<table><tr><td>[[image:Cube-icon.png | link=Getting_Started_with_EM.Cube]] [[image:cad-ico.png | link=Operational Modes of CubeCAD ToolsBuilding_Geometrical_Constructions_in_CubeCAD]] [[image:fdtd-ico.png | link=EM.Tempo]] [[image:prop-ico.png | link=EM.Terrano]] [[image:static-ico.png | link=EM.Ferma]] [[image:planar-ico.png | link=EM.Picasso]] [[image:metal-ico.png | link=EM.Libera]] [[image:po-ico.png | link=EM.Illumina]]</td><tr></table>[[Image:Back_icon.png|30px]] '''[[EM.Cube | Back to EM.Cube Main Page]]'''<br />
Each of [[CubeCAD]] tools performs a certain operation or transformation on one or more selected CAD objects. [[EM.Cube]] provides a number of different ways to use these tools. First, you have to activate a CAD tool. Each tool has a button with a particular icon on '''Tools Toolbar''', which you can click to activate. If you hover your mouse on one of these buttons before clicking, a small tooltip shows up displaying the name of that tool. You can also enable a tool from '''Tools Menu''' at the top of the screen. Many tools have a keyboard shortcut, which you simply type on your keyboard to enable that tool. You can also access some tools from the contextual menu of individual objects either by right-clicking on the surface of an object in the project workspace or by right-clicking on the object's name in the navigation tree. When you access a CAD tool from Tools Toolbar or Tools Menu, one or more '''Help Tips''' appear on the upper right corner of the screen, which guide you along the different steps of usage of the enabled tool. The first step in using each CAD tool is to select one or more objects. When you activate a tool from Tools Toolbar or Tools Menu, a help tip prompts you to select an object by clicking on it. If the enabled tool allows the selection of more than one object (e.g. Group ==Align Tool), you can select the objects one by one and then press the '''Enter Key''' to finish the object selection. At this point, another help tip instructs you to take the next action. For most tools, alternatively, you can first select the object(s) and then activate the tool in one of the ways mentioned earlier. This is often more convenient and spares a few mouse clicks.==
==Generic Objects==ICON: None
[[EM.Cube]] offers a large selection of parameterized native objects. Many of [[CubeCAD]] tools, such as translate, rotate or mirror, transform native objects to other objects of the same kind or result in the creation of other types of native objects like polylines and polystrips. Some other CAD tools, result in the creation of a generic solid object, a generic surface object or a generic curve object. [[EM.Cube]]MENU: 's generic objects have a limited number of parameters. They have three ''Tools → Basic → Align'LCS Coordinates''' and three '''Rotation Angles''', which determine their location and orientation in the project workspace. You can change these parameters by accessing the property dialog of a generic object. They also have size or dimension parameters, which are not editable. Most import operations bring in external CAD files to your project as generic objects.
==Transform Objects==KEYBOARD SHORTCUT: None
Many of [[CubeCAD]] operations and transformations result in the creation of either native objects like polylines and polystrips FUNCTION: Aligns one or in generic curve, surface or [[Solid Objects|solid more objects]]. Each by the specified face(s) of their bounding box along the following tools, however, creates a special "Transform Object":specified coordinate plane(s).
# Group Tool# Array Tool# Subtract Tool# Union Tool# Intersect Tool# Extrude Tool# Loft Tool# Revolve Tool# Polymesh Tool# Random Group Tool# Roughen Tool Each transform object has a special property dialog. The Group tool and the three Boolean operation tools, Subtract, Union and Intersect, have similar property dialogs and allow you to access their constituent objects. The property dialog of composite or Boolean objects has a '''Member List''' containing the names of all constituent objects. You can select any member and click the '''Edit''' button of the dialog to open up its property dialog, where you can edit its properties. The property dialog of all the other transform objects has an '''Edit Primitive''' button, which lets you access the property dialog of the original object used for the generation of the selected transform object. TO ALIGN AN OBJECT SELECTION:
==Translate Tool==# Select the object(s) to be aligned.# Select '''Basic → Align''' from '''Tools''' menu.# The Align dialog opens up. Check all the direction boxes for the alignment. # For each of the selected alignment directions, select the positive or negative face. # For each of the selected alignment directions, enter a value for the coordinate plane where you want to move the specified faces of the selected objects.
[[Image:translate1_tn.png|thumb|540px|Translating an object seletion at the same time.]]
[[FileSPECIAL CASES OR EXCEPTIONS:move_tool_tnIf two principal directions are checked for alignment, the object(s) are effectively aligned by an edge. If three principal directions are checked for alignment, the object(s) are effectively aligned by a vertex or node. Note that while alignment of box or rectangle strip objects is intuitive, alignment of other objects is based on the faces of their bounding boxes and may not be as intuitive.png]] '''Menu → Tools → Basic → Translate'''
KEYBOARD SHORTCUT: '''T'''
FUNCTIONPYTHON COMMAND(S): Moves one or more objects to a different location by a specified translation vector
TO TRANSLATE AN OBJECT SELECTION:align(object,dir,coord_value)
# Activate the '''Translate ==Angle Tool'''.# Click on the object(s) you want to translate one by one and press the '''Enter Key''' when done.# Next, you have to establish the translation vector. Left-click on a point in the project workspace to specify the start of the vector. # Drag the mouse to draw a ghost of the translation vector in the desired direction. Left-click a second point to specify the end of the vector. # The object selection is translated by the specified vector. # A dialog pops up on the lower right corner of the screen where you can fine-tune or modify the translation vector before finalizing the translate operation.# Using the Translate Dialog, you can also simply type in the final destination coordinates for the object selection. ==
ICON: [[File:angle_tool_tn.png]]
PYTHON COMMAND(S)MENU:'''Tools → Measure → Distance'''
translate_by(object,dx,dy,dz)KEYBOARD SHORTCUT: '''Shift+A'''
translate_to(FUNCTION: Measures the angle between any two edges belonging to the same object,x0,y0,z0)or to different objects in degrees
TO MEASURE THE ANGLE BETWEEN TWO EDGES:
<b>Moving Objects Around Using Snap Points</b># Activate the '''Angle Tool'''.# Click on the first edge to establish the first leg.# Click on the second edge of the same object or another object to establish the second leg. # A dialog pops up at the lower right corner of the screen showing the angle between the two legs in degrees as well as the X, Y, Z components of the unit vectors along the two selected edges.
The simplest and quickest way to move an object is to hover your mouse over a snap point of the object to highlight it. Then type the keyboard shortcut '''T'''. The cursor latches to the selected snap point and the Translate Dialog pops up at the lower right corner of the screen. Without clicking the mouse, begin to drag the object in the project workspace. A ghost of the object starts to move around. Click the left mouse button at the desired location to drop the object. You can fine-tune the final destination using the Translate Dialog.
<b>Constrained Translation</b>PYTHON COMMAND: None
When you use a snap point to translate an object, you can use the keyboard's '''Alt''' and '''Shift''' keys to constrain the object move in certain directions<table><tr><td>[[Image:Angle1_new. The type of constraint depends on which snap point you pick to translate png|thumb|500px|Measuring the angle between two objectedges. The following rules apply:]]</td></tr></table>
* With a face snap point selected, you can constrain translate to the direction normal to that face only by holding the '''Alt Key''' down during dragging. You can also constrain translate to the plane of that face only by holding the '''Shift Key''' down during dragging.* With an edge snap point selected, you can constrain translate to the line along that edge only by holding the '''Shift Key''' down during dragging. You can also constrain translate to the line normal to that edge only by holding the '''Alt Key''' down during dragging.* With a vertex snap point selected, you can constrain translate to the lines along the two edges passing through that vertex only by holding the '''shift Key''' or '''Alt Key''' down during dragging.==Array Tool==
[[FileICON:consttranslate1_tn.png|aligning objects]] [[File:consttranslate2_tn.png|aligning objects]] [[File:consttranslate3_tnarray_tool_tn.png|aligning objects]]
(Left) Translating a box from a face snap point while holding the Alt Key down, (Middle) Translating a box from an edge snap point while holding the shift Key down, and (Right) Translating a box from a vertex snap point while holding the shift Key down.MENU: '''Tools → Basic → Array'''
==Rotate Tool==KEYBOARD SHORTCUT: '''A'''
[[ImageFUNCTION:rotate1_tn.png|thumb|540px|Rotating Replicates an object selection at the same time.]] and forms an array of its clones based on a specified linear, rectangular or cubic grid
[[FileTO ARRAY AN OBJECT:rotate_tool_tn.png]] '''Menu → Tools → Basic → Rotate'''
KEYBOARD SHORTCUT: # Activate the '''RArray Tool'''.# Click on the object you want to array.# By default, the ghost of a 2×2 array of the selected object appears in the project workspace. # A dialog pops up on the lower right corner of the screen where you can change the number of elements and the element spacing along the three principal axes. # Once you finalize the attributes of your new array, click the OK button of the Array Dialog to create the array object. # The original object is replaced with a new array object with a new default name.
FUNCTION: Rotates one or more objects about a specified axis of rotation If your array is based on an editable object, you can modify the source object by a specified angleclicking on the âEdit Objectâ button located in the Array Dialog. When clicked, the objectâs Properties Dialog will appear. Once you have completed updating the source object, click on the close button and the array will update.
TO ROTATE AN OBJECT SELECTION:
# Activate the '''Rotate Tool'''.# Click on the object(s) you want to translate one by one and press the '''Enter Key''' when done.# Next, you have to establish the rotation axis. Left-click on a point in the project workspace to specify the pivot of the axis. By default, the rotation axis is oriented along the Z-axis. # Use the keyboard's '''Up Arrow''' or '''Down Arrow''' keys to change the direction of the rotation axis or cycle through all the three X, Y, Z directions. # Drag the mouse to establish the rotation angle. If you hold down the '''Shift Key''' while dragging the mouse, the rotation angle will increment in step of 15 degrees.# When you reach the desired rotation angle, left-click to drop the object selection. # A dialog pops up on the lower right corner of the screen where you can fine-tune or modify the rotation angle, the pivot coordinates or the direction of the normal vector along the rotation axis before finalizing the rotate operation.PYTHON COMMAND:
You can align the rotation axis using the snap points of other objects in the project workspace. By defaultarray(label, if you click at a blank pointobject, you establish a rotation axis normal to the current work plane. InsteadxCount, you can click at the edge snap point of another object to set the rotation axis along that edge. Or you can click on the face snap point of another object to set the rotation axis along the normal to that face. Once the rotation axis has been establishedyCount,zCount,xSpacing, a local rotation coordinate system is createdySpacing, and you can cycle through the three possible axes using the keyboard's '''Up Arrow''' or '''Down Arrow''' keys.zSpacing)
array_custom(label,object,xCount,yCount,zCount,xSpacing,ySpacing,zSpacing,x0,y0,z0,rot_x,rot_y,rot_z)
PYTHON COMMAND<table><tr><td> [[Image:array_tool_1.png|thumb|left|640px|Creating an array of rectangle strip objects.]] </td></tr><tr><td> [[Image:array_tool_2.png|thumb|left|640px|A 2×2 array of rectangle strip objects.]] </td></tr><tr><td> [[Image:array_tool_3.png|thumb|left|640px|Changing the Z-cooedinate of the entire array object.]] </td></tr><tr><td> [[Image:array_tool_4.png|thumb|left|640px|Creating a linear array of rectangle strip objects.]] </td></tr><tr><td> [[Image:array_tool_5.png|thumb|left|640px|Creating a rotated array of rectangle strip objects.]] </td></tr><tr><td> [[Image:array_tool_6.png|thumb|left|640px|Rotating a rotated array of rotated rectangle strip objects.]] </td></tr><tr><td> [[Image:Array_tool_7_new.png|thumb|left|640px|Creating a 4x2 array of rotated rectangle strip objects.]] </td></tr></table>
rotate(object,rot_angle_degree,rot_axis_x,rot_axis_y,rot_axis_z)==Boolean CAD Operations==
Boolean operations are used to combine different objects and create new ones. [[EM.Cube]] offers three Boolean operations:
<b>Rotating Objects Locally Using Snap Points</b>* Subtraction* Union* Intersection
The simplest Boolean operations work only with surface and quickest way to rotate an object locally is to hover your mouse over a snap point of an object to highlight itsolid objects. Then type the keyboard shortcut '''R''' In other words, they cannot be applied to enable the Rotate Toolcurve objects. A trident depicting As a local coordinate system appears at general rule of thumb, you should perform a Boolean operation on two or more objects of the selected snap point. You can now rotate the selected same type, and resulting object by will be of the desired anglesame type. Bear Mixing solid and surface objects in Boolean operations may result in mind an undesirable outcome. The Boolean Union of two objects that do not overlap each snap point has other physically is similar to grouping them into a default axis of rotationcomposite object. You can cycle through Subtracting two objects that do not overlap each other physically results in the three rotational axes using the '''Up Arrow''' or '''Down Arrow''' keys. You can also constrain the angle deletion of rotation to 15° increments by holding down the '''Shift Key'''. Left click object to complete the rotationbe subtracted.
