NX How to create best-fit splines through points imported from an external file

In the past users were used to exploit the legacy Spline command that is able to create a best-fit spline through points; in the old legacy command the user was even allowed to import a ASCII points file in the same command session.



The question is: how to get the same results (best-fit spline through a set of points defined in an external file) using the new curve commands that in future will supposedly replace the old legacy Spline?

Solution

Users should be aware they are entitled to keep on using the legacy Spline command until it'll be actually  replaced by commands that effectively and fully support all what is available in the legacy command.
There is no compulsory recommendation to avoid the legacy command and they can still safely use it.
However this goal can be conveniently achieved within new NX commands, even though using two subsequent commands.

• File > Import > Points from File: this command can read an external ASCII points file and import these points to NX.

• Menu > Insert > Curve > Fit Curve, 'Fit Spline' Type: this command allows the user to create a best-fit spline using different methods (Degree and Segments, Tolerance and Degree, ....); in cases like that shown in the picture above the user can either select (by lasso or rect. selection) all points at once or select the first and then the last points of the chain (NX will automatically infer the closest points in between in the proper order); this command is actually more sophisticated and capable than the old legacy fit spline, allowing the user different fit methods: for instance the 'Degree and Tolerance' method will automatically determine the number of segments needed to achieve the Tolerance target based on the specified Degree (acual deviations/errors are calculated and shown in the Results pane).

Hardware/Software Configuration

Platform: all
OS: n/a
OS Version: n/a
Product: NX
Application: DESIGN
Version: V11.0
Function: CURVE

Ref: 001-9179135