Patch
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Surface Patch |
The Patch command uses surface edges, curves and points as input constraints to create a surface with positional (G0), tangential (G1) or curvature (G2) continuity to the input geometry.
Steps
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Select curves, surface edges, or point objects, press Enter when done.
The input objects are labeled with I, G0, G1, or G2 that indicate the constraint levels.
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Click the left or right mouse button on a label to cycle the constraint level forward or backward.
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Set options.
Patch Options
Click this button to add or remove curves, edges, or points used to define the boundary and interior shapes of the surface.
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Hover over the green check-mark to reveal a red cross that will clear all constraints.
Set all (G0/G1/G2)
Applies the same constraint level to all boundary edges of the patch surface.
Alternatively, you can hold Shift and left- or right-click a boundary label to do the same.
Stiffness
Controls the roundness and flatness of the surface shape. Higher values produce flatter shapes.
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Double-click the slider to enter a specific number.
Degree
Sets the UV degrees of the surface from 3 to 5.
Domain
The domain option is used to create a trim domain on the surface that outlines the patch.
Untrimmed
Creates an untrimmed surface. This option is only available when the input segments on the boundary can be merged into four smooth segments.
Projected
Suitable for input objects that are more or less planar; this option is selected automatically if that is the case.
Molded
Default for all other cases. This option creates the best trimming domain for curves that are less planar.
Trim Ends
Attempts to make a closed curve outline of the input curves. If that is possible, it removes dangling curve ends that do not participate in the closed outline. In other words, the selected curves do not need to meet end-to-end if this option is active.
Refine
Uses more UV spans to better fit the surface to the input edges or curves.
Preview
Displays an interactive preview of the surface before it is created. Turn it off to avoid triggering a re-calculation when options are changed.
UV Control
UV Rotation
Rotates the UV directions of the surface up to 90 degrees.
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Double-click the slider to enter a specific number.
U Spans / V Spans
Sets the initial number of isocurves along the U or V direction.
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Turning on the Refine setting adjusts the isocurve density to meet the specified tolerances.
Starting Surface
Pick an existing surface that will be pulled to fill the boundary.
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The output surface will have an identical parameter structure to the starting surface.
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Using a starting surface allows you to create a surface with a degree higher than 5.
Tolerances
Distance
Controls position matching accuracy.
Angle
Controls tangency matching accuracy.
Internal
Controls the matching accuracy to internal curves or points.
Constraints test results
These labels use different colors to indicate whether the resulting surface meets the requested tolerances of Int (internal), G0 (Position), G1 (Tangency), and G2 (Curvature).
Gray - Not being requested.
Red - The requested continuity fails the tolerance check.
Green - The requested continuity passes the tolerance check
To edit the output surface
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Double-click the output surface.
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Add or remove curves or edges, press Enter.
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Adjust the options.