*surfacecreateruled

Create surfaces that interpolates linearly or smoothly between input lines.

Syntax

*surfacecreateruled line_list_id link_coords_array number_of_link_coords guide_mark_id ruled_type options comp_mode

Type

HyperMesh Tcl Modify

Description

This command creates surfaces by interpolating linearly or smoothly between input lines. Optionally, a list of linking points and/or guiding lines can be provided for better interpolation and shape control. The input lines should be given in the correct order, grouped into ‘levels’ of the ruled surface. For example, referring to the image below, the input line list should first include 3 lines at level 1, then 3 lines at level 2 and then the line at level 3.

Inputs

line_list_id

The ID of the list containing the input lines. Valid values are 1 and 2.

link_coords_array

The list of x-, y- and z-coordinates for the optional points which are to be linked by an edge in the ruled surface(s). Link points should be given in pair or points, since each link between input lines is specified by its two end points. When these points are given, the final ruled surfaces include a surface edge that connects these points. Because of that, the pair of points must not skip levels. For instance, in the image below, we cannot skip level 2 by connecting a point at level 1 with a point at level 3. If such a skip is detected, the corresponding pair of points is ignored. One point may be linked to multiple points at a level above or below it, which results in creation of ‘triangular’ surfaces.

The *createdoublearray command must be used to create the array. This should always be set to 1.

number_of_link_coords

The size of the link_coords_array.

guide_mark_id

The ID of the mark containing the guiding lines. Valid values are 1 and 2.

Guiding lines are used as part of the boundary of the final interpolating surface. If more than one guiding line is selected, the edges of the surfaces between these lines are obtained by smoothly interpolating these lines. If ruled_type is 1, guiding lines are ignored. If a guiding line extends beyond just connecting the input lines, that part of the line is ignored.

In order for guiding lines to be valid, they must touch the input lines, but not necessarily all of them. However, guiding lines should not skip any level in between the levels that they are connecting.

ruled_type

0 - Smooth interpoloation

1 - Linear interpoloation

options

Flags that indicate different modes for surface creation. Bit values are used and the value is calculated as (Bit0 + 2*Bit1):

Bit0: 0 - Merge surfaces at shared input lines; 1 - Split surfaces at shared input lines
Bit1: 0 - Create open-ended ruled surfaces; 1 - Create a closed ring ruled surfaces

comp_mode

0 - Surfaces are created in the current component

1 - Surfaces are created in the same component as the selected lines. The result is not predictable if the lines are originally in different components.

Examples

Referring to the images above, to create linear ruled surfaces between lines 56, 52, 53, 58, 57, 59 and 51, without using any guide lines or linked points:

*createlist lines 1 56 52 53 58 57 59 51
*surfacecreateruled 1 1 0 2 1 0 0

To create smooth ruled surfaces interpolating lines 56, 52, 53, 58, 57, 59 and 51 with the following conditions: ruled surface will be in the input lines component; split at the input lines; links point P1 = (2.3, 4.5, 6.0) and point P2 = (12.3, 2.25, 36.30), uses guide lines 44:

*createlist lines 1 56 52 53 58 57 59 51
*createdoublearray 6 2.3 4.5 6.0 12.3 2.25 36.30
*createmark lines 2 44
*surfacecreateruled 1 1 6 2 0 3 1

Errors

Incorrect usage results in a Tcl error. To detect errors, you can use the catch command:

if { [ catch {command_name...} ] } {
   # Handle error
}

Version History

2019