Distance Functions

A distance function calculates the distance to a set of points.

To create a distance function, right-click on the Interpolants folder and
select New Distance Function. The New Distance Function window will be
displayed:

If any of the objects selected are closed surfaces, you can choose whether
these surfaces are treated as Volumes or as Surfaces.
 When treated as Volumes, buffers will be generated only on the outside of
the mesh. If the mesh is inverted, buffers will appear on its inner surface.
 When treated as Surfaces, buffers will be generated on both sides of the
mesh.
For example, here a distance function has been created using a sphere and
one isosurface set to 100. The inner surface of the sphere is red, indicating
that it is the inside of the mesh. The sphere is treated as a volume and there is
a single isosurface (yellow) outside of the sphere:

When the orientation of the sphere is reversed, the isosurface (yellow) is

generated on the inner surface of the sphere:
However, when the sphere is treated as a surface rather than as a volume,
isosurfaces are generated on both sides of the sphere:

If you are unsure of some settings, most can be changed later. For a basic
distance function click Select Objects to select from the suitable objects
available in the project, then click on the Buffers tab to define at least one
buffer so that the distance function can be visualised in the scene.
See:
 Setting the Boundary
 Setting a Trend
 Adding Buffers
 The New Distance Function in the Project Tree

Setting the Boundary

In the Boundary tab, you can set whether the function boundary is clipped or
unclipped. No distance buffer clipping is the default setting, but if you
choose to clip the buffers, you can choose between:
 Sharing another object’s extents
 Defining a set of extents that is independent of other objects in the project.
When you select the Shared with option, the distance function will be updated
when the extents object it shares is updated.

Setting a Trend
In the Trend tab, you can set a trend using the moving plane or by entering
the required values. You can also use the Set to list to choose different options
used in the project. Isotropic is the default option used when the function is
created.
The Ellipsoid Ratios determine the relative shape and strength of the
ellipsoids in the scene, where:
 The Maximum value is the relative strength in the direction of the green
line on the moving plane.
 The Intermed. value is the relative strength in the direction perpendicular
to the green line on the moving plane.
 The Minimum value is the relative strength in the direction orthogonal to
the plane.

Adding Buffers
To add buffers, click on the Buffers tab, then click the Add button:

Enter the required value. To delete a buffer, click on it in the list, then click
the Remove button. You can also change the colours used to display the
buffers by clicking on the colour chips.
There are two options for Volume Type that affect how the buffers are
calculated when more than one buffer is used. Selecting Concentricproduces
higher distance buffers that include the lower distance buffers, whereas
selecting Intervals produces discrete, non-intersecting buffers.
The Default resolution setting is used for all new buffers and for existing
buffers that use the default resolution.

The New Distance Function in the Project Tree

Click OK to create the distance function, which will be added to
the Interpolants folder. The new distance function contains objects
representing different parts of the function, which can be expanded to show
the inputs to each part of the function:

 The Trend object that describes the trend applied.

 Hyperlinks to objects used for the distance function.
 An Isosurfaces folder that contains all the meshes generated in building
the distance function.
 An Output Volumes folder that contains all the distance buffer meshes.
Other objects may appear in the project tree under the function as you make
changes to it.
Display the function by dragging it into the scene or by right-clicking on it and
selecting View Buffers.
Once you have created a distance function, you can adjust its properties by
double-clicking on it. You can also double-click on the individual objects that
make up the function.