Refining a shape with Surface Reshaping Properties

The reason that IRONCAD calls certain shapes(features) IntelliShapes, is that you can extend or refine the function of e.g. a "regular" extrusion to also include "integrated" radii, release angles and several other geometric functions. It is still a single feature, but it carries within it additional features or maybe rather "additional properties".

This was something that was first developed by HP for their DOS-based CAD system SolidDesigner in the early 90's and a few years later moved to the Windows software TriSpectives, which later became IRONCAD.

These smart additional properties are managed via something called Surface Reshaping Properties and are relatively hidden under the right-click menu on an extrusion or swept shape. There are therefore probably a lot of users who are not at all aware that these can be easily accessed.

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Advantages and disadvantages?

One application where it is particularly suitable is e.g. casting or plastic molds, where each individual part is often built up from a large number of features. By trying to keep the number of features below a part in the history tree, you can (at least in theory) streamline how quickly the part is updated in case of geometric changes. Especially radii and release angles can be added to an extruded shape.

However, the disadvantage may be that you are not the one who first used these additional properties and therefore cannot understand how the heck a certain surface with a slip angle or a rounded end can be present on the geometry, which is not visible in the history tree!

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Cap

A rounded surface is added at the end of an extrude or sweep shape. Set the height that the rounded shape(cap) should extend.

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Taper

Also called release angle. Select the orientation and slope angle and IRONCAD will create a sloped surface around an extruded shape or at the ends of a swept shape, based on the selected orientation.

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Match

This setting causes an extruded shape to stop when it reaches another surface (NOTE: only within the same part). This is perfect for preventing geometric surfaces from going through and past each other. You can also make opposite ends match, so that your extruded surfaces perfectly match each other on both sides of a part.

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There are also some ready-made shapes in the Starter catalog, the IntelliShapes group, where you can test the effect of these features and try changing them, to see what happens before adding features to your own extruded shapes. In addition to the Surface Reshaping Properties, the Shell and Bevel features are also used on some of these shapes.

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