This type of selection allows to generate a series of points from a grid oriented in two directions, these points are then projected on the selected surfaces. These points are created in a 3D sketch. the arrows (blue and red) are only visible if a starting point is selected.


 


The principle is to select a series of surfaces, and/or faces, and a vertex to define a starting point.

Then simply select a plane or a flat face for the ''.Direction 1''. The selection of the ''.Direction 2is not mandatory.

  • If the ''Direction 2If '' is not selected, the tool automatically sets the direction perpendicular to the ''.Direction 1''.

A grid is thus created. It can be displayed graphically by checking the option . The color of this grid is set by default to ''.Green''.


 


 


The points (color Black) are projected onto the selected surfaces.

Only points that meet the surfaces are retained.

If the result of the preview is not what you want, you can click on the to reverse the direction or click on to see which sides the grid is generated from.


  • To define a ''.Direction 2To do this, simply select a plane or a plane face. A red arrow is positioned on the selected vertex to show the direction, you can click on the icon to reverse it.

Example : ''Direction 1'' --> ''Plan1'' and ''Direction 2'' --> ''Right plane''.


 


  • ''Ignore the drillings'' :

The selected faces can have ''holes'' (of any shape). By checking this option, the tool will ignore the borders of these holes by creating points on the missing faces.


  • ''Enable transparency'' :

In the context of a part with only surface bodies, this option has no real influence on the graphic part.

This is not the case when we are working in the context of a part with volumetric bodies that may obscure part of the preview.

Only points that meet the surfaces are retained.

Example Two selected plane faces define the two directions, a pitch and a number of points are specified and symmetry has been requested in both directions to cover the whole surface.

    • If the option is not checked, only the points located at the periphery of the selected face are visible:


 


    • Case where the option is checked. The fact of checking this option, puts the part in transparent mode what allows to see all the points:


 


We can thus see that according to the ''s''.Direction 2'' there are not enough points to cover the whole face. So we're going to increase the number to 21 to correct this.


 


  • As the points are created from the starting point (belonging to the face) and in both directions, the result may not cover all the selected faces.


 


To remedy this situation, one can either:

    • Click on the icon so that you don't have to enter the number of points.
    • Choose another starting point.
    • Change the pitch .
    • Activate the creation of points symmetrically to each direction by checking the option .