Curve
- Last UpdatedMar 31, 2026
- 3 minute read
Creates curves in any surface, panel, or plane. The type of curve to create is defined
by using any of the sub-functions.
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Sub-function |
Description |
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Intersection |
Creates a curve or curves by intersection between two elements or planes. Accept the prompt to select location, surface, panel, grid, or plane and then select the intersecting surfaces, panels, grids, or planes. Repetition Terms: Curves can also be created using repetition terms. Syntax for repetition is <start> <step> <end> <optional offset> as illustrated below:
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Points |
Creates a polyline or spline curve from existing or newly defined points. For more information, see Points. |
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General Cylinder |
Creates a general cylinder curve from a number of points selected in order. Select location surface and then select points in order. Choose projection direction. By default, the view direction is used. To change it key in the projection vector, or rotate the view with the scroll-button on the mouse or use the Power Compass visible in the canvas. |
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Once accepted, the general cylinder curve is projected and created as a curve in the selected surface. |
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Offset |
Creates an offset curve from the selected curve with given offset value and direction. At start of the function there is a prompt to select a curve to give an offset value (with sign to get direction). A new curve is created referencing the selected curve. |
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Equal Girth |
Creates an equal girth length curve from a selected curve. Select a curve created in a surface and give an offset value (with sign to get direction). A new curve is created referencing the selected curve. |
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Internal Curve |
Creates a curve from a curve stored directly in a surface, such as a boundary curve. Prior to using this function, the internal curves must be made available in the canvas. First, select the surface to make it the current element in the database tree browser. The internal curves are stored below the element SRFCGR. Drag this element into the canvas. The internal curves can now be selected, and the function Internal Curve is ready to use. For better visibility, you can press the F11 key to turn off shading in the canvas. Select internal curves and curves are created when accepted. |
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Circle as Curve |
Creates a circle as curve. See Circle as Curve for more information. |
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Arc as Curve |
Creates an arc curve. See Arc as Curve for more information. |
Curve Segment Definition Type
After you create a curve, its segment definition type appears as a read-only attribute in the Properties window under Definition Type. You can view and modify the curve's specific properties from this window.
Curve definition types include:
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Line
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Spline
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Intersection
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Points and Tangents
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Offset
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Internal Curve
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Circle
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Arc
The following example shows the properties for an Intersection curve:


