3 Edge Surface

Introduction

This topic will explain the 3 Edge 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 3 Edge Surface Function

The 3 Edge Surface function creates a 3-dimensional surface using 3 connected edge curves. To perform the function, you chain select the three geometry curves in the Workspace one at a time, and then press the Spacebar to confirm the selections. The direction of the selected chains control the outcome of the surface so the chains should follow the same direction.

 

To open 3 Edge Surface:

 

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

 

The parameters display in the Data Entry Manager.

The Data Entry Parameters

  • Preview - Select the check box to enable the CAD preview, which displays what the result will be before you create it. Once all geometry is selected, the preview is shown.
    Preview - Clear the check box to turn off the CAD preview.

Parameters

Selected Geometry

 

(Move Up) - Move the highlighted item up the list.

(Move Down) - Moves the highlighted item down the list.

(Reverse Direction) - Reverses the direction of the highlighted item.

(Delete) - removes the highlighted item from the list.

(Delete All)- removes all entities from the list.
This list box will show the entities currently selected for the function.

 

  • OK - finalizes the function.

  • Cancel - exits the function.

Quick Steps - 3 Edge Surface

When creating 3 Edge Surface, you chain select each of the three surface edges. Each chain can be one or more entities. The selection order determines the results, and the chains should all share the same general direction, such as clockwise.

 

  1. Open the function.

    The Selected Geometry list automatically has focus.

  2. Chain select the first chain.

  3. Chain select the remaining chains.

    Once surface creation is possible, a preview will appear.

  4. Use the controls next to the Selected Geometry list to adjust the direction of chains, the chains order in the list, and which chains are in the list.

  5. Click OK to create the surface.

    The feature is added to the CAD Tree.

  6. Repeat as necessary.

  7. Click Cancel to exit the function.

Example

This example will demonstrate how to use the 3 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 Open.

  2. In the Open dialog box, navigate to C:\BobCAD-CAM Data\BobCAD-CAM V**\Examples.

Note: This is the default install location. If you performed a custom install, navigate to the location in which you installed the software.


  1. Select 3 edge surface example.bbcd, and click Open.

    The file opens.



     Leave the file in the ISO 2 view.

  2. In the Modify group, of the Create 3D tab, click 3 Edge Surface.

    The 3 Edge Surface parameters display in the Data Entry Manager and the Picking Manager appears.

  3. In the Picking Manager, deselect Auto-Chaining.

    Multi-Entity or Manual Chaining can be used.

  4. Highlight the end of the first entity, of the first chain, as seen in the image below.

     

Note: In this example, each chain is a single entity. If these chains were multiple entities; With Manual Chaining, click the end of the first entity of the first chain to set the start point and direction of the chain. Then click the end of the last entity of the first chain to set the end of the chain. Then repeat for the subsequent chains.

 

 

 

  1. Click the entity to set the start and end of the chain.



  2. In the Picking Manager select End Chain.

    The chain is added to the Selected Geometry list.

 

Tip: To end chains, you can also use the contextual toolbar to select the End Chain icon.

 

Tip: While selecting the geometry for a 3 Edge, you can click the start arrow to change the direction of that cross section, or use the Reverse button after highlighting that chain in the Selected Geometry list of the 3 Edge Surface parameters  in the Data Entry Manager.It is important that all of the chains share the same direction.

 

  1. Hover over the end of the next chain, as seen in the image below.



  2. Click the entity to set the start and end of the second chain.



  3. In the Picking Manager select End Chain.

    The chain is added to the Selected Geometry list.

  4. Hover over the end of the next chain, as seen in the image below.



  5. Click the entity to set the start and end of the third chain.



  6. In the Picking Manager select End Chain.



    The chain is added to the Selected Geometry list and the preview appears.

  7. Click OK to finalize the 3 Edge.

    The surface is created and a 3 Edge feature is created in the Cad Tree.



  8. To end the function, click Cancel.


 

This concludes the example.

Related Topics

The CAD Overview