[[File:rotate2_tnThe result of a Boolean CAD operation on two or more objects is a new object of Boolean Type. The property dialog of a Boolean object is similar to that of a composite object and contains a member list. You can highlight and select any member from the list and open its own property dialog for editing. You can also use '''Consolidate Tool''' to convert a Boolean object into a generic surface or solid object. In that case, you won't have access to the properties of the individual member object any longer.png|Rotation Process]]
Rotating an object about an edge of another object.==Bridge Tool==
==Scale Tool==ICON: [[File:bridge_tool_tn.png]]
[[ImageMENU:scale1_tn.png|thumb|540px|Scaling a box object in all three directions.]]'''Tools → Transform → Bridge'''
[[FileKEYBOARD SHORTCUT:scale_tool_tn.png]] '''Menu → Tools → Basic → ScaleShift+B'''
KEYBOARD SHORTCUTFUNCTION: '''S'''Creates a transition (bridge) among two or more coplanar curve objects
FUNCTIONTO BRIDGE CURVE OBJECTS: Scales the size (and generally coordinates) of one or more objects by specified scaling vectors
TO SCALE AN OBJECT SELECTION:# Activate the '''Bridge Tool'''.# Click on the curve object(s) you want to bridge one by one and press the '''Enter Key''' when done. # A new surface object is created in the project workspace. Note that the original curve objects are not deleted as a result of this operation.
# Activate the '''Scale Tool'''.
# Click on the object(s) you want to scale one by one and press the '''Enter Key''' when done.
# Next, you have to establish the baseline scale vector. Left-click on a point in the project workspace to specify the start of the baseline scale vector. Then, drag the mouse to draw the vector and left-click to finish the baseline scale vector.
# Now you have to specify the final scale vector. The final scale vector has the same start point as the baseline scale vector but a different end point which determines the scale factor. As you drag the mouse, you will see the second vector drawn on top of or next to the baseline vector. Left-click one more time when you get the desired transformation.
# The scale operation performs a mapping transformation on the object selection from the baseline scale vector onto the final scale vector. As you drag the mouse to establish the end point of the final scale vector, the object selection changes both size and location as a result of the scale transformation.
# A dialog pops up on the lower right corner of the screen where you can fine-tune or modify the scale factors along the three principal axes as well the coordinates of the scale origin.
On occasion, the resulting surface object created from the bridge operation may be twisted at the center. You can correct this problem by pressing the '''Up Arrow Key''' to reverse the node order of the original curve objects.
By default, objects are scaled uniformly, i.e. the scaling factors along the three principal axes are equal. From the Scale Dialog, you can change the three scaling factors arbitrarily to achieve any desired shape. Non-uniform scaling of certain objects like cylinder, cone, sphere, torus, etc., does not take effect because it would destroy the object's symmetry. On the other hand, you can enforce non-uniform scaling of objects like box, ellipsoid, ellipse strip or super-quadratic curve.
SPECIAL CASES OR EXCEPTIONS:
PYTHON COMMAND
scale(object,scale_factor)PYTHON COMMAND: None
<b>Scaling Objects Locally Using Snap Points</b>Example 1: Bridging Two Horizontal Surfaces
Snap points provide an easier way of scaling objects without changing their location[[File:Cad_manual-69_surfaces. Hover your mouse over png|600px|bridge a snap point of an object to highlight it and type the keyboard shortcut '''S'''. This establishes the scale origin at the selected snap point. Then, select the end point of the baseline scale vector, which can be another snap point of the same object. It is convenient to select a vertex of an object as the scale origin and select an adjacent vertex as the end point of the baseline scale vector. Next, you need to determine the final scale vector. If you drag the mouse out of the object, you will expand it. If you drag the mouse inside the object and towards the scale origin, you will shrink it.]]
[[FileExample 2:scale2_tn.png|aligning objects]]Bridging Multiple Lines
Non-uniform scaling In this example we have created a series of beveled planes by bridging between four line segments. Using this method allows you to construct planes whose edges are perfectly aligned to each other. The resulting planes can then be joined together via the Union Tool to form a cylinder ruins its symmetrysolid surface.
<b>Constrained Scaling</b>[[File:cad_manual-69_tn.png|600px|bridge a]]
While dragging the mouse to scale an object select, if you hold the '''Shift Key''' down, you can constrain the scaling to the direction along the baseline scale vector only. Alternatively, if you hold the '''Alt Key''' down, you can constrain the scaling to the direction normal to the baseline scale vector only. If the baseline vector is parallel to one of the principal axes, the "Shift Contstraint" varies only one scaling factor, while the "Alt Constraint" varies two scaling factor simultaneously[[File:cad_manual-70_tn.png|600px|bridge]]
[[File:scale3_tn.png|aligning objects]] [[File:scale4_tn.png|aligning objects]]==Consolidate Tool==
Constrained scaling of a box along an "edge" scale vector and normal to itICON: [[File:consolidate_tool_tn.png]]
==Link Tool==MENU: '''Tools → Transform → Consolidate'''
[[FileKEYBOARD SHORTCUT:link_tool_tn.png]] '''Menu → Tools → Basic → LinkShift+C'''
KEYBOARD SHORTCUTFUNCTION: '''K'''Converts open polymesh objects to generic surface objects and converts closed polymesh objects to generic solid objects
FUNCTIONTO CONSOLIDATE AN OBJECT SELECTION: Links the local coordinate system (LCS) of an object to the LCS of another object
TO LINKAN AN OBJECT:# Activate the '''Consolidate Tool'''.# Click on the polymesh object(s) you want to consolidate one by one and press the '''Enter Key''' when done. # Generic surface of solid versions of the selected polymesh objects appear in the project workspace.
# Activate SPECIAL CASES OR EXCEPTIONS: You can also use the '''Link Consolidate Tool'''.# Click on the object you want to link. A ghost of the selected object appears in the project workspace, which will float around as you drag the mouse. # Next, hover your mouse over the second object convert Boolean objects to be linked to (the parent object) and highlight one of its snap points. # Left-click to link the selected object. Depending on the type of the selected snap point of the second object, the orientation of the linked generic surface or solid objects may change. # The property dialog of the linked object opens up on the lower right corner of the screen. In the Link section of the property dialogthat case, you will see lose access to the name properties of the second object as the '''Parent''' individual constituents of the linked original Boolean object.
The linkage relationship is one-way. The child PYTHON COMMAND: consolidate(object has a pointer to its parent and always follows it, but the opposite it not true. For example, if you move a child object, its link with its parent is broken, and it becomes an independent object. )
==Convert To Box==
PYTHON COMMANDICON: None
set_lcs_link(object,lcs_obj,x_off,y_off,z_off)MENU: '''Tools → Transform → Convert → Box'''
set_rot_link(object,lcs_obj,x_off_deg,y_off_deg,z_off_deg)KEYBOARD SHORTCUT: None
FUNCTION: Replaces any selected object with its bounding box
<b>General Linking Rules</b>TO CONVERT AN OBJECT SELECTION TO BOX:
# When an object is linked, both Select the location and orientation of its LCS are tied to a control point of its parent object.# The way an objects links (s) to another object depends on the type of the parent object as well as the type of the linking control point. Objects link differently to solids, surfaces or curvesbe converted.# When an object is linked to another objectSelect 's face, its local Z-axis is aligned along the normal to the plane of the parent object's face.# When an object is linked to another object's edge, its local Y-axis is aligned along the parent objectTransform → Convert → Box'''s edge, while its local X-axis is aligned along the normal to that edge. In addition, the LCS of the linked object is placed at an X-offset equal to half its X-dimension from the parent's edge. In other words, the link object is connected to the parent object from outside at the linking edge.# When an object is linked to the nodes of a polyline or NURBS curve, the local Y-axis of the linked object is aligned with the tangent to the parent curve at the linking node''Tools''' menu.
<b>Link Properties</b>PYTHON COMMAND: convert_box(object)
The property dialog of all objects has a '''Link''' section that contains the '''Parent Name''' and three dropdown lists labeled '''Fc''', '''Ed''', and '''Nd''', standing for Face, Edge and Node, respectively. Normally, these dropdown lists are grayed out and show zero values. When an object is linked, it has to be linked to either a face, or an edge or a node (vertex) of another (patent) object. Theses primitives are ordered and indexed for each object. For example, each box has six faces. The bottom face is indexed 1, the top face is indexed 2, and so on. Each rectangular face of a box also has four edges, which are indexed from 1 to 4. The zero edge index denotes "None" or "No Edge" and corresponds to the center of that face. Each edge of a box has two nodes or vertices that are indexed as 1 or 2. In a similar fashion, the zero node index denotes "None" or "No Vertex" and corresponds to the center of that edge. In this way, the faces are indexed first, then the edges and finally the nodes or vertices. The indexing of faces, edges and nodes varies among the different object types. ==Convert To Line==
From a linked object's property dialog, you can change the link address and thus change the relative position of the linked object with respect to its parent object. Simply open one of the three Face, Edge or Node dropdown lists and change the index. The location of the link will change and the linked object is positioned on a new face, edge or vertex. [[EM.Cube]] allows offsets for linked objects. This means that the LCS of the child object can have X-, Y- and Z-offsets with respect to the parent's control point. [[EM.Cube]] also allows local rotation of linked objects. This means that the LCS of the child object can have X-, Y- and Z-rotation angles with respect to a local rotation coordinate system at the parent's control point. When an object is linked to another object, its LCS center coordinates and rotation angle values are replaced by a new set of '''LCS Offset''' and '''Local Rotation Angle''' values that are measured in a different coordinate system. We call this new coordinate system the local UVW coordinate system at the location of the parent object's control point. What you see as offsets are indeed the local U, V and W coordinates of the linked object's LCS center with respect to the parent object. Similarly, the rotation angles are measured locally at the LCS of the linked object with respect to the U, V and W axes of the parent object at the control point.ICON: None
You can MENU: '''Tools "rarr;Un-linkTransform "rarr; a linked object by removing its link. The simplest way to do this is to select the zero option from the '''Face''' dropdown list of the object's property dialog. Alternatively, you can also select a linked object in the project workspace and right click on its surface or right click on its name on the navigation tree and select '''Unlock LCSConvert → Line''' from the contextual menu to remove its link.
KEYBOARD SHORTCUT: None
[[FileFUNCTION:link3_tn.png|500px]]Replaces any selected object with a line object connecting the minimum and maximum vertices of its bounding box
A box linked to the top face of another box.TO CONVERT AN OBJECT SELECTION TO LINE:
[[File:link5_tn# Select the object(s) to be converted.png|500px]]# Select '''Transform → Convert → Line''' from '''Tools''' menu.
A box linked to the top face of another box with a nonzero offset in the W direction.
[[FilePYTHON COMMAND:link7_tn.png|500px]]convert_line(object)
A box linked to the top face of another box with all nonzero offsets in the U, V, W directions and rotated 45° about the local W axis.==Convert To Point==
==Mirror Tool==ICON: None
[[FileMENU:scale_tool_tn.png]] '''Menu Tools → Tools Transform → Basic Convert → MirrorPoint'''
KEYBOARD SHORTCUT: '''M'''None
FUNCTION: Creates a mirror image of an Replaces any selected object selection with respect to a specified mirror planepoint object located at the center of its bounding box
TO MIRROR CONVERT AN OBJECT SELECTIONTO POINT:
# Activate the '''Mirror Tool'''.# Click on Select the object(s) you want to mirror one by one and press the be converted.# Select '''Enter KeyTransform → Convert → Point''' when done.# Next, you have to establish the mirror plane. Left-click on a point in the project workspace to specify the anchor of the mirror plane. Then, drag the mouse to draw a ghost of the mirror plane.# As you drag the mouse, the mirror plane will start to rotate around a vertical axis at the anchor point and perpendicular to the current work plane. You will also see a ghost of the image object rotating along with the mirror plane. If you hold the from '''Shift KeyTools''' down while dragging the mouse, the mirror plane rotates at increments of 15 degrees. Left-click once you get the desired mirror plane. # A dialog pops up on the lower right corner of the screen where you can fine-tune or modify the coordinate of the anchor point and the rotation angles of the mirror planemenu.
You can also establish the mirror plane using the snap points of other objects in the project workspace. For example, once you select the object to be mirrored, hover your mouse on the face snap point of any object including the selected object itself, and the plane of the highlighted face will be selected as the mirror plane.
PYTHON COMMAND: convert_point(object)
PYTHON COMMAND:==Convert To Rectangle Strip==
mirror(object,x0,y0,z0,uX,uY,uZ)ICON: None
MENU: '''Tools → Transform → Convert → Rectangle Strip'''
<b>Mirroring Objects Locally Using Snap Points</b>KEYBOARD SHORTCUT: None
You can easily create an image of FUNCTION: Replaces any selected planar object with respect to one of its flat faces. Hover your mouse over a face snap point of an object and type the keyboard shortcut '''M'''. The image object is formed immediately and will share the selected face with the original object. <b>Example 1: Defining Object Edge Mirror Planes</b>bounding rectangle
A. Edge snap point is defined as the mirror plane and anchor point.B. Reflected object is created along the defined construction plane.TO CONVERT AN OBJECT SELECTION TO RECTANGLE STRIP:
[[File:cad_manual-41a_tn# Select the object(s) to be converted.jpg|Mirror Process 1]]# Select '''Transform → Convert → Rectangle Strip''' from '''Tools''' menu.
<b>Example 2: Defining Object Face Mirror Planes</b>
A. Face center is defined as the mirror plane anchored point.B. Reflected PYTHON COMMAND: convert_rect(object is created using the object face as a construction plane.)
