allowing you to key in new defining values. When selecting
curves select between control points rather than selecting where the arc
end point is inside the selection ball.
Note: If values are keyed into the Tracking Bar Text Fields MB2
does not execute the edit. In order to execute the edit after keying in
new values Press the Enter or Return key.
If you select an end point instead of the arc between control points
you will be in the Drag Mode no matter whether you have
Parameters or Drag mode toggled.
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New Arc end point. Select the screen or existing geometry to place the arc end at this location.
Original Arc end point.
NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
2. Dragging- Dragging allows you to modify the radius value of an arc or
move its Delta Angle or relocate the arc depending on how you select the
geometry.
a. If you select the arc between control points the arc attaches to the
cursor and you can drag the radius value larger or smaller.
b. If you select the arc with an end point in the selection ball you can
drag the end point to change the arcs delta angle.
c. If you select the arcs center the arc attaches to the cursor and can
be relocated.
3. Display Original Spline allows you to see the original spline as well as
the edited version until the edit is accepted. At that time the original
spline display disappears.
4. Edit Associative Curve:
By Parameter- This allows you to edit an associative curve
without breaking the associative link.
As Original- This option breaks the associative link of the
curve to be edited and its original defining curve. You will
receive a warning if this option is used.
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NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
EXERCISE-Creating Lines
Create a new file named exercise_curves_01.prt
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NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
Use the Text Fields in the Tracking
Bar and create the lines required
to duplicate the image to the right.
1. Select the Basic Curve icon.
2. Activate String Mode and the Delta option
3. Activate the XC Text Field by double selecting it with MB1. Key in the
following values displayed below. Remember to press the Tab key to
move to the YC and ZC Text Fields. Make sure the XC Text Field is
active before starting to key in the next row of values.
XC YC ZC
a. 0.0 0.0 0.0 Press Enter
b. 0.0 175.0 0.0 Press Enter
c. –25.0 25.0 0.0 Press Enter
d. 0.0 50.0 0.0 Press Enter
e. 50.0 0.0 0.0 Press Enter
f. 0.0 -25.0 0.0 Press Enter
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NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
g. 10.0 0.0 0.0 Press Enter
h. 0.0 25.0 0.0 Press Enter
j. 50.0 0.0 0.0 Press Enter
k. 0.0 -50.0 0.0 Press Enter
m. –25.0 -25.0 0.0 Press Enter
n. 0.0 -175.0 0.0 Press Enter
4. Close the Curve Creation by selecting the Start Point of the first curve
created where the WCS is displayed as the End Point of the last line to be
created.
5. Offset all the curves inward 12.0 m/m using the Parallel at a Distance
option.
Remember each time a line is selected to Offset the Offset Text Field must
be activated and the key used to obtain the desired results.
When all 12 lines have been Offset save the file and close it.
Select File—Save
Select File—Close—All Parts
EXERCISE-Creating Arcs
Create a new file named exercise_curves_02.prt
Create Six Arcs using the text fields in the Tracking Bar. Select the Basic
Curve icon and activate the Arc option.
Since Start and End angles will be used the Creation Method must be
Center, Start, End. Also turn off String Mode.
Arc 1: XC= 0.0
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NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
YC= 0.0
ZC= 0.0
Radius= 150.0
Start Angle= 180.0 º
End Angle= 360.0 º
When creating multiple arcs the Arc icon must be selected between
each set of entries in the Text Fields.
Arc 2: XC= 0.0
YC= 400.0
ZC= 0.0
Radius= 150.0
Start angle= 0.0 º
End angle= 180.0 º
Arc 3: XC= 0.0
YC= 0.0
ZC= 0.0
Radius= 120.0
Start angle= 105.0 º
End angle= 435.0 º
Arc 4: XC= 0.0
YC=400.0
ZC= 0.0
Radius= 120.0
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(If you use 75 º an invalid entry error message will appear.)
NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
Start angle= -75.0 º
End angle= 255.0 º
Arc 5: XC= 0.0
YC= 200.0
ZC= 0.0
Radius= 80.0
Start angle= -65.0 º
End angle= 65.0 º
Arc 6: XC= 0.0
YC=200.0
ZC= 0.0
Radius= 80.0
Start angle= 115.0 º
End angle= 245.0 º
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When you are finished with the six arcs
the file should appear as the graphic to
the right. If it does not check the
entries for the arc/arcs in question.
If you have made mistakes delete the
incorrect arc/arcs and recreate them.
To delete an object select Edit—Delete
—and select the object or objects you
wish to delete and select OK.
When you are finished Save the file
and close it.
NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
EXERCISE-Creating Circles and Arcs
Open file: exercise_curve_3.prt
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NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
Instruction A:
Create a 24.0 Diameter circle at Points A, B, C, and D.
Use the Multiple Positions option to minimize keying in entries.
Instruction B:
Turn Off Multiple Positions and crate the following circles and arcs
using the chart below.
Point Designation
Radius or Diameter value
StartAngle
EndAngle
Point E 30.0 r 180 degrees 270 degrees
Point F 20.0 r -90 degrees 360 degrees
Point G 50.0 dia*
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File as opened
NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
Point H 33.0 r*
Point J 20.0 r 0 degrees 180 degrees
Point K 30.0 r 0 degrees 180 degrees
Point L 44.0 r 180 degrees 360 degrees
Point M 25.0 r 0 degrees 180 degrees
Point N 25.0 r 180 degrees 360 degrees
* Select the Circle icon and create a circle instead of using the Arc option.
When you have completed creating the arcs and circles make Layer 20
Invisible and save the file.
Note: To make Layer 20 Invisible select Format—Layer Sittings, select
Layer 20 from the layers listed in the bottom listing window and choose the
Invisible toggle.
Note: To save the file select File—Save As—Select the directory to save
the file in and key in the name exercise_curve_3.prt.
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NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
EXERCISE-Creating Fillets
Open file: exercise_fillet.prt
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File when complete.
NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
Step 1:
Apply a 20.0 r Fillet at Locations 1, 2, 3, and 4.
Note: If you happen to select the curves in a clockwise order
use the Third Mouse Button Pop-Up menu option Undo
to remove the Fillet and select again in the reverse order.
Step 2:
Apply a 100.0 r Fillet at Locations 5, 6, 7, and 8.
Step 3:
Apply a 150.0 r Fillet at Locations 9 and 10.
Step 4:
Apply Fillets at Locations 11, 12, 13, and 14.
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Exercise as opened.
NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
Step 5:
Go to Format—Layer Sittings,
select Layer 10 and select
the Invisible toggle below
the listing window.
Select the OK Push Button
to execute the command.
EXERCISE-Trimming Curves
Open file: trim_curve.prt
Step 1: Trim to Same Boundry. Zoom in on the portion labeled Trim to
Same Boundry and follow the instructions below.
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Completed exercise
NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
a. Either select Insert—Curve--Basic Curve and select the Trim
Curve icon or select Edit—Curve—Trim to activate the Trim
Curve dialog.
b. Make sure the Single Selection option is toggled Off.
c. First Bounding Object icon will be active. Select the Orange
Curve for the Bounding Object.
d. Select the String to Trim icon to activate it.
e. Select the Gray curve to the left of the Bounding Object.
After each Trim has been executed and you will be prompted to Select
String to Trim.
f. Select the Cyan Curve to the left of the Bounding Object.
g. Since Reuse Bounding Object is activated there will be no need to
respecify the Bounding Object. Select the Pink, Yellow, and
Magenta curves to the right of the Bounding Object.
h. If all three curves are selected properly and the trim will remove
the right portion of the curves choose OK to execute the trim.
