What is Surface modeling?

Using CAD software, it is possible to fully produce a model using only surface modeling. But real-world objects need solid modeling techniques as well. You cannot design a Real-world object designed and build using surface modeling only. The difference between solid and surface modeling is the designers interact and manipulate an object using CAD software.

Surface Modeling is the method of showing or presenting solid objects. The process requires you to convert the 3D objects to show procedural surfaces, validate imperfections, and apply smoothness. Wireframe Modeling is complex whereas Surface Modeling is easier to achieve than Solid Modeling.

Surface modeling can build out a visual representation of an object. You can create its exterior and its contours. These objects can be mechanical components like an airplane engine or complex organic shapes like the human body. No matter what you’re designing, surface modeling requires you to define your objects’ exterior curves and shapes.

Unlike solid modeling, the object’s geometry and physical form can be incorrect. The object will have no property of mass defined and no thickness. This gives the designer the unique ability in surface modeling. The modification in solid models doesn’t have this capability. The surface model cannot be sliced open like its solid counterparts. As the object is essentially hollow.

Using Filled Surface Feature

The filled Surface feature is a special feature used to fill the gap in the surface modeling using the surface. Then we can merge the surfaces to create one single surface. It all depends on the need and requirements of the design.

Open the geometry and go to Surface Tab > Filled Surface.

In Property Manager, we have to first select the Patch Boundaries. Under Patch Boundary select the edges of the open surface or the gap to fill that using surface.

Under Edge Setting select the options. Make sure the Show Preview option is checked. Show preview helps us to visualize the surface which is going to generate.

If you have any Constraint curves you can select that and then Click on OK. This way we can generate the surface.

Now, We are going to see the surfaces generated by different Edge settings.

1  Contact

In the contact edge setting the surface is in contact with the edges. An example of the Contact Edge setting is shown in the above steps.

2. Tangent

In a Tangent, Edge Setting the surface is tangent to the edge and adjacent surface.

3. Curvature

In the case of Curvature, Edge Setting the surface takes a form that is constant and has the same curvature as that of the adjacent surface.