Explaining Freeform Surface Modelling in BricsCAD Mechanical
Quick answer: BricsCAD Mechanical’s deform tools add complex distortions to solid or surface models, letting you create smooth or organic shapes by moving, rotating, and twisting their edges to change the geometry independently, with no design history involved. This confirms the history-free approach covered on this hub’s part design methods page: focusing on the design itself, rather than how future changes might ripple through it.
The Deform Tools
These confirm the exact four tools grouped under Deformation Tools on this hub’s solid modeling page, now with their specific commands:
| Tool | Command | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Move Edge | DMDEFORMMOVE |
Deforms faces by moving and rotating their edges |
| Move Point | DMDEFORMPOINT |
Deforms a selected set of faces by moving a point |
| Transform Curve | DMDEFORMCURVE |
Deforms faces by changing the geometry of their edges |
| Twist | DMTWIST |
Deforms a 3D object by twisting a portion around a given axis |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does deforming a solid with these tools create any design history I’d need to manage later? No, they change geometry independently with no design history, letting you focus purely on the design itself.
What’s the difference between Move Edge and Move Point? Move Edge deforms faces by moving and rotating their edges directly; Move Point instead deforms a selected set of faces by moving a single point.
Which tool would I use to twist part of a solid around an axis? DMTWIST (Twist).
Can Transform Curve change a face’s edge geometry entirely, not just move it? Yes, it deforms faces specifically by changing the geometry of their edges.