Creates a surface blended between "n" boundary curves. Curves must intersect at their endpoints and determine an enclosed region. In order to be precise in points placement, it is recommended to enable snap to grid or snap to points when using this modeling tool.
How to use
1. Click the N-Side patch icon or choose the Tools > Surfaces > N-Side patch command.
2. The program console prompts Select Curves.
3. Select all the curves, sequentially from first to last, in one direction. Once picked, the curves turn green. After selecting the last curve, press Spacebar.
Note: The Construction Tree allows you to modify any boundary curve only if intersections between curves are respected. If you move the middle points of a curve, the N-Side Patch will automatically be updated.
Options
Remove
To remove boundary curves. Removed curves are not deleted from the scene.
Views / Modeling Tool panel. Select the surface by picking it. Choose the curves you want to remove from the Curves list. Press the Remove button.
Insert
To add new boundary curves.
Views / Modeling Tool panel. Switch the Insert check button on and pick the curves you want to use in the scene. The N-Side patch will automatically be updated if start and end points of the new curve intersect with the other boundary curves thus determining an enclosed region.
Continuity Tol.
The N-Side surface is made up of a number of patches. The continuity tolerance specifies the tangency tolerance between adjacent patches.
Modeling Tool panel. Set the value in degrees either by moving the slider or by typing it in the data field and pressing Enter.
Center
To enable editing of the center of the N-Side surface.
Modeling Tool panel. Switch the Modify Center Normal check box on.
Center point
To modify the position of the center of the patch.
Views. Choose the Edit mode. Click the Center point hotspot and drag it. Release the mouse button when you reach the desired position.
Modeling Tool panel. Type the new values in the XYZ data fields and confirm them by pressing Enter.
Center normal
To modify the normal of the patch at the center.
Views. Choose the Edit mode. Click the Center normal point hotspot and drag it. Release the mouse button when you reach the desired position.
Modeling Tool panel. Type the new values in the XYZ data fields and confirm them by pressing Enter.
Corners
To enable editing of the normals at curves endpoints.
Modeling Tool panel. Switch the Modify Center Normal check box on.
Corner normal
To modify the normal of each curve endpoints.
Views. Choose the Edit mode. Click one of the Corner normal hotspot and drag it. Release the mouse button when you reach the desired position.
Modeling Tool panel. Type the new values in the XYZ data fields and confirm them by pressing Enter.
See also:
3sides to create a surface blended between three boundary curves.
Coons to create a surface blended between four boundary curves.
CurvesNetwork to create a surface from a rectilinear network of curves.