I have 2 questions:
1.) I was given 3-D coordinates of a spline outputted from another software, so what I did was create a 3-d sketch, plotted these points, then created a 3-d spline through them. Next, I created a plane through 3 randomly selected points (several points between each of the 3 points). Next, I mapped the 3-d spline to this 2-d plane by creating a spline having the same number of points and creating coincident relationships between each point in my 2-d sketch to the corresponding point in the 3-d sketch.
This method seems to work well, just wondering if there is a better way to do something like this?
2.) Now, I've got my 2-d sketch of a closed spline shape. I want to be able to keep the shape of the spline constant, but change its length/perimeter, i.e. expand and contract the spline without changing the shape. So I deleted the coincident relationships to the 3-d sketch, checked "Proportional" to maintain the shape, but am having trouble expanding and contracting the spline easily. I want the center of the spline to remain put while I expand and contract for visual confirmation (with the 3-d sketch) that the shape remains constant. What is the easiest way to expand and contract the spline? I tried using tangent circles and distances to a circle but am not having luck (the spline moves instead of expanding, and fixing a point on the opposite side does not enable me to keep the center of the spline in place). In other words, I want to expand or contract the spline in all directions, not just one. Any tips?
Thanks in advance.
Inside the spline PropertyManager is a checkbox to make the spline Proportional. You can click this box, then drag one end of the spline to make the whole thing proportionately larger. You can do this with sketch relations and/or dimensions if you like.
Best of luck.