Overflow UV panel

Use the Overflow UV panel to generate a single surface with a desired UV flow on a connected set of target surfaces. Overflow UV allows you to replace multiple surfaces with inconsistent flows with a single NURBS surface for use with Flowline toolpaths. You can simplify surfaces to cover gaps and holes, or for general modeling. Besides surfaces, you can also use this function to create sheet solids or meshes.

NOTE

Target surfaces should not be vertical or undercut the Cplane that is used for the projection. If you need to modify the surface geometry, you can use the Split function.

  1. When you start the function, you are prompted to select your Flow Surfaces. Overflow UV will project the flowlines of the flow surfaces down onto the selected Target Surfaces.

    By default, the function uses the current construction plane (Cplane) to project the flow surfaces onto the targets.

    NOTE

    Before using Overflow UV, you may need to create construction geometry to use as Flow Surfaces. For example, in the image below, two simple ovals were created above the part.

    A rectangular surface selected in the graphics window.

    After you select your Flow Surfaces, Mastercam highlights suggested Target Surfaces. Target Surfaces are the group of surfaces onto which you want to project onto.

  2. Select your Target Surfaces and click End Selection.

    You can edit Mastercam's initial suggested target surfaces as necessary.

    Multiple surfaces on a part selected in the graphics window.

    Flowlines display on the target surfaces.

    Flowlines and a Dynamic Gnomon display on a part.

  3. Use the Dynamic Gnomon to adjust the resulting surfaces as necessary.
  4. You can use the function panel to:
    • Reselect the Flow and Target Surfaces.
    • Change how the Flow Surfaces are projected.
    • Adjust the number of flowlines displayed to help you preview the results.
    • Alter the fit accuracy of the resulting surface.

    • Preview your changes. When you select Preview, a grid of dots appear to show the status of the projection that Overflow UV is trying to make.

      UV flow lines and a grid of white dots on the part.

      These dots turn red in areas where the surface Mastercam generates cannot adhere to the tolerance set in Maximum allowed.

      UV flow lines and a grid of white and red dots display on the part.

      Mastercam still generates the surface. However, the fit accuracy will not adhere to the set tolerance. At this point you can modify the fit accuracy to improve the results as needed.

  5. When you are satisfied with the results preview, click OK to exit the function panel.

    Mastercam replaces the target surfaces with the unified surfaces.

    A part file with a single unified NURBS surface in the center.

To view the flowlines of your new NURBS surface, use the Edit UV panel function. You can also use this function to adjust the surface flowlines.

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