SolidWorks and Bezier Curves

Its been a while since I used SolidWorks so this may be a dumb
question, but can the software create and edit(not just import) Bezier
splines in addition to Nurbs?

This requirement is more for working with 2D graphic design rather
than surfacing.

Many thanks

Alec

 

Alec.

Nope,,, Nurbs only.

The only CAD programs that I know of that use beziers are Catia V4, and some
older European systems like Strim.

Regards

Mark

 

Alec.

Nope,,, Nurbs only.

The only CAD programs that I know of that use beziers are Catia V4, and some
older European systems like Strim.

Regards

Mark

 

IIRC Some NURBS are exact Bezier. Someone may
wish to correct me.

ComputerVision's ASD package (Advanced Surface Design) was all
Bezier as was DUCT IIRC.
Delcam may also have the capability.
Probably more systems as well.

HTH

 

AutoCAD also has Bezier curves IIRC.

 

Interesting...

So if I am receiving 2D bezier based artwork from the likes of Corel
or Illustrator, I take it then that I would need to export/import in
DXF/DWG format and as Nurbs or Polygon splines??? Has anyone had any
experience in this?

Howabout when creating a 2D technical illustration from a 3D part (in
SW) and then touching this up in Illustrator. Can the SW 2D drawing
views be exported as *.ai or *.eps (or only DXF)?

Last but not least, any ideas on how to import, vectorise and smooth a
bitmap image with SW?

Lots of questions I know, but as you can see I have to deal with lots
of graphic design / illustrations, and it seems the link between SW
and graphic design packages is not so strong as I had hoped.

Isn't there any add on product for SW that will allow me to work with
Beziers???????

Thanks again

Alec

 

The only CAD programs that I know of that use beziers are Catia V4,

True of surface reps, but not curves?

Ashlar and CSI both list Bezier splines in their data sheets.

Disclaimer I share with jon: I don't know from Adam.

 

I don't know if it's of any practical use to you (no firsthand knowledge of
your type work) but Rhino has some support for Beziers and some degree of
interoperability with AI. It can't vectorize, but there are a few freeware
/ shareware / cheap programs that will at least attempt it.

 

Alec,

Corel subdevides curves into line segements when exoprted as DXF, don't know
about Adobe. It would be nice if SW could import these types of curves
directly.

DWG is also an option

Sw isn't intended to be an illustration tool. It "will" produce all of the
3D views in a variety of formats. These can then be used in any (more
suitable) illustration program. This isn't a shortcoming of SW, just the
right tool for the right job.

This can be done with any number of raster to vector programs, and imported.

it's not an illustration program, but the toos are there to work with one

Why would you want too ? They're not necessary for solid modeling or
surfacing, and like I said, it's not an illustration program.

Baren-Boym may be able to write something that will allow you to read
beziers in as nurbs.

Regards

Mark

 

Mark

Thanks for the reply. So why the need for Bezier curves??

We do a lot of different work from technical illustration through to
jewellery design. This means that we work with anything from a pencil
sketch (that needs vectorising and smoothing) through to a ready made
solid. Sometimes with the likes of the jewellery design we create a
solid model, but the original 2D design has to be completed using
Bezier curves as they are so much more flexible than Nurbs.

Thus the reason of wanting a system that is as strong in 2D design as
it is in 3D design.

Hope that explains things a little better.

Thanks for the feedback.

Alec

 

... but the original 2D design has to be

Hoping to learn something here; could you elaborate / expand on that? Are
you talking about actual shape creation (don't think so, but like I said
I'm here to learn) or do you mean that there is better support in the
software packages you use?

 

Alec,

Sounds like your trying to use the wrong tool (Solidworks) for your
particular needs then.

In SW, (and all of the other solid packages for that matter), 2D data is
either a mathematically defined basis for a 3D shape (sketch) or a projected
view of a 3D object (drawing). This is all that's needed for the engineering
tasks the program was designed to perform. There is some 2D drawing
capabilty, but it's intended to augment "detailing" of engineering drawings.

I don't know that a "single" program even exists that meets all your needs.


Regards

Mark

 

I don't get the same feeling when using Concepts as I do with VX... not
even close right now. I'm waiting to see how much progress is made in
the up coming version 3 of Concepts before spending any more time with
it. It's got some good ideas and I like the developer and think he's
trying hard to make Concepts a more viable solution for more people.
I've posted some suggestions on the Concepts Web Forum and got terrific
support (agreement with what I posted) from Concepts VAR's and
users.... a very nice group of people.

What also should be mentioned is that Concepts tries hard to move away
from totally relying on the plane concept that Mark M. refers to above.
I have mixed feelings about this and other approaches that Concepts
currently uses.

What really makes Concepts stand out is that it's a choice for those
who hate Windows and want to run on OS X.

jon

 

I don't think that he'd like that.

 

LOL ..... They did not let you upload your 3dinkies ads !!!!!
Or are you thinking of the other place where you got strong
warning to cease & desist?

 

"Plane concept"?
Just how confused are you by thes buzzwords today? More than
usual? Is it even possible?