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(continued...) Models can be generated by manipulating geometric primitives, by creating curves that can be extruded, swept or lofted into surfaces or from imported geometry.
Despite the capability to integrate multiple data types, true model quality is achieved by using NURBS and many operations work on NURBS objects only and not imported meshes so the SketchOnMesh command can be used to generate NURBS data from imported meshes.
Multiple objects can be combined simultaneously in Boolean operations.
Control points can be toggled on or off for selected objects.
When active, control points can be dynamically edited to manipulate surfaces.
In fact deformable planes can be generated with a user defined number of control points to allow subsequent editing.
Singly curved surfaces can be developed into a flat surface on the current layer and construction plane.
The Gaussian curvature analysis tool can be used to identify developable surfaces as Gaussian curvature is zero at every point on a surface that is linear in one direction.
Examples of this type of shape are cylinders, cones, and some steel ship hulls.
This UnrollSrf command is not intended therefore for bending and unfolding sheet metal or developing fabric patterns.