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Trim to Same Boundry. Results of Step 1.
NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
Step 2: Spline Extensions. Zoom in on the portion labeled Trim to Same
Boundry and follow the instructions below.
Make sure Use Inferred Intersection is toggled On. If you want the
selection options to advance automatically toggle On Single
Selection. Remember this will only march through the icons if you
are selecting two Bounding Objects. For this particular trim
operation you will only need one Bounding Object. You might
prefer selecting the icons needed to perform the trims rather than
using MB2 and trying to march through the selection sequence.
a. Select Edit—Curve—Trim.
b. Trim the Cyan Spline to the Green Curve using Natural for the
extension method.
Select the Green Curve as the Bounding Object.
Either select the String to Trim icon or press MB2
twice to advance to the String to Trim icon.
Select the Cyan Spline at the end nearest the
Bounding Object.
The extension is executed when the spline is selected and you remain
in the trim operator.
c. Change the Spline Extension method from Natural to Linear and
select the Magenta Spline to be trimmed to the Green Spline.
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NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
d. Change the Spline Extension method from Linear to Circular and
select the Yellow Spline. The trim is executed as soon as the
spline is selected but because of the spline shape the trim result
looks very similar to the Natural Extension.
e. Change the Spline Extension method from Circular to None and
select the Aquamarine Spline.
If you are wondering why nothing happened you have to
remember what was said about the None Extension
earlier. None will not lengthen a curve, it will only
shorten a curve.
f. Select the First Bounding Object icon and de-select the original
boundary curve by pressing the Shift key on the keyboard and re-
selecting the curve you wish to replace with another Boundary
Curve.
g. Select the short Yellow Curve as the Bounding Object and press
MB2 twice to advance to the String to Trim icon.
h. Select the shorter portion of the Aquamarine Spline to trim back
to the Bounding Object.
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Spline Extension Options. Results of Step 2.
NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
Step 3: Trimming without Using Inferred Intersection.
If Use Inferred Intersection is toggled On NX will trim the curve
selected to the point closest to where the Boundary Object was
selected. With Use Inferred Intersection toggled Off there can
possibly be two trim solutions.
Use the Orange Line and the Aquamarine Arc.
a. Select the Use Inferred Intersection to change its status to Off.
b. Select the Orange Line as the First Bounding Object.
c. Press MB2 one time to advance to the String to Trim icon.
Small plus (+) signs appear on the Bounding Object indication the
intersection of two possible trim results.
d. Select the Plus Sign to the right when the Secondary Trim Curve
dialog appears.
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Two trim possibilities
Select the First Bounding Object from this end.
NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
e. Select OK to execute the trim.
Step 4: Trimming to Intersections.
This portion of the exercise deals with trimming boundaries with the
String to Trim as well as the Four Intersection Options.
a. Zoom up on the curves identified as INTERSECTION METHOD
SHORTEST 3D DISTANCE.
b. Select Edit—Curve—Trim
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Trim Result
NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
Leave Single Selection toggled On, Set the Use Inferred Intersection
toggled to Off, toggle Off the option Reuse Bounding Objects, and toggle
On the option Trim Bounding Objects. Put the Method to Find
Intersection at Shortest 3D Distance. Since the curves you are to trim
physically intersect the result will not be affected by these sittings.
c. Select the Bounding Objects as
indicated to the right.
d. Select the Green Line as indicated
by the X in the graphic and watch
the trim result.
e. Toggle the Trim Bounding Objects option to Off and select the
same two Orange Curves as the Bounding Objects.
f. Select the long Green Line between the two Bounding Objects to
remove the center portion.
g. Again, select the two Orange-
Curves as the Bounding Objects.
h. Select the Magenta Curve as the
String to Trim.
Page 43
Select curve to trim here
Bounding Object 1
Bounding Object 2
Intersection Method:
Shortest 3D Distance
NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
The result of the trim just performed is predictable. The Magenta Curve is
not on the same plane as the Orange Curves. The Orange Curves create a
plane. There is a theoretical intersection between the Orange and Magenta
Curves normal to the plane defined by the Bounding Objects. The Shortest
3D Distance is the theoretical intersection along the normals of the two
curves.
Step 5: Intersection Method Relative to WCS.
Since this trim method defines the intersection along the XC axis
based on the current WCS it will be necessary to redefine the WCS.
If the WCS is not changed, the result of this trim will be identical to
the previous one.
a. Select WCS—Orient from the Gateway Menu Bar. On the CSYS
Constructor select the Filter widget and select the CSYS option.
b. Select the Green Saved WCS.
c. Select the two Orange Curves
as the Bounding Objects.
Page 44
Existing
WCS
NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
d. Select the Magenta Curve near
either end to execute the trim.
Intersection Relative to WCS trims along the ZC axis normal to the
current XC-YC plane. If you study this and the previous trim you will
notice some differences between the results.
Step 6: Intersection method Along a Vector.
c. Select the two Orange Curves as the Bounding Objects.
Remember to read the Cue Line for the selection prompts.
d. When the Vector Direction icon becomes available the Vector
Method option also becomes available. Select the Vector Method
option Vector Constructor.
Page 45
a. Return the WCS to Absolute. Select WCS—Orient and
choose the Absolute CSYS icon and select OK.
b. Select Edit—Curve—Trim to activate the Trim Curve
dialog.
e. Key in the following Values in The I, J, K text fields:
I= 0.000
J= 1.000
K= 2.000
f. Select OK after keying in the values for I, J, and K. Look at the
Vector that appears at the WCS. That Vector tells NX what
direction to look for the theoretical intersection for those curves
selected.
Trim Result using Intersection Relative to WCS
NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
g. Select OK.
h. Select the Magenta Curve near either end to trim.
Step 7: Along Screen Normals
Note: This trim option can produce results that appear to physically
intersect even though they do no.
a. Select the two Orange Curves as the Bounding Objects.
b. Change the Intersection Method to Along Screen Normals.
c. Select the Magenta Curve near either end.
Page 46
Trim Vector Display Trim Along a Vector Result
Trim Result
NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
EXERCISE-Edit Curve Parameters
Open file: edit_curve-parameters.prt
Page 47
Rotate the geometry after the trim to
see the curves used were on different
planes.
File as Opened.
NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
Step 1: Editing lines.
a. Select Insert—Curve—Basic Curve.
b. Select the Edit Curve Parameter icon.
c. Select Line A and connect it to Line Point B.
Note: Remember when selecting Point A the end of the line must be
inside the selection ball.
d. Once the Line End Point is attached to the cursor move the
cursor to Line Point B and select the line end.
Step 2: Create a Triangle by editing existing lines.
a. Repeat the process in Step 1 and place Line Point C on
Line End Point D.
b. The final edit to create the triangle is to place Line End E
onto Line End F.
Step 3: Editing and moving Arcs and Circles.
a. Change the Diameter of Circle 1 to 16.50.
b. Change the Radius of Circle 2 to 9.3.
c. Move both Green Circles to be centered on Green Point 1.
Page 48
NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
Note: Remember to select the circle to move at its theoretical radius
center so it will attach to the cursor for moving.
d. Select Arc1 and change its Radius value to equal 6.0.
e. Select the arc just modified and move it to the Magenta
Point, Point 2.
f. Select Arc 2 and enter the following values for Radius,
Start and End Angles.
Radius = 7.9
Start Angle = 30.0º
End Angle = 240º
g. Move the newly modified Arc 1 from its present location to
the same Magenta Point 2 used to satisfy instruction (e).
h. Go to Format—Layer Sittings and make Layer 2
Invisible.
i. Save the file.
