Show curve curvature

Shows the amount of curvature at sample points along the curve, as well as other qualitative measures of the curve.

Add a curvature comb to a curve

1. Choose Locators > Curve Curvature.
2. Click the curves to which you want to attach a curvature comb. These can be free curves, curves-on-surface, isoparms, or trim edges.

   The curvature combs appear on the selected curves.

   If the curves are on a layer that has Symmetry turned on, the combs appear on the symmetric geometry as well. If Min Max Radius labels are turned on, they only appear on the original geometry.

   
3. Drag the mouse to change properties of the curvature comb:
   • Drag the to change the scale of the quills.
   • Drag the to change the sampling density of the comb.
     Note:

     In orthographic windows, the curve curvature comb displays the curvature of a curve based on the planar projection of the curve that appears in that window. In perspective windows, the curve curvature comb displays the curvature of the 3D curve.

What if...?

I want the comb plots on all the curves to use the same scale?

1. Choose Locators > Curve Curvature .
2. Turn off Auto Scale.
3. Enter the scale factor in the Scale Value field.

The comb plot doesn’t update as I move CVs?

Choose Preferences > Performance Options. In the Expression Updates section, turn on During Transform.

I need to change the curvature of a curve?

There are many ways you can modify a curve when you are trying to fix curvature problems:

• Move CVs.
  • When you move a CV toward the curve along the normal, curvature is reduced near the CV.
  • When you move a CV away from the curve along the normal, curvature is increased.
  • When you move a CV along the curve, curvature is decreased behind the CV and increased ahead of the CV.
• Use curve editing tools such as Object editor, Stretch, Project tangent, and Align.

I’m looking for a specific range of curvature values?

Choose Windows > Information > Information Window and change the color ranges so that the values you are looking for are drawn in one color.

See View or change the properties of objects and locators.

See also Edit a label or measurement object.

I want a series of curvature plots across a surface?

Create cross sections on the surface, and turn on the curvatureplot,through the Cross Section Editor. (See Create or view cross sections for more information.)

I want to see a plot of the radius values instead of curvature?

Choose Windows > Information > Information Window and use the Plot Value option to change what the comb plot measures.

See View or change the properties of objects and locators.

See also Edit a label or measurement object.

Note:

Curve curvature options available in the Information window are also available in the Curve curvature option window if you want to change the values for all objects on which the tool operates.