Geometry | Spline

Contents

Toolbar:

left of the graphics-area

Menu:

Add menu > Geometry sub-menu> > Add Spline

What to do:

Note: Add Spline is the only sketch-element [other than Add Point] in which you do NOT drag your mouse-pointer.

1.	Edit a Part

2.	Click Add Spline in the Geometry toolbar - see image to the left

When Add Spline is the active command:

3.	Click in the graphic-area to add a Point, as the first 'node' of the Spline

- or -

Click an existing Point of a different sketch-element, as the first 'node' of the Spline

4.	Continue to click at different places in the graphic-area to add more 'nodes'

To end Add Spline:

5.	Click the 'first node' again to add a Closed Spline - or - Click the 'last node' again to add an Open Spline.

The Spline sketch-element is now in the graphic-area.

An open and closed Spline.
Spline-handles at the nodes.

Notes:

•	A Spline may be open or closed.

To show the spline-handles, click the Spline.

•	The direction of the spline is normal to the spline-handle

•	The curvature of the spline is proportional to the the length of the spline-handle

•	The curvature of the spline is symmetrical to the two sides of the spline-handle.

To hide the spline-handles [default], click the Spline again.

Edit the Node's Position

Use the Part-Editor:

1.	Add a dimension, to the node to edit its position.

2.	Drag the node to a new position.

1.	Double-click a node in the Part-Editor or the Mechanism-Editor

Edit the Spline's Angle at the Node

1.	Click the Spline to show the Spline-Handles

2.	Drag the arrowhead of a spline-handle in a different direction

Edit the Spline's Curvature at the Node

1.	Click the Spline to show the Spline-Handles

2.	Drag the arrowhead of a spline-handle further from or nearer to a node

Tutorial and Reference Help Files for MechDesigner and MotionDesigner 13.2 + © Machine, Mechanism, Motion and Cam Design Software by PSMotion Ltd