Page 49
Exercise Complete
NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
Creating ChamfersSelect the Chamfer icon from the Curve Toolbar
This selection sequence produces the Chamfer dialog which offers two
Chamfer options.
Page 50
NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
Simple Chamfer- Enter a single value that is measured along two curves to
determine the portion removed in creating the Chamfer.
When you select Simple Chamfer the first dialog that appears
is the Chamfer parameter dialog where you enter the actual
Chamfer value.
The next dialog that appears is for specifying the curves to be
chamfered. The selection process requires both curves be
inside the Selection Ball in order to produce the desired result.
If both curves are inside the selection ball the Chamfer will be
applied.
Page 51
The graphic above shows the Chamfer created and how the values were measured along each curve.
NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
The graphics below shows the proper selection sequence to produce the
desired Chamfer.
Not only do both curves affected have to be inside the selection ball, the
crosshairs have to be in the correct quadrant to define which direction the
Chamfer will be applied.
Page 52
If the curves to be Chamfered are
selected with the crosshairs
positioned as is displayed to the left
the result will be unacceptable.
For the desired result select the curves
as show in the graphic to the left.
Result with improper selection
Result with proper selection
NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
User Defined Chamfer is the second option. When the User Define
Chamfer toggle is selected it produces the Chamfer Trim options.
No Trim- This option will create the Chamfer and leave both curves
untrimmed.
When you select User-Defined Chamfer the default option is Offset/Angle.
Page 53
Automatic Trim- This option Trims
both curves affected by the Chamfer.
Manual Trim- This option allows
you to tell NX to Trim Curve 1
and/or Curve 2 after the actual
Chamfer is performed. Selecting the
Yes option requires you to select the
end of each curve to be removed.
Selecting No for either curve will
execute the Chamfer and leave the
curves untrimmed.
The Offset is measured along the
Second Curve selected from the
intersection of the two curves used.
The Angle is measured at the
Offset distance from the Second
Curve selected.
Offset Distance
Second Curve
NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
Selection Sequence for Offset and Angle Chamfer
a. Insert—Curve—Chamfer.
b. User-Defined Chamfer.
c. Select the Trim option.
d. Enter the Offset and Angle values.
e. Select Curve 1.
f. Select Curve 2.
g. Indicate approximate intersection point.
Even though it has been mentioned before it is important enough to be
mentioned again. Selection order is important when using User-Defined
Chamfer. The Offset value is measured along the second curve. The
Angle is measured from the offset point to the second selected curve.
The two examples above show the difference dictated by selection
sequence. They are the same curves, and the same values. The only
difference is the Curve 1, Curve 2 selection sequence.
Page 54
First Curve
Angle
Applied Chamfer
NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
If Simple Offset or Offset and Angle does not apply to a Chamfer need,
there is one additional option available.
Offset Values is also selection sensitive. The First Offset is measured
along the Second Curve selected. The Second Offset is measured along
the First Curve selected.
Page 55
When the Chamfer dialog appears
after selecting the User-Defined
Chamfer toggle, select the Offset
Values toggle.
The Offset Values offers the
opportunity to key in two different
offset values to define
Curve 1
Second Offset Value
Curve 2
First Offset Value
NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
Creating RectanglesSpecifying two diagonal points creates rectangles.
Select the Rectangle option from the Curve Toolbar.
Page 56
This selection sequence
activates the Point
Constructor. Use the icons
to select Existing
Geometry for the
Diagonal Input or use the
Text Fields to give
Coordinate Point
Locations for creation.
NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
When Rectangles are created their boundaries are parallel to the XC and
YC axes of the Current WCS if viewed down the ZC axis. If a Rectangle
is created by using Cursor Location instead of selecting existing geometry
or specifying coordinate points it is created on the Current XC—YC plane.
Page 57
The Rectangle displayed has two boundaries parallel to the XC axis and two boundaries parallel to the YC axis.
Point 1
Point 2
Point 3
Point 4
Point 5
Point 6
Point 8
NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
Points 1 and 2 were Cursor Location picks so the Rectangle was created
on the current XC—YC plane.
Points 3 and 4 were Coordinate Locations keyed into the Text Fields so
the Rectangle was created off the XC—YC plane
Points 5, 6, 7, and 8 were created by Selecting Existing Geometry and the
point locations selected defined the plane of creation.
Creating PolygonsSelect the Polygon icon in the Curve toolbar.
This dialog is used to enter the number of sides you want your Polygon to
have. You must have a minimum of 3 sides and a maximum of 513 sides.
Select OK after specifying the number of sides your Polygon is going to
have to activate the Creation Method dialog. Select the Method you wish to
use to create your Polygon.
Page 58
Point 7
By selecting the Polygon
option you activate the
Polygon dialog for side
definition..
NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
Inscribed Radius. This determines the size of the Polygon by specifying
the largest diameter circle that will fit inside the
specified Polygon tangent to its sides. The circle
defining the size is tangent to the sides of the Polygon.
Circumscribed Radius. This option determines the Polygon size by
specifying a value that will pass through all the
side intersections of the Polygon.
Side of Polygon. This option determines the Polygon size by specifying the
length of each side. Radius values are not considered.
Polygons are created on the current XC-YC plane and the intersection of
Start and End Side lies on the XC axis.
Orientation Angle allows you to create the Polygon starting off the XC
axis rotated toward the YC axis using the using a positive orientation angle.
Page 59
NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
Creating an EllipseSelect the Ellipse icon from the Curve Toolbar.
The first dialog that appears after selecting the Ellipse option is the Point
Constructor. Use this to specify the Ellipse Center or Base Point of the
Ellipse.
After specifying where you want the Ellipse center to be the Ellipse
Parameter dialog is activated for the creation values to be entered.
Page 60
Polygon with no Orientation Angle Polygon with Orientation
Angle of 30 degrees
NX defines an Ellipse by
specifying a Semi-Minor and
Semi-Major radius value
positioned about a center point.
NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
Ellipses are created on the current XC-YC plane and the Rotation Angle is
measured counter clockwise from the XC axis toward the YC axis.
The Ellipse displayed was positioned at the 0, 0, 0 of the WCS. Its
Semimajor Radius is 40.0m/m and its Semiminor Radius is 20.0m/m. It
was created as a complete Ellipse, 0 to 360º, with no Rotation Angle.
Page 61
Start Angle and End Angle are set by default from 0 degrees to 360
degrees. Both points reside on the XC axis. An Ellipse can be created
at any Start and End Angle by keying in values in these two Text
Fields.
Rotation Angle determines where the 0 degree Start Angle will be in
relationship to the current XC axis.
Semimajor- This is the top
and bottom radius values of
the Ellipse.
Semiminor- This value
defines the two ends of the
Ellipse.
NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
EXERCISE-Creating Basic Curves
Create a new file and name it: exercise_curve_4.prt
Use the graphic below and create the profile using as many of the Basic
Curve creation operators as you can.
Page 62
R
NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
Point CreationSelect Insert—Datum/Point to activate the Point Constructor for creating
or specifying Points.
You can either create Associate or
Non-associative Points using the
Point Constructor.
To either activate or de-activate the
Associative option select the Settings
down arrow.
Page 63
NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
Under Settings is where the
Associative option is located.
Prior to the actual creation of a Point a small cube will display showing
where the Point will be located.
The Point Constructor offers all the
options displayed in the drop down
for specifying Points.
Inferred Point allows the selection of
most but not all filter specific options.
Cursor Location will create points
on the XC-YC plane of the WCS.
End Point limits the selection to the
end points of curves and edges.