[[File:cad_manual-41b_tn.jpg]]==Distance Tool==
<b>Example 3ICON: Defining Arbitrary Mirror Planes</b>[[File:Measure tool tn.png]]
[[FileMENU:cad_manual-42_tn.jpg|Mirror Process 2]]'''Tools → Measure → Distance'''
In this example, an anchor point has been selected at an arbitrary location on the grid. Once an anchor point has been defined, you can freely rotate the construction plane about the anchor point. This allows you to create a mirrored object at an arbitrary radial location.KEYBOARD SHORTCUT: '''Shift+D'''
==Group Tool==FUNCTION: Measures the distance between any two point in project units
[[FileTO MEASURE THE DISTANCE BETWEEN TWO POINTS:group_tool_tn.png]] '''Menu → Tools → Basic → Group'''
KEYBOARD SHORTCUT: # Activate the '''JDistance Tool'''.# Click on the first point either somewhere in the project workspace or a snap point of an existing object.# Click on the second point. # A dialog pops up at the lower right corner of the screen showing the distance between the two points as well as the three X, Y, Z components of the vector extending from the start point to the end point.
FUNCTION: Groups a selection of two or more objects into a single composite object
TO GROUP AN OBJECT SELECTIONSPECIAL CASES OR EXCEPTIONS:You can measure the distances among several points successively.
# Activate the '''Group Tool'''.# The object selection is replaced with a single composite object with a new default name. PYTHON COMMAND: None
<table>
<tr>
<td>
[[Image:Distance1_new.png|thumb|500px|Measuring the distance between two snap points.]]
</td>
</tr>
</table>
PYTHON COMMAND:==Explode Tool==
group(label,object_1,object_2,ICON: [[File:explode_tool_tn...,object_n)png]]
MENU: '''Tools → Basic → Explode'''
You can right-click on a composite to invoke the Composites Properties Dialog. This dialog allows you to scale the size of the composite. You can also edit or copy individual objects contained within the composite. The Extract Command removes the selected object from the group without deleting it from the scene, while the Delete command completely removes the selected object from the composite as well as the scene (C).KEYBOARD SHORTCUT: '''Q'''
[[FileFUNCTION:cad_manual-44_tn.jpg|composite process]]Breaks up one or more selected objects selection into their constituent primitives
==Array Tool==TO EXPLODE AN OBJECT SELECTION:
[[File:array_tool_tn# Activate the '''Explode Tool'''.png]] # Click on the objects you want to explode one by one and press the '''Menu → Tools → Basic → ArrayEnter Key'''when done.# The original object selection is replaced with a larger set of objects of lower dimensionality.
KEYBOARD SHORTCUT: '''For example, a solid object explodes into a number of surface objects that formed its faces. A'''surface object explodes into a number of curve objects that formed its edges.
FUNCTIONSPECIAL CASES OR EXCEPTIONS: Replicates an object Composite (group) and forms an Boolean objects explode into their original constituent objects. An array object explodes into the set of its clones based on a specified linear, rectangular individual elements. A polystrip or cubic gridNURBS strip object explodes into its boundary polyline or NURBS curve, respectively.
TO ARRAY AN OBJECT:
# Activate the '''Array Tool'''.# Click on the PYTHON COMMAND: explode(object you want to array.# By default, the ghost of a 2×2 array of the selected object appears in the project workspace. # A dialog pops up on the lower right corner of the screen where you can change the number of elements and the element spacing along the three principal axes. # Once you finalize the attributes of your new array, click the OK button of the Array Dialog to create the array object. # The original object is replaced with a new array object with a new default name. )
If your array is based on an editable <table><tr><td> [[Image:cad_manual-73_tn_new.png|thumb|720px|A pyramid object, you can modify the source object by clicking on the âEdit Objectâ button located in the Array Dialogexploded into its constituent faces. When clicked, the objectâs Properties Dialog will appear. Once you have completed updating the source object, click on the close button One face has been selected and the array will updatesubsequently removed.]] </td></tr></table>
==Extrude Tool==
PYTHON COMMANDICON:[[File:extrude_tool_tn.png]]
array(label,object,xCount,yCount,zCount,xSpacing,ySpacing,zSpacing)MENU: '''Tools → Transform → Extrude'''
KEYBOARD SHORTCUT: '''H'''
[[FileFUNCTION:cad_manual-46_tn.jpg|Array Process 1]]Extrudes a surface object into a solid object or a curve object into a surface object
==Subtract Tool==TO EXTRUDE AN OBJECT:
[[File:subtract_tool_tn.png]] # Activate the '''Menu → Tools → Basic → SubtractExtrude Tool'''.# Click on the surface or curve object you want to extrude to select it.# Drag the mouse to lift the object and give the new dimension to it. When you reach the desired height, left-click to finalize the extrusion object. # A dialog pops up on the lower right corner of the screen where you can fine-tune the height, change the draft angle or uncap the extrusion object.# Make sure to click the OK button of the extrusion object's property dialog to finalize the construction.
KEYBOARD SHORTCUT: None
FUNCTIONSPECIAL CASES OR EXCEPTIONS: Subtracts one or more objects from another object in the Boolean sense
TO SUBTRACT FROM AN OBJECT:
# Activate the '''Subtract Tool'''.# Click on the PYTHON COMMAND: extrude(label,object you want to subtract from and press the '''Enter Key'''.# Click on the object(s,extrude_height,cap_ends) you want to subtract from the previously selected object one by one and press the '''Enter Key''' when done.# All the original selected objects are replaced with a new Boolean object with a new default name.
PYTHON COMMAND:There are several extrusion options available within '''[[EM.Cube|EM.CUBE]]'''. You can extrude the face of an object or the edge of an object. When extruding an objectâs face you can also define a draft angle. When extruding the edge of an object you can define the angle of the resulting extruded plane. By default the extrusion angle is normal (perpendicular) to the plane of extrusion. You can use the snap points of nearby objects to âcopyâ their length, height, or width to newly extruded planes or solids
subtract(label,object_1,object_2)To extrude the edge Or face Of an object:
# There are two methods you can use to invoke the Extrude command:
* '''Method 1:''' Position your mouse over an unselected objectâs face or edge and press the E-key on your keyboard* '''Method 2:''' Deselect all objects in your scene, click on the Extrude Tool [[File:cad_manual-49_tnextrude_tool_tn.jpg|subtractpng]], select the object you wish to perform an extrusion operation on and press RETURN on your keyboard. Then position you mouse cursor at the center-most point of the face or edge you wish to extrude (A).
Two overlapping boxes (Next, left) -click on the snap point that appears and drag the subtraction result extruded plane to the desired height (rightB) after subtracting the gray box from the blue one.
==Union Tool==When you have positioned the height as desired, click the left mouse button to complete the extrusion (C).
<table><tr><td> [[FileImage:union_tool_tncad_manual-52_tn_new.png|thumb|left|720px|Extruding an object.]] '''Menu → Tools → Basic → Union'''</td></tr></table>
KEYBOARD SHORTCUTExample 1: '''U'''Changing The Angle Of An Edge Extrusion
FUNCTION: Forms a union # First, follow the steps previously outlined to extrude the edge of an object selection in (A-C below).# Notice the Extrusion Properties Box that appears at the bottom of the Navigation Tree. You can customize the rotation angle of the plane created by the edge extrusion operation from within this box. You can also press the ARROW keys on your keyboard to quickly rotate the Boolean senseextruded planeâs vector 90º (D).
TO UNION AN OBJECT SELECTION<table><tr><td> [[Image:cad_manual-53_tn_new.png|thumb|left|720px|The process of extruding an edge.]] </td></tr></table>
# Activate the '''Union Tool'''.# Click on the objects you want to union one by one and press the '''Enter Key''' when done.# Example 2: Changing The original object selection is replaced with a new Boolean object with a new default name. Draft Angle Of An Extrusion
# First, follow the steps previously outlined to extrude the face of an object (A-C below).
# Once an extrusion has been created, you can change the draft angle from within the extrusion dialog box. The draft angle allows you to taper inward or flare outward the extrusion walls.
PYTHON COMMAND<table><tr><td> [[Image:cad_manual-54_tn_new.png|thumb|left|720px|The process of extruding a face.]] </td></tr></table>
union(labelAs with all property boxes,object_1you can click on the blue preview button to preview your settings. Clicking on the green check mark will commit the current settings,object_2while clicking on the red âxâ will dismiss the dialog (D).
==Fill Tool==
ICON: [[File:cad_manual-50_tnfill_tool_tn.jpg|Unionpng]]
Two overlapping boxes (left) and the union result (right).MENU: '''Tools → Transform → Fill'''
==Intersect Tool==KEYBOARD SHORTCUT: '''Shift+F'''
[[FileFUNCTION:intersect_tool_tn.png]] '''Menu → Tools → Basic → Intersect'''Creates a planar surface object from a closed curve object or from a set of curve objects that together form a closed region
KEYBOARD SHORTCUTTO FILL CURVE OBJECT(S): None
FUNCTION: Forms an intersection of an # Activate the '''Fill Tool'''.# Click on the curve object selection (s) you want to fill one by one to select them and press the '''Enter Key''' when done. # A new planar surface object is created in the Boolean senseproject workspace which replaces the previously selectedcurve objects.
TO INTERSECT AN OBJECT SELECTION:
# Activate the '''Intersect Tool'''.# Click on the objects When you want to intersect one by one and press fill the '''Enter Key''' when done.# The original object selection is replaced with area among several curves or lines that together form a new Boolean object with a new default nameclosed region, the operation will trim any excess curve lengths.
PYTHON COMMANDSPECIAL CASES OR EXCEPTIONS:When you fill two or more closed curves, of which one completely encloses all the others, the area among the closed curves will be filled. Filling a closed polyline or a NURBS curve results in the creation of a polystrip or a NURBS strip object, respectively.
intersect(label,object_1,object_2)
PYTHON COMMAND: fill_curve(object)
[[File:cad_manual-51_tn.jpg|intersect]]
Two overlapping boxes (<table><tr><td> [[Image:fill1_tn_new.png|thumb|left|500px|The process of extruding an edge.]] </td></tr><tr><td> [[Image:fill1_tnB_new.png|thumb|left|500px|The process of extruding an edge.]] </td></tr><tr><td> [[Image:fill2_tn_new.png|thumb|left) and the intersected result (right)|500px|The process of extruding an edge.]] </td></tr></table>
==Creating Boolean Objects==Three closed curves with two enclosed inside the other and the planar object resulting from filling the curves.
Boolean operations are used to combine different object and create new ones. [[EM.Cube]] offers three Boolean operations:==Fillet Tool==
* Subtraction* Union* IntersectionICON: [[File:fillet_tool_tn.png]]
Boolean operations in [[EM.Cube]] have some limitations due to certain CAD complications. As a general rule of thumb, you can union any two or more objects of the same type. In other words, you can union two or more solids to obtain another solid. You can union two or more [[Surface Objects|surface objects]] (planar or nonplanar) to obtain another [[Surface Objects|surface objects]]. You can also union two [[Curve Objects|curve objects]] under certain circumstances, although a better way to do this is to use the MENU: '''Merge Curve ToolTools → Basic → Fillet''' Unioning two object that do not overlap each other physically is similar to grouping them into a composite object. You can subtract solids from a solid or subtract surfaces from a surface object. Similarly, your intersect solids with other or intersect surfaces with each other.
{{Note|Mixing solid CAD objects and surface CAD objects in Boolean operations may result in an undesirable outcome.}}KEYBOARD SHORTCUT: '''Shift+L'''
When two FUNCTION: Adds rounded bevels to hard-angled corners of one or more objects undergo a Boolean operation, a new Boolean object is created by default. The new Boolean object provides access to the properties of the individual constituent objects for further editing. This is a convenient feature that can effectively be used in many applications. The property dialog of Boolean objects shows the overall dimensions of the object in grayed out boxes that cannot be edited. The property dialog also has a list of all the constituent objects. These behave similar to the parent objects of linked objects. To edit the properties of a constituent, select its name in the '''Object List''', which highlights the actual object in the Project Workspace in the current selection color. Then, click the '''Edit''' button of the dialog to open up the property dialog of the selected constituent object. At this time, [[EM.Cube|EM.CUBE]] activates the object edit modes with red edit handles appearing on the surface of the selected constituent object. Edit the object either with the mouse using the edit handles or through the property dialog using the spin buttons and typing in new values for the object [[parameters]]. After the editing is finished, save the changes in the second property dialog and do the same for the first property dialog belonging to the Boolean object.curve objects
[[FileTO FILLET AN OBJECT:bool1_tn.png|500px]]
A Boolean # Activate the '''Fillet Tool'''.# Click on the object resulting from union of two cylinder(s) you want to fillet one by one and press the '''Enter Key''' when done. The cylinder # A dialog pops up on the lower right corner of the screen where you can change the type of fillet or fine-tune the fillet radius. # The default option is selected for further editinga circular arc fillet with a radius of 10 project units. You may choose another fillet type: Linear (Chamfer), G1, G2 or G3 Blend.# Make sure to click the OK button of the Fillet Dialog to finalize the operation.
[[FileSPECIAL CASES OR EXCEPTIONS:bool2_tn.png|500px]]
Through the property dialog of the selected cylinderPYTHON COMMAND: fillet(object, its height and radius are changed.)
