[NX8-HELP] DETAIL FEATURE 1 Detail Feature drive24ward (meslab.org/mes) Detail Feature View a topic Edge Blend Face Blend Soft Blend Fillet Bridge Spherical Corner Chamfer overview Draft Draft Body 1. Edge Blend Use the Edge Blend command to round sharp edges between faces. You can do the following: Add a single edge blend feature to multiple edges. Create an edge blend of constant or variable radius. Add corner setback points to change the shape of an edge blend corner. Adjust the distances of the corner setback points from the corner vertex. You can use corner setbacks to create ball nose blends, for example, and as an aid in sheet metal stamping of non- styled surfaces. Add stop short points to end an edge blend short of a specific point. Where do I find it? Application Modeling Toolbar Feature→Edge Blend
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Detail Feature View a topic
Edge Blend
Face Blend
Soft Blend
Fillet
Bridge
Spherical Corner
Chamfer overview
Draft
Draft Body
1. Edge Blend
Use the Edge Blend command to round sharp edges between faces.
You can do the following:
Add a single edge blend feature to multiple edges.
Create an edge blend of constant or variable radius.
Add corner setback points to change the shape of an edge blend corner.
Adjust the distances of the corner setback points from the corner vertex. You can use corner
setbacks to create ball nose blends, for example, and as an aid in sheet metal stamping of non-
styled surfaces.
Add stop short points to end an edge blend short of a specific point.
Where do I find it?
Application Modeling
Toolbar Feature→Edge Blend
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Menu Insert→Detail Feature→Edge Blend
1.1. Create a circular edge blend with constant
radius
1. On the Feature toolbar, click Edge Blend or choose Insert→Detail Feature→Edge Blend.
In the Edge Blend dialog box, Select Edge is active.
2. In the graphics window, select edges for the first edge set.
For this example, two edge strings are selected.
Handles are displayed on the selected edges.
Tip It is recommended that you blend sets of edges at the same time, rather than blending edges
one at a time.
3. In the Edge to Blend group, from the Shape list, select Circular.
4. In the Radius 1 box, type a value to specify the radius of the first edge set.
For this example, the radius of the first edge set is set to 15.
5. Click Add New Set to complete the selection of the first edge set.
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Select Edge is active.
6. In the graphics window, select more edges for the second edge set.
For this example, two edges are selected for the second edge set.
Handles are displayed on the selected edges.
7. In the Radius 2 box, type a value to specify the radius of the second edge set.
For this example, it is set to 20.
8. Click OK or Apply to create the edge blend feature.
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1.2. Create a conic edge blend
1.
Click Edge Blend .
2.
Select a set of edges for the first edge set.
3.
In the Edge Blend dialog box perform the following
actions:
1. From the Shape list select Conic.
2. From the Conic Method list select Boundary
and Center.
3. Type 3 in the Boundary Radius 1 box.
4. Type 2 in the Center Radius 1 box.
5. Click Add New Set .
4.
Select a second set of edges for the next edge set.
5.
Perform the same actions on the second edge set that
you performed on the fist.
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6.
Click OK.
1.3. Create an edge blend of variable radius
This example shows how to create a blend with varying radius by defining points along the edge at which
you want to vary the radius of the blend.
1. On the Feature toