BlueSurf command bar

Displays the BlueSurf Options dialog box.

Displays the Surface Visualization Options dialog box.

Selects the cross sections to which the feature will be fitted. You can select any number of cross sections for a BlueSurf feature, using any combination of cross sections created from sketches and cross sections created from part edges.

Selects the guide curve for the feature to follow. To be valid, guide curves must touch each cross section.

Allows you to insert a sketch as a new cross section or guide curve. Inserting sketches between existing cross sections or guide curves can give you more localized control over the resulting surface. When you click the Insert Sketch Step button, the Defining a Plane options are displayed, so you can dynamically define a new reference plane. When you click to define the position for the new reference plane, QY CAD creates the sketch by intersecting the reference plane with the current surface. The inserted sketch is created as a B-spline curve and is connected to the existing cross sections or guides curves using BlueDots (ordered environment only) or connect relationships, depending on the options you set on the BlueSurf Options dialog box.

Plane Options

Sets the method of defining the plane for the inserted sketch. Depending on the model you are constructing, some of the options listed may not be available.

Coincident Plane

Specifies that you want to define a plane that is coincident to an existing reference plane or a planar face on the part. When you set this option, a default X-axis and direction is applied to the new reference plane. You can use keyboard accelerators to define a different X-axis and direction for the new reference plane.

Parallel Plane

Specifies that you want to define a plane that is parallel to an existing reference plane or a planar face on the part. When you set this option, you can specify the parallel offset distance. When you set this option, a default X-axis and direction is applied to the new reference plane. You can use keyboard accelerators to define a different X-axis and direction for the new reference plane.

Angled Plane

Specifies that you want to define a plane that is at an angle to an existing reference plane or planar face on the part. When you set this option, you can specify the angle value you want.

Perpendicular Plane

Specifies that you want to define a plane that is perpendicular to an existing reference plane or planar face on the part.

Coincident Plane by Axis

Specifies that you want to define a plane that is coincident to an existing reference plane or a planar face on the part. When you set this option, you define the X-axis and direction for the new reference plane using a linear edge, a planar face, or another reference plane.

Plane Normal to Curve

Specifies that you want to define a plane that is perpendicular to a curve you select. This is the default option when constructing a helix using the Perpendicular option.

Plane by 3 Points

Specifies that you want to define a plane by three keypoints you select.

Tangent Plane

Specifies that you want to define a plane that is tangent to a curved face on the part. You can select a cylinder, cone, sphere, torus, or b-spline surface. When you set this option, you can also specify the angular rotation value. When you set this option, a default X-axis and direction is applied to the new reference plane. You can use keyboard accelerators to define a different X-axis and direction for the new reference plane.

Feature’s Plane

Specifies that you want to define a plane that is coincident to a reference plane used to define an earlier feature. You can select the feature you want using Feature PathFinder or in the graphic window. This option is not available when constructing the base feature.

This button changes function as you move through the feature construction process. The Preview button shows what the constructed feature will look like, based on the input provided in the other steps. The Finish button constructs the feature. After previewing or finishing the feature, you can edit it by re-selecting the appropriate step on the command bar. The Cancel button discards all input and exits the command.

Applies a command tangent condition to the boundary edges.

Show or hide the tangency control handle.

Deselects all inputs in the current step.

Sets the edge selection method for defining the cross sections and guide curves. You can use any combination of selection methods to select a set of edges. Hold the Ctrl key or the Shift key to deselect an edge.

Single

Selects a single edge or sketch element.

Chain

Selects a sketch or a tangentially continuous chain of edges.

Loop

Selects all the edges of individual loops of a face by selecting the face and then choosing a loop.

Face

Selects all the edges of a face by selecting the face.

Accepts the edge selection criteria and selects all edges that meet the criteria. Right-click to accept the selection or press Enter.

Clears any selected edges and the edge selection criteria.

Creates the BlueSurf feature with open ends.

Creates the BlueSurf feature with closed or capped ends

Displays the feature name. Feature names are assigned automatically. You can edit the name by typing a new name in the box on the command bar or by selecting the feature and using the Rename command on the shortcut menu.