<table><tr><td>[[File:bool3_tnFillet_tn.png|thumb|left|720px|The fillet tool.]]</td></tr></table>
The Boolean object after editing one of its constituents.==Geometric Analysis Tool==
Sometimes, you may prefer to get a simple solid or surface object after a Boolean operation. ICON: [[EMFile:Extends_tool_tn.Cube|EM.CUBEpng]] offers the option to create generic solids or surfaces at the end of a Boolean operation. To enable this option, open the '''Preferences Dialog''' from '''Edit Menu''' or using the keyboard shortcut '''Ctrl+H'''. In the '''Objects''' tab of this dialog remove the check mark from the box labeled "Create Boolean Objects after Boolean Operations".
==Explode Tool==MENU: '''Tools → Measure → Geometric Analysis'''
[[FileKEYBOARD SHORTCUT:explode_tool_tn.png]] '''Menu → Tools → Basic → ExplodeShift+E'''
KEYBOARD SHORTCUTFUNCTION: '''Q'''Measures the length, surface area or volume of a geometric object
FUNCTIONTO PERFORM GEOMETRIC ANALYSIS AND MEASURE THE EXTENTS OF AN OBJECT: Breaks up one or more selected objects selection into their constituent primitives
TO EXPLODE AN OBJECT SELECTION:# Activate the '''Geometric Analysis Tool'''.# Hover the mouse over any object in the project workspace.# A dialog pops up at the lower right corner of the screen. If the highlighted object is a curve, the dialog shows its arc length. If the highlighted object is a surface, the dialog shows its area. If the highlighted object is a solid, the dialog shows both its volume and total surface area.
# Activate the '''Explode Tool'''.
# Click on the objects you want to explode one by one and press the '''Enter Key''' when done.
# The original object selection is replaced with a larger set of objects of lower dimensionality.
Â
For example, a solid object explodes into a number of [[Surface Objects|surface objects]] that formed its faces. A surface object explodes into a number of [[Curve Objects|curve objects]] that formed its edges.
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SPECIAL CASES OR EXCEPTIONS: Composite (group) and Boolean objects explode into their original constituent objects. An array object explodes into the set of its individual elements. A polystrip or NURBS strip object explodes into its boundary polyline or NURBS curve, respectively.
SPECIAL CASES OR EXCEPTIONS: You can compute the extents of several objects successively.
PYTHON COMMAND:
explodeget_length(object)
get_area(object)
[[File:cad_manual-73_tn.jpg|Explode]]get_volume(object)
A pyramid object exploded into its constituent faces<table><tr><td> [[Image:Extents1_new. One face has been selected png|thumb|550px|Measuring the surface area and subsequently removedvolume of a solid object.]] </td></tr><tr><td> [[Image:Extents2_new.png|thumb|550px|Measuring the length of a curve object.]] </td></tr></table>
==Extrude Group Tool==
ICON: [[File:extrude_tool_tngroup_tool_tn.png]] '''Menu → Tools → Transform → Extrude'''
KEYBOARD SHORTCUTMENU: '''HTools → Basic → Group'''
FUNCTIONKEYBOARD SHORTCUT: Extrudes a surface object into a solid object or a curve object into a surface object'''Shift+G'''
TO EXTRUDE AN OBJECTFUNCTION:Groups a selection of two or more objects into a single composite object
# Activate the '''Extrude Tool'''.# Click on the surface or curve object you want to extrude to select it.# Drag the mouse to lift the object and give the new dimension to it. When you reach the desired height, left-click to finalize the extrusion object. # A dialog pops up on the lower right corner of the screen where you can fine-tune the height, change the draft angle or uncap the extrusion object.# Make sure to click the OK button of the extrusion object's property dialog to finalize the construction. TO GROUP AN OBJECT SELECTION:
# Activate the '''Group Tool'''.
# The object selection is replaced with a single composite object with a new default name.
SPECIAL CASES OR EXCEPTIONS:
When you group two or more objects, a new object of composite type is created. You can open the property dialog of the composite object and access and edit its individual member objects. The '''Extract''' button of the composite dialog removes the selected object from the member list without deleting it from the project workspace, while the '''Delete''' button completely removes the selected object from the composite object as well as from the project workspace.
PYTHON COMMAND:
extrude(labelSPECIAL CASES OR EXCEPTIONS: In [[EM.Cube]],you can group only objects that belong to the same color group or material group. If you group an object with a composite object,extrude_heightit is added to the member list of the composite object. In other words,cap_ends)the composite object is expanded.
PYTHON COMMAND: group(label,object_1,object_2,...,object_n)
There are several extrusion options available within '''<table><tr><td> [[EMImage:cad_manual-44_tn_new.Cubepng|EMthumb|540px|Grouping several objects as a single composite object.CUBE]]'''. You can extrude the face of an object or the edge of an object. When extruding an objectâs face you can also define a draft angle. When extruding the edge of an object you can define the angle of the resulting extruded plane. By default the extrusion angle is normal (perpendicular) to the plane of extrusion. You can use the snap points of nearby objects to âcopyâ their length, height, or width to newly extruded planes or solids</td></tr></table>
To extrude the edge Or face Of an object:==Intersect Tool==
# There are two methods you can use to invoke the Extrude commandICON:[[File:intersect_tool_tn.png]]
* '''Method 1MENU:''' Position your mouse over an unselected objectâs face or edge and press the E-key on your keyboard* Tools → Basic → Intersect'''Method 2:''' Deselect all objects in your scene, click on the Extrude Tool [[File:extrude_tool_tn.png]], select the object you wish to perform an extrusion operation on and press RETURN on your keyboard. Then position you mouse cursor at the center-most point of the face or edge you wish to extrude (A).
Next, left-click on the snap point that appears and drag the extruded plane to the desired height (B).KEYBOARD SHORTCUT: '''I'''
When you have positioned FUNCTION: Forms an intersection of an object selection in the height as desired, click the left mouse button to complete the extrusion (C).Boolean sense
[[FileTO INTERSECT AN OBJECT SELECTION:cad_manual-52_tn.jpg|Extrude Process]]
Example 1: Changing # Activate the '''Intersect Tool'''.# Click on the objects you want to intersect one by one and press the '''Enter Key''' when done.# The Angle Of An Edge Extrusion original object selection is replaced with a new Boolean object with a new default name.
# First, follow the steps previously outlined to extrude the edge of an object (A-C below).
# Notice the Extrusion Properties Box that appears at the bottom of the Navigation Tree. You can customize the rotation angle of the plane created by the edge extrusion operation from within this box. You can also press the ARROW keys on your keyboard to quickly rotate the extruded planeâs vector 90º (D).
[[FilePYTHON COMMAND:cad_manual-53_tn.jpg|Extrude Example 1]]intersect(label,object_1,object_2)
Example 2<table><tr><td> [[Image: Changing The Draft Angle Of An Extrusioncad_manual-51_tn_new.png|thumb|540px|(Left) Two overlapping boxes and (Right) the result of their Boolean intersection.]] </td></tr></table>
# First, follow the steps previously outlined to extrude the face of an object (A-C below).# Once an extrusion has been created, you can change the draft angle from within the extrusion dialog box. The draft angle allows you to taper inward or flare outward the extrusion walls.== Link Tool ==
[[FileICON:cad_manual-54_tn.jpg]] [[File:cad_manual-55_tnlink_tool_tn.jpgpng]]
As with all property boxes, you can click on the blue preview button to preview your settings. Clicking on the green check mark will commit the current settings, while clicking on the red âxâ will dismiss the dialog (D).MENU: '''Tools → Basic → Link'''
==Loft Tool==KEYBOARD SHORTCUT: '''K'''
[[FileFUNCTION:cad_manual-61_tn.jpg|thumb|250px|The Loft To Point Properties Dialog]]Links the local coordinate system (LCS) of an object to the LCS of another object
[[FileTO LINK AN OBJECT:loft_tool_tn.png]] '''Menu → Tools → Transform → Loft'''
KEYBOARD SHORTCUT: # Activate the '''LLink Tool'''.# Click on the object you want to link. A ghost of the selected object appears in the project workspace, which will float around as you drag the mouse. # Next, hover your mouse over the second object to be linked to (the parent object) and highlight one of its snap points. # Left-click to link the selected object. Depending on the type of the selected snap point of the second object, the orientation of the linked objects may change. # The property dialog of the linked object opens up on the lower right corner of the screen. In the Link section of the property dialog, you will see the name of the second object as the '''Parent''' of the linked object.
FUNCTION: Lofts The linkage relationship is one-way. The child object has a surface object pointer to a point its parent and turns always follows it into , but the opposite it not true. For example, if you move a solid child object or lofts a curve object to a point , its link with its parent is broken, and turns it into a surface becomes an independent object.
TO LOFT AN OBJECT:
# Activate the '''Loft Tool'''.# Click on the surface or curve object you want to loft to select it.# Drag the mouse to lift the object and give the new dimension to it. When you reach the desired height, left-click to finalize the loft object. # A dialog pops up on the lower right corner of the screen where you can fine-tune the height and the X- and Y-offsets of the apex of the loft object.# Make sure to click the OK button of the loft object's property dialog to finalize the construction. PYTHON COMMANDs:
set_lcs_link(object,lcs_obj,x_off,y_off,z_off)
SPECIAL CASES OR EXCEPTIONS: set_rot_link(object,lcs_obj,x_off_deg,y_off_deg,z_off_deg)
PYTHON COMMAND:<b>General Linking Rules</b>
loft(label# When an object is linked,both the location and orientation of its LCS are tied to a control point of its parent object.# The way an objects links to another object depends on the type of the parent object as well as the type of the linking control point. Objects link differently to solids,loft_heightsurfaces or curves.# When an object is linked to another object's face,cap_base)its local Z-axis is aligned along the normal to the plane of the parent object's face.# When an object is linked to another object's edge, its local Y-axis is aligned along the parent object's edge, while its local X-axis is aligned along the normal to that edge. In addition, the LCS of the linked object is placed at an X-offset equal to half its X-dimension from the parent's edge. In other words, the link object is connected to the parent object from outside at the linking edge.# When an object is linked to the nodes of a polyline or NURBS curve, the local Y-axis of the linked object is aligned with the tangent to the parent curve at the linking node.
[[File:cad_manual-62_tn.jpg|Loft Process 1]]<b>Link Properties</b>
Lofted The property dialog of all objects has a '''Link''' section that contains the '''Parent Name''' and three dropdown lists labeled '''Fc''', '''Ed''', and '''Nd''', standing for Face, Edge and Node, respectively. Normally, these dropdown lists are grayed out and show zero values. When an object is linked , it has to the objects they were generated frombe linked to either a face, or an edge or a node (vertex) of another (patent) object. This means that transformations performed on the parent Theses primitives are ordered and indexed for each object will . For example, each box has six faces. The bottom face is indexed 1, the top face is indexed 2, and so on. Each rectangular face of a box also affect its associated loft objectshas four edges, which are indexed from 1 to 4. The Loft To Point properties dialog provides zero edge index denotes "None" or "No Edge" and corresponds to the center of that face. Each edge of a number box has two nodes or vertices that are indexed as 1 or 2. In a similar fashion, the zero node index denotes "None" or "No Vertex" and corresponds to the center of additional [[parameters]] that can be modifiededge. In this way, the faces are indexed first, then the edges and finally the nodes or vertices. The indexing of faces, edges and nodes varies among the different object types.
From a linked object'''Loft Height''' establishes s property dialog, you can change the link address and thus change the elevation relative position of the loft pointlinked object with respect to its parent object.<br />'''Length Offset''' repositions Simply open one of the loft three Face, Edge or Node dropdown lists and change the index. The location of the link will change and the linked object is positioned on a new face, edge or vertex. [[EM.Cube]] allows offsets for linked objects. This means that the LCS of the child object can have X-, Y- and Z-offsets with respect to the parent's control point along . [[EM.Cube]] also allows local rotation of linked objects. This means that the LCS of the child object can have X axis by -, Y- and Z-rotation angles with respect to a local rotation coordinate system at the specified amountparent's control point. The default value When an object is 0. linked to another object, its LCS center coordinates and rotation angle values are replaced by a new set of '''Width LCS Offset''' repositions the loft point along the Y axis by the specified amount. The default value is 0. and '''Cap BaseLocal Rotation Angle''' renders values that are measured in a plane different coordinate system. We call this new coordinate system the local UVW coordinate system at the base location of any loft derived from the face parent object's control point. What you see as offsets are indeed the local U, V and W coordinates of another the linked object's LCS center with respect to the parent object. This option is enabled by defaultSimilarly, the rotation angles are measured locally at the LCS of the linked object with respect to the U, V and W axes of the parent object at the control point.
Example 1: Lofting To Snap PointsYou can "Un-link" a linked object by removing its link. The simplest way to do this is to select the zero option from the '''Face''' dropdown list of the object's property dialog. Alternatively, you can also select a linked object in the project workspace and right click on its surface or right click on its name on the navigation tree and select '''Unlock LCS''' from the contextual menu to remove its link.
