Create a mesh section sketch

Learn how to use the Fit Curves To Mesh Section command to create sketch geometry to match a section line through a mesh body generated by the Create Mesh Section Sketch command, in order to reverse-engineer a mesh in Fusion.

1. In the Design workspace, expand the Sketches folder in the Browser.

2. Right-click a sketch that contains a section line through a mesh, created by the Create Mesh Section Sketch command.

3. Select Edit Sketch.

   The Sketch contextual tab displays on the toolbar.

   The Sketch Palette displays in the canvas.

   The view adjusts to display the section line in the sketch.

4. On the Sketch contextual tab, select Create > Fit Curves To Mesh Section .

   The Fit Curves To Mesh Section dialog displays.

5. In the dialog, select a Fit Curve Type:

   • Line: Creates an open line segment between two points on the section line that you select.
   • Arc: Creates an open arc segment between two points on the section line that you select.
   • Spline: Creates an open spline based on individual points on the section line that you select.
   • Closed Spline: Creates a closed spline that follows the section line.
   • Circle: Creates a closed circle that follows the section line.
   • Ellipse: Creates a closed ellipse that follows the section line.

6. Adjust the settings associated with the fit curve type:

   • For closed fit curve types, Closed Spline, Circle, and Ellipse, select a Section line.
   • For open fit curve types, Line, Arc, and Spline, adjust:
     • Path Direction:
       • Short Path: Curve follows the shortest path between two points.
       • Long Path: Curve follows the longest path between two points.
     • First Point On Section: Select the start point on the section line.
       • Match Tangent: Check to create a tangent constraint between the First Point On Section and any sketch geometry it is connected to.
     • Second Point On Section: Select the end point on the section line.
       • Match Tangent: Check to create a tangent constraint between the Second Point On Section and any sketch geometry it is connected to.

7. Optional: For the Spline or Closed Spline fit curve types, adjust the Spline Fit Tolerance value:

   • Decrease the value to achieve a better fit between the spline and the section line.
   • Increase the value to reduce the number of control points on the spline.

8. Optional: Adjust the Max Curve Deviation value to control the maximum deviation allowed between the active sketch curve and the corresponding region of the mesh section.

9. Repeat steps 5-8 to continue creating sketch geometry to fit the mesh section line.

10. Click OK.

11. On the toolbar, click Finish Sketch to finish editing the sketch.

The sketch geometry displays along the mesh section line as open or closed sketch profiles in the canvas. You can now use the sketch profiles to recreate the mesh body as a parametric solid or surface body.

Tips

• Create a series of mesh section sketches to reverse-engineer complex mesh bodies.
• Edit each section sketch and use the Fit Curves To Mesh Section command to generate a series of sketch profiles. You can use the sketch profiles to create parametric solid and surface bodies to recreate the design.
• Decrease the Spline Fit Tolerance value to achieve a better fit between the spline and the mesh section line.
• Increase the Spline Fit Tolerance value to reduce the number of control points on the spline.
• Create as many sketch curves as you need to generate a complete sketch profile. After you create the first sketch curve, the next curve automatically begins where the previous one ended, to help you build up a closed sketch profile curve-by-curve.
• The number of sketch curves required depends on the complexity of the shape you are trying to capture. For a simple circular section, just a single circle curve is required. For a mechanical part profile, you may need to create a series of lines and arcs to fully capture the shape. For a freeform profile, you may need to create one or multiple spline curves.
• Apart from tangent constraints, no sketch constraints will be added during fitting. As a result, you are likely to find some small misalignments between related curve geometry after fitting, so in most cases sketch constraints will need to be added manually after the fitting is complete.