When selecting the Line on Database option () inside the Segment Type frame, you will be presented with the panel shown in the image
below. Note that the options common to all curve types have been discussed in the Draw Curves landing
page. Here, we will discuss only the options that are unique to the Line On Database segment type.
Line on Database segments are constrained to lie on an underlying database curve, surface, or quilt and are piece-wise linear. This segment type should be used, for example, whenever you want to create a connector along a constant parameter line on a database entity such as a surface boundary.
Tip: Projecting a connector onto a database surface using the Project Points option, creates a new control point for each grid point projected. Since having many control points can make editing a connector time-consuming, consider either projecting the connector using the Project Shape option or creating the database-constrained connector by hand, instead of projection, by using the Line on Database or Curve on Database commands.
Note that the Slope Guides option allows you to ensure that the linear curve being created is tangent/orthogonal to an existing curve or normal to a database surface. Please review the Line section for additional information on how to use this particular option when creating a linear curve.
The On Database frame contains the Begin, Cancel, and Default commands which allow the specification of the underlying database entities. Begin allows you to select the target projection entities from all those currently visible. After this button is pressed, you can select database entities from either the List panel or the Display window. Note that the current set of target entities (if any) is already selected when the button is first pressed. The button remains depressed with the text End now displayed. Pressing End, stops the selection of projection database entities. The selection operation can be canceled at any time by pressing the Cancel button.
When checked on, the Force Drawing in Parametric Space option will allow you to draw lines on surfaces containing multiple parametric (u,v) spaces. Examples of such surfaces are quilts assembled from multiple component quilts and shells. When this option is unchecked (default state), the line being drawn will halt at the edge of each parametric space.
The selection of database curves can be enabled or disabled using the Allow Drawing on Database Curves option.
The Project Shape To DB command becomes available once a second control point is chosen on a database surface. Use this command to project the shape of a line onto a database by adding control points. This command is generally used when a line passes over a hole on a quilt or trimmed surface. Control points will then be added so that the line goes around the hole. Note that since the point insertion is conservative, the command may need to be applied multiple times to add more control points.
Tip: The Line on Database and Curve on Database commands are particularly useful for creating connectors which do not lie on the boundaries of a database entity. Boundary connectors can be easily created using the Connectors on Database Entities command (refer to the On Database Entities section for further details).