Applying a radial bending to a solid - 1

In the following step-by-step example you will use the GSM Radial Bend command to modify the shape of the solid contained in file "GRB_Sample_car.e3" and shown in the illustration below.

(Courtesy of STS — www.vercarmodel.com — Gruppo Vercarmodel Via I° Maggio 2/4 10043 Orbassano (TO) - ITALY)



After a very simple operation, the model will look like the one in the following illustration:

To begin with, open file "GRB_Sample_Car.e3" and start the GSM Radial Bend command. If not already set, change the display mode to Shaded View Boundaries and Hidden Lines.

1 Make sure the Entities drop-down list (under Entities to Be Modified) is set to Solid (and if it isn't, select the Solid item).
To create a solid which will retain an associativity link to its base entities, so that if you modify such entities the solid will be updated accordingly, select the Associative Mode check box.

2 Select the solid to be modified.
3 Make sure the Perpendicular drop-down list under More Options is set to Axis of revolution. If it is not, select the Axis of revolution. For a detailed description of the two available methods, we strongly recommend that you read "Using the GSM Radial Bend command and its different methods".
4 In the Axis of revolution drop-down list, select Line. Then click on the axis shown in the following illustration:

5 In the Bend line drop-down list, choose Line. Select the line which defines the radial bending direction.



Three handles are displayed:

  • The one corresponding to 2nd Length enables you to modify the length of the bending line
  • The ones corresponding to Angle and Length enable you to perform the bending in a polar reference system with its origin in the endpoint of the bending line.

6 Drag the Length handle to the new position you want, or set the Length value.
7 Click or to confirm your selections modify the shape of the object.



Click to discard your changes.


Applying the changes to the original entities or to copies
  • If you selected the Copy check box under More Options, your original entities will still be there. The new ones which originated the new shape are surfaces of the type "GSM Bend".
  • If you deselected the Copy check box, the original entities will be modified.

Hiding the original entities when using the command
While you are using the command, you can select the Hide check box to temporarily hide the original entities, in order to better appreciate the changes you are making. The entities will be hidden only as long as the command is being executed.

Tips and Tricks