Control Point allows the selection of End Points, Mid Points, and defining
points of a spline.
Page 64
NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
Intersection Point will create a point at the physical or theoretical
intersection of two objects.
Arc/Ellipse/Sphere Center creates a point at the center of those types of
geometry.
Angle on Arc/Ellipse allows the creation of a point on an Arc or Ellipse at a
keyed in angle to the creation 0 degree point.
Quadrant Point will create a Point at the 0, 90, 180, or 270 degree location
of an Arc or Circle based on the 0 degree creation location.
Point on Curve/Edge will crate a point on a curve or edge where the cursor
is located when the geometry is selected.
Between Two Points allows the creation of a Point between two specified
points using a text field percentage value. After the first and second points
have been specified enter the location of the desired point and select either
Apply or OK to create the point.
Page 65
NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
Select either Apply or OK to create a point 25% between the first point, the
Green point, and the second point, the Red point.
The Point Constructor also offers the ability to key in a Coordinate
Location in relation to either the Current WCS or Absolute.
If the Angle on Arc/Ellipse is being used the text fields change for Angle
Input after the Arc or Ellipse is selected.
The Snap Point Toolbar also becomes available when the Point option is
selected. Both Associative and Non-associative Point creation work in
conjunction with the Snap Point Toolbar for creating Points in 3
dimensional space or on geometry.
Page 66
NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
Associative Points update to geometry modification, Non-
associative Points do not update to geometry modifications.
Enable
Snap
Point if
activated
allows selections to snap to points on objects.
End Point limits the selection to the end points of curves and edges.
Mid Point limits the selection to the Mid Point of curves and edges.
Control Point allows the selection of End Points, Mid Points, and defining
points of a spline.
Intersection Point will create a point at the physical or theoretical
intersection of two objects.
Arc Center will create a point at the center of an Arc, Ellipse, or Sphere.
Quadrant Point will create a point at the 0, 90, 180, 270, or 360 degree
mark of an Arc or Ellipse.
Existing Point limits the selection to a point that already exists.
Page 67
End
Poi
nt
Mid
Poi
nt
Con
trol
Poi
ntIn
ters
ecti
on P
oint
Arc
Cen
ter
Qua
dran
t Poi
nt
Exi
stin
g P
oint
Poi
nt o
n C
urve
Poi
nt o
n S
urfa
ce
Ena
ble
Sna
p P
oint
NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
Point on Curve allows you to place a point along a curve. The only
drawback is there is no way of knowing the arc length location prior to
placement.
Point on Surface places a point anywhere on a surface but as is the case
with Point on Curve there is no way of knowing the coordinate location of
the point when placed.
Point SetSelect the Point Set icon from the Curve Toolbar to activate the Point Set
dialog.
Page 68
NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
Equal Arc Length: Works with percentages.
Places a set of points at an equally spaced distance along a curve. The
distance value is measured using percentage values of the curves total
arc length and the user can control the percentage of the curve the
points are applied to.
Page 69
Points on Curve
This option offers five Spacing Methods.
Five points were placed on
the spline using Points on
Curve, Equal Arc Length.
The arc length between
points is 103.66.
NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
Equal Parameters: Works with percentages.
Places a set of points along a curve at equal Parametric Intervals
based on Chordal Division Tangencies.
This illustrates how NX determines how the points will be placed on
the curve based on the Equal Parameters Spacing Method.
This will also work with curves that have Reversals of Curvature.
Technically you cannot chordally divide a curve in the ways just mentioned,
Page 70
Chord 1
Line parallel to Chord 1 and tangent to the curve.
Point of tangency between the purple curves.
Chord 2
Line parallel to Chord 2 and tangent to the curve.
Point of tangency between the olive curves.
NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
but the software makes estimates based on the concept of chordal divisions.
This is why you can enter any number of points and select any type of curve
when spacing Points by equal parameters.
Geometric Progression: Works with percentages.
This spacing method places points on a curve based on a geometric
ratio of the previous arc length percentage. The Ratio is user defined
in the Points On Curve dialog. Prior to placing points NX analyzes
the entire curve to determine the spacing so there is no remainder
distance.
Chordal Tolerance: Works with the entire curve and not percentage.
Works better with curves that approximate an arc rather than complex
splines because it produces a more uniform spacing between points.
The Chordal Tolerance represents the Maximum Distance between
the Parent Curve and a Chord between two adjacent points in the
set.
Page 71Chordal bisector
Point
NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
Incremental Arc Length:
This method allows the user to define the Arc Length value between
points. When the curve is selected its true arc length is displayed in
the Status Line. Enter the Arc Length spacing desired in the Points
On Curve text field and select OK or Apply to create the points.
The spline was not equally divisible by the Arc Length value
specified so there was a remainder at the right side of the curve.
NX no longer displays what the remainder arc length value is
but the curve Total Arc Length is displayed in the Status
Line.
This is also selection sensitive, the Arc Length values are
measured from the end closest to where the curve was selected.
Page 72
Chord
NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
The most commonly alignment methods used is Equal Arc Length and
Equal Parameters.
General Conics
Conic Definition:
Page 73
Circle
Ellipse
Parabola
Hyperbola
Circle—Cutting plane is parallel to
the cone base.
Ellipse—Cutting plane is angled to the
cone centerline.
Parabola—Cutting plane is parallel to
the cone wall.
Hyperbola—Cutting plane is parallel
to the cone centerline.
NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
Conic Creation Terminology
To construct General Conics a familiarity with their mathematics is
required as well as some of the terms associated with them.
Slope-The relative angle between the tangent vector at any
point and the XC-axis.Anchor-(Apex) The intersection point of the tangent lines from
the end points of the curve.
Chord-A line between the end points.
Page 74
NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
Least Tension Conic- Conic with minimum amount of curvature
(maximum radius) to satisfy the initial conditions.
A Least Tension Conic usually produces an Ellipse, but if the angle
between the tangent vectors and chord are equal the resultant is an Arc.
Rho, also known as the Projective Discriminant is another factor of a
General Conic.
Rho=Y1/Y2 and must be between .001 to .999. The Larger the Rho
value the Pointier the Curve.
Page 75
A=B
angle Bangle A
NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
Select the General Conic icon from the Curve Toolbar.
There are Seven Conic creation methods.
5 Points—Creates a conic through five defining points using the Point
Constructor.
If the conic is an Arc, Ellipse, or Parabola, it will pass through all 5
points. If the conic is a Hyperbola, it does not always pass through
Page 76
NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
the first and last points, but generally uses those points to determine
the asymptote.
4 Points, 1 Slope—Creates a conic through four points, the slope applied is
to the starting end of the conic.
The Slope is defined using one of four methods, and prompted for
after the first point is selected.
Example One: Using Vector Components.
Select Point 1.
Select the Vector Component toggle.
Enter the values:
Select the remaining 3 Points to create the Conic.
Page 77
Point 1
Dir Pt A
NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
Example Two: Using Direction Point.
Select Point 1.
Select the Direction Point toggle.
Select Dir Pt A.
Select the remaining 3 Points to create the Conic.
3 Points, 2 Slope—Creates a conic through three points and defines the
slope at both ends of the conic.
The Slopes are defined using one of the same four methods used for
4Points, 1 Slope, and are prompted for after selecting the first and last
points.
3 Points, Anchor—Creates a conic Through Three Points, with a specified
Anchor Point. The Anchor Point is the intersection of the Tangent Lines
at the endpoints of the conic that establishes the conic slopes.
