CST2013: Face Modifications

Modeling:ToolsModify Locally

In this mode you may change your model by picking faces and applying local modifications to them. This mode is especially useful if an imported part with no further construction history information shall be simplified or changed.

Concerning parametrization for later optimization runs, parameter sweeps or sensitivity analysis, you may consider defining Face Constraints. Even without parametrization you may use face constraints to get another approach to local modifications: The offered operations in the local modification mode are of incremental nature ("offset this face from the current state by 2 units"), whereas the face constraints define a property of a face (e.g. a radius or a distance to other geometry).

Note: The operation may fail when the topology of the model changes too much. For example while removing the last lump of a shape by performing a negative offset.

Offset face

All picked faces are offset in regard  to their current position by a given amount. You can specify that amount by dragging the selected faces or entering an offset expression into the dialog.

Move face

All selected faces are moved by the given x, y and z values. You may drag the arrows by mouse or enter expressions by yourself.

Note: Moving planar faces parallel to their surface won't have any effect. The moved translated geometrical surface will be cut with the unmoved edge loop. The result will be the same.

Note: If you use the mouse to perform an offset on tiny details, snapping (rounding the parameter value) might become a problem. In that case, adjust the working plane settings in the Working Plane Properties dialog.

Remove feature

The selected faces are removed from your model, if possible. The remaining faces are grown to obtain a valid shape.

Consider blends

In case of adjacent blends to a selected face, it is possible to perform the face modification on that face while preserving the blends of the selected face.

Technically, the blends are removed prior to the local modification and reapplied afterwards. If the operation fails for too complex geometry, it might be possible to perform the said steps by hand.