Adding a curve to a surface

To add a curve to a surface:

1. Select the surface.
2. Click Surface Tools tab > Add panel > Items > Curve.
3. Use the Add Surface Curves dialog to add laterals and longitudinals to the surface:

   

4. Select the relevant tab to display the required method to add the surface curve:
   • Use the Parameter Value tab to create a curve at a specified parameter value.
   • Use the Through Nearest Point tab to add a curve at a point on the surface nearest a specified point. You may choose an axis along which the specified point is projected on to the surface.
   • Use the Distance From Curve tab to add a curve at a specified distance from the current curve. If there is no curve selected, then curve 1 is used by default.
   • Use the Workplane Intersection tab to add a curve where the principal plane of an active workplane intersects a surface.
5. Select whether the new curve has a Lateral or Longitudinal surface direction from the Insert drop-down list.
6. Use the following options to specify the position of the new curve:

   Parameter Value tab

   • Enter value between 1 and 2 — enter the parametric value of where you want to position the new curve.

     For example, to a add a new lateral half way between laterals and :

     

   • Select lateral from the Insert drop-down list, and enter a Value of 1.5. This is the parametric value half way between laterals 1 and 2.

     A new lateral is added half way between laterals 1 and 2:

     

   Note: Each time you add a lateral or longitudinal curve to a surface, the parametric value changes for a particular position on the surface.

   Through Nearest Point tab

   1. Project along — Choose the axis of projection.
   2. Enter the X Y Z coordinates, or click the Position button to open the Position dialog, where you can use position entry tools.

   Distance From Curve tab

   • Distance from current curve — enter the distance from the current curve where you want to position the new curve.

     For example, to add a new lateral 10 units from lateral :

     

   • Select lateral from the Insert drop-down list and enter a Distance of 10.

     A new lateral is added to the surface:

     

   Workplane Intersection tab

   • Offset from current workplane — enter the distance from the workplane where you want to position the new curve. The plane graphic updates to show the new value.

     For example, to add new a lateral at the position of the active workplane :

     

   • Select lateral from the Insert drop-down list and enter an Offset of 0.

     A new lateral is added where the XY plane of the active workplane intersects the surface:

     

7. Click Apply to insert the new curve. The other curves are renumbered to reflect the change, and the new lateral becomes the current lateral.