Paths: about

Definition

A path is a line support, on which the user can evaluate a spatial quantity.

Use

A path is used to plot 2D spatial curves.

Geometric shapes

The path can be as follows:

  • rectilinear (straight segment)
  • curvilinear (arc of circle, helicoïdal line)

Mesh

The mesh of a path is based on a user-defined discretization: computation points are regularly spaced on the line of the support.

Types of path

Types of path are as follows:

Type of path Shape of path Definition
path defined by two points

straight segment /

arc of circle

helicoïdal line

two points *

(graphical or numerical capture)

arc defined by three points arc of circle

three points *

(graphical or numerical capture)

arc defined by center, radius and angles arc of circle

center coordinates,

radius,

starting angle and ending angle

parametrized path

straight segment /

arc of circle

helicoïdal line

parameter functions
Note: * To capture points, the user may lean on one of the methods presented in the table below.

Parameter setting

The user can use geometric parameters to define the path by the numerical mode.