Freeform Environment
When you start a Freeform command a Freeform ribbon tab is activated providing full access to the environment.
Work Features are added to the Freeform ribbon and can be created in the Freeform environment. For example, create a work plane to use as a flatten reference or create a work plane to use as an alignment plane.
When you exit the Freeform environment the topology is simplified. Simplification means that there are fewer faces and edges in the model, but the freeform body shape is preserved.
Edit Form
The following enhancements are added to the Edit Form dialog box:
- The dialog box is reorganized for better access to options.
- The Extrude option is added to the dialog box. Both previous extrude workflows; holding the ALT key and using the context menu when editing, are preserved.
- A Reset option is added next to Undo and Redo.
- The Soft Modification option is added. Set the type and the falloff gradient to control the influence your changes have over the surrounding area. In the following image, soft modification is off in the upper right image, and on in the lower right image.
Freeform Plane
Use the Freeform Plane command to create a planar sheet body and then manipulate the faces.
Freeform Cylinder
The Cylinder command supports creation of closed or open cylinder bodies.
Edit Form
The Edit Form command supports extruding open sheet edges and faces.
Freeform Face
Use the Freeform Face command to create a three-dimensional sheet body and then use Edit Form or Thicken to extrude the face or selected edges.
Delete Command
The Delete command now supports the Delete key. You can also delete faces to create an open sheet body. Delete one or more faces from a freeform shape, and then use the Freeform Face command to close the opening.
Convert to Freeform
Use the Convert command to copy solid body or surface faces to the freeform environment. Use the freeform edit tools to manipulate the shape.
Body Management
Intelligent body management. Freeform bodies and surfaces are converted to their respective solids or surfaces when you exit the environment.
Align Form
Use Align Form to precisely move a freeform body to a target plane or planar face.
Flatten
Use Flatten to move the selected vertices to single plane passing through the vertices. Select at least four vertices to use Flatten.
Weld Vertices
Use Weld Vertices to join vertices or to close a hole in a freeform body. Pick points individually to move the first vertex to the second vertex.
Unweld Edges
Use Unweld Edges to disconnect an edge or a loop to enable separating the edges.
Insert Point
Use Insert Point to add control points to your model.
Merge Edges
Use Merge Edges to close gaps and join edges.
Thicken
The Thicken command is added to the freeform environment. You can choose Sharp, Soft, and No Edge solutions to thicken a body. The following image shows an open sheet body thickened with the No Edge option.
Mirror
The Mirror command is added to the freeform environment. You can use a work plane or planar face to mirror a body.
Crease and Uncrease
The Crease and Uncrease commands are available in the ribbon. Previously they were available only in a context menu. Creased edges are colored.
Bridge
The Bridge command has added the ability to select edges.
Add Distance
Use the Add Distance command to place a reference dimension between points, planes, edges, and faces.
Make Uniform
Use the Make Uniform command to relax the freeform body and make the intervals between star points uniform. You can also use this command as a repair operation if you encounter issues with the body.
Copy
The Copy command supports copying bodies and faces. The Edit Form, Transform option is active when you use Paste so you can easily move the duplicated geometry.
Toggle Translucent
Enable the Toggle Translucent command to see though the body and view existing geometry or sketches.
Toggle Select Through
Use Toggle Select Through to filter crossing window geometry selection. When enabled, geometry selection is normal. When toggled off, only geometry that is visible in the view is selected.
Match Edge
The Match Edge command is more robust and works with open sheet bodies. In addition, the following new functionality is added:
- Expand the Matches folder in the browser, right-click the matched edge, and select Rematch if the source geometry changes.
- G0, G1, and G2 continuity control is provided between a NURB edge and a freeform body edge.
Selection
- You can now window select vertices.
- Vertex display is enabled on bodies when you start a command that requires vertex selection.
- Select an edge, press Shift and double-click another edge in the loop range to add all edges between the two selections.
- Select a face, press Shift and double click another face in the loop range to add all faces between the two selections.
- Select a vertex, press Shift and double-click another vertex in the loop range to add all vertices between the two selections.
Symmetry
Symmetry is displayed with a different line type and color.