This example illustrates lofting from <table><tr><td> [[Image:link3_tn_new.png|thumb|540px|A box linked to the edge top face of the lower another box .]] </td></tr><tr><td> [[Image:link5_tn_new.png|thumb|540px|A box linked to the top face of another box with a corner point on nonzero offset along the local W direction.]] </td></tr><tr><td> [[Image:link7_tn_new.png|thumb|540px|A box linked to the top face of another box with all nonzero offsets along the local U, V, W directions and rotated 45° about the center rectanglelocal W axis.]] </td></tr></table>
[[File:cad_manual-63_tn.jpg|==Loft Example 1]]Tool==
Example 2ICON: Using Lofts To Create A Four-Sided Pyramid[[File:loft_tool_tn.png]]
[[FileMENU:cad_manual-64_tn.jpg|'''Tools → Transform → Loft Example 2]]'''
==Revolve Tool==KEYBOARD SHORTCUT: '''L'''
[[FileFUNCTION:revolve_tool_tn.png]] '''Menu → Tools → Transform → Revolve'''Lofts a surface object to a point and turns it into a solid object or lofts a curve object to a point and turns it into a surface object
KEYBOARD SHORTCUTTO LOFT AN OBJECT: '''V'''
FUNCTION: Revolves a # Activate the '''Loft Tool'''.# Click on the surface or curve object about a specified axis of revolution you want to loft to select it.# Drag the mouse to lift the object and turns give the new dimension to it into a solid or surface . When you reach the desired height, left-click to finalize the loft object. # A dialog pops up on the lower right corner of the screen where you can fine-tune the height and the X- and Y-offsets of the apex of the loft object.# Make sure to click the OK button of the loft object's property dialog to finalize the construction.
TO REVOLVE AN OBJECT:
# Activate the '''Revolve Tool'''.# Click on the surface or curve object you want to revolve to select it.# A trident representing a local coordinate system appears in the project workspace and floats around as you move the mouse. # By default, the axis of revolution is oriented perpendicular to the current work plane and is drawn larger than the other two axes. Using the keyboard's '''Up Arrow''' or '''Down Arrow''' keys, you can cycle through all the three principal directions. # Once you get the desired axis of revolution at the right location, left-click to create the object of revolution.# A dialog pops up on the lower right corner of the screen where you can fine-tune the coordinates of the pivot point or the direction of the axis of revolution. # Make sure to click the OK button of the revolution object's property dialog to finalize the construction. SPECIAL CASES OR EXCEPTIONS:
You can use the edges of other objects to serve as the axis of revolution. Once you select the PYTHON COMMAND: loft(label,object to be revolved, hover your mouse on the middle snap point of any straight edge of any object including the original object to be revolvedloft_height, and the axis of revolution is aligned along the selected edge. cap_base)
SPECIAL CASE(S)<table><tr><td> [[Image: cad_manual-62_tn_new.png|thumb|left|720px|The process of lofting a face.]] </td></tr></table>
Lofted objects are linked to the objects they were generated from. This means that transformations performed on the parent object will also affect its associated loft objects. The Loft To Point properties dialog provides a number of additional [[parameters]] that can be modified.
PYTHON COMMAND:'''Loft Height''' establishes the elevation of the loft point.<br />'''Length Offset''' repositions the loft point along the X axis by the specified amount. The default value is 0. '''Width Offset''' repositions the loft point along the Y axis by the specified amount. The default value is 0. '''Cap Base''' renders a plane at the base of any loft derived from the face of another object. This option is enabled by default.
revolve(label,object,x0,y0,z0,uX,uY,uZ,rot_angle)Example 1: Lofting To Snap Points
This example illustrates lofting from the edge of the lower box to a corner point on the center rectangle.
[[File:cad_manual-56_tn63_tn.jpgpng|revolve process600px|Loft Example 1]]
In this example, a rectangular plane has been revolved by using a preExample 2: Using Lofts To Create A Four-drawn line as the axial reference.Sided Pyramid
Example 1[[File: Revolving Polygon Planescad_manual-64_tn.png|600px|Loft Example 2]]
This example illustrates revolving the face of a cylinder about the axis of a pyramid"s edge.==Merge Tool==
ICON: [[File:cad_manual-57_tnmerge_tool_tn.jpg|revolve sample 1png]]
Example 2MENU: Complex Planar Revolutions'''Tools → Basic → Merge'''
This example illustrates an extremely complex face revolved about the axis of a line.KEYBOARD SHORTCUT: '''Shift+M'''
[[FileFUNCTION:cad_manual-58_tn.jpg|revolve sample 2]]Combines nodal curves (polylines or NURBS curves) into a new curve or combines polymesh objects aligned along cell edges into a new polymesh object
Example 3TO MERGE AN OBJECT SELECTION: Unusual Revolutions
This example illustrates # Activate the face of a cylinder revolved about '''Merge Tool'''.# Click on the axis objects of the same type you want to merge one by one and press the '''Enter Key''' when done.# The original object selection is replaced with a pyramid"s edgelarger object of the same type.
[[File:cad_manual-59_tn.jpg|revolve sample 3]]
Example 4: Partial RevolutionsIf there is a gap between the objects to be merged, it is eliminated as a result of merging as the last and first nodes of the two separate curves become part of a single node list.
This example illustrates the results of specifying a partial Rotation Angle.
[[FileSPECIAL CASES OR EXCEPTIONS:cad_manual-60_tnIn order to merge one or more polymesh objects, they have to have one or more cells strictly and exactly lined up along common edges.jpg|revolve sample 4]]
==Fillet Tool==
[[FilePYTHON COMMAND:fillet_tool_tn.png]] '''Menu → Tools → Basic → Fillet'''merge_curve(object_1,object_2)
KEYBOARD SHORTCUT: None
FUNCTION: Adds rounded bevels to hard-angled corners of one or more surface or [[Curve ObjectsFile:merge1_tn.png|curve objectsFilling Outlines]]
TO REVOLVE AN OBJECT:Two NURBS curve to be merged into one.
# Activate the '''Fillet Tool'''.# Click on the object(s) you want to fillet one by one and press the '''Enter Key''' when done. # A dialog pops up on the lower right corner of the screen where you can change the type of fillet or fine-tune the fillet radius. # The default option is a circular arc fillet with a radius of 10 project units. You may choose another fillet type[[File: Linear (Chamfer), G1, G2 or G3 Blend.# Make sure to click the OK button of the Fillet Dialog to finalize the operationmerge2_tn. png|Filling Outlines]]
The resulting merged NURBS curve with the combine nodes.
SPECIAL CASES OR EXCEPTIONS: ==Mirror Tool==
ICON: [[File:scale_tool_tn.png]]
PYTHON COMMANDMENU:'''Tools → Basic → Mirror'''
fillet(object,radius)KEYBOARD SHORTCUT: '''M'''
FUNCTION: Creates a mirror image of an object selection with respect to a specified mirror plane
[[FileTO MIRROR AN OBJECT SELECTION:fillet_tn.jpg|fillet]]
==Skin # Activate the '''Mirror Tool=='''.# Click on the object(s) you want to mirror one by one and press the '''Enter Key''' when done.# Next, you have to establish the mirror plane. Left-click on a point in the project workspace to specify the anchor of the mirror plane. Then, drag the mouse to draw a ghost of the mirror plane.# As you drag the mouse, the mirror plane will start to rotate around a vertical axis at the anchor point and perpendicular to the current work plane. You will also see a ghost of the image object rotating along with the mirror plane. If you hold the '''Shift Key''' down while dragging the mouse, the mirror plane rotates at increments of 15 degrees. Left-click once you get the desired mirror plane. # A dialog pops up on the lower right corner of the screen where you can fine-tune or modify the coordinate of the anchor point and the rotation angles of the mirror plane.
[[File:skin_tool_tnYou can also establish the mirror plane using the snap points of other objects in the project workspace. For example, once you select the object to be mirrored, hover your mouse on the face snap point of any object including the selected object itself, and the plane of the highlighted face will be selected as the mirror plane.png]] '''Menu → Tools → Transform → Skin'''
KEYBOARD SHORTCUT: None
FUNCTIONPYTHON COMMAND: Creates a transition mirror(skinobject,x0,y0,z0,uX,uY,uZ) among two or more planar [[Surface Objects|surface objects]]
TO SKIN PLANAR [[Surface Objects|SURFACE OBJECTS]]:
# Activate the '''Skin Tool'''.# Click on the planar surface object(s) you want to skin one by one and press the '''Enter Key''' when done. # A new solid object is created in the project workspace. Note that the original [[Surface <b>Mirroring Objects|surface objects]] are not deleted as a result of this operation. Locally Using Snap Points</b>
You can easily create an image of any object with respect to one of its flat faces. Hover your mouse over a face snap point of an object and type the keyboard shortcut '''M'''. The image object is formed immediately and will share the selected face with the original object.
<b>Example 1: Defining Object Edge Mirror Planes</b>
On occasion, A. Edge snap point is defined as the resulting solid mirror plane and anchor point.B. Reflected object is created from the skin operation may be twisted at the center. You can use the '''Left Arrow Key''' or '''Right Arrow Key''' to untwist (or twist) the transition by cycle the [[Surface Objects|surface objects]]â node order clockwise or counter-clockwise. You can also use the Up Arrow Key''' or '''Down Arrow Key''' to reverse along the selected objectâs node orderdefined construction plane.
<table>
<tr>
<td> [[Image:cad_manual-41a_tn_new.png|thumb|540px|Image of an object in an edge mirror plane.]] </td>
</tr>
</table>
SPECIAL CASES OR EXCEPTIONS<b>Example 2: Defining Object Face Mirror Planes</b>
A. Face center is defined as the mirror plane anchored point.
B. Reflected object is created using the object face as a construction plane.
PYTHON COMMAND<table><tr><td> [[Image:cad_manual-41b_tn_new.png|thumb|540px|Image of an object in a face mirror plane.]] </td></tr></table>
skin(object_1,object_2,...,object_n)<b>Example 3: Defining Arbitrary Mirror Planes</b>
In this example, an anchor point has been selected at an arbitrary location on the grid. Once an anchor point has been defined, you can freely rotate the construction plane about the anchor point. This allows you to create a mirrored object at an arbitrary radial location.
<table><tr><td> [[FileImage:cad_manual-65_tn42_tn_new.jpgpng|skinning processthumb|720px|Image of an object in an arbitrary mirror plane.]]</td></tr></table>
NOTE how X and Y LCS coordinates of the above two planes are at right angles to each other. If the LCS orientation of each profile are not properly aligned, twisting of the skinned surface will occur. You can enable on==Pipe-screen LCS (local coordinates) feedback for each object via the View menu.Sweep Tool==
Example 1ICON: Skinning Multiple Profiles[[File:pipe_tool_tn.png]]
# Make sure all profiles are deMENU: '''Tools → Transform → Pipe-selected then select the Skin Tool from the CAD toolbar (A and B).# Left click the first profile (C).# Left click the next profile (D).# Continue to left click on each successive profile you want to skin between.# After clicking on the final profile, press ENTER to complete the skinning operation (E).Sweep'''
[[FileKEYBOARD SHORTCUT:cad_manual-66_tn.jpg|skin profiles 1]]'''Shift+I'''
[[FileFUNCTION:cad_manual-67_tn.jpg|skin profiles 2]]Creates a tubular object of a specified radius from one or more curve objects
==Bridge Tool==TO PIPE-SWEEP CURVE OBJECT(S):
[[File:bridge_tool_tn.png]] # Activate the '''Menu → Tools → Transform → BridgePipe-Sweep Tool'''.# Click on the curve object you want to pipe-sweep. # A dialog pops up on the lower right corner of the screen where you can modify the pipe radius and cap the resulting surface object to turn it into a solid object.
KEYBOARD SHORTCUT: None
FUNCTIONSPECIAL CASES OR EXCEPTIONS: Creates You cannot pipe-sweep a transition (bridge) among two or more coplanar [[Curve Objects|polyline object because of its sharp corners. However, you can first turn the polyline into a smoother curve objects]]object using the Fillet Tool and then pipe-sweep it.
TO BRIDGE [[Curve Objects|CURVE OBJECTS]]:
# Activate the '''Bridge Tool'''.# Click on the curve PYTHON COMMAND: pipe_sweep(object(s,radius) you want to bridge one by one and press the '''Enter Key''' when done. # A new surface object is created in the project workspace. Note that the original [[Curve Objects|curve objects]] are not deleted as a result of this operation.
<table>
<tr>
<td> [[Image:pipe-tool_tn_new.png|thumb|600px|Using pipe-sweep tool to turn a spiral curve into a solid object.]] </td>
</tr>
</table>
On occasion, the resulting surface object created from the bridge operation may be twisted at the center. You can correct this problem by pressing the '''Up Arrow Key''' to reverse the node order of the original [[Curve Objects|curve objects]].==Polygonize Tool==
ICON: [[File:polygonize_tool_tn.png]]
SPECIAL CASES OR EXCEPTIONSMENU: '''Tools → Transform → Polygonize'''
KEYBOARD SHORTCUT: '''Shift+P'''
PYTHON COMMANDFUNCTION:Discretizes the boundary of a curve object or a curved planar surface object into linear segments.
bridgeTO POLYGONIZE OBJECT(object_1,object_2,...,object_nS):
# Activate the '''Polygonize Tool'''.
# Click on the object(s) you want to polygonize one by one and press the '''Enter Key''' when done.
# The discretized versions of the selected objects appears in the project workspace.
# A dialog pops up on the lower right corner of the screen where you can modify the side length of the resulting polygonal objects.
