Outline Blocks
Active Dimensions 3 uses outline blocks to help make modeling rounded objects easier. Using outline blocks, you can build an outline of whatever rounded object you are modeling, and then let Active Dimensions 3 automatically create the curved geometry. The process is very simple and efficient, and thereby enables you to quickly model more complex objects.
Although the basic concept of outline blocks is simple, there are some important aspects to this modeling method that must be taken into consideration. First, you must understand that Active Dimensions 3 can only automatically create curved geometry from an outline surface. An outline surface is defined as a surface that was formed solely from outline blocks. You may construct an outline surface by connecting outline blocks or by performing Boolean operations on outline blocks. In many cases you can simply connect outline blocks to build an outline surface, however there will be cases wherein you should use Boolean Operations to help build your outline surface. When you use Boolean Operations to construct outline surfaces, you should attempt to create the simplest possible geometry. For an example on how to help create simple geometry, open the file named simple.ad3. Right-click the gray outline block and select Boolean Difference (A - B): Select Operand B from the context menu. Click one of the two white outline blocks. Since the two white outline blocks have been united, they will be subtracted from the gray outline block in one step, thereby helping to create simple geometry. If the two white outline blocks were sequentially subtracted from the gray outline block the resulting geometry would be more complex than necessary.
Connect to Outline
Connects two outline surfaces to form a single outline surface. A connection will be made only if one or more polygons on the first outline matches and coincides with a polygon on the second outline. You should choose Wireframe (orthographic) on the Render menu to enable you accurately match up polygons.
Create Curved Geometry From Outline
Creates a curved surface from an outline surface. This menu item will only appear when an outline surface is selected.
Create More Curved Geometry From Outline
Creates a more curved surface from an outline surface. This menu item will only appear when an outline surface is selected.
Create Most Curved Geometry From Outline
Creates a very curved surface from an outline surface. This menu item will only appear when an outline surface is selected.
Boolean Operations
Note: Since Boolean Operations can be unwieldy and can require careful planning, Active Dimensions 3 checks the geometric topology of the result of every Boolean Operation. If the result fails the geometric topology test, AD3 will display the text "Non-Solid Result" in the status area. This means that the Boolean operation did not produce solid geometry. As a general rule, if both operands were solids prior to the Boolean Operation, then the result should be a solid. (All preset surfaces in AD3 are solids except for the plane, tiled plane, mechanical joint and the organic joint.) However, due to the complexity of Boolean Operations, AD3 may be unable to produce solid geometry. If both operands were solids prior to the Boolean Operation, and the text "Non-Solid Result" is displayed in the status area immediately after the Boolean Operation, then the operation should be undone and reattempted after the position, size, and/or orientation of one or both operands has been adjusted.
Under a few rare conditions, some geometry may pass the solid topology test, even if it is not a valid solid.
The boolean.avi file that is included with the demo version of Active Dimensions 3 gives a visual tutorial on how to perform one of the three Boolean Operations.
Boolean operations are used to form a more complex surface from two simpler surfaces. Before performing any Boolean operation it is recommended that you be sure that the surfaces on which the operation will be performed are positioned exactly as you want them. You should view your scene from various different angles to verify this.
Active Dimensions supports the difference, intersection, and union operations.
To perform a Boolean operation, right click the first surface. This surface will be operand A - the target surface. Select the desired Boolean operation from the resulting context menu, and then click the second surface, which will be operand B - the tool surface.
The following pictures show the result of each Boolean Operation on the scene below.
Sphere interpenetrating a Cube.
Operand A = Cube: Operand B = Sphere
Boolean Difference (A - B): Select Operand B
This menu item will not appear when all is selected.
Boolean Intersection (A and B): Select Operand B
This menu item will not appear when all is selected.
Boolean Union (A + B): Select Operand B
This menu item will not appear when all is selected.
Front View
Shows your scene from the predefined front view. This menu item will only appear when all is selected. If you are not satisfied with the predefined front view, rotate your scene to the desired front view. With all selected, right click in the area of the scene and select Set as Front View from the context menu.
Side View
Shows your scene from the predefined right side view. This menu item will only appear when all is selected.
Top View
Shows your scene from the predefined top view. This menu item will only appear when all is selected.
Set as Front View
Makes the current view of the scene be the front view. This menu item will only appear when all is selected.
