There are three commands, since Version 2011, that perform surface analysis and another activity to adjust options. These analysis are useful when needing to check continuity, curvature, and draft angles, like in the mould industry.
These commands can not be used with the 2D wireframe visual style and are only available on the ribbon, Surface panel.
AutoCAD considers three types of analysis, which can be applied to surfaces or solids:
- Zebra analysis: Surfaces are analyzed about their continuity by projecting parallel black and white stripes onto the model (default), where surfaces meet and stripes allow analyzing curvature and tangency
- Curvature analysis: Surfaces are analyzed about their curvature with a color gradient
- Draft analysis: Surfaces are analyzed about how easy they would be separated from the mould
The ANALYSISZEBRA command (alias ZEBRA) prompts for the selection of solids and surfaces and displays stripes on surfaces. These stripes allow you to detect nontangencies and curvature changes:
Command: ANALYSISZEBRA Select solids, surfaces to analyze or [Turn off]: Selection
The ANALYSISCURVATURE command (no alias) prompts for the selection of solids and surfaces and displays a color gradient. If gaussian curvature is positive (convex), the color is green, and if it is negative (concave), the color is blue:
Command: ANALYSISCURVATURE Select solids, surfaces to analyze or [Turn off]: Selection
The ANALYSISDRAFT command (no alias) prompts for the selection of solids and surfaces and displays a color gradient. This color gradient evaluates how easy it will be to separate the part from the mould:
Command: ANALYSISDRAFT Select solids, surfaces to analyze or [Turn off]: Selection
The ANALYSISOPTIONS command (no alias) controls options for all analysis types. The command displays a dialog box with three tabs. In all, it is possible to select the objects to analyze and clear the analysis:
- Zebra: This tab controls all options related to zebra analysis, namely stripes angle, the type between cylindrical or spherical, stripes size, and colors
- Curvature: This tab controls all options related to curvature analysis, namely display style and color range
- Draft Angle: This tab controls color range for draft angle analysis
