Creating Styling Corners

This task explains how to create a styling corner, that is a connecting curve of a given radius between two other planar curves.
The purpose of this command it to provide the capability to create a fillet curve element which is computed between two existing curves. The standard fillet or styling corner generated is an arc fillet.
Open the StylingCorners.CATPart document.

  1. Click the Styling Corner icon .
    The Styling Corner dialog box opens.
 
 

  1. Select the curves in the quadrant where the fillet curve shall be created.

  2. Select the Curve Type Arc.
 

  1. Enter a Radius of 50 mm and click Apply. The fillet curve is displayed.
    You can modify the radius either by entering another value in the Radius dialog or using the manipulators in the graphic area.
 

  1. Activate the Curve Type Shape Blend and the option Center Radius. Enter a center radius of 20 mm.

  2. Click Apply to create the fillet curve with an accumulating arc and the center radius specified.
    In the graphics area, an additional manipulator is available to modify the center radius.
You can define the following options:
  • Curve 1, Curve 2: Select the curves between which the fillet curve shall be created. If the check button for Curve 2 is switched off, you can also select a single curve for the styling corner creation to obtain a closed fillet curve.
  • Trim Curve 1/2: Switching on Trim will trim the corresponding input curve 1 or 2 selected to the arc end point of the styling curve being generated.
    When trim is on, the original input curve is placed in no-show.
  • Radius: The accumulating points of the fillet curve into the original curves are defined by specifying an arc radius value.
 
  • Curve Type: Definition of the fillet type.
    • Arc: The fillet curve will be an arc with a defined Radius, the arc radius.
      The arc radius determines the position of the accumulating points of the fillet curve.
      If the curve tangent vectors of the original curves at the ends of the arc are located in the same plane, tangent continuous transitions are realized.
    • Blend: The fillet curve is calculated from the radius and the continuity specified.
    • Shape Blend: The fillet curve is calculated from the radius and the continuity specified. In addition, the shape can be influenced with the options Center Radius and Form Factor.
 
  • Projection - Support: The fillet curve can be projected onto a surface or a plane to be selected.
 
  • Curve 1/2 Options: Only available for the Curve Types Blend and Shape Blend.
    • Continuity:
      • : The created fillet curve will be G0 (position) continuous.
      • (Lead-in Tangent): An accumulating arc with tangent continuous transition to the original curves will be created. The accumulating points are also defined by the arc radius. In addition, for the middle of the arc you can specify a Center Radius different from the arc radius. The transition quality will be preserved when changing the center radius.
      • (Lead-in Curvature): The created fillet curve will be an accumulating arc with curvature continuous transition to the original curves. The curvature radius at the accumulating points will be adopted from the original curves. In addition to the arc and center radius you can specify the Lead-in Radius at the accumulating points. However, in this case the transition quality will not be preserved.
      • : The created fillet curve will be G3 (torsion) continuous).
    • Lead-in Radius: For an accumulating arc with curvature continuous transition to the original curves at the accumulating points (option Acc Curvature) the accumulating radius can be modified. In this case, the curvature continuity will not be preserved.
 
  • Shape: Definition of the fillet shape:
    • Center Radius: In case of an accumulating arc with tangent or curvature continuous transition to the original curves at the accumulating points (options Acc Tangent and Acc Curvature) the radius in the middle of the fillet curve can be specified. The transition quality will be preserved.
    • Form Factor: If accumulating arcs have been created using Acc Tangent and Acc Curvature the tangent length of the fillet curves is modified. The transitions to the original curves remain unchanged. Values smaller than 1 create flat fillets, values higher than 1 steep fillet.