2 Points, Anchor, Rho—Creates a conic through Two Points that define
the conic Start and End Points, an Anchor Point, the intersection of the
tangent lines at the endpoints, and a Rho value. The Rho determines which
type of conic is created:
Page 78
NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
Greater than or equal to .001 but less than .500, an Ellipse is
created.
If the value is equal to .500, a Parabola is created.
Greater than .500 but less than or equal to .999, a Hyperbola is
created.
Coefficients—Allows for the creation of any conic by equation. The
coefficient values of the mathematical equation are entered as A through F
in the parameters dialog. These values control size, type, and orientation
based on the location of the WCS. NX uses a general equation for all conic
types as long as A, B, and C are not all zeros.
Ax² + Bxy + Cy² + Dx + Ey + F = 0
2 Points, 2 Slopes, Rho—Creates a conic through two points, with slopes
assigned to each end and a Rho value determining the peak transition.
Creating three Conic curves
1. Vector Direction.
a. Starting Slope values: X= 1
Y=-7
b. End Slope values: X=1
Y=7
2. Slope of Curve.
a. Use the Green curve to define the slope at Point One.
b. Use the Cyan curve to define the slope at Point Two.
Page 79
Since this Conic does not pass
through all three points what kind of
curve was created?
Answer: Hyperbola.
NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
3. Angle.
a. The Angle for the First Slope is 15 Degrees.
b. The angle for the Second Slope is –15 Degrees.
Page 80
3 Points, 2 SlopesSlope of Curve
3 Points, 2 SlopesAngle
NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
Offset CurvesOffset allows you to perform a true Offset of a curve or series of curves a
specified Distance, Angle, or Law Control.
Select the Offset icon in the Curve Toolbar to access the curve selection
dialog.
This is the expanded Offset dialog
showing the Settings and Preview
option . The Offset Curve dialog
shows the objects that can be selected
for Offset. If you select an Edge or
Face to Offset only Offset Curves
are created.
Page 81
After selecting the Curve/Curves
to Offset several additional options
have to be considered. If a Single
Curve is selected a Point is required
to establish the Offset Plane. If
Multiple Curves are selected they
define the Offset Plane.
NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
Type determines which of the
four methods of Offset will be
performed.
Distance
Distance allows the Offset to be measured along the geometry normals at a
specified distance value.
When executing an Offset it is important to know the Positive Offset
Direction. The Vector that displays when the Offset Curve dialog becomes
active tells you the Positive Direction.
If the Offset Direction is wrong
select the Reverse Direction button
to flip the direction of the Offset 180°.
Page 82
Positive Offset Direction
Offset Distance Value
Reverse Direction button
NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
Being able to reverse the positive direction eliminates the need to key in
negative values. This operator will accept negative values but it is better not
to use them if possible.
Distance as the Offset option offers a Distance text field for entering the
offset value. The Down Arrow offers additional ways of inputting the
Offset Value.
Measure allows the Offset input to
be the Distance Measurement
between two objects.
Formula allows the creation of a
formula to define the Offset
Distance.
The Formula will then display in
the Expressions dialog defining the Offset if it is accepted by selecting the
by selecting the green check Accept button at the right end of the formula
text field.
Function allows the selection of a Trigametric Function to use as the
Offset input. This can be viewed as an additional Formula method of
defining an Offset.
Page 83
NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
Reference allows the selection a defining feature parameter from an existing
feature to define the Offset input.
The Values listed below the Reference option are previously used inputs
that can be selected to define the Offset input.
Make Constant locks the input value for the Offset guaranteeing minimum
deviation when Offsetting complex curves.
Draft
This option requires both an Offset value for Distance and an Angle for
Draft.
The Distance is measured normal to the plane of the curves.
The Angle is measured in the direction the Reference Vector is
pointing.
Using an Offset Value of 8.0 mm and an Angle of 30º could produce
different results depending on the Positive Vector direction.
The Analytical Plane that appears when the Offset Curve dialog is
activated is representative of the Distance Value in the text field at the time
of activation.
Page 84
Offset outward Offset inward
NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
Not only does Draft Height and Draft Angle Offset the Curves in a
distance relationship to the Base Curve plane, it also Offsets them at
an angle to the Base Curve plane.
Law Control
Law Control allows you to create a Variable Value Offset by creating a
Law Curve to define the Offset Values.
It is important to select the Base Curve properly so the Law Controlled
Offset gives you the desired result. The Positive Direction Vector is where
the First Offset Value will be applied when the Offset is created.
Page 85
Values of Previous Offset
If those are not the desired
values key in the correct ones in
the Text fields and select the
Redisplay Reference Objects
to get an update.
NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
Solid Face allows you to select a Face to Offset all its edges. It
minimizes the selection process.
Page 86
Offset Law Type offers several options for offsetting the curves.
The Law functionality within NX5 is covered in a separate module
and covers all the Law options available with the different operators.
NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
3D Axial Offset Type is used to offset coplanar or non-coplanar 3D
Curves. It offers options that allow specification of Offset Direction using
the Vector Constructor or using an Inferred Vector. The ZC-axis is the
initial default Offset Direction and the Offset Curve created is always a
Spline.
This is the Vector Constructor used for specifying the Offset Direction.
Page 87
Off
set
dir
ecti
on
NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
These are the Infer Direction
options available for specifying
the Offset.
This Offset method does
require a Direction as well as a
Distance of the Offset. If no
Direction is selected the
default direction will be
accepted when the Offset is
created.
After selecting the curves to be Offset, choosing an Offset Method, and
entering the Offset Parameters the next option to be considered is how the
Offset Curve Trim will be controlled.
Select a Trim option
Page 88
NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
a. None will not extend a curve if the Offset creates a gap between
curves
b. Extended Tangents will allow NX to increase the length of an
Offset Curve to eliminate possible gaps. This is where the
Extend Factor becomes important if the Offset is set to Non-
associative, . The
Extend Factor is a multiple of the Offset Distance. That is the
maximum Arc Length distance a curve can be extended to fill a
gap between curves. This factor is most important with angles less
than 90º.
Page 89
The Offset Curves are the same length as the Base Curves selected.
Extend Factor set to 5 so the Offset Curves can extend to an intersection.
The Extend option is set to Fillet. The transition radius is the same as the Offset value
NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
It is acceptable to key in a high Extend Factor value because NX will not
Extend beyond an intersection of two curves.
c. Fillet will create an Arc transition between Offset Curves that
have not been extended.
Group Objects allows the Offset Curves to be linked in a group. Grouped
Curves can be dealt with individually or as if they were one object. Toggle
the option On to activate Group Objects or toggle it Off to have the option
inactive.
Tolerance is the acceptable deviation value of the Offset Curves to the
original curves if you are offsetting splines or conics.
Number of Copies allows you to create Multiple Offsets using the same
value. Each Offset applied is from the previous set of curves.
For this result the Number of Copies was 3.
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In this example the Fillet value will be 2.0
because the Offset value is 2.0 and the Extend
Factor is set on 1.
NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
Rough Offset is only available for Distance and Draft Curve Offsets. This
is primarily used when the input curves are self-intersecting but can produce
unexpected results in the Trim options if the output is set to Associative. It
can also create unexpected results in the actual input curves as well as the
output curves if the output is Non-associative.
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NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
Extract Curve
Extract creates geometry, curves, using edges and faces of existing bodies.
Select the Extract Curve icon in the Curve Toolbar to activate the Extract
Curve dialog.
Edge Curves allows you to create curves from of selected edges of existing
bodies. Selecting the Edge Curves toggle activates the Single Edge Curve
filter dialog.
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Curve Types that can
be Extracted
NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
If you choose not to use any of the filter toggles you can select any Faces or
Edge of a solid body or sheet body.
