Break Surface

Introduction

This topic will explain the Break Surface function, and the options found in it. This topic will also describe where to find the function, provide quick steps and an example on how to use it, and provide links to related topics.

The Break Surface Function

The Break Surfaces function is used to modify or break a surface, using a wireframe curve that is on the surface. To perform the function, you first select the surface, then select the curve, and press the Spacebar to confirm the selection. The surface is broken at the curve when you confirm the selection.

 

 

 

Tip: You can create the wireframe curve directly on the surface, or you can use the Project Curves to Surface function if your curve is not already on the surface (and it is above or below it). Otherwise, you can use the Translate function to move the geometry onto the surface before using the Break Surfaces function.

Navigation

To open Break Surface:

 

• In the Modify group, of the Create 3D tab, click Break Surface.

 

The parameters display in the Data Entry Manager.

The Data Entry Parameters

Surface/Solid to Break

	(Delete) - removes the highlighted item from the list.
The list box will list the entity currently selected for the function.

Breaking Curves (need to be on the surface)

	(Delete) - removes the highlighted item from the list. (Delete All) - removes all entities from the list.
The list box will list the entities currently selected for the function.

 

• OK - finalizes the function.
• Cancel - exits the function.

Quick Steps - Break Surface

Be sure that the break curve (wireframe) is on the surface that you want to break.

 

1. Open the function.
   
   The Surface/Solid to Break list automatically has focus to allow you to add entities to it.
   
   

2. Click to select the surface that you want to break.
   
   The selection does not require confirmation, as you can only select a single surface, or solid.
   
   Once selected, the focus shifts to the Breaking Curves list.
   
   

3. Click to select the wireframe chain that defines where the surface is broken.

 

Tip: It can be helpful to turn off shading to make it easier to select the wireframe curve that is on the surface. In the View menu, click Shaded, or you can press S to toggle the shaded view. You can also place the wireframe on another layer and use Select by Layer.

 

4. After selecting the wireframe breaking chain, confirm the selections by pressing Spacebar, or by clicking OK.
   
   The surface/solid is broken into multiple surfaces when you confirm the selection.
   
   The feature is added to the CAD Tree.
   
   

5. Repeat this process as needed to break any other surfaces.
   
   

6. To close the function, click Cancel.

Example

This example will demonstrate how to use the 4 Edge function.

 

Note: In the images below, both the Show Axis X-Y and Show Gnomon toggles have been disabled in the Axis X-Y group of the Settings Part > Display dialog.

1. In the Quick Access Toolbar, click New.
   
   A New window opens.
   
   

2. Enter into an ISO 2 view by pressing Ctrl+7.
   
   

3. In the Surfaces group, of the Create 3D ribbon, click the down arrow under Planar, and select Rectangular Plane.
   
   The Rectangular Plane parameters display in the Data Entry Manager.
   
   

4. In the Corner Type group, click to use filleted corners.
   
   
   
   

5. Click OK to confirm the size and location of the Rectangular Plane.
   
   The Rectangular Plane is created in the graphics area and a Rectangular Plane feature is created in the CAD Tree.
   
   
   
   

6. In the Entity group, of the Create 2D ribbon, click the down arrow under Arc, and select Arc Center.
   
   The Arc Coordinate parameters display in the Data Entry Manager.
   
   The Preview appears.
   
   
   
   

7. Change the Radius value to 0.5000.
   
   The Preview updates.
   
   
   
   

8. Click OK to confirm the arc.
   
   The arc is created.
   
   
   
   

9. In the Modify group, of the Create 3D tab, click Break Surface.
   
   The Break Surface parameters display in the Data Entry Manager.
   
   The Surface/Solid to Break list is automatically given focus to allow selection of the surface or solid to break.
   
   

10. Hover over the Rectangular Plane as seen in the image below.
    
    
    
    

11. Click the Rectangular Plane to add it to the Surface/Solid to Break list.
    
    The Rectangular Plane is added to the Surface/Solid to Break list.
    
    The focus is automatically shifted to the Breaking Curves list to allow you select the entities that will define the area of the break.
    
    
    
    

12. Press S  to turn toggle the Shaded view.
    
    The shading is removed from the Rectangular Plane.
    
    

 

Tip: With the Shaded view turned off, the surfaces or solids can only be selected by clicking on one of its edges. This allows us to select geometry that may be on, inside, or behind the surfaces or solids.

 

13. Hover over the arc as seen in the image below.
    
    
    
    

14. Click the arc to add it to the Breaking Curves list.
    
    
    
    

15. Press S  to turn toggle the Shaded view.
    
    The shading is added to the Rectangular Plane.
    
    
    
    

16. Click OK to confirm the break.
    
    The surface is broken, and a Break Surface feature is added to the CAD Tree.
    
    
    
    

17. Hover of the Rectangular Plane as seen in the image below.
    
    
    
    Notice there are now two separate surfaces.
    
    

18. To end the function, click Cancel.

 

 

This concludes the example.

Related Topics

The CAD Overview