Points

On this tab, you can edit the basics of surfaces, the points.

Point properties

• You can define an arbitrary number of points within an object.
  
  
• Points are not specified in the absolute coordinate system of the object, but rather originate from a designated point. In the simplest case, this is one of the distinguished points of the bounding shape, a base point. (1st image)

Point connections

• The starting point can also be another point. There are two options here: either symmetrical connection or direct point-to-point connection.
  • In the case of a symmetrical connection, the symmetry axis is the symmetry axis of the bounding shape, meaning, for example, a symmetrically connected point is at the same distance from the right edge as the base point — to which it is connected — from the left edge (2nd image).
    
    
• In a direct point-to-point connection, the coordinates of the point are calculated directly from the starting point. Symmetry can also be applied here, in which case the symmetry axis passes through the starting (parent) point.
  
  
• Points can be linked to each other indefinitely, meaning a point connected to another point can have further points connected to it, and so on.

Point colors

• The default color of points is black
  
  
• The color of the selected point is red
  
  
• The base point of the selected point is always green
  
  
• Symmetrical points associated with the selected point are blue

Selecting points

• Points can be selected directly by clicking on them. By holding the Shift key, you can select multiple points simultaneously.

• Holding the Alt key while dragging the mouse creates a selection box, allowing for group selection. If you also hold the Ctrl key, symmetrical points will not be selected. This is because symmetrical points follow their base points during movement. If they are also selected, they will move twice.
  
  
• Base points can only be selected directly with the mouse. One base point is always selected, even if it is not visible. If a point and a base point are in the same location, the base point will be selected. In such cases, you can select the point with a selection box or turn off the visibility of the base point.

Changing the base point

• By selecting a point and holding the Ctrl key while choosing another base point, you can change the base point of the point. The point itself remains in place, only the coordinates change based on the current bounding size.

Caution! Percentage values change to fixed values!

Relative moving

• Clicking the arrows will move the selected point or points by the value between the arrows in the direction of the arrow. Clicking the colored rectangles sets the value between the arrows to the value written on them. The fixed-% setting determines whether the movement is interpreted as a fixed value or a percentage.
  
  
• Symmetrical points of the moved point will move symmetrically. Directly connected points will move parallel, keeping their position. If you move a symmetrical point, it will move out of its symmetrical position, which it will retain during subsequent parent movements.

Point positions

Point positions can consist of several components:

• The first and most general is a fixed value in each dimension. These are in the red-bordered fields.
  
  
• The second is a percentage value (fraction). But before that, you must set what the percentage is taken of.
  
  
  • The first basis is the bounding size. Here you can choose from the three dimensions of the bounding size (X, Y, Z) and the two partition planes (OS-X, OS-Y).
    
    
  • This value can be further modified with a fixed value. Then, the percentage of the resulting value can be taken. This way, a point's coordinate can be a percentage value of a dimension of the bounding size modified by a fixed value. These are primarily important for dynamically changing arcs.
    
    
• The third component is a size system index. When using this, the coordinate value will be the size value of the specified index size system. You cannot choose from a list here; you must enter the index.
  The components can be mixed.

The gray fields contain the absolute distances of the selected point from the edges. These are for information only and cannot be edited.

The modification button changes the coordinates of the selected point. The 0 icon resets all entered values.

Creating a new point

• Clicking a point will fill the position fields with the values of the selected point. Entering the values and pressing the new point button creates a new point. Alternatively, you can click an existing point and then press the new point button to create an identical new point, which can then be moved.
  
  
• Set symmetry and point connection before pressing the new point button.
  
  
• Symmetry is set using 5 icons. The first four icons offer combinations of width and height symmetry according to the drawing. The 5th icon is depth symmetry, which can be combined with any of the previous ones.
  
  
• For direct point-to-point connection, select a point first, zero out the positions, then enter the new necessary position. After that, press the new point button. No new point will be created with zero position.
  
  
• For connection to a base point, naturally, select a base point.

Symmetrical distribution

• If two points are selected, you can create a specified number of evenly distributed new points between them.
  
  
• Important! It only works correctly if both points belong to the same base point!

Deleting points

• Selected points can be deleted. Points connected to the deleted point are also deleted. However, a point is only deleted if it and all its connected points are not used by any surface.
  
  
• The delete all icon deletes all unused points.
  
  
• The table can be emptied by pressing the button.

Keywords: #points #base_point