BlendEdge

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Blend Edge

The BlendEdge command creates a curvature-continuous blend surface between polysurface edges with varying radius values.

The polysurface is trimmed and joined to the blend.

Steps

  1. Select edges.

    Or, double-click an edge to select tangent edges.

  2. Edit radius handles and options.

Command-line options

ShowRadius
Yes

Displays radius handles in the viewport.

No

Hides radius handles in the viewport. A hidden radius handle will display when the mouse cursor is close to it.

NextRadius

Specifies the radius for the next edge.

ChainEdges

Automatically selects connected edges based on continuity.

How to chain select edges.

FaceEdges

Pick a face to select its boundary edges. Tangent edges are excluded.

PreviousEdgeSelection

In cases where the command is canceled or ended prematurely, the PreviousEdgeSelection option re-selects the previously selected edges. Supports multiple sets of previously selected edges for up 20 previous edge sets.

TrimAndJoin

Trims and joins the resulting surface to the input surfaces.

History only works if TrimAndJoin=No.

SelectEdges

Allows selecting more edges after the selection has been closed.

Preview

Displays a dynamic preview. You can change the options and the preview will update.

Edit

Edit the most recent selected set of edges.

Tip: When no command is running, double-clicking the object is the alternative way to start the editing mode.

To edit edges

  1. Select the object to edit. The editable edges highlight.

  2. Edit the size of the handles.

  3. Click the SelectEdges option.

  4. Use Shift+click to add edges. Use Command+click to remove edges.

Remove all edges in the most recent edge set to return to the previous edge set.

1) The first edge set. 2) The second edge set.

3) Remove all edges in the second edge set if you need to edit the first edge set.

The Radius and Distance options appear on the command line when you drag a handle grip.

Radius/Distance options

FromCurve

Select a curve. The radius of the curve at the picked location will be used.

FromTwoPoints

Pick two points to show the radius distance.
 
Handle options

AddHandle

Adds a handle along the edges.

CopyHandle

Adds a new handle using the distance from the selected handle.

RemoveHandle

Visible only when at least one handle has been added.

SetAll

Sets the distance or radius for all handles.

LinkHandles

Editing a single handle updates all handles.

Note

  • Only added handles can be removed.

  • The default handles at the ends of each open edge segment cannot be moved or deleted. This is the minimum information the command needs in order to work.

  • The handle at the end of a single closed edge can be moved but not deleted.

  • If a radius is set larger than the edge radius at the handle location, the handle changes to dark red and displays the edge radius. It is the maximum radius allowed at the handle location. In the case below, a radius larger than 3.102 units will fail.

Tips

  • Always blend from the largest radius to the smallest radius across a model.
  • Use MergeAllCoplanarFaces or other modeling method to remove as many edges as possible. Fewer intersected edges = Fewer problems.
  • Make sure there is enough room for the blend surface to trim and join with adjacent surfaces.
  • The success of the blend operation depends on the angle relationships between surfaces, the sharpness of the bend in the rail around corners, and rail type.
RailType options

DistFromEdge

The distance from the edge curves determines the intersection.

RollingBall

The radius of a rolling ball determines the intersection.

DistBetweenRails

The distance between the edge rails determines the intersection.

Preview

Displays a dynamic preview. You can change the options and the preview will update.

Edit

Allows changing the radius of existing blends.

See also

Fillet, blend, or chamfer between curves and surfaces