In this step we will create section curves that lie on the XY plane.  Section curves are useful for creating offset boundaries which in turn can be used for toolpath containment.

1.Open the Layer Manager and set the Active Layer to Sections.  Refer to the previous steps for displaying and using the Layer Manager.

2.Section curve are created in the plane of the active layer.  We want the section curves to be generated on the XY plane so activate the Top View tab by selecting anywhere in the viewport.

3.Form the Curve Modeling tab select the Section Curve command.  The Create section curves dialog will display.

4.If you move the slider you will see dynamically where the section curves lie.  In this case, with the Top View active, moving the slider will display section curves dynamically in the XY plane and in the Z Axis.

5.We want to precisely locate the section plane so select the Pick point on model button from the dialog.

6.Then in the Front View pick the Z 0 grid point or simply enter 0,0,0 in the command input bar and press <Enter>.  The section curves will be created and displayed in all four viewports.

7.Open the Layer Manager and set the Active Layer to Sections.  Refer to the previous steps for displaying and using the Layer Manager .

In the following steps we will trim our section curves and merge them.

8.From the Top View , scroll to zoom in on the center where the section curves from the body and the pedals overlap each other.

9.From the Curve Modeling tab, select the Trim command.

10.Pick on the curve where you want it to be trimmed away.

11.Press the <Enter> to repeat the Trim command and then pick another location to trim.

12.Repeat this procedure until all of the curves are trimmed as shown below.

13.Now scroll to zoom out to see all of the curves.

14.Press <Ctrl+A> to select all of the curves.

15.Now from the Curve Modeling tab select the Merge Curves command.  This will merge all of the curves into one curve. This makes it easier to work with.  Only curves that are joined end to end will be merged.  Separate curves such as those created from the section of the outer spheres will remain separate curves.