String Linking

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String linking is a technique used to “link” closed perimeters together to form a solid volume. There are three linking algorithms used in Datamine which can be used depending on the nature and complexity of the perimeters.

• MINIMUM AREA - The system will create the triangulation which has the smallest wireframe surface area.
• EQUAL ANGLES - The system will create equi-angular triangles (i.e. equilateral or isosceles triangles).
• PROPORTIONAL LENGTH - This option will create triangles which best maintain their proportional position along the string. The starting edge for triangulation is determined either by user defined tag strings or, if selected by the system, the closest pair of points on the two strings. This option works best where the shape of the two strings is similar.

Wireframe advantages

Besides allowing you to build more precise models wireframes 0ffer other advantages over perimeters.These advantages include:

• You can slice wireframes and plot the slices in any plane.
• Your wireframe slices can also be converted to strings. This allows you to do your interpretation in one plane, wireframe the results and then create a new set of perimeters in a new orientation.
• You can very quickly calculate accurate volumes.
• They offer the clearest and most graphic way to display your designs to other people.