Triangulate many Segments
This function allows you to triangulate many segments together to form a trisolation. You may define the segments to use either manually using the mouse to select segments or by entering a string or segment range using a text field. The triangulation between segments is performed in the order that you have chosen the segments. You have the option to close off the first and last segments and automatically set the trisolation neighbours and create a closed 3DM (solid or void). All segments must be closed except the first and last segments if you are creating a closed 3DM with manual selection, in this case the ends may be closed segments or single points.
To run this function: Choose Solids > Triangulate > Many segments, or...
- If you choose manual selection with the closed 3DM option you will be asked to select the two ends of the trisolation and then all the intermediate segments, press ESC when you have selected all the intermediate segments or if you have incorrectly selected a segment. None of the segments may match the ends or any other intermediate segment and the order you choose the intermediate segments must go from the first end to the other end. If you choose manual without the closed 3DM option, just select the segments to triangulate with escape to finish.
- If you choose range selection you can define the range of segments to be triangulated in one of two ways:
- choose a string range for a single segment number
- choose a segment range for a single string number. The first and last segments defined by the range must exist in the current layer.
If any segments defined by the range between the first and the last do not exist in the current layer then a warning is issued and the triangulation proceeds. For example, if you choose to triangulate a string range 1,4 with segment 1, and only string 1 segment 1, string 2 segment 1 and string 4 segment 1 exist in the current layer, then you will be given a warning that string 3 segment 1 does not exist and the triangulation will proceed with those that do exist. If you have requested a closed 3DM to be formed then the first and last segments will be triangulated and the neighbours and the direction will be set for the resultant trisolation.
Note:When all the segments have been input and validity checks have been performed the Triangulate Many Segments function progressively updates the result trisolation as it progresses through the segments to be triangulated. If an error occurs while the triangulation is being performed then the result trisolation at the stage where the error occurred is displayed on the screen. You may wish to either save this result or exit without saving.
Note:The results produced by the Triangulate Many Segments function depend on the particular value of the triangulate stitch algorithm you are using (this may be 0, 1, 2 or 3). If you do not obtain satisfactory results with the current stitch algorithm you can change it using the Toggle Stitch Algorithm function.
Hint:While using the Triangulate Many Segments function, if you have problems selecting points and/or segments near triangles that are drawn on the screen, it may be because the triangles are being selected in preference to the points themselves. The symptoms of this problem are the function cancelling unexpectedly or an inability to select the correct point. If this occurs you are advised to remove the triangles from the screen using the Edges Off and Faces Off functions then perform the function as normal (obviously you must have the strings drawn on the screen to be able to select them), then recall the triangles to the screen using the Faces On and Edges On functions. With the triangles temporarily removed from the screen you will find that point selection becomes much easier.
Function
Display only. The name of the function being executed.
Layer name
Display only. The name of the active layer is displayed. The active layer is the only layer you are able to modify.
Object
Enter the object number of the trisolation to be created.
Trisolation
Enter the trisolation number of the trisolation to be created.
Complete the DEFINE THE TRISOLATION TO BE CREATED form and choose Apply to display the TRIANGULATE MANY SEGMENTS OPTIONS form.
Do you wish to use manual or range selection for the segments?
This option allows you to select the segments to be triangulated either by manual selection using the mouse or by defining a range of strings or segments using a text field.
Do you wish to close both ends of the trisolation to create a 3DM? (Y/N)
This option is useful for automatically creating a closed 3DM. If you choose N then the function will triangulate between the segments you select without closing up the ends or setting the neighbours. If you choose Y then the ends of the trisolation will be triangulated and the trisolation neighbours will be set.
The following field will appear if you chose Y as the answer to the Do you wish to close both ends of the trisolation to create a 3DM? (Y/N) field.
Do you wish to create a solid or a void? (S/V)
Do you wish the resultant closed 3DM to have its direction set to solid or void?
Complete the TRIANGULATE MANY SEGMENTS OPTIONS form and choose Apply to begin selecting the segments.
The following process will be followed if you chose M as the answer to Do you wish to use manual or range selection for the segments? (M/R) and Y as the answer to Do you wish to close both ends of the trisolation to create a 3DM? (Y/N) on the TRIANGULATE MANY SEGMENTS OPTIONS form:
The FIRST END SEGMENT OR POINT? form is displayed.
