Curves

A curve is shaped with so-called base points and auxiliary points.

Base points are objects (points or lines) which are linked to the construction. base points can usually be moved along their base line or their displacement line.

Each curve has a minimum of two base points: starting point and final point.

Auxiliary points are points, which are not bound to the construction. The position of auxiliary points is calculated relative to the zero curve. The zero curve is displayed as a dashed line and generated exclusively on the basis of the assignments of the base points. Auxiliary points are determined by their relative position to the zero curve between two adjacent base points.

The following applies to auxiliary points:

  • They serve to fine-tune the shape of the curve between base points.
  • Auxiliary points can be dragged freely.
  • Auxiliary points are displayed as small round points.
The fewer the auxiliary points, the smoother the curve. After construction of base points and assignment of directions, usually no or few auxiliary points are necessary.

curve and replace curve

Initially, a new curve is defined by two base points, the starting point and the end point. Before further adjustments are carried out, a curve is a straight line between these two points. The curve is shaped through direction adjustments and setting of auxiliary points.

replace curve replaces an existing line/ curve to be selected with a new curve. When clicking the curve to be replaced, the right principle must be considered All further steps are identical to the steps for curve .

Step-by-step guide
  • select tool from the Toolbar.

  • Activate / deactivate autostart and cyclic in the context bar .

  • Set the starting point with the sub-menu point construction
  • Set the end point with the sub-menu point construction .
  • adjust direction
  • if required, insert and bind further curve points

The direction is pre-set in the starting point and the end point with direction from start / end and can be fine-adjusted directly in this way. The direction pre-set can be deleted or re-set with set direction .

Further auxiliary points for fine-adjustment of the curve can be inserted with insert point .

With bind point , a point becomes a base point. This ensures that the curve is carried along via the base points during grading.

If necessary, base points, auxiliary points and directions can be deleted.

Functions of the context bar

Under Adjustment, the following handles are available:

  • move base points along a base line or a displacement line
  • drag auxiliary points
  • generate a straight piece at the beginning and/ or end of the curve
  • fine-adjustment of directions in base points, if a direction has been assigned in the base point

With this function, the direction of the curve in base point can be defined. The direction is determined via the sub-menu direction construction . The direction of the curve must be taken into account during direction construction. It is indicated by an arrow at the end of the curve.

The direction must be determined following the direction of the curve, i.e. from the starting point to the end point.

Direction settings should refer to lines of the construction.

With this function, the direction of the curve in a base point can be defined. The adjusted direction is the direction to an (imaginary) straight line between the starting point and the end point of the curve.

With this function, the direction in a point is deleted.

The curve is shaped by inserting additional auxiliary points between the constructed base points. As a rule, one or two auxiliary points between adjacent base points are sufficient to obtain the required curve shape.

Having moved the auxiliary point, the zero curve becomes visible. The zero curve is displayed as a dashed line and generated exclusively on the basis of the assignments of the base points. Auxiliary points are determined by their relative position to the zero curve between two adjacent base points.

If the curve is to be bound onto the construction along its length, further base points are required. Base points are generated by inserting an auxiliary point and then, binding it onto the construction.

With the exception of starting point and end point, all base and auxiliary points of a curve can be deleted with delete point .

An auxiliary point becomes a base point by binding it onto the construction with bind point .

The position of a base point can be re-determined by repeating the bind point operation. This also applies to the starting point and final point of the curve.

With this function, the binding of an auxiliary point onto the construction is reset. The base point reverts to an auxiliary point.

Example curve

Example replace curve