# Make sure to click the OK button of the dialog to finalize the operation.
Example 1: Bridging Multiple Lines
In this example we have created a series of beveled planes by bridging between four line segments. Using this method allows you to construct planes whose edges are perfectly aligned to each other. The resulting planes can then be joined together via the Union Polygonize Tool to form converts a solid surfaceobject into a polystrip and converts a curve object into a polyline.
[[File:cad_manual-69_tn.jpg|bridge a]]
[[FileSPECIAL CASES OR EXCEPTIONS:cad_manual-70_tnYou cannot polygonize solid objects.jpg|bridge]]
==Strip-Sweep Tool==
[[FilePYTHON COMMAND:strip_tool_tn.png]] '''Menu → Tools → Transform → Strip-Sweep'''polygonize(object,side_length)
KEYBOARD SHORTCUT<table><tr><td> [[Image: Nonepolygonize1_tn_new.png|thumb|500px|A circle strip to be polygonized.]] </td></tr><tr><td> [[Image:polygonize3_tn_new.png|thumb|500px|The polygonized version of the circle strip with a side length of 30 units.]] </td></tr></table>
FUNCTION: Creates a flat surface object of a specified width from a curve object ==Polymesh Tool==
TO STRIP-SWEEP CURVE OBJECT(S)ICON:[[File:polymesh_tool_tn.png]]
# Activate the MENU: '''Strip-Sweep ToolTools → Transform → Polymesh'''.# Click on the curve object you want to strip-sweep. # A dialog pops up on the lower right corner of the screen where you can modify the strip width.
KEYBOARD SHORTCUT: '''P'''
SPECIAL CASES OR EXCEPTIONSFUNCTION: You cannot strip-sweep Discretizes one or more surface or solid objects into a polyline object because set of its sharp corners. However, you can first turn the polyline into a smoother curve object using the Fillet Tool and then strip-sweep it. triangular cells
TO POLYMESH AN OBJECT SELECTION:
PYTHON COMMAND:# Activate the '''Polymesh Tool'''.# Click on the object(s) you want to polymesh one by one and press the '''Enter Key''' when done. # Discretized versions of the selected objects appear in the project workspace. # A dialog pops up on the lower right corner of the screen which, allows you to change the edge length of the triangular cells. # Make sure to click the OK button of Polymesh Dialog to finalize the operation.
strip_sweep(object,width)
Naturally, a solid object is turned into a closed polymesh (or a solid polymesh), while a surface object is converted to an open polymesh (or a surface polymesh). Each polymesh object is made up of a number of nodes, edges and faces.
[[File:strip-tool_tn.jpg|PIPE TOOL]]
==Pipe-Sweep SPECIAL CASES OR EXCEPTIONS: You cannot use the Polymesh Tool==with curve objects.
[[FilePYTHON COMMAND:pipe_tool_tn.png]] '''Menu → Tools → Transform → Pipe-Sweep'''polymesh(label,object,edge_length)
KEYBOARD SHORTCUT: None
FUNCTION: Creates a tubular object of a specified radius from one or more <table><tr><td> [[Curve ObjectsImage:polymesh1_new.png|curve objectsthumb|left|600px|Converting a pyramid to a polymesh object.]] </td></tr></table>
TO PIPE-SWEEP CURVE OBJECT(S):<b>Modifying a Polymesh Object</b>
# Activate After you convert an object to a polymesh, you can edit its properties through the polymesh's property dialog. You can change the mesh type from ''Pipe-Sweep Tool'Regular''' to '''Structured''' and vice versa from the dropdown list labeled '''Mesh Type'''.# Click on You can also change the curve object you want '''Edge Length''' to pipe-sweepincrease or decrease the mesh resolution. # A dialog pops up on the lower right corner of All the screen where you can modify the pipe radius nodes, faces and cap the resulting surface object to turn it into edges of a solid objectpolymesh can be accessed for further editing.
Each polymesh object is made up of a number of nodes, edges and faces. You can access the individual nodes, edges or faces. The '''Mode''' section of the property dialog has three radio buttons labeled '''Node''', '''Face''' and '''Edge'''. When the Node Mode is selected, a small red ball at the location of the selected node. You can cycle through all the nodes from the '''Active Node''' box or using the keyboard's '''Up Arrow''' or '''Down Arrow''' keys. The world coordinates of the active node are displayed in the property dialog. You can change these values and fine tune the position of any node. You can also delete the selected node by clicking the '''Delete''' button next to the node index.
SPECIAL CASES OR EXCEPTIONS: You cannot pipe-sweep a polyline object because When the Face Mode is selected, the perimeter of the active face is highlighted as a red triangle. You can cycle through all the faces from the '''Active Face''' box or using its sharp cornersspin buttons. The world coordinates of the centroid of the active face are displayed in the property dialog, but they are greyed out and cannot be edited. However, you can first turn insert a new node at the polyline location of the centroid of the active face and split it into three new smaller faces. To do so, click the '''Insert''' button of the dialog. At this time, a smoother curve object using temporary local coordinate system is established at the centroid of the selected face with the local X-axis parallel to the first edge of the Fillet Tool selected face and then pipethe local Z-sweep itaxis normal to the plane of the selected face. The three active node coordinate boxes in this case represent the offset coordinates of the new node. You have an opportunity to type in new offset values to modify the location of the new node.
When the Edge Mode is selected, the active edge is highlighted as a red line segment. You can cycle through all the edges from the '''Active Edge''' box or using its spin buttons. The world coordinates of the midpoint of the active edge are displayed in the property dialog, but they are greyed out and cannot be edited. However, you can insert a new node at the location of the midpoint of the active edge and split it into two new smaller edges. To do so, click the '''Insert''' button of the dialog. As a result of this operation, the two triangular faces sharing the selected edge are split into four new smaller faces. At this time, a temporary local coordinate system is established at the midpoint of the selected edge with the local X-axis parallel to the selected edge and the local Z-axis normal is aligned along the average of the normal vectors of the two triangular faces sharing that edge. The three active node coordinate boxes in this case represent the offset coordinates of the new node. You have an opportunity to type in new offset values to modify the location of the new node.
PYTHON COMMAND:{{Note|Inserting new nodes on faces allows you to increase the mesh resolution locally at certain selected cells. Inserting new nodes on edges allows you to expand a polymesh object outward from its boundaries.}}
pipe_sweep(<table><tr><td> [[Image:polymesh2_tn.png|thumb|left|360px|Selecting a node of a polymesh object,radius).]] </td><td> [[FileImage:pipe-tool_tnpolymesh3_tn.jpgpng|PIPE TOOLthumb|left|360px|Editing the coordinates of a node of a polymesh object.]]</td></tr><tr><td> [[Image:polymesh4_tn.png|thumb|left|360px|Selecting a face of a polymesh object.]] </td><td> [[Image:polymesh5_tn.png|thumb|left|360px|Inserting a new node at a face's centroid.]] </td></tr><tr><td> [[Image:polymesh6_tn.png|thumb|left|360px|Selecting an edge of a polymesh object.]] </td><td> [[Image:polymesh7_tn.png|thumb|left|360px|Inserting a new node at an edge's midpoint.]] </td></tr></table>
==Rail-Sweep Tool==
ICON: [[File:sweeo_tool_tn.png]] '''Menu → Tools → Transform → Rail-Sweep'''
MENU: '''Tools → Transform → Rail-Sweep'''Â KEYBOARD SHORTCUT: None'''Shift+R'''
FUNCTION: Sweeps a curve or planar surface object along a specified path represented by another curve object
PYTHON COMMAND:rail_sweep(object_1,object_2)
rail_sweep(object_1,object_2)<table><tr><td> [[Image:sweep-tool_tn_new.png|thumb|720px|Railing a rectangle strip object along a spiral curve.]] </td></tr></table>
==Random Group Tool==
ICON: [[File:sweep-tool_tnrandom_group_tool_tn.jpg|PIPE TOOLpng]]
==Slice Tool==MENU: '''Tools → Basic → Random Group'''
[[FileKEYBOARD SHORTCUT:slice_tool_tn.png]] '''Menu → Tools → Transform → SliceShift+O'''
KEYBOARD SHORTCUTFUNCTION: NoneCreates random clones of a specified key object with random locations and random orientations but confined into the volume of a container object
FUNCTIONTO CREATE A RONDOM GROUP: Splits one or more selected objects into two parts along a specified slice plane
TO SLICE AN OBJECT SELECTION:# Activate the '''Random Group Tool'''.# Click on the object you want to clone (key object) and press the '''Enter Key''' when done.# The Rough Surface Dialog opens up on the lower right corner of the screen. The '''Container''' dropdown list displays a list of all the solid objects. In the project workspace. Select the desired container object from the list.# The default number of the elements is 100. Change it to any desired number. # Click the OK button of the dialog to close it and complete the group creation.
# Activate the '''Slice Tool'''.
# Click on the object(s) you want to slice one by one and press the '''Enter Key''' when done.
# Next, you have to establish the slice plane. Left-click on a point in the project workspace to specify the first anchor of the slice plane. By default, the slice plane is perpendicular to the current work plane.
# As you drag the mouse around, a ghost of the slice plane will appear rotating about the anchor point. Left-click a second point in the project workspace to fix the slice plane.
# The original selected objects are not replaced with sliced objects.
SPECIAL CASES OR EXCEPTIONS: Only a solid object can act as a container for a random group.
As a result of the slice operationPYTHON COMMAND: random_group(label, solids are sliced into smaller generic [[Solid Objects|solid objects]]key_object, surfaces are sliced into smaller generic [[Surface Objects|surface objects]] and curves are sliced into smaller generic [[Curve Objects|curve objects]]. container_object,element_count)
==Revolve Tool==
SPECIAL CASES OR EXCEPTIONSICON: You can define the slice plane alternatively using three snap points of the object to be sliced. Once the Slice Tool is enabled, click on three snap points of the selected object one by one to form the three-point slice plane[[File:revolve_tool_tn. png]]
PYTHON COMMANDMENU:'''Tools → Transform → Revolve'''
slice(object,x0,y0,z0,uX,uY,uZ)KEYBOARD SHORTCUT: '''V'''
FUNCTION: Revolves a surface or curve object about a specified axis of revolution and turns it into a solid or surface object
<b>Trimming Objects</b> TO REVOLVE AN OBJECT:
You have # Activate the option to keep only one of the two split parts resulting from a slice operation if you wish so. While dragging the slice plane, if you hold the keyboard's ''Revolve Tool'Ctrl Key''' down at .# Click on the time of surface or curve object you want to revolve to select it.# A trident representing a local coordinate system appears in the project workspace and floats around as you move the left mouse click. # By default, the part on the positive side axis of revolution is oriented perpendicular to the slice current work plane is preserved and is drawn larger than the other part is discardedtwo axes. If you hold Using the keyboard's '''Alt KeyUp Arrow''' down at or '''Down Arrow''' keys, you can cycle through all the time three principal directions. # Once you get the desired axis of revolution at the right location, left mouse -click, to create the part object of revolution.# A dialog pops up on the negative side lower right corner of the slice plane is preserved and screen where you can fine-tune the other part is discardedcoordinates of the pivot point or the direction of the axis of revolution. # Make sure to click the OK button of the revolution object's property dialog to finalize the construction.
[[File:slice4_tn.png|Explode]] [[File:slice5_tn.png|Explode]] [[File:slice6_tn.png|Explode]]
Selecting You can use the first, second and third points edges of other objects to serve as the slice plane axis of revolution. Once you select the object to be revolved, hover your mouse on the edges middle snap point of a box any straight edge of any objectincluding the original object to be revolved, and the axis of revolution is aligned along the selected edge.
[[File:slice7_tn.png|Explode]] [[File:slice8_tn.png|Explode]]
Selecting the two points of the slice line on the edges of a circle strip object.SPECIAL CASE(S):
[[File:slice9_tn.png|Explode]]
Selecting the split point on a curve PYTHON COMMAND: revolve(label,object.,x0,y0,z0,uX,uY,uZ,rot_angle)
==Fill Tool==
[[File:fill_tool_tncad_manual-56_tn.png|600px|revolve process]] '''Menu → Tools → Transform → Fill'''
KEYBOARD SHORTCUT: NoneIn this example, a rectangular plane has been revolved by using a pre-drawn line as the axial reference.
FUNCTIONExample 1: Creates a planar surface object from a closed curve object or from a set of [[Curve Objects|curve objects]] that together form a closed regionRevolving Polygon Planes
TO FILL CURVE OBJECT(S):This example illustrates revolving the face of a triangular plane about a pre-drawn line as the axial reference.
# Activate the '''Fill Tool'''.# Click on the curve object(s) you want to fill one by one to select them and press the '''Enter Key''' when done. # A new planar surface object is created in the project workspace which replaces the previously selected [[Curve ObjectsFile:cad_manual-57_tn.png|curve objects600px|revolve sample 1]].
Example 2: Complex Planar Revolutions
When you fill This example illustrates an extremely complex face revolved about the area among several curves or lines that together form axis of a closed region, the operation will trim any excess curve lengthsline.
