Composite geometry entities need to point to simple geometry entities, such as lines and circle. To ensure that the pointers are backwards, a separate section is used, appearing later in the file than the Geometry Elements section.
The composite curve entity is the only entity in this section.
A composite curve is a series of geometry elements that are joined together so that there are no gaps between successive elements. The Closed Flag determines whether or not the curve begins and ends at the same point.
A composite curve can be used to define contours. The curve includes a Z-value that may be used by some systems to specify the height of the (X,Y) plane bounded by the curve.
Closed composite curves are used by ME10 as hatching boundaries.
COC
COC | Entity Type |
n+ | Entity Sequence Number |
n+ | Color |
n+ | Line Type |
n+ | Line Width |
n+ | Display |
n+ | Property Count |
PTR | First Property Pointer |
: | |
PTR | Last Property Pointer |
[0,1,2,3 ] | Closed Flag. If the curve is closed, it will begin and end at the same point: |
0 = Contour not closed
| |
1 = Contour closed
| |
2 = Polyelement not closed
| |
3 = Polyelement closed
| |
REAL | Z-Value of Curve. This can be used with some systems
that operate with 2D planes having Z-values. For example, an NC
system may require a Z-value to specify a milling depth, so that
material bounded by the curve can be removed.
Z-values are always |
n+ | Pointer Count |
PTR | First Pointer to an Element |
: | |
PTR | Last Pointer to an Element |
The sequence of pointers to elements corresponds to the sequence in which the elements are joined together to make the composite curve. |
|~ | End of Entity |