CONSTRUCT SHAPE CYLINDER [shape_name] pnam1 pnam2 rad [type [length [offset]]]

        

This command defines a cylinder using two points and a radius.

shape_name = name of the shape. If none is given a name will be generated.

pnam = 2 points on the axis of the cylinder.

rad = the radius of the cylinder. This may be specified as a parameter name. The shape will then be dependent on the parameter value.

type = Optional keyword (INFINITE/TRUNCATE) controlling whether the cylinder is infinite (the default) or truncated.

length = the length of the truncated cylinder, measured along the cylinder axis in the direction from pnam1 towards pnam2. When length is not given the cylinder length is taken to be the distance between pnam1 and pnam2

offset = the offset of the start of the truncated cylinder along the axis from pnam1 towards pnam2.

The two points and radius define a cylinder which can be used subsequently to define intersection points, lines and surfaces, for the projection of surfaces, and for projections during cursor or digitiser input of points.

Truncating a cylinder specifies the axial limits within which the cylinder is considered to be active when the cylinder is used in line or surface intersections.

Note that the position of a point defined as on a shape (or at the intersection of shapes) will be dependent on the shape definition and its position will change if the definition of the shape, or a parameter referenced in its definition, is changed.

 

Figure 2.45: Analytical Cylinder

Examples:

1.

CONSTRUCT SHAPE CYLINDER CYL1 P1 P2 1.23

Creates a cylinder called CYL1 with an axis P1 to P2 and a radius 1.23.

2.

CONSTRUCT SHAPE CYLINDER CY99 P1 P2 RAD6

Creates a cylinder called CY99 with an axis P1 to P2 and a radius as defined by the parameter RAD6.

3.

CONSTRUCT SHAPE CYLINDER BCYL1 P2 P5 2.5 TRUNCATE

Creates a truncated cylinder called TCONE1 with an axis from P2 to P5 and radius 2.5 with an axial length equal to the distance between P2 and P5.

4.

CONSTRUCT SHAPE CYLINDER CYLTR1 P2 P5 2.5 TRUNCATE 1.5 3.5

Creates a truncated cylinder, CYLTR1, with an axis from P2 to P5 and radius 2.5 with an axial length of 1.5 and the start of the cylinder offset by 3.5 from P2 to P5.

See also the following commands

'CONSTRUCT NAME'
'CONSTRUCT PARAMETER'
'CONSTRUCT SPACE CURS-SHPE'
'GEOMETRY LINE INTERSECT'
'GEOMETRY POINT INTERSECT'
'MESHING SHAPE'
'UTILITY DELETE SHAPES'
'UTILITY TABULATE GEOMETRY SHAPES'
'VIEW SHAPE'