Drawing Complex 2D and 3D Curves in ZW3D with Equations

ZW3D from ZWSOFT is an all-in-one CAD/CAM software program for designing consumer
products, plastic molds, and CNC-machined parts. ZW3D has many functions for creating curves
easily in 2D and 3D, such as lines, circles, arcs, ellipses, spirals, and splines. While these
functions satisfy basic modeling needs, they do not make it easy to create curved shapes like 3D
Archimedes spirals, butterfly curves, cap lines, and involutes.

To solve this problem, ZW3D includes the Equation Curve function. Its purpose is to generate
curves from parametric equations that you define. Curves can be drawn in all of the coordinate
systems supported by ZW3D, including rectangular, cylindrical, and spherical coordinate systems.

You define curves by choosing Equation Curve from the Insert menu. Notice the dialog box
shown in figure 1.

Figure 1: Equation curve editor

To how you how to use this function, follow the example I made of an involute curve. First, let
me show you the pair of expressions needed to create involutes in Cartesian coordinates:

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where:

is the radius of the circle

is a parameter in the interval .

ZW3D makes it easy to specify the equations, as shown by My involute in figure 2. To add
equations of your own to the list, enter them the X=, Y=, and Z= text entry boxes, and then click
the Add into List--> button. (You can also update and remove functions from the list.) After
entering your equation(s), click OK and ZW3D draws the curve based on the equations.

Figure 2: My involute defines involute curves with two equations

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In my example, the most important variable is , because controls the variation of the curve. So,
you cannot use this variable name in equations.

The angle can be specified as radians or degrees under Units for Trigonometric Functions. It
makes the equations short. You do not need to think about the in the equation.

The Curve Variable option sets the quality of the curve. The larger the number of interpolate
points, the smoother the curve.

And you can pick the point at which to insert the curve with the Pick Another Insert Point
option. This point determines the point at which the curve is inserted into the drawing.

The result of my example curve appears as a feature in ZW3D, as shown below in figure 3:

Figure 3: Result of plotting the involate curve

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Please make sure the variables you set are the same as in the equations, and the equations must
follow correct syntax. Then, the equation will run correctly; otherwise, it will show you the error
message displayed by the dialog box in figure 4.

Figure 4: Error message generated by equation with incorrect syntax

With this powerful function, you can to create the following types of curves easily. (See figure 5.)
All you need to so is to double click the item names in the Equation List, and then click OK.

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 Figure 5: 2D and 3D equations generated by ZW3D

While the curves in figure 5 look pretty, there are also practical examples. Here, for example, is
how I applied the equation curves to an industrial application:

Figure 6: Spur gear and bevel wheel

Equations draw special cruves accurately, and help you make specific kinds of designs.

Now you know how to use the equation curves of ZW3D to work efficiently. If you come across
any questions in using ZW3D, feel free to contact us at zw3d@zwsoft.com for help.

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About ZW3D

ZW3D is all-in-one, affordable CAD/CAM which enables concept to finished product design in an
integrated, collaborative environment. The proprietary Overdrive kernel delivers 3D part and
assembly modeling, 2D production drawings, reverse engineering, motion simulation, mold
design and integrated CNC machining, simplifying the design process from concept to
completion. Experience ZW3D 2012, where the only limit is your imagination. Please go to
www.zwsoft.com to download a free 30-day trial today.

Short Description

Using parametric equations to generate complex curves in 2D and 3D.

Keywords

ZW3D, 3D CAD, CAD CAM, CAM, Equations, Curves

Link to Promote:

http://www.zwsoft.com

Authors Name:

Steven Sun