Is the first end a segment or a point? (S/P)
Choose whether the first end of the trisolation to be created is a segment or a point.
Complete the FIRST END SEGMENT OR POINT? form and choose Apply to display the prompt:
Select the first end
Position the pointer and select the first end.
Selecting the first end displays the OTHER END SEGMENT OR POINT? form.
Is the other end a segment or a point? (S/P)
Choose whether the other end is a segment or a point.
Complete the OTHER END SEGMENT OR POINT? form and choose Apply to display the prompt:
Select the other end
Position the pointer and select the other end.
Selecting the other end displays the prompt:
Select the first intermediate segment.
Hit the escape button when you have finished segment selection.
Position the pointer and select the first intermediate segment.
Selecting the first intermediate segment displays the prompt:
Select the next intermediate segment.
Hit the escape button when you have finished segment selection.
Position the pointer and select the next intermediate segment.
Continue selecting intermediate segments until you have selected them all or you have incorrectly selected, then press the escape key.
Pressing the escape key displays the TRIANGULATE OR CANCEL THE FUNCTION? form.
Do you wish to perform the triangulation (APPLY) or cancel (CANCEL)?
Do you wish to perform the triangulation or exit the function?
The following process will be followed if you chose M as the answer to Do you wish to use manual or range selection for the segments? (M/R) and N as the answer to Do you wish to close both ends of the trisolation to create a 3DM? (Y/N) on the TRIANGULATE MANY SEGMENTS OPTIONS form.
The following prompt is displayed:
Select the first segment
Position the pointer and select the first segment.
Selecting the first segment displays the prompt:
Select the next segment.
Hit the escape button when you have finished segment selection.
Position the pointer and select the next segment.
Continue selecting segments until you have selected them all or you have incorrectly selected, then press the escape key.
Pressing the escape key displays the TRIANGULATE OR CANCEL THE FUNCTION? form.
The following process will be followed if you chose R as the answer to Do you wish to use manual or range selection for the segments? (M/R) on the TRIANGULATE MANY SEGMENTS OPTIONS form.
The RANGE DEFINITION? form is displayed.
Do you wish to triangulate a string range or a segment range (STR/SEG)?
Choose whether you wish to form the range of segments to be triangulated by defining a range of string numbers with a single segment number (STR) or a range of segment numbers with a single string number (SEG).
The following fields will appear if you chose STR as the answer to the field Do you wish to triangulate a string range or a segment range? (STR/SEG).
Enter segment number
Enter the segment number for the range of strings.
String range
Enter the range of string numbers. If you leave the range blank then the segments corresponding to ALL strings in the current layer with the segment number defined will be used in the triangulation. All the segments must be closed and the first and last segments defined by the range must exist in the current layer.
The following fields will appear if you chose SEG as the answer to the field Do you wish to triangulate a string range or a segment range? (STR/SEG).
Enter string number
Enter the string number for the range of segments.
Segment range
Enter the range of segment numbers. If you leave the range blank then ALL the segments in the current layer for the string number defined will be used in the triangulation. All the segments must be closed and the first and last segments defined by the range must exist in the current layer.
Messages
The following messages are associated only with the choice to make a closed 3DM:
Object nnn Trisolation ppp, Status = CLOSED
Object nnn Trisolation ppp, Status = OPEN
Object nnn Trisolation ppp, Validated = TRUE
Object nnn Trisolation ppp, Validated = FALSE
Setting the direction for the trisolation. Please wait...
Object nnn Trisolation ppp is now a solid
Object nnn Trisolation ppp is now a void
Cannot set direction for Object nnn Trisolation ppp, the trisolation is corrupt
Result
The result of this function is a set of triangles stored in the user specified trisolation and object number. The screen picture is updated automatically. The newly created trisolation is not saved to a file automatically, to do so you must use the Save File function.
Warnings
If you choose to define a range of segments using a text field the first and the last segments defined by that range must exist in the current layer. If any other segments defined by the range do not exist in the current layer then the following warning will be issued:
String nnn Segment ppp cannot be found in the working layer, calculations will proceed ignoring this segment
and the calculations will continue.
Errors
String nnn Segment ppp is open, all segments must be closed
String nnn Segment ppp has duplicate points (trap distance = 0.05)
String nnn cannot be found in the current working layer
String nnn Segment ppp cannot be found in the current working layer