Filtering the Vectors Field

This task shows you how filter a vectors field to check the quality of the vectors and remove unsuitable ones. It is a way to optimize a displacement for future use in Digitized Morphing.
   
The shape to deform is DeformationInput01.CATPart in the samples directory.
The file of vectors to filter is DeformationVectors01.txt in the samples directory.
 

  1. Click Vectors Field Filter  .
    The Vectors Field Filter dialog box is displayed:

  2. Select the Element to deform.
    and click to select a Displacement (in our example, DeformationVectors01.txt in the samples directory).

    The Element to deform can be:
    • A surface
    • A mesh (Field Limit is not supported).
    The Displacement can be:
    • A displacement definition file,
    • A Deviation Analysis feature (e.g. created with Quick Surface Reconstruction),
    • A DSMVectors feature created with the Displacement Optimization command.

  3. If necessary, click to:

    • Display the list of files selected,
    • Reset your selection,
    • Remove files from the selection.

  4. In the Filter tab, define a filter:

    • Under Criteria, the checkboxes are populated with default values computed from the input. You can modify these values, within an allowed range. A message is displayed when you enter invalid values.
      Select the checkboxes to combine the different criteria you want to use, and define their values:
      • Minimum Length: discards vectors with a length smaller than the value you define.
      • Maximum Length: discards vectors with a length higher than the value you define.
      • Shape Distance: discards the vectors with a distance between their origin point and the Element to deform higher than the distance you define.
      • Smooth: computes the difference between the length of the vector and the average length of all the vectors. If this difference exceeds the value you define, the vector is discarded.
      • Distortion: discards the couples of vectors with a distortion exceeding the value you define.
    • Then click either:
      • : The resulting filter is the union of the selected criteria,
      • : The resulting filter is the intersection of the selected criteria.

    The result of the filter is displayed under Field of vectors:

    • Field: Displays the number of the vectors of the field,
    • Filtered: Displays the number of the vectors filtered.
    • Redundant: Displays the number of redundant vectors.

    Still under Field of vectors, click:

    • : Displays the vectors of the field,
    • : Displays the filtered vectors,
    • : Displays the redundant vectors.

    and define a scale to display those vectors.

  5. Under Color Map, select the criterion for which you want to display a color map

    and click .
    The color map is displayed. It takes all the vectors of the field into account.

  6. Under Mesh Display, click .
    The mesh based on the target points of the field is displayed.

  7. Go to the Transition Area tab

    to select a Limit Curve and/or a Field Curve.
    An arrow indicates the direction in which the area is created. Click Other Side to invert that direction.
    The Limit Curve is described in using a Limit Curve.
    The Field Limit defines an area where you want to remove vectors, e.g. below, the circle has been selected as a Field Limit, with its direction pointing inwards:

  8. Click OK. The filtered vectors are cleaned.
    A DSMFilter datum is created. It is editable, and can be used as a clean substitute of the Displacement selected in step 2.