Generate Tab

The Generate tab is used to generate 2, 3 and 4 sided patches manually. The Patch and Curve Editor is recommended for generating a surface.

To generate a patch

1. In the Name edit box, enter a name to identify the patch.

2. Select the patch definition method either, Scatter, Boundary or Regular.

   • For scatter, select the sets of orthogonal curves to use as defining curves, using the Sections, Waterlines and Buttocks check boxes.

   • For regular, select the set of defining curves, via the Defining Curves pulldown list.

   By default tangent continuity will be applied between patches where appropriate.

3. To apply only boundary continuity deselect the Tangent Continuity check box.

4. The Show Points check box can be used to display the points generated to define the surface patch.

5. When all the requirements are set, click the Generate button and select the patch boundaries via the cursor.

6. To generate a 2 or 3 sided patch, cancel the cursor after the appropriate boundaries have been selected.

There are three methods of fitting a patch:

7. Scatter - Patches are fitted to a scattered set of data points generated from the patch boundary curves and any other curves which cross the patch (that means,, FOB, FOS, knuckles, plines, ). This method of fitting should be the most accurate method of representing the curves. It should also provide greater continuity between adjacent patches. However, this method is unsuitable for long, thin patches such as stem bars,

8. Boundary - Patches are fitted using data from the patch boundary curves only. This method is therefore ideal for fitting flat patches (that means,, FOS, FOB patches), long, thin patches (that means,, stem bars) and patches which have a regular or constant shape. (that means,, cylinders or cones).

9. Regular - Patches are fitted using data from one set of orthogonal curves and two patch boundary curves. This method should only be used if scatter or boundary methods are unsuitable.