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Continuity 1: G0, G1, G2, G3

Apr 22 2015|
In-Product View (http://help.autodesk.com/cloudhelp/2015/ENU/Alias-
Tutorials-Legacy/files/GUID-E1BDFBD0-33CC-44C4-866D-
5F367105A050.htm)

hsilgnE
Applies to Alias Products 2015

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Alias Theory Builder
Introduction to Continuity Terminology
Continuity is the term used in Alias to describe how surface patches meet. Here, a llet blend is used as an
example:
How CVs Control Continuity
Continuity is achieved by controlling the CVs at the edge of the aligned curve or surface. A higher continuity
level requires more CVs to be aligned.
Here is an example of both a curve and a surface being matched at different continuity levels:

Continuity Between Two Curves or Surfaces

A circular (G1) llet is specied simply by a radius value. But because G2 and G3 llets aren't circular, then
they need a different way of specifying their size.
The rst technique is Radius which keeps a xed radius (allowing a variable width), and then species the
size in two ways:

The second technique is Chord which keeps a xed width (allowing a variable radius), and again there are
two ways to specify the size of the llet:
Form Factor
The main determinant of shape is the continuity level chosen (G1, G2 etc.), but there is some exibility
within that provided by the Form Factor. This controls the concentration of CVs towards or away from the
centre of the blend, making the curve sharper or atter.

Colinear and Non-Colinear Alignment

The easiest way to get surfaces matching smoothly is when you have:
Two natural (untrimmed) surface edges to be aligned.
 The surfaces have the same degree and spans in the direction of the joint edge.
These are called colinear surfaces, and when using the Object Edit > Align tool then the Alignment Type
Edge should be used:

As the design progresses and you need to build more complex transitions, you will have non-colinear
situations where you are:
Aligning to the interior of a surface, or
Aligning to a trimmed edge.
When using the Object Edit > Align tool, the Alignment Type option should be set to Project.

Other tools like Bi-Rail, Square and Freeform Blend will work in non-co-linear situations, but typically
produce heavier surfaces with more spans, which may be unevenly spaced.

Continuity Tolerances
Continuity is calculated to a certain tolerance or accuracy. This can be set in the Construction options
window and are usually chosen to match the CAD system you expect to be exporting your data to.

Tools that Achieve Continuity

Parent topic: Alias Foundation Tutorials (https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/3ds-max/learn-
explore/caas/CloudHelp/cloudhelp/2015/ENU/Alias-Tutorials-Legacy/files/HelpTutorials-htm.html)
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