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All in Face activates a filter
dialog that controls what objects
can be selected for extraction.
If you select a Face it will highlight displaying
the Edges that will be Extracted. After
selecting the face you must OK back to the
Extract Curves dialog to actually create the
curves.
Selected face
What appears to be Green
Edges defining the face
selected earlier are actually
the Curves created.
NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
All Adjacent to Face will Extract all the edges adjacent to the Face/Faces
selected.
The Green curves in the graphic above were Extracted using All Adjacent
to Face. If you replace the current work view with another view they will
still be displayed.
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The Edges displayed in Blue are the
edges that will be Extracted. This also
requires selecting OK until the Extract
Curves dialog is active before the
curves are actually created.
Curves created by selecting individual
faces or All Adjacent to Face are visible
in any other view you may wish to view
the geometry in. This means they are not
view dependent and if you Replace Work
View the Extracted curves are visible and
can be selected if necessary.
NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
Examples showing only the curves in other views:
Edge Curves-All in Solid allows you to Extract curves from all the edges
of a body.
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View the curves were created in.
TFR-Iso View Top View
These curves are also displayed in all other
views and can be used if necessary.
NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
Edge Chaining allows you to select a series of Edges to be Extracted.
Selection procedure is important. If you want to Extract the edges
displayed in Dark Red select at Point 1
first and Point 2 second.
This may or may not select
the desired edges.
Isoparametric Curves are the equivalent to the U/V Grid display and help
define face contour. Select the Isoparametric Curve toggle to activate the
Isoparametric Curve dialog.
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You should be aware that
Edge Chaining is more
likely to produce the desired
results if all the edges are on
the same plane. You might
be better off selecting the
edges individually if they are
on different planes.
You can only create the Isoparametric
Curves in one direction at a time. U is
the X direction of the face and V is the
Y direction of the face. Curve Count
is the number of curves to be created.
Percentage dictates what portion of the
face will display the Isoparametric
Curves. It is in essence the Start and
End distance to create the
Point1
Point 2
NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
Isoparametric Curves. If you leave the Percentage at 0 and 100 curves
will be created on the Start and End edges.
The Constant V direction Isoparametric Curves works the same as
Constant U except the Extracted curves are crated Perpendicular to the V
Vector.
Select New Face deselects the previously selected face and lets you select
another face.
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Select the face to display the U/V
directions.
Select OK to create the curves.
Choose direction Result
NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
Silhouette Curves allows you to Extract the NX generated curves that help
define a contoured face.
Rotate the model and reselect the body to Extract the Silhouette Curves
again. Repeat this procedure as many times as necessary to generate enough
curves to identify the contour.
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The curves you see on the interior of the sheet
are Silhouette Curves and are NX generated to
help define the sheet contour. These are
reference curves from View Display.
Select the Silhouette Curve option, select the
Sheet and NX will generate Silhouette Curves.
The Green Curves are the Extracted Silhouettes
which include the View Display Silhouettes
along with additional curves for contour display.
Display after 10 rotations
Sheet after 10 rotations.
NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
Isocline Curves are curves where the Draft Angle is constant. They are
Created Perpendicular to a Direction Vector where a specified angle is
tangent to a face.
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Same sheet body using the same parameters as before but the direction is ZC.
Parameters and the result using the YC direction.
NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
Shadow Outline creates an outline of the solid in the work view. It ignores any interior edges and must be displayed with the Invisible Hidden Edge option.
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Cannot use Shadow Outline with this display.
NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
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You must have this display in order to use Shadow Outline.
Select the Shadow Outline
toggle and the curves are
created showing only the
outline of the body.
NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
EllipseSelect the Ellipse icon from the Curve Toolbar to activate the Ellipse
parameter dialog.
Ellipses, like circles, are created in the plane of the WCS.
An Ellipse can be created by the user specifying five values:
Semimajor- This value is measured along the X-axis and is
half the major diameter of an Ellipse.
Semiminor- This value is measured along the Y-axis and is
half the minor diameter of an Ellipse.
Start Angle- This is a user defined start point for the Ellipse
specified in the X to Y rotation.
End Angle- This is a user defined end point for the Ellipse.
Rotation Angle- this function defines the starting angle of the
Ellipse measured in the X to Y rotation.
Ellipse Parameter dialog after
specifying the Ellipse Center.
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NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
Display of Ellipse creation requirements.
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ParabolaA Parabola is a planar curve created by a point moving so its distance from a
fixed point is equal to its distance from a fixed line.
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Focal Length=Distance from Vertex to Directrix.
The Focal Length is a distance from the Vertex to the
Focus and must be greater than zero.
X=Y
A Parabola is created through a set of points equidistant
from the Focus and the Directrix.
NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
HyperbolaA Hyperbola is a curve with no reversals of curvature.
The parameters required to create a Hyperbola are:
Semi-Transverse—A point along the Axis of Symmetry defining the curve
Apex.
Semi-Conjugate—A distance measured perpendicular to the Axis of
Symmetry.
*Semi-Transverse and the Semi-Conjugate define the curve slope.
Minimum DY—Start Distance that extends past the Axis of Symmetry.
The value can be either positive or negative.
Maximum DY—End Distance that extends past the Axis of Symmetry.
Rotation Angle—Orientation angle of curve relative to the +XC axis.
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HelixHelix is a simple operator that requires some complex mathematics to define
the curve to be created. A Helix is always created along a ZC-axis.
Select the Helix icon from the Curve Toolbar to activate the Helix dialog.
Creating a Helix using Parameter entries.
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NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
Number of Turns defines the number of Helix coils. This value must be
greater than zero.Pitch is the distance between a complete 360 degree revolution.
Radius Method—Enter Radius allows you to define the Helix diameter.
Turn Direction determines if the Helix is to be a Clockwise (Left Hand)
or Counterclockwise (Right Hand) construction.
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NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
Define Orientation allows you to use the Z-axis, X point option of the
CSYS Constructor to define the Helix orientation. The Helix
Center will be on or parallel to the defined Z-axis.
Point Constructor allows you to specify the Helix Base Point (start point)
using existing geometry or coordinate locations by entering
values in the Text Fields.
The second Radius Method for creating a Helix is Use Law.
When using Law you are defining the radius values using a curve. You will
have to enter Number of Turns, Pitch, and Turn Direction. Those entries
can be made either before or after specifying the Law definition.
Select the Use Law radio button to activate the Law dialog.
The first three options from the left are Constant, Linear, and Cubic.
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Turn Direction
Constant requires a single radius value.
NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
Linear requires a Start and End radius value and the transition is straight
without contour from the Start Value to the End Value.
Cubic works the same as Linear but makes an S-shape transition from
the Start Value to the End Value.
Values Along Spine—Linear allows you to select points along a
Spine Curve and assign Radius values at those points. The
Spine Curve defines the orientation of the Helix center. This
option creates a straight transition from point to point without
contour.
Values Along Spine—Cubic works identical to Values Along
Spine—Linear except the transition is S-shape.
By Equation allows you to define the Helix by using an equation
To define the radius values.
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NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
By Law Curve allows you to select a user defined curve inrelationship to a Base Curve to define the Helix shape.
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Constant Linear Cubic
Spine—Linear Spine—Cubic By Law Curve
Law Curve
Base Curve
NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
The importance of selecting a Base Line is the distances between the Law
Curve and the Base Line are calculated proportionally along the Helix axis
for its height. The height is determined by Number of Turns and Pitch.
Bridge Curves
Bridge creates a curve that fills the gap between two curves at a specified
point along those curves. It is not restricted to only end points.
