Surface and Wireframe Modeling

GTWorks provides robust tools for creating and manipulating 3-D wireframe and surface models. These models are precise geometric renderings, applicable for use in finite element analysis and NC machining. Surface models can also form the basis for calculating mass properties and constructing complex 3-D intersection curves.

WIREFRAME CONSTRUCTION

Features: GTWorks includes a full set of graphic constructs for 2-D and 3-D wireframe modeling. Construct elements include points, lines, arcs, circles, polygons, conics and splines. For complex modeling requirements, GTWorks provides 2-D and 3-D spline curves, including continuous 2nd derivative, Wilson-Fowler and non-uniform rational B-spline (NURBS).

Benefits: These precise features minimize the time required to create complex, geometrically accurate wireframe models.

COMPLEX 3-D CURVE CONSTRUCTION

Features: 3-D curves can be created easily by projecting curves onto surfaces or intersecting one surface with another. Constant-draft-angle projections enable you to produce 3-D drafted curves that lie on a base surface. 3-D curves can also be created along the edges of any predefined surface or by selecting or entering control points. Special functions are provided to create cross-sectional slices between intersecting planes and sculptured surface sets.

Benefits: The time to construct curves is decreased, giving you more time to concentrate on the overall design.

CONVENTIONAL SURFACE CONSTRUCTION

Features: GTWorks supports a variety of mathematically precise surfaces, including planes, cones, spheres, torii, cylinders, surfaces of revolution, tabulated cylinders and curve-mesh surfaces. All can be defined easily using 2-D and 3-D curves as reference. You can also create offset surfaces from an existing surface or blend two existing surfaces with a fillet. Curve-driven surfaces are created by driving one curve set along the direction of another.

Benefits: Having a variety of appropriate tools to use when constructing surfaces minimizes your time and maximizes the accuracy of your model.

NON-UNIFORM RATIONAL B-SPLINE SURFACES (NURBS)

Features: NURBS construction techniques enable you to create free-form surface shapes beyond the scope of conventional geometric construction techniques. NURBS surfaces can be created from an array of points or by lofting through a series of curves. Also, you can limit the impact of design changes by moving control points affecting only the local surface region. "Rubberbanding" lets you preview the surface changes as you move control points.

Benefits: NURBS provide complete, local control over surface curvature. Designs are visually richer and more accurate, and turnaround time is reduced.

SURFACE TRIMMING

Features: GTWorks surfaces can be trimmed automatically to selected boundaries without having to redefine surfaces. Using the trim/untrim surfaces menu, you can remove portions of a surface, replace part or all of a removed portion in a trimmed surface, or review current trimming operations. In review, you can accept, redo, or undo any or all operations. You can also restore the original surface by undoing all the trimming operations on a given surface.

Benefits: You save time and simplify procedures as a result of this simple, fast and accurate way to model complex intersections.