Align to Curve

Aligns selected CVs and associated edges on a subdivision object to any type of curve, including free curves, curves on a surface or isoparms on a surface.

You can use this tool to align selected CV's to curves in the following ways:

Automatically align the selected CVs.
Use an existing curve or surface edge to drive CV alignment.
Have the Align to Curve tool generate a new curve to drive CV alignment.

Access the tool from the Subdivision Palette:

Align, Planarize and Smooth

Align to Curve settings

Approximation

Specifies the type of curve that drives alignment when you choose to automatically align selected CVs. Select Degree 1 through to Degree 5.

Use these options when automatically aligning CVs or when the tool generates the curve for the alignment. For example, select Degree 1, to align the CVs along a straight line, select Degree 2 for a clean planar curve, or Degree 3 to maintain alignment along a curved shape.

Projection Type

Specifies the way the alignment curves get projected onto the subdivision surface.

Closest - Aligns CVs at the closest projection point between the CVs starting location and the alignment curve.
Uniform - Uniformly aligns CVs along the curve based on the selected Distribution Type.

Distribution Type

Specifies method used to space the subdivision CVs when aligning to a curve or surface boundary.

Parametric - Distributes the divisions along the curve using parametric space.

Arc Length - Distributes CV's so they most accurately follow the curvature of the alignment curve. This means that CVs are spaced closer in areas where the arc of the alignment curve is greater or tighter.

Flow Control

Modify Range

When on, you can specify which sections of the curve or edge you want driving the alignment. Use the in-canvas manipulators or the Start and End slider controls to make this adjustment.

Control Options

Create History

Turn on to maintain the construction history on the curve when you use an existing curve for alignment or select the Generate Curve method to align CVs. When off, you cannot use the Generate Curve method to align CVs.

Tip: You can use the Replace and Replace Multiple commands in the History Visualizer to replace the curve inputs to the Subdiv Align to Curve tool. This means, you can easily swap out the curves you are using to align subdivision CVs to quickly change the alignment results. Note that you cannot use the Replace command to change the selected CVs or the parent subdivision object. See Modify construction history by replacing input geometry.

Align to Curve workflows

Automatically align selected CVs

Shift-select the tool to open the control window
In the control window, set the following:
- Select an Approximation option.
- Select a Projection Type to specify the way the alignment curves get projected onto the subdivision surface.
- Select Distribution Type to specify how the CVs get spaced when aligned.
Select the CVs you want to align.

Tip: Use Shift + to chain-select CVs.
Press Enter or click in the view.

The select CVs are now aligned.

Align CVs using a selected curve or edge

Shift-select the tool to open the control window.
(optional) Turn on Create History.
Select the CVs you want to align.

Tip: Use + to chain-select CVs.
In the view, click .
Select the curve to drive the alignment.

The select CVs now align to the selected curve.
In the control window, use the following options to optimize the alignment:
- Select a Projection Type to specify the way the alignment curves get projected onto the subdivision surface.
- Select a Distribution Type to specify how the CVs get spaced when aligned.
- Turn on Modify Range, then use the Start and End sliders or the in-canvas manipulators to specify which sections of the curve or edge you want driving the alignment.
(Optional) Turn on Create History.

Align CVs using a generated curve

Shift-select the tool to open the control window.
Select an Approximation option.
Turn on Create History. When off, you cannot use the Generate Curve method to align CVs.
Select the CVs you want to align.

Tip: Use + to chain select CVs.
In the view, click .

The CVs now align to the generated curve.