Construct Surface by Edges [Reference Manual p. 11-23]

Constructing a surface by edges can create a ruled surface between two section curves, or edges. An edge may be a line, line string, shape, arc, curve, B-spline curve, complex chain, or complex shape (we have not yet covered all of these). Also, the edge may be closed (i.e. a loop), or open (i.e. its endpoints do not touch).

• Select the "Construct Surface by Edges" tool from the palatte.
  • Select first section curve or edge:
  • Select second section curve or edge:
  • Enter data point (left button) to see the generated surface; Accept or reject the surface.
  Note that if the first section curve is open/closed, than the second section curve must also be open/closed or a single point.

Alternatively, Constructing a Surface by edges can generate a surface from four or more adjoining edges. This tool is well suited for generating landscapes, shells such as Saarinen's Kresge Auditorium at MIT, or the complex surfaces of Mireles, Calatrava, or Nervi.

• Use the "Element Selection" tool (the arrow) to select all edges.
  • Select the "Construct Surface by Edges" tool from the palatte.
  • Accept the surface.
    • OR
• Select the "Construct Surface by Edges" tool from the palatte.
  • Select edge 1:
  • Select all other edges one by one:
  • Enter a data point to display the surface; Accept or Reject the surface.
  Note that the all edges must touch one another thereby forming a topologically closed path.

Construct Surface or Solid of Projection [Reference Manual p. 11-15]

Constructing a surface or solid of projection will create a surface edge or capped volume (solid) by projecting a boundary edge or shape along a given linear distance. Projection can be done orthogonally, perpendicular to the plane of the edge or shape element, or non-orthogonally in any given linear direction. Boundary edges or shapes can be either open or closed, and the generated surface can be either open-ended or a closed, capped volumetric shape.

• Select the "Construct Surface or Solid of Projection" tool from the palatte.
  • Set TYPE to "Surface" for an open-ended edge surface, or "Solid" for a capped volume:
  • Select whether or not the projection will be ORTHOGONAL:
  • Define a DISTANCE for linear projection. If none is set the distance will be set interactively:
  • Enter a Data point to set the distance interactively or to accept the pre-set distance:
  • Reset to complete the operation.

Construct Tubular Surface [Reference Manual p. 11-24]

Constructing a tubular surface will create a surface mesh from a cross-section and a trace curve. The cross-section may either be curved or straight, or a closed shape. The cross-section is "swept" along the path of the trace curve or vector. This is similar to the surface of projection, however the tubular surface may trace a curve or other non-uniform or multidirectional path, whereas the projected surface is a simgle linear projection of a given distance. This type of surface may be used to generate any kind of directional traced-section surface.

• Select the "Construct Tubular Surface" tool from the palatte.
  • Set DEFINE BY to "Circular" if the desired surface is a pipe having a circular cross-section and both inner and outer radii, or to "Section" to sweep any cross-section along the trace, changing the sectional orientation along the path.
  • Select whether or not the cross section will always be orthogonal to the trace curve.
  • Select the trace curve:
  • Select the cross-section curve:
  • Enter data point (left button) to see the generated surface; Accept or reject the surface.

Construct Surface or Solid of Revolution [Reference Manual p. 11-17]

Constructing a Surface or Solid of Revolution creates a surface by rotating a boundary element around an axis. The boundary element may be any graphic element, curved or straight. This command is similar to the Tubular Surface in that the defining curve is "swept" along a path. The difference is that surfaces of revolution sweep in a uniform curve around a central axis, whereas Tubular surfaces sweep along any given path, uniform or non-uniform. Surfaces of Revolution are appropriate for the generation of symmetrical objects with varying cross sections in plan, but uniform sections in profile, such as a dome, a Calatrava column, or a champagne glass.

• Select the "Construct Surface or Solid of Revolution" tool from the palatte.
  • Set TYPE to "Surface" for edges only (open ended), or "Solid" for a closed, capped volume.
  • Set the ANGLE that the surface or solid will sweep.
  • Select the boundary element:
  • Select first point of the axis of revolution:
  • Select second point of axis of revolution: (if AXIS is set to "Points").
  • Reset to end operation, or select a data point to continue to revolve.