Modeling > Evaluate geometry > Judge or evaluate curve or surface quality > 
Drag dynamic cross sections through surfaces
 
 
 

Lets you move a plane through a surface or mesh to show cross sections dynamically.

  1. Pick the surfaces or meshes you want to examine.
  2. Choose Evaluate > Dynamic Section ❒.

    A sectioning plane appears, at the geometric center of the object(s). A red cross section appears on the selected objects where the plane intersects them.

    NoteAt any time you can click additional surfaces or meshes to add to the selection. Clicking an already selected surface or mesh removes it from the selection. (You can use a pick box instead of clicking.)
  3. Set the Number of Planes (number of sections) and Step Size (spacing between sections) in the option box.

    The cross sections appear as red lines and update on the objects.

  4. Use the manipulator to orient the sectioning plane, or enter specific values in the Translate and Rotate fields in the control window.

  5. Changing these values update the plane manipulator, and vice-versa.

    The cross sections update as the plane is moved/rotated.

    NoteUsing the Translate fields lets you cut a section at a specific location along one of the main world axes (for example X = 100).

  6. Do any of the following:

How do I use the manipulators?

NoteThe manipulators are visible through shaded geometry.

Sectioning Plane

Clip Offset Plane

Define two visual clipping planes

You can define a secondary visual clipping plane parallel to, and at a given distance from, the primary clipping plane. Only the part of the model between the two clipping planes is displayed.

This secondary plane is always driven by the location and direction of the primary plane.

  1. Select surfaces or meshes
  2. Choose Evaluate > Dynamic Section ❒ to open the option window.
  3. Adjust position and orientation of the sectioning plane.

  4. Turn on the Visual Clip option.

    The display of surfaces/meshes is clipped to the location and direction of the current plane.

  5. Turn on the Clip Offset option.

    An offset plane appears, and the display of surfaces/meshes is clipped to the location and direction of that second plane as well, leaving only the part of the model between the two planes visible.

  6. Use the Clip Offset slider, or click and drag the offset plane manipulator, to adjust the offset distance of the second clipping plane from the first.

    The clipped area updates.

    Both the slider value in the option window and the offset plane manipulator on the model update to reflect each other.

    NoteTo position the offset plane manipulator through keyboard input or snapping, first select it by clicking it without dragging. The manipulator turns white when selected.

Cut a section at a specific location along one of the main axes

  1. Choose the orientation of the sectioning plane by clicking on one of the three square icons on the manipulator.

  2. Enter the X, Y, or Z location of the plane in the appropriate Translate field.

    A discreet section cut at x = 150.0

Remove persistent sections

If the Persistent Sections option was turned on, the sections will remain after exiting the tool.

Use the Clear button in the Cross Section Control tab of the Control Panel to remove them.

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