Patches > Edit Patches modifies the paths of individual patch lines to create a more effective patch layout. This is accomplished by moving vertices, fixing or unfixing lines and vertices, or redistributing vertices along each patch.
This function is the similar to the Edit Vertices sub-function of Contours > Edit Contours, except that instead of editing just Contour lines, you can edit any corner or side of any contour patch or regular patch.
Move Vertices radio button - You can select any of the highlighted vertices and drag them to a new location.
Exact Movement checkbox (not applicable with Influence)- constrains the movement of the vertices. This is especially useful for moving vertices that are constrained on irregularities in the polygonal surface. For example, if you select the Exact Movement option and move a vertex off the surface of a model, the patches do not move because the new location is off the surface of the model. If the Exact Movement check box is not selected and you perform the same operation, the patch snaps back onto the model.
Fix On Movement checkbox - constrains the movement of the vertices. The selected vertex becomes fixed after it is moved, which permits other vertices on the same patch edge to be moved without changing the location of the fixed vertex.
Constrain to Separator checkbox (only when contour patches are being edited) - constrains the movement of vertices such that they must remain within the red contour separators in which they currently lie..
Maintain Contour Continuity checkbox (only when contour patches are being edited) - maintains.
Influence group - controls the degree to which the movement of a point affects its neighbors:
Influence dropdown (Local or Global; not applicable with Exact Movement) - controls the extent to which the movement of a point affects its neighbors:
Global - the Range field affects a set of points including some that are beyond the nearest patch corners.
Local - the Range field affects the set of points the lie between the nearest patch corners.
Range decimal field - specifies the degree to which the movement of a point affects its neighbors. With a low range of influence, the movement of one point affects only its closest neighbors. With a high range of influence, the movement of one point affects more distant neighbors.
Fix/Unfix Vertices radio button - (affects all vertices on a given line). A fixed vertex does not move along with other vertices in the same line, and is not affected by Patches > Relax Patches or Grids > Construct Grids.
Fix/Unfix Lines radio button - (affects all lines on a given patch). A fixed line does not move when surrounding patches move.
Distribute Lines radio button - evenly redistributes the vertices of a line.
Use Ends Only checkbox (applicable with Distribute Lines) - straightens the selected patch between its two endpoints and redistributes the vertices evenly.
Display group -
Separator checkbox (only when contour patches exist) - specifies whether to display the red separators in which the contour patches lie.
Edit Vertices checkbox - highlights all vertices on all patches in orange or yellow, making it easier to edit small sections of the patch boundaries.
OK button - saves edited patches to the object and closes the dialog.
Cancel button - terminates the function without edited patches.
To use the Edit Patches function:
Click Patches > Edit Patches. A dialog opens.
Press a radio button to select an editing mode.
Edit the desired patches.
If necessary, go to Step 2.
Click OK to accept the results, or Cancel to exit without saving changes.
Typically, use Patches > Relax Patches next.