Curves menu

• Found in the Modeling menu set.

Modify

Lock Length

When you select Lock Length, the selected curve (or selected CVs) will maintain a constant hull length. If you then modify the curve, for example, by moving a CV, the shape of the curve will adjust so that it maintains a constant hull length (that is, CVs other than the one you move will also move). When you first lock the length of a curve, a Lock Length attribute is added to the curveShape node. You can use the l (lower-case L) key as a momentary hotkey. Press and hold down the l key to lock the length of the selected curve. Release the l key to unlock the length of the curve.

Note: If you turn on Lock Length, move a CV and then select Undo, only the CV you moved will return to its original position. If you turn on Lock Length and modify the curve, the curve’s first CV will not move (unless you explicitly move the first CV). For example, if you move the curve’s first CV, the curve will respond differently than if you move the curve’s last CV.

Unlock Length

When you select Unlock Length, the selected curve (or selected CVs) will no longer maintain a constant hull length. If you then modify the curve, for example, by moving a CV, the curve’s hull length will not remain constant (and only the CV you move will actually move). When you select Unlock Length, the curveShape’s Lock Length attribute is turned off.

Bend

Makes the selected curves (or selected CVs) bend in one direction. The curve’s first CV will maintain its original position.

Select Curves > Bend > to set the Bend Curves Options.

Curl

Makes the selected curves (or selected CVs) curly so they resemble a helix. The curve’s first CV will maintain its original position.

Tip: Do not apply Curl to a curve twice. The second Curl will produce poor results because it is trying to curl a curve that is already curly.

Select Curves > Curl > to set the Curl Curves Options.

Scale Curvature

Makes the selected curves (or selected CVs) straighter or exaggerates their existing curvature, depending upon the Scale Factor and Max Curvature values.

Select Curves > Scale Curvature > to set the Scale Curvature Options.

Smooth

Makes the selected curves (or selected CVs) smoother. The curve’s first and last CVs will maintain their original positions.

Select Curves > (Modify) Smooth > to set the Smooth Curves Options.

Straighten

Makes the selected curves (or selected CVs) straighter (in the direction of the curve’s first segment). The curve’s first CV will maintain its original position.

Select Curves > Straighten > to set the Straighten Curves Options.

Edit

Duplicate Surface Curves

Creates a new NURBS curve from the selected surface edge, isoparm, or curve-on-surface.

Select Curves > Duplicate Surface Curves > to set the Duplicate Surface Curves Options.

Align

Aligns the endpoints of curves.

Select Curves > Align > to set the Align Curves Options.

Add Points Tool

Lets you add points to the end of the selected curve.

Attach

Joins NURBS curves together at their endpoints to form a new curve. You can select two or more curves for attaching.

Detach

Splits a curve into two new curves.

Edit Curve Tool

Shows a manipulator on the curve you click that lets you change the position and direction at arbitrary points along the curve. Adjust the Tangent Manip. Size to control the length of the tangent direction handle on the manipulator.

Move Seam

Moves the join point of a closed/periodic curve to the selected edit point.

Open/Close

Converts a curve between open and closed/periodic.

Select Curves > Open/Close > to set the Open/Close Curve Options.

Fillet

Creates a curve between two independent curves that do not intersect.

Select Curves > Fillet > to set the Fillet Curve Options.

Cut

Splits curves wherever they cross a cutting curve in the view.

Select Curves > Cut > to set the Cut Curve Options.

Intersect

Creates curve point locators where two or more independent curves touch or cross one another in a view or direction. Intersect Curves is commonly used with Curves > Cut, Curves > Detach, and Snap to Point.

Select Curves > Intersect > to set the Intersect Curve Options.

Extend

Extends a curve or creates a new curve as an extension.

Select Curves > Extend > Extend Curve > to set the Extend Curve Options or select Curves > Extend > Extend Curve on Surface > to set the Extend Curve on Surface Options.

Insert Knot

Inserts an edit point at the selected curve point.

Select Curves > Insert Knot > to set the Insert Knot Options.

Offset

Creates an copy of the selection, offset from the original by a certain distance. Select from Offset Curve and Offset Curve On Surface.

Select Curves > Offset > Offset Curve > to set the Offset Curve Options or select Curves > Offset > Offset Curve on Surface > to set the Offset Curve on Surface Options.

CV Hardness

Sets the multiplicity of the selected CVs.

Select Curves > CV Hardness > to set the CV Hardness Options.

Fit B-spline

Fits a degree 3 (cubic) curve to a degree 1 (linear) curve. Typically you use Fit B-spline after you import curves, surfaces, and digitized data from other products in which the curves have curve degree 1.

Select Curves > Fit B-spline > to set the Fit B-spline Options.

Project Tangent

Makes the end of a curve tangent or curvature continuous with another curve or surface.

Select Curves > Project Tangent > to set the Project Tangent Options.

Smooth

Smooths out kinks in the selected curve(s). Select the command again to smooth more.

Select Curves > (Edit) Smooth > to set the Smooth Curve Options (Edit).

Bezier Curves

Lets you change the selected anchor (Control Vertex) or the selected tangents on a bezier curve.

Select Curves > Bezier Curves > Tangent Options and select a Bezier Curve Tangent Options or select Curves > Bezier Curves > Anchor Presets and select one of the Bezier Curve Anchor Presets.

Rebuild

Performs various operations to modify the selected curve.

Select Curves > Rebuild > to set the Rebuild Curve Options.

Reverse Direction

Reverses the direction of the selected curve(s).

Select Curves > Reverse Direction > to set the Reverse Curve Options.