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About this Block

What it does: The Conic block creates an Implicit Body defined by an implicit conic section curve. The signed distance of a planar conic segment will be returned. The block uses three control points (Point 1, Point 2, and Point 3) and a Rho value to define the curve’s shape. Conic
  • The Conic block takes input of Point 1, Point 2, Point 3, Rho, and the Coordinate Space to create the conic section. Point 4 is the midpoint of the chord between Point 1 and Point 3. Point 5 is where the curve intersects the chord between Point 4 and Point 2.
  • You can use the Vector Field from Components block to create your control point vector fields and use a Ramp block to vary rho value.
Common uses:
  • Designing aerodynamic profiles for wings, fuselages, and other vehicle bodies.
  • Modeling smooth transitions in components like ducts, inlets, and nozzles to manage fluid flow.
  • Creating architectural features like arches and curved facades.
Tips:
  • For advanced applications, you can use a Ramp block to vary the Rho value, which will change the curve’s shape across a spatial domain.
  • You would need to combine it with a Boolean Intersect block to create a solid since the block only outputs the implicit surface.
  • Rho Parameter Values. The Rho value defines the “bulge” or shape of the conic curve as it’s pulled toward Point 2.
Rho ValueResulting Curve TypeExample
Rho<0.5Ellipse
Rho=0.5Parabola
Rho>0.5Hyperbola

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Example File

Download Example: Conic Conic Example Create an implicit conic section curve. The signed distance of a planar conic segment will be returned.

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Inputs

NameTypeDescription
Point 12D Vector FieldControl point 1 of the conic.
Point 22D Vector FieldControl point 2 of the conic.
Point 32D Vector FieldControl point 3 of the conic.
RhoScalar FieldRho value of the conic in the range (0,1).
Coordinate space2D Vector FieldVector field representing the basis in which to evaluate the curve.

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Outputs

Type
Implicit Body