No. With Thru Cuve Mesh, by definition, it's the Primary and Cross curves which are used to define parameterization. With the simple Thru Curves, since there are NO actual 'cross' curves, we are able to define 'virtual' points of parameterization to control the flow of the surface from one 'primary' curve to the next.
John R. Baker, P.E.
Product 'Evangelist'
Product Design Solutions
Siemens PLM Software Inc.
Industry Sector
Cypress, CA
That's what the guides are for, in place of alignment. If you need further control of your resulting surface, then you need to edit the guide curves or add more guides to give the surface the explicit control you seek.
Alignment mainly prevents twisting and other oddities that can come from using only U or V direction (basically sections) curves - which is not necessary when you add guide curves.
yes, just wanted to say, that using points in tc is sometimes very useful and easy, and making more guides in tcm is sometimes pita, at least i think...
You have to keep in mind that the primary 'value' of using the Thru Curve Mesh surface is that when you already have a series of curves which define the precise shape that you want to model, this approach will give you the best chance of reproducing that shape as a 3D surface model. It's not to be used where further editing of the final shape is expected other then by adjusting the reference curves. Whereas the value of Thru Curves or many of the Shape Studio surfaces is that since the shape is NOT 100% determined by the curves themselves that this then permits additional controls to be provided to control that final shape.
What it comes down to is what do you expect to do AFTER your surface is created. If you already know the final shape, because you have a mesh of intersecting curves representing that shape and there is little or no need to tweak the final shape, then Thru Curve Mesh generally gives you the best result. However, if you are only starting with a basic set of curves and your intention is to modify that shape in some arbitrary manner then many of the other approaches may prove to be the better starting point.
John R. Baker, P.E.
Product 'Evangelist'
Product Design Solutions
Siemens PLM Software Inc.
Industry Sector
Cypress, CA