Select the Bridge Curve icon from the
Curve Toolbar to activate the Bridge
dialog.
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Bridge curves can either be Tangent
or Curvature.
Continuity Methods: Tangent, and
Curvature.
Tangent—Creates a 3-degree, 4
pole curve that is tangent to the
Parent Curves.
Curvature—Creates a 5-degree,
6 pole curve that is tangent and
curvature continuous to the
selected curves.
When the Bridge Curve first appears it
is a Preview. OK or Apply will create
the Bridge Curve, Cancel will close
the operator and not create the Bridge
Curve.
NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
After the Bridge Curve
preview is displayed the
Start/End portion of the dialog
is available. Start/End
determines which of the two
curves selected will be
highlighted. The Start is the
first parent curve selected and
the End is the second parent
curve selected.
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Tangent
Curvature
Curvature creates a more rounded curve in the
transition between the selected curves to Bridge
between.
NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
Continuity determines the Type of Bridge Curve transition between parent
curves. The options are G0 (Positional), G1 (Tangent), G2 (Curvature),
and G3 (Flow).
G0-Positional G1-Tangent G2-Curvature
G3-Flow
Also available is a Slider Bar that allows the placement of the start and end
of the Bridge Curve along the two parent curves. Position offers a
percentage Slider Bar for dragging the Bridge Curve along a parent curve
depending on which curve is active. Change the active curve by selecting
the Start or End option.
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NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
The Slider Bar drags the attachment point of the Bridge Curve along the
First and/or Second curve by percentages. To specify which curve the
The Reverse Direction toggle allows you to Reverse the Bridge Curve
Direction while in preview mode. You Reverse Direction on each curve
individually so again you must select the Start Curve or Emd Curve button
before selecting the Reverse Direction toggle.
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First Curve
Second Curve
Preview Reverse the Start Curve direction
NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
Shape Control allows you to modify the Bridge Curve shape by changing
its Depth and Skew.
End Points allow you to modify the Tangent Magnitude
between the ranges of 1.0 and 5.0 for curves one and two.
This shows the Bridge Curve Tangent Magnitude modification of
3.0 for both the Start and End Curves.
Entering new values in the text field can change the range. Key in the value,
press Enter, and the slider bar updates to the entry where the dial is located.
The Depth and Skew Type allows the modification of both the depth of the
Bridge Curve as well as which parent curve the transition emphasis is
drawn toward, the Start Curve or the End Curve.
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Reverse the End Curve direction
NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
Depth controls the amount of curvature the Bridge Curve has
between the two selected objects.
Skew determines which curve, Start Curve or End Curve, the peak
of the Bridge Curve is drawn toward.
Depth and Skew can be
modified by using the Slider
Bar or using the Handles in the
Bridge Curve Preview.
Use the Click and Drag method to modify the Depth and Skew when
using the Handles.
Shape Control Conic allows the modification of the Rho value of the
Bridge Curve transition. The closer the Rho is to .001 the flatter the
transition, the closer the Rho is to .999 the more pointed the transition. The
Rho can be modified using the Slider Bar or the Handle.
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Skew Handle
Depth Handle
NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
Reference Shape Curve
allows you to select
another curve to assign
Attributes to the Bridge
Curve to be created.
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NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
Plane CreationNX offers two Plane operators:
Datum Planes
Analytical Planes
Analytical Planes are infinite just as Datum Planes but are Non-
associative to the geometry used to create them. They can be partially
associative to the model depending on how they are used.
If a Plane is selected as a Trim Plane the Trim is Associative to
the Plane. Move the Plane and the Trim updates.
Original Trim Transform Plane and the Trim Updates
Move the Model and the Plane
moves with the Model.
Transform the Model and the Plane
and Trim move with it. However, the
Plane can be deleted without deleting
the Trim.
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NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
If the Plane Constructor or an Inferred option is used to perform a Trim
no Plane is created and there is no associatively.
Select the Plane icon from the Curve Toolbar to activate the Plane dialog.
Analytical Planes display in
the graphics window as
triangles. These Planes can be
created in relationship to the
WCS or Absolute and there are
14 methods available to define
them. There are also three
Principal Plane options that
allow the definition of a Plane
along a chosen axis. The text
field allows for an Offset value
entry.
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NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
There are six options for creating
Analytical Planes displayed when the
Plane dialog is activated.
These options from left to right are Inferred, Point and Direction, Point on
Curve, YC-ZC Plane, XC-ZC Plane, and XC-YC Plane.
Select the Type down arrow to display these six options along with eight
additional methods of creating an Analytical Plane.
12 Defining Methods
Inferred has the ability to create a Plane using any of these methods but
there are times when using the actual method is easier for selection purposes.
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NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
The following are illustrations of several Plane creation methods.
At Angle
At Distance
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Select a Planar Face and a
Linear Pivot Axis. Click
and Drag the Rotation
Handle to the desired
Angle to the Face and
press MB2 to create the
Plane.
Select a Planar Face.
Enter the desired Distance
value from the selected
Face and press Enter to
have the display update.
Press MB2 to create the
Plane.
NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
Bisect
If the parameters between
the two selected faces
change the Plane will not
update to remain half way
between the two faces.
Point on Curve
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Select two Planar Faces
for the Plane to be created
half way between them and
press MB2 to create the
Plane.
Select the Curve or Edge to
have the Preview display.
Drag the Preview to the
desired location and press
MB2 to create the Plane.
NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
If the X, Y, or Z option is selected the dialog offers the option of placing the
Plane to be created at either Absolute or the WCS.
This shows the Plane Preview at the YC-ZC Plane of Absolute because
that is the active Radio Button.
The most common use of Analytical Planes is Cutting Sections.
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This shows the Plane Preview at the YC-ZC Plane of the WCS.
NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
Section CuttingSection allows you to create geometry that can display the cross sectional
profile depending on the geometry selected.
If you cut Sections through Curves a Point is created at the Intersection of
the curve and the section defining plane.
If you cut a Section through a Solid Body or Sheet Body Curves are
created defining the solid faces where the cutting plane intersects them.
Select the Section Curve icon from the Curve Toolbar to activate the
Section Curve dialog.
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NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
The Type down arrow opens a drop down with the four Section Cutting
options available.
Selected Planes allows you to specify the cutting plane by using the Plane
Subfunction dialog.
Selection Sequence:
Select the object/objects to be sectioned.
Use the Selection Filter to
specify the Type of geometry
selectable to have the Section
Curves created through.
Select the Plane Constructor button to the right of the
Specify Plane option.
Decide if Associative or Non-associative output is the
desired result of the Section Geometry. This decision will
have an impact on what options are available.
Associative or Non-associative output is located under
Settings.
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NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
Associative:
The Section Curve dialog changes if Associative
Output is toggled Off. There are additional options to
be considered if the output is to be Non-associative.
Non-Associative:
Associative and Non-associative both offer the same
Curve Fit options.
o Cubic creates 3-degree Splines at the intersection of
the cutting plane and the faces to be sectioned It
creates lines on planar faces and arcs if the cutting
plane is normal to cylindrical faces. It is considered
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NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
an approximation of the face especially if the face has
complex curvature.
o Quintic creates 5-degree Splines at the intersection of
the cutting plane and the faces to be sectioned. It
creates lines on planar faces and arcs if the cutting
plane is normal to cylindrical faces. It is also
considered an approximation of the face especially if
the face has complex curvature.
o Advanced allows the user to determine the Maximum
Degree and Maximum Segments of the curves being
created to define the section cut. This can also be
consider an approximate representation of the faces if
more complex curves are required to define a face or
set of faces.
