There are 7 types of lines in MINOS. Lines can be used in element generations or for construction purposes.

The polyline: A polyline is a line composed of points called vertices. A polyline can have from 2 to up to 63 points.

The shape (also called a facet): A shape is like a polyline, but is closed and filled. A shape is supposed to be planar.

The Bézier's curve. A Bézier's curve is a polynomial curve described by points called descriptors. A point is computed on the curve by a parameter moving from 0. to 1. One of the main properties of Bézier's curve is that the first and the last point correspond to the first and the last point of the descriptor. The number of points on the descriptor is called the class. The class is limited to 10 in MINOS. The degree of the polynom is the class minus 1.

The circle. A circle is defined by a center, a radius, a plane, a start angle and a sweep angle. A circle is called arc if it is not closed. A closed circle has a sweep angle of 360 degrees.

The line string. A line-string is composed of different line types including:

• Polylines
• Curves
• Arcs

The segment. A segment is an infinite straight line. It can be used for construction purposes only.

A perforated shape. A perforated shape is composed of an external shape and internal holes. A Perforated shape is supposed to be planar.

This submenu creates polylines by several means.

This function creates a shape. Because a shape is supposed to be closed, you must input at least 3 points (a triangle).

Points: Input from 3 to up to 63 points using the point creations functions.

Note that in some cases Shapes are considered to be planar. There is no control that this is true in this function.

The polyline must have at least 3 points.

Polyline: Select the polyline.

This submenu creates segments by some ways.

This submenu creates curves by some ways.

This submenu creates circles by some ways.

This submenu creates arcs by some ways. Arc functions are not exactly the same as circle functions because arcs are limited.

Line: Select the external line. (For the moment shapes only).

Lines: Select from 1 to up to 62 internal lines. (For the moment shapes only).

Note that in some cases perforated shapes are considered to be planar. There is no control that this is true in this function.

The function creates a line string with a set of single lines. These lines can be polylines, curves or arcs. It is not necessary that each element touch each other and that lines are oriented. Element are reversed and completed if needed. The input order is important.

Lines: Select the lines.

A line has an orientation. When in wireframe mode, the orientation and the end point is indicated by an arrow. Use this function to reverse the line.

Line: Select the line to reverse.

Note that this function cannot change the position of the end point if the line is closed.

This function limits a line between two points.

Line: Select the line to limit.

1rst Point: Create the first point. This point is projected on the line.

2nd Point: Create the second point. This point is projected on the line.

This function creates a line string with support elements.

A contour

To create a contour, first create single elements like segments, arcs, and curves.

Contourng: Create the contour point by point defining the path of the line string. If the path is bad, then try to define more points on the path or use the "DEL" button to step back. By clicking on "OK", the contour is finished. If you started on the same element as the end element, then the contour is closed.

In order to work correctly, elements must be constructed respecting tangency and intersection. They must also have been created in the same plane.

This function creates a polyline or a point.

Points: Input from up to 63 points using the point creations functions.

Note that if you enter only one point, you do not create a polyline but a point. THERE IS NOT OTHER FUNCTION to create a point.