[[File:cad_manual-58_tn.png|600px|revolve sample 2]]
SPECIAL CASES OR EXCEPTIONSExample 3: When you fill two or more closed curves, of which one completely encloses all the others, the area among the closed curves will be filled. Filling a closed polyline or a NURBS curve results in the creation of a polystrip or a NURBS strip object, respectively.Unusual Revolutions
This example illustrates the face of a cylinder revolved about the axis of a pyramid"s edge.
PYTHON COMMAND[[File:cad_manual-59_tn.png|600px|revolve sample 3]]
fill_curve(object)Example 4: Partial Revolutions
This example illustrates the results of specifying a partial Rotation Angle.
[[File:fill1_tn.png]] [[File:fill2_tncad_manual-60_tn.png|600px|revolve sample 4]]
Three closed curves with two enclosed inside the other and the planar object resulting from filling the curves.==Rotate Tool==
==Merge Tool==ICON: [[File:rotate_tool_tn.png]]
[[FileMENU:merge_tool_tn.png]] '''Menu → Tools → Basic → MergeRotate'''
KEYBOARD SHORTCUT: None'''R'''
FUNCTION: Combines nodal curves (polylines Rotates one or NURBS curves) into more objects about a new curve or combines polymesh objects aligned along cell edges into specified axis of rotation by a new polymesh object specified angle
TO MERGE ROTATE AN OBJECT SELECTION:
# Activate the '''Merge Rotate Tool'''.# Click on the objects of the same type object(s) you want to merge translate one by one and press the '''Enter Key''' when done.# The original object selection is replaced with Next, you have to establish the rotation axis. Left-click on a larger point in the project workspace to specify the pivot of the axis. By default, the rotation axis is oriented along the Z-axis. # Use the keyboard's '''Up Arrow''' or '''Down Arrow''' keys to change the direction of the rotation axis or cycle through all the three X, Y, Z directions. # Drag the mouse to establish the rotation angle. If you hold down the '''Shift Key''' while dragging the mouse, the rotation angle will increment in step of 15 degrees.# When you reach the desired rotation angle, left-click to drop the object selection. # A dialog pops up on the lower right corner of the same typescreen where you can fine-tune or modify the rotation angle, the pivot coordinates or the direction of the normal vector along the rotation axis before finalizing the rotate operation.
You can align the rotation axis using the snap points of other objects in the project workspace. By default, if you click at a blank point, you establish a rotation axis normal to the current work plane. Instead, you can click at the edge snap point of another object to set the rotation axis along that edge. Or you can click on the face snap point of another object to set the rotation axis along the normal to that face. Once the rotation axis has been established, a local rotation coordinate system is created, and you can cycle through the three possible axes using the keyboard's '''Up Arrow''' or '''Down Arrow''' keys.
If there is a gap between the objects to be merged, it is eliminated as a result of merging as the last and first nodes of the two separate curves become part of a single node list.
PYTHON COMMAND: rotate(object,rot_angle_degree,rot_axis_x,rot_axis_y,rot_axis_z)
SPECIAL CASES OR EXCEPTIONS<table><tr><td> [[Image: In order to merge one or more polymesh objects, they have to have one or more cells strictly and exactly lined up along common edgesrotate1_tn_new. png|thumb|540px|Rotating an object selection at the same time.]] </td></tr></table>
<b>Rotating Objects Locally Using Snap Points</b>
PYTHON COMMAND:The simplest and quickest way to rotate an object locally is to hover your mouse over a snap point of an object to highlight it. Then type the keyboard shortcut '''R''' to enable the Rotate Tool. A trident depicting a local coordinate system appears at the selected snap point. You can now rotate the selected object by the desired angle. Bear in mind that each snap point has a default axis of rotation. You can cycle through the three rotational axes using the '''Up Arrow''' or '''Down Arrow''' keys. You can also constrain the angle of rotation to 15° increments by holding down the '''Shift Key'''. Left click to complete the rotation.
merge_curve(object_1,object_2)<table><tr><td> [[Image:rotate2_tn_new.png|thumb|540px|Rotating an object selection about an edge of another object.]] </td></tr></table>
==Roughen Tool==
ICON: [[File:merge1_tnroughen_tool_tn.png|Filling Outlines]]
Two NURBS curve to be merged into one.MENU: '''Tools → Transform → Roughen'''
[[FileKEYBOARD SHORTCUT:merge2_tn.png|Filling Outlines]]'''Shift+H'''
The resulting merged NURBS curve with FUNCTION: Converts the combine nodes.surface of an object into a random rough surface
==Polygonize Tool==TO ROUGHEN AN OBJECT SELECTION:
[[File:polygonize_tool_tn# Activate the '''Roughen Tool'''.png]] # Click on the object(s) you want to roughen one by one and press the '''Menu → Tools → Transform → PolygonizeEnter Key'''when done.# The Rough Surface Dialog opens up on the lower right corner of the screen. Enter values for the RMS height and correlation length of the rough surface. # Click the OK button of the dialog to close it and complete the transformation.
KEYBOARD SHORTCUT: '''I'''
FUNCTIONSPECIAL CASES OR EXCEPTIONS: Discretizes the boundary of a The Roughen Tool doesn't work with curve object or a curved planar surface object into linear segmentsobjects.
TO POLYGONIZE OBJECTPYTHON COMMAND: roughen(Slabel,object,rms_height,corel_Length):
# Activate the '''Polygonize ==Scale Tool'''.# Click on the object(s) you want to polygonize one by one and press the '''Enter Key''' when done. # The discretized versions of the selected objects appears in the project workspace.# A dialog pops up on the lower right corner of the screen where you can modify the side length of the resulting polygonal objects.# Make sure to click the OK button of the dialog to finalize the operation. ==
ICON: [[File:scale_tool_tn.png]]
The Polygonize Tool converts a surface object into a polystrip and converts a curve object into a polyline.MENU: '''Tools → Basic → Scale'''
KEYBOARD SHORTCUT: '''S'''
SPECIAL CASES OR EXCEPTIONSFUNCTION: You cannot polygonize [[Solid Objects|solid Scales the size (and generally coordinates) of one or more objects]]. by specified scaling vectors
TO SCALE AN OBJECT SELECTION:
PYTHON COMMAND:# Activate the '''Scale Tool'''.# Click on the object(s) you want to scale one by one and press the '''Enter Key''' when done.# Next, you have to establish the baseline scale vector. Left-click on a point in the project workspace to specify the start of the baseline scale vector. Then, drag the mouse to draw the vector and left-click to finish the baseline scale vector. # Now you have to specify the final scale vector. The final scale vector has the same start point as the baseline scale vector but a different end point which determines the scale factor. As you drag the mouse, you will see the second vector drawn on top of or next to the baseline vector. Left-click one more time when you get the desired transformation. # The scale operation performs a mapping transformation on the object selection from the baseline scale vector onto the final scale vector. As you drag the mouse to establish the end point of the final scale vector, the object selection changes both size and location as a result of the scale transformation.# A dialog pops up on the lower right corner of the screen where you can fine-tune or modify the scale factors along the three principal axes as well the coordinates of the scale origin.
polygonize(object,side_length)
By default, objects are scaled uniformly, i.e. the scaling factors along the three principal axes are equal. From the Scale Dialog, you can change the three scaling factors arbitrarily to achieve any desired shape. Non-uniform scaling of certain objects like cylinder, cone, sphere, torus, etc., does not take effect because it would destroy the object's symmetry. On the other hand, you can enforce non-uniform scaling of objects like box, ellipsoid, ellipse strip or super-quadratic curve.
[[File:polygonize1_tn.png]]
A circle strip to be polygonized.PYTHON COMMAND: scale(object,scale_factor)
<table><tr><td> [[FileImage:polygonize3_tnscale1_tn_new.png|thumb|540px|Scaling a box object in all three directions.]]</td></tr></table>
The polygonized version of the circle strip with a side length of 30 units.<b>Scaling Objects Locally Using Snap Points</b>
==Polymesh Tool==Snap points provide an easier way of scaling objects without changing their location. Hover your mouse over a snap point of an object to highlight it and type the keyboard shortcut '''S'''. This establishes the scale origin at the selected snap point. Then, select the end point of the baseline scale vector, which can be another snap point of the same object. It is convenient to select a vertex of an object as the scale origin and select an adjacent vertex as the end point of the baseline scale vector. Next, you need to determine the final scale vector. If you drag the mouse out of the object, you will expand it. If you drag the mouse inside the object and towards the scale origin, you will shrink it.
<table><tr><td> [[FileImage:polymesh_tool_tnscale2_tn_new.png|thumb|540px|Scaling a box object in all three directions.]] '''Menu → Tools → Transform → Polymesh'''</td></tr></table>
KEYBOARD SHORTCUT: '''P'''<b>Constrained Scaling</b>
FUNCTION: Discretizes While dragging the mouse to scale an object select, if you hold the '''Shift Key''' down, you can constrain the scaling to the direction along the baseline scale vector only. Alternatively, if you hold the '''Alt Key''' down, you can constrain the scaling to the direction normal to the baseline scale vector only. If the baseline vector is parallel to one or more surface or [[Solid Objects|solid objects]] into a set of triangular cellsthe principal axes, the "Shift Contstraint" varies only one scaling factor, while the "Alt Constraint" varies two scaling factor simultaneously.
TO POLYMESH AN OBJECT SELECTION<table><tr><td> [[Image:scale3_tn_new.png|thumb|720px|Constrained scaling of a box along an edge.]] </td></tr><tr><td> [[Image:scale4_tn_new.png|thumb|720px|Constrained scaling of a box normal to an edge.]] </td></tr></table>
# Activate the '''Polymesh ==Skin Tool'''.# Click on the object(s) you want to polymesh one by one and press the '''Enter Key''' when done. # Discretized versions of the selected objects appear in the project workspace. # A dialog pops up on the lower right corner of the screen which, allows you to change the edge length of the triangular cells. # Make sure to click the OK button of Polymesh Dialog to finalize the operation. ==
ICON: [[File:skin_tool_tn.png]]
Naturally, a solid object is turned into a closed polymesh (or a solid polymesh), while a surface object is converted to an open polymesh (or a surface polymesh). Each polymesh object is made up of a number of nodes, edges and faces.MENU: '''Tools → Transform → Skin'''
KEYBOARD SHORTCUT: '''Shift+K'''
SPECIAL CASES OR EXCEPTIONSFUNCTION: You cannot use the Polymesh Tool with [[Curve Objects|curve Creates a transition (skin) among two or more planar surface objects]].
PYTHON COMMANDTO SKIN PLANAR SURFACE OBJECTS:
N/# Activate the '''Skin Tool'''.# Click on the planar surface object(s) you want to skin one by one and press the '''Enter Key''' when done. # Anew solid object is created in the project workspace. Note that the original surface objects are not deleted as a result of this operation.
[[File:polymesh1On occasion, the resulting solid object created from the skin operation may be twisted at the center. You can use the '''Left Arrow Key''' or '''Right Arrow Key''' to untwist (or twist) the transition by cycle the surface objectsâ node order clockwise or counter-clockwise. You can also use the '''Up Arrow Key''' or '''Down Arrow Key''' to reverse the selected objectâs node order.png|800px]]
Converting a pyramid to a polymesh object.
SPECIAL CASES OR EXCEPTIONS:
<b>Modifying a Polymesh Object</b>
After you convert an object to a polymesh, you can edit its properties through the polymesh's property dialog. You can change the mesh type from '''Regular''' to '''Structured''' and vice versa from the dropdown list labeled '''Mesh Type'''. You can also change the '''Edge Length''' to increase or decrease the mesh resolution. All the nodes, faces and edges of a polymesh can be accessed for further editing.PYTHON COMMAND: None
Each polymesh object is made up of a number of nodes, edges and faces. You can access the individual nodes, edges or faces. The '''Mode''' section of the property dialog has three radio buttons labeled '''Node''', '''Face''' and '''Edge'''. When the Node Mode is selected, a small red ball at the location of the selected node. You can cycle through all the nodes from the '''Active Node''' box or using the keyboard's '''Up Arrow''' or '''Down Arrow''' keys. The world coordinates of the active node are displayed in the property dialog. You can change these values and fine tune the position of any node. You can also delete the selected node by clicking the '''Delete''' button next to the node index.
When the Face Mode is selected, the perimeter of the active face is highlighted as a red triangle. You can cycle through all the faces from the '''Active Face''' box or using its spin buttons. The world coordinates of the centroid of the active face are displayed in the property dialog, but they are greyed out and cannot be edited. However, you can insert a new node at the location of the centroid of the active face and split it into three new smaller faces. To do so, click the '''Insert''' button of the dialog. At this time, a temporary local coordinate system is established at the centroid of the selected face with the local X[[File:cad_manual-axis parallel to the first edge of the selected face and the local Z-axis normal to the plane of the selected face. The three active node coordinate boxes in this case represent the offset coordinates of the new node. You have an opportunity to type in new offset values to modify the location of the new node65_tn.png|720px|skinning process]]
When the Edge Mode is selected, the active edge is highlighted as a red line segment. You can cycle through all the edges from the '''Active Edge''' box or using its spin buttons. The world NOTE how X and Y LCS coordinates of the midpoint of the active edge above two planes are displayed in the property dialog, but they are greyed out and cannot be edited. However, you can insert a new node at the location of the midpoint of the active edge and split it into two new smaller edgesright angles to each other. To do so, click If the '''Insert''' button LCS orientation of the dialog. As a result of this operation, the two triangular faces sharing the selected edge each profile are split into four new smaller faces. At this timenot properly aligned, a temporary local coordinate system is established at the midpoint twisting of the selected edge with the local Xskinned surface will occur. You can enable on-axis parallel to the selected edge and the screen LCS (local Z-axis normal is aligned along the average of the normal vectors of the two triangular faces sharing that edge. The three active node coordinate boxes in this case represent the offset coordinates of the new node. You have an opportunity to type in new offset values to modify the location of ) feedback for each object via the new nodeView menu.