Non-associative output options:
Group Objects will gather all
the curves needed to define a
Section together in a Group.
Grouped objects can either be
dealt with individually or as if
they were a single curve
depending on the operation you
are performing.
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NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
Output Sampled Points will create a series of Points instead of
curves at the intersection of the cutting plane and the object/objects
being sectioned.
If Output Sampled Points is activated the Sample Distance is
available for determining the spacing between Points.
Join Curves is also an option when creating Non-associative Section
Curves.
The default Join option is No which allows NX to create the Section
Curves on each Sectioned Object at the intersection of the cutting
plane. Cubic and Quintic were defined earlier and work the same
here. General will create an exact curve defining the section based
on the most complex face sectioned. This can create an extremely
complex curve.
Select the Plane Constructor icon to activate the Plane
Subfunction dialog for specifying the Cutting Plane for
the Section to be created. Specify the Plane and press
MB2 to preview the Cutting Plane. Multiple Sections
can be defined but each Cutting Plane must be specified
individually.
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NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
The triangle that displays is a preview of where the Section will be cut
through the model. If you wish to cut additional Sections you have to select
the Plane Constructor button and specify a cutting plane for each Section.
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NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
Parallel Planes allows you to cut multiple Sections through a model with a
common distance between each cutting plane.
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Section Plane 1
Section Plane 2
The Black curves and Dark Red
curves represent the two Sections
cut.
NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
The first Selection Step is the same as the previous operator but the
second Selection Step is different.
Parallel Planes require a Base Plane. The Base Plane is the Plane all
Cutting Planes are located relative to. Select the Plane Constructor
button to activate the Plane dialog. Define the Base Plane and press
MB2 to return to the Section Curve dialog.
the Plane anywhere along the YC axis by entering a location value. The
Base Plane can also be located from Absolute or the current WCS. The
Conehead Vector on the Plane Preview shows the positive direction for the
Start, End, and Step values. If the Positive direction is incorrect select the
Reverse Direction button under the Plane Orientation option..
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In this example the XC-ZC
Plane was defined as the
Base Plane. The Distance
option allows you to place
NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
It is a good practice to enter the Step Distance, Start Distance, and End
Distance test field values before specifying your Base Plane because as
soon as your return to the Section Curve dialog after specifying the Base
Plane NX creates a preview of the cutting planes using the values displayed
in the text fields.
If the Start, End, or Step values need to be modified enter the new
values and press the Enter key to update the preview.
Step Distance is the distance between each cutting plane.
Start Distance is where the first cutting plane is to be located in
relationship to the Base Plane.
End Distance is where the last cutting plane is to be located in
relationship to the Base Plane.
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NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
Once the preview is displayed select OK to cut the Sections.
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Desired result of Plane preview
NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
This is an example of the Positive Direction for the Sections being
incorrect. Reselect the Plane Constructor button and select the Reverse
Direction button in Plane Orientation and press MB2 to return to the
Section Curve dialog. The Planes have been updated to be in the correct
direction.
Radial Planes creates true Radial Sections through solids. It requires a
Step Angle as well as a Start and End Angle measured to a Base Plane.
This option also has three selection steps instead of two and each step
changes the Section Curve dialog requirements. This operator is governed
by the same rules that apply to Parallel Planes.
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NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
The first requirement is to
Select Object, the object to be
Sectioned.
The next step is to Specify
Vector to define the Radial
Axis. This is done by either
selecting the Vector
Constructor button to activate
the Vector Constructor,
or by using the Inferred Vector option.
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NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
The Start text field is the Start Angle from the Base Plane, the End text
field is the End Angle from the Base Plane, and the Step text field is the
Angle increment between Sections.
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The Vector indicates the Rotation
Axis as well as the Rotation Center.
The third requirement is selecting a
Reference Point to define the Base
Plane the Start and End Angle values
will be measured from.
Reference Point for Plane definition
NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
Key in the Start, End, and Step values to display a preview of the Cutting
Planes. If the Preview is incorrect enter new values and press the Enter
key to update the display. Select OK to create the Sections.
Planes Perpendicular to a Curve
gives you several options in defining
the Cutting Planes along an existing
curve based on the Plane Location
option selected.
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NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
The percentage values are measured from the start end of the curve at
creation. If the curve was created left to right, no matter which end of the
curve is selected the measurement is 0% from the left to 100% on the right.
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You tell NX how many Sections you want and at what
Start and End Percentage along the line depending on
which Spacing Along Curve option is used.
Equal Arc Lengths takes the actual
Arc Length value of the curve and
divides equally using the parameters
you enter into the Spacing Along
Curve Text Fields.
Equal Arc Length, Equal
Parameters, and Geometric
Progression all use a
Percentage value rather than an
actual arc length value.
NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
Equal Parameters uses the curve equation to divide the curve by the values
entered into the Spacing along Curve Text Fields. The result can be
slightly difference from the Equal Arc Lengths option or be much more
noticeable depending on the curve shape.
Equal Parameters works with percentages by placing a set of Cutting
Planes along a curve at equal Parametric Intervals based on chordal
division tangencies.
This illustrates how NX determines how the Cutting Planes will be
placed on the curve based on the Equal Parameters Spacing
Method.
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Chord 1
Line parallel to Chord 1 and tangent to the curve.
Point of tangency between the purple curves.
Chord 2
Line parallel to Chord 2 and tangent to the curve.
Point of tangency between the olive curves.
NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
Geometric Progression
This spacing method places the Section Planes along a curve based on a
Geometric Ratio.
Geometric Progression works with percentages and places Cutting Planes
on a curve based on a geometric ratio of the previous arc length percentage.
The Ratio is user defined. Prior to placing Cutting Planes NX analyzes the
entire curve to determine the spacing so there is no remainder distance.
Chordal Tolerance
Chordal Tolerance works with the entire curve and not percentage.
It works better with curves that approximate an arc rather than complex
splines because it produces a more uniform spacing between points.
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NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
The Chordal Tolerance represents the maximum distance between the
parent curve and a chord between two adjacent points in the set.
Incremental Arc Length
Incremental Arc Length places the Section Planes evenly along a curve at
an Arc Length value entered into the parameter text field between the
Cutting Planes.
NX will place as many planes along the curve at the Arc Length value
entered. If the Curve is not evenly divisible by the Arc Length value a
remainder will be left.
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Chord
Chordal bisector
Point where the Cutting Plane would appear Normal to the Curve.
NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
The spline was not equally divisible by the Arc Length value specified so
there was a remainder at the end of the curve. NX no longer displays what
the remainder arc length value is.
Instead of what should be created,
several more than five planes
are displayed. The results in more
sections than is required.
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Example:Cut sections through the Sheet Body
every 40.0mm along the curve above it.
The Curve is 144+ long.
To accomplish this requirement a plane
should be placed at the spline Start, at
40.0, 80.0, 120.0, and at the End of the
spline.
NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
Curve Creation Exercises:
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NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
Page 144
50.6
101.2
32.464.8
33.95
67.9
56.0R2 PLACES
19.0 DIA4 PLACES
8.0R8 PLACES
17.0R4 PLACES
10.0R2 PLACES
12.0TYP
NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
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NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
Page 146
30.0R
115.0
218.0
113.0
15.0R60.0
74.0
175.0
70.0
37.5R2 PLACES
50.042.0
30.0 DIA2 PLACES
15.0TYP
12.0R12 PLACES
25.0R2 PLACES
25.0R2 PLACES
12.0R8 PLACES
60°
25.0R
NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
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NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
Create the following 3-dimensional curve models.
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NX 5Basic User Basic Curves
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