Surfaces Tab

Note: Select a link to "jump" to the desired Surfaces tab group.

Create Surfaces

	By Plane Used to construct a rectangular B-spline surface from defined corner points, or from averaging multiple defined points.
	By Edges (3D only) Used to construct a B-spline surface that has up to 6 elements (lines, line strings, shapes, arcs, curves, B-spline curves, complex chains, and complex shapes) as edges.
	By Corners Used to construct a B-spline surface by defining its four corner points, which may be non-planar.
	By Points (3D only) Used to place or construct a free-form B-spline surface.
	Network of Curves (3D only) Used to construct a B-spline surface that is transformed between elements of a network.
	By Image Used to create a B-spline surface from a raster image.
	Loft (3D only) Used to construct a B-spline surface that is transformed between section elements (lines, line strings, arcs, ellipses, complex chains, complex shapes, B-spline curves, or the edges of a surface).
	Loft by Vertices Used to construct a surface between the vertices of two profiles (or groups of profiles).
	Loft Transition Used to create a Smart Surface transition from a rectangular to a circular section.
	Extrude (3D only) Used to create a surface generated by linearly extruding a profile element (line, line string, arc, ellipse, text, multi-line, complex chain, or complex shape, edge of a surface or solid element, or B-spline curve) a defined distance.
	Extrude Along (3D only) Used to create: a tubular surface extrusion along a path. a surface by extruding a profile element (line, line string, arc, ellipse, complex chain, complex shape, or B-spline curve) along a path.
	Sweep (3D only) Used to create a Smart Surface by sweeping one or two section profile curves along one or two trace curves.
	Revolve Used to create a surface of revolution — a complex 3D element that is generated by rotating a profile element (line, line string, arc, ellipse, shape, complex chain, complex shape, or B-spline curve) about an axis of revolution.
	Helix (3D only) Used to construct a helical-shaped B-spline surface by sweeping a section profile curve along a helix curve.
	Slab (3D only) Used to place an extruded surface with a rectangular cross-section.
	Dome (3D only) Used to place a dome shaped surface, which is a part of a sphere.
	Cylinder (3D only) Used to place a cylindrical surface.
	Torus (3D only) Used to place a torus surface (a donut-shaped surface).
	Cone (3D only) Used to place a cone surface.
	Elliptical Cone (3D only) Used to place an elliptical cone surface, which is a transition surface between two ellipses.

Modify Surfaces

	Trim Surfaces (3D only) Used to do the following: Trim two elements to their common intersection. Trim one element to its intersection with a second.
	Trim by Curves (3D only) Used to: Punch a hole in a surface by projecting a cutting profile. Project a B-spline curve onto a surface.
	Fillet Surfaces (3D only) Used to create a 3D fillet between two surfaces (shapes, cones, extruded surfaces, surfaces of revolution, or B-spline surfaces) by sweeping an arc of constant radius along the common intersection curve — commonly referred to as a constant radius rolling ball fillet.
	Fillet Along Curves (3D only) Used to construct a blending B-spline surface between two surfaces (extruded surfaces, surfaces of revolution, cones, or B-spline surfaces) along their rail curves.
	Blend Surfaces (3D only) Used to construct a blend between two elements (extruded surfaces, surfaces of revolution, cones, or B-spline surfaces) with a specified order of continuity.
	Extend Surface (3D only) Used to extend a surface along one of its edge segments or the outer boundary.
	Offset Surface (3D only) Used to construct a Smart Surface by offsetting an extruded surface, surface of revolution or a B-spline surface.
	Merge to Edge Used to merge the selected edge of a B-spline surface to the edge of a second surface.
	Stitch Surfaces (3D only) Used to stitch two or more open surfaces (extruded surfaces, surfaces of revolution, B-spline surfaces, shapes, or planar complex shapes) into one surface, along their abutting edges.
	Combine Surfaces Used to combine two or more B-spline surfaces that share common edges.
	Split Surface (3D only) Used to perform a partial delete on a surface or solid (shape, cone, sphere, extruded surface, surface of revolution, or B-spline surface) along its rule lines, in the U or V direction.
	Surface Handlebar Used to modify the shape of a surface by manipulating handles.
	Twist Surface Used to twist a B-spline surface, or a mesh element, about a defined axis.
	Untrim Surface (3D only) Used to: Reverse the sense of trim boundaries in a B-spline surface or SmartSurface — that is, convert holes to surfaces and vice-versa. Remove one or more trim boundaries (holes) from a B-spline surface or SmartSurface.
	Edit Control Points Used to show or hide the control polygon, or to edit the number of control points and/or the number of rule lines for a B-spline surface.

Surface Utilities

	Change Surface Normal (3D only) Used to change the surface normal direction for a surface (cone, extruded surface, surface of revolution, or B-spline surface).
	Change Surface Order Used to change the order of a B-spline surface in the U and/or V direction.
	Change Surface Closure Used to change the closure settings in the U and/or V direction for a B-spline surface.
	Planar Slice Used to generate a planar section through design geometry, using as a cutting plane an existing planar element, a plane defined by three points, or a plane perpendicular to a view and defined by two points.
	Extract Points (3D only) Used to graphically and numerically evaluate attributes of a B-spline surface, other than order, poles, and knots, at given locations on the surface.
	Extract Iso-Curves (3D only) Used to extract a B-spline curve(s) from a solid or a B-spline surface.
	Compute Surface Intersections (3D only) Used to find the intersection point between elements. Example: find the intersection between a line or curve and a surface, solid or mesh element.
	Compute Surface Curvature (3D only) Used to visualize the Gaussian curvature of a surface.
	Match Settings Used to change the active B-spline surface settings to the attributes of a B-spline surface in the design.
	Convert to Surface Used to convert: standard surfaces to B-spline surfaces or Smart Surfaces. standard solids to standard surfaces.
	Rebuild (3D only) Used to rebuild a B-spline surface.
	Unroll Surface Used to unroll a surface onto a plane, using an approximation process.