{{Note|Inserting new nodes on faces allows you to increase the mesh resolution locally at certain selected cells. Inserting new nodes on edges allows you to expand a polymesh object outward from its boundaries.}}Example 1: Skinning Multiple Profiles
# Make sure all profiles are de-selected then select the Skin Tool from the CAD toolbar (A and B).
# Left click the first profile (C).
# Left click the next profile (D).
# Continue to left click on each successive profile you want to skin between.
# After clicking on the final profile, press ENTER to complete the skinning operation (E).
[[File:polymesh2_tncad_manual-66_tn.png|400px]] [[File:polymesh3_tn.png720px|400pxskin profiles 1]]
Selecting a node of a polymesh object and editing its coordinates[[File:cad_manual-67_tn.png|720px|skin profiles 2]]
[[File:polymesh4_tn.png|400px]] [[File:polymesh5_tn.png|400px]]==Slice Tool==
Selecting a face of a polymesh object and inserting a new node at the face centroidICON: [[File:slice_tool_tn.png]]
[[FileMENU:polymesh6_tn.png|400px]] [[File:polymesh7_tn.png|400px]]'''Tools → Transform → Slice'''
Selecting an edge of a polymesh object and inserting a new node at the edge midpoint.KEYBOARD SHORTCUT: '''Shift+S'''
==Consolidate Tool==FUNCTION: Splits one or more selected objects into two parts along a specified slice plane
[[FileTO SLICE AN OBJECT SELECTION:consolidate_tool_tn.png]] '''Menu → Tools → Transform → Consolidate'''
KEYBOARD SHORTCUT: None# Activate the '''Slice Tool'''.# Click on the object(s) you want to slice one by one and press the '''Enter Key''' when done. # Next, you have to establish the slice plane. Left-click on a point in the project workspace to specify the first anchor of the slice plane. By default, the slice plane is perpendicular to the current work plane. # As you drag the mouse around, a ghost of the slice plane will appear rotating about the anchor point. Left-click a second point in the project workspace to fix the slice plane. # The original selected objects are not replaced with sliced objects.
FUNCTION: Converts open polymesh objects to generic [[Surface Objects|surface objects]] and converts closed polymesh objects to generic [[Solid Objects|solid objects]]
TO CONSOLIDATE AN OBJECT SELECTION:As a result of the slice operation, solids are sliced into smaller generic solid objects, surfaces are sliced into smaller generic surface objects and curves are sliced into smaller generic curve objects.
# Activate the '''Consolidate Tool'''.
# Click on the polymesh object(s) you want to consolidate one by one and press the '''Enter Key''' when done.
# Generic surface of solid versions of the selected polymesh objects appear in the project workspace.
 SPECIAL CASES OR EXCEPTIONS: You can also use define the Consolidate Tool slice plane alternatively using three snap points of the object to convert Boolean objects to generic surface or [[Solid Objects|solid objects]]be sliced. In that case, you will lose access to Once the properties Slice Tool is enabled, click on three snap points of the individual constituents of the original Boolean selected objectone by one to form the three-point slice plane.
PYTHON COMMAND:slice(object,x0,y0,z0,uX,uY,uZ)  <b>Trimming Objects</b>  You have the option to keep only one of the two split parts resulting from a slice operation if you wish so. While dragging the slice plane, if you hold the keyboard's '''Ctrl Key''' down at the time of the left mouse click, the part on the positive side of the slice plane is preserved and the other part is discarded. If you hold the keyboard's '''Alt Key''' down at the time of the left mouse click, the part on the negative side of the slice plane is preserved and the other part is discarded. Trimming a Cube <table><tr><td> [[Image:slice4_tn_new.png|thumb|300px|Selecting the first point of the slice plane on the edges of a box object.]] </td><td></td><td> [[Image:slice5_tn_new.png|thumb|300px|Selecting the second point of the slice plane on the edges of a box object.]] </td></tr><tr><td> [[Image:Slice5_tnB_new.png|thumb|300px|Selecting the third point of the slice plane on the edges of a box object.]] </td><td></td><td> [[Image:slice6_tn_new.png|thumb|300px|Seleting the sliced portion.]] </td></tr><tr><td> [[Image:Slice6_tn_new_end.png|thumb|300px|Deleting the sliced portion.]] </td><td></td><td></td></tr></table> Trimming a Circle Strip <table><tr><td> [[Image:slice7_tn_new.png|thumb|300px|Selecting the first point of the slice line on the edges of a circle strip object.]] </td><td></td><td> [[Image:Slice7_tnB_New.png|thumb|300px|Selecting the second point of the slice line on the edges of a circle strip object.]] </td></tr><tr><td> [[Image:slice8_tn_new.png|thumb|300px|Selecting the sliced portion.]] </td><td></td><td> [[Image:Slice8_tn_new_end.png|thumb|300px|Deleting the sliced portion.]] </td></tr></table> Trimming a Spiral Object
consolidate(object)<table><tr><td> [[Image:slice9_tn_new.png|thumb|300px|Selecting the first point of the slice plane.]] </td><td></td><td> [[Image:Slice9_tnB_new.png|thumb|300px|Selecting the second point of the slice plane.]] </td></tr><tr><td> [[Image:Slice9_tnB_new_highlight.png|thumb|300px|Selecting the sliced portion.]] </td><td></td><td> [[Image:Slice9_tnB_new_end.png|thumb|300px|Deleting the sliced portion.]] </td></tr></table>
==Spline Tool==
ICON: [[File:spline_tool_tn.png]] '''Menu → Tools → Transform → Spline Fit'''
MENU: '''Tools → Transform → Spline Fit'''Â KEYBOARD SHORTCUT: None'''Shift+N'''
FUNCTION: Creates smooth cubic-spline interpolated versions of one or more discretized (polystrip, polyline or polymesh) objects
PYTHON COMMAND:Â spline_fit(object)
A surface polymesh object (left) and its spline-fitted version (right).
==Strip-Sweep Tool==
<p> </p>ICON: [[ImageFile:Top_iconstrip_tool_tn.png|48px]] '''[[#Operational Modes of CubeCAD Tools| Back to the Top of the Page]]'''
[[ImageMENU:Back_icon.png|40px]] '''[[CubeCAD | Back to CubeCAD Main Page]]Tools → Transform → Strip-Sweep'''
==Roughen Tool==KEYBOARD SHORTCUT: '''Shift+T'''
[[FileFUNCTION:roughen_tool_tn.png]] '''Menu → Tools → Transform → Roughen'''Creates a flat surface object of a specified width from a curve object
KEYBOARD SHORTCUTTO STRIP-SWEEP CURVE OBJECT(S): None
FUNCTION: Converts # Activate the surface of an '''Strip-Sweep Tool'''.# Click on the curve object into a random rough surface you want to strip-sweep. # A dialog pops up on the lower right corner of the screen where you can modify the strip width.
TO ROUGHEN AN OBJECT SELECTION:
# Activate the '''Roughen Tool'''SPECIAL CASES OR EXCEPTIONS: You cannot strip-sweep a polyline object because of its sharp corners.# Click on However, you can first turn the polyline into a smoother curve object(s) you want to roughen one by one and press using the '''Enter Key''' when done.# The Rough Surface Dialog opens up on the lower right corner of the screen. Enter values for the RMS height Fillet Tool and correlation length of the rough surface. # Click the OK button of the dialog to close then strip-sweep it and complete the transformation.
SPECIAL CASES OR EXCEPTIONSPYTHON COMMAND: The Roughen Tool doesn't work with [[Curve Objects|curve objects]]. strip_sweep(object,width)
PYTHON COMMAND<table><tr><td> [[Image:strip-tool_tn_new.png|thumb|720px|Using strip-sweep tool to turn a spiral curve into a surface object.]] </td></tr></table>
roughen(label,object,rms_height,corel_Length)==Subtract Tool==
==Random Group Tool==ICON: [[File:subtract_tool_tn.png]]
[[FileMENU:random_group_tool_tn.png]] '''Menu → Tools → Basic → Random GroupSubtract'''
KEYBOARD SHORTCUT: None'''D'''
FUNCTION: Creates random clones of a specified key Subtracts one or more objects from another object with random locations and random orientations but confined into in the volume of a container object Boolean sense
TO CREATE A RONDOM GROUPSUBTRACT FROM AN OBJECT:
# Activate the '''Random Group Subtract Tool'''.# Click on the object you want to clone (key object) subtract from and press the '''Enter Key''' when done.# The Rough Surface Dialog opens up Click on the lower right corner of object(s) you want to subtract from the previously selected object one by one and press the screen. The '''ContainerEnter Key''' dropdown list displays a list of all when done.# All the [[Solid Objects|solid original selected objects]] In the project workspace. Select the desired container are replaced with a new Boolean object from the list.# The with a new default number of the elements is 100. Change it to any desired number. # Click the OK button of the dialog to close it and complete the group creationname.
SPECIAL CASES OR EXCEPTIONSPYTHON COMMAND: Only a solid object can act as a container for a random group. subtract(label,object_1,object_2)
<table><tr><td> [[Image:Cad_manual-49_tn_new.png|thumb|540px|(Left) Two overlapping boxes and (Right) the result of their Boolean subtraction after subtracting the gray box from the blue one.]] </td></tr></table> ==Translate Tool== ICON: [[File:move_tool_tn.png]]  MENU: '''Tools → Basic → Translate''' KEYBOARD SHORTCUT: '''T''' FUNCTION: Moves one or more objects to a different location by a specified translation vector TO TRANSLATE AN OBJECT SELECTION: # Activate the '''Translate Tool'''.# Click on the object(s) you want to translate one by one and press the '''Enter Key''' when done.# Next, you have to establish the translation vector. Left-click on a point in the project workspace to specify the start of the vector. # Drag the mouse to draw a ghost of the translation vector in the desired direction. Left-click a second point to specify the end of the vector. # The object selection is translated by the specified vector. # A dialog pops up on the lower right corner of the screen where you can fine-tune or modify the translation vector before finalizing the translate operation.# Using the Translate Dialog, you can also simply type in the final destination coordinates for the object selection.   PYTHON COMMAND(S): translate_by(object,dx,dy,dz) translate_to(object,x0,y0,z0) <table><tr><td> [[Image:translate1_tn_new.png|thumb|540px|Translating an object seletion at the same time.]] </td></tr></table> <b>Moving Objects Around Using Snap Points</b> The simplest and quickest way to move an object is to hover your mouse over a snap point of the object to highlight it. Then type the keyboard shortcut '''T'''. The cursor latches to the selected snap point and the Translate Dialog pops up at the lower right corner of the screen. Without clicking the mouse, begin to drag the object in the project workspace. A ghost of the object starts to move around. Click the left mouse button at the desired location to drop the object. You can fine-tune the final destination using the Translate Dialog.  <b>Constrained Translation</b> When you use a snap point to translate an object, you can use the keyboard's '''Alt''' and '''Shift''' keys to constrain the object move in certain directions. The type of constraint depends on which snap point you pick to translate the object. The following rules apply: * With a face snap point selected, you can constrain translate to the direction normal to that face only by holding the '''Alt Key''' down during dragging. You can also constrain translate to the plane of that face only by holding the '''Shift Key''' down during dragging.* With an edge snap point selected, you can constrain translate to the line along that edge only by holding the '''Shift Key''' down during dragging. You can also constrain translate to the line normal to that edge only by holding the '''Alt Key''' down during dragging.* With a vertex snap point selected, you can constrain translate to the lines along the two edges passing through that vertex only by holding the '''shift Key''' or '''Alt Key''' down during dragging. <table><tr><td> [[Image:consttranslate1_tn_new.png|thumb|400px|Translating a box from a face snap point while holding the Alt Key down.]] </td></tr><tr><td> [[Image:consttranslate2_tn_new.png|thumb|400px|Translating a box from an edge snap point while holding the shift Key down.]] </td></tr><tr><td> [[Image:consttranslate3_tn_new.png|thumb|400px|Translating a box from a vertex snap point while holding the shift Key down.]] </td></tr></table> ==Union Tool== ICON: [[File:union_tool_tn.png]]  MENU: '''Tools → Basic → Union''' KEYBOARD SHORTCUT: '''U''' FUNCTION: Forms a union of an object selection in the Boolean sense TO UNION AN OBJECT SELECTION: # Activate the '''Union Tool'''.# Click on the objects you want to union one by one and press the '''Enter Key''' when done.# The original object selection is replaced with a new Boolean object with a new default name.   PYTHON COMMAND: union(label,object_1,object_2) <table><tr><td> [[Image:cad_manual-50_tn_new.png|thumb|600px|(Left) Two overlapping boxes and (Right) the result of their Boolean union.]] </td></tr></table>
random_group(label,key_object,container_object,element_count)<br />
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