Creates a surface forming a blending between two or more surface edges.
How to use
1. Click the Blend surfaces icon or choose the Tools > Surfaces > Blend surfaces command.
2. The program console prompts Pick surface #1.
3. Pick the first surface. Once picked, the surface turns green.
4. The program console prompts Pick edges near start on surface #1.
5. Pick the edges of surface #1 that will define the first boundary for a blended surface. For multiple selections of edges, hold the Ctrl key down while picking. Selected edges are displayed in yellow.
6. To end edge selection, press Spacebar.
7. The program console prompts Pick surface #2.
8. Pick the second surface. Once picked, the surface turns green.
9. The program console prompts Pick edges near start on surface #2.
10. Pick the edges of surface #2 that will define the second boundary for a blended surface. For multiple selections of edges, hold the Ctrl key down while picking. Selected edges are displayed in yellow.
11. To end edge selection, press Spacebar. The resulting blended surface is represented in magenta.
12. The Construction Tree allows you to adjust any parameter in the tree at any time.
Hence, when you modify any parameter of the boundaries, the blended surface will accordingly be updated.
In the picture below, we have modified the shape of surface #1 edge by selecting the construction curve of surface #1 and then editing it while working in Edit mode.
In the next picture, we have changed position of surface #2. The blended surface is interactively updated.
While a blended surface is selected, the Modeling Tool panel offers you several options for adjusting it.
Important note: The point where you pick the second edge determines how the blend surface will result. In order to avoid a twisted surface, edges of surface #2 should be picked as illustrated in the pictures below.
Options
Surface #1
To change surface #1.
Views / Modeling Tool panel. Switch the Replace check button on and pick another surface. Then choose the Edit Mode and pick the edge or edges that will define the new boundary for the blending surface.
Surface #2
To change surface #2.
Views / Modeling Tool panel. Switch the Replace check button on and pick another surface. Then choose the Edit Mode and pick the edge or edges that will define the new boundary for the blending surface.
Smoothness #1
To control the smoothness of the blended surface near surface #1.
To control the smoothness of the blended surface near surface #2.
Modeling Tool panel. Move the slider or type the smoothness value in the data field and press Enter to confirm. Changes are interactively displayed in the views.
Tangents
Invert direction of tangents to surface #1.
Invert direction of tangents to surface #2.
Modeling Tool panel. Switch the radio buttons on where convenient.
Tangents size
To specify the tangents length computation method of the blend surface along the edges.
Modeling Tool panel. Switch the preferred option on.
Scaling factor. Length will be proportional to the distance between two corresponding points on the edges. This option grants better results when the distance between the edges varies.
Absolute value. Length will be the exact value specified in the Smoothness section. This option grants better results when the distance between the edges is constant (for example, a surface and its offset).
Note: In order to avoid possible shape modifications, this version of solidThinking collapses the Construction Tree of the surfaces created with the Blend Surfaces modeling tool in previous program versions.