Editing a Surface

Once you have created a surface you will most likely need to edit it to remove flaws. Below are several methods for fixing surfaces.

Despike a surface

Newly created surfaces are rarely smooth, having spikes that must be removed. The Despike tool will remove spikes without additional parameters. See Fix > Despike. To run the tool, do one of the following:

  • (Ribbon) Select the surface then, on the Edit tab, in the Fix group, click Despike.

  • (Context menu) Right-click on the surface, then select Edit > Despike.

Fill holes in a surface

Newly created surfaces often have holes that need to be filled. The Fill Holes tool will remove holes without additional parameters. To fill holes in a surface, do one of the following:

  • (Ribbon) Select the surface then, on the Edit tab, in the Fix group and click Fill Holes.

  • (Context menu) Right-click on the surface, then select Edit > Fill Holes.

See Fix > Fill Holes.

Add facets to a surface

After running the Fill Holes tool, it is possible that some holes that should be filled will remain. Add facets to the surface manually, by doing the following:

  1. View the surface as a wireframe, as follows:

    • (Context menu) Right-click on the surface and select View > Wireframe to display the facets.

      • Or

    • (Ribbon or toolbar) Select the surface, then select Wireframe from the Surface Render Mode drop-down on the View tab or view window toolbar.

      • This will make it easier to distinguish individual facets.

  2. Open the Add Facets tool as follows:

    • (Context menu) Right-click on the surface and select Edit > Add Facets....

      • Or

    • (Ribbon) Select the surface, then on the Edit tab, click Add Facets from the Primitives group.

  3. Pick the First point on the surface.

  4. Repeat step 3 for the second and third point.

  5. Click (Complete) or press Enter to complete.

Tip:  Add facets while in top view or use snap modes to ensure the facets are created in the intended locations.

Extend a surface

Occasionally, you may also need to extend a surface by adding facets to its perimeter with the Extend Surface tool, by following these steps:

  1. View the surface as a wireframe, as follows:

    • (Context menu) Right-click on the surface and select View > Wireframe to display the facets.

      • Or

    • (Ribbon or toolbar) Select the surface, then select Wireframe from the Surface Render Mode drop-down on the View tab or view window toolbar.

      • This will make it easier to distinguish individual facets.

  2. Open the Extend Surface tool as follows:

    • (Context menu) Right-click on the surface and select Edit > Extend Surface....

      • Or

    • (Ribbon) Select the surface, then on the Edit tab, click Extend Surface from the Primitives group.

  3. Pick a boundary edge.

  4. Pick the location for the third point, to complete the new boundary facet.

  5. Click (Complete) or press Enter to complete.

Tip:  Use a construction or horizontal plane to ensure the facets are created in the intended location.

Edit individual facets

To edit individual facets, follow these steps:

  1. View the surface as a wireframe, as follows:

    • (Context menu) Right-click on the surface and select View > Wireframe to display the facets.

      • Or

    • (Ribbon or toolbar) Select the surface, then select Wireframe from the Surface Render Mode drop-down on the View tab or view window toolbar.

      • This will make it easier to distinguish individual facets.

  2. Open the Move Point tool as follows:

    • (Context menu) Right-click on the facet to modify and select Edit > Move Point....

      • Or

    • (Ribbon) Select the facet, then on the Edit tab, select Move Points from the Primitives group.

  3. Pick the point to move.

  4. Pick the new location for the point or enter the coordinates in the status bar.

  5. To complete click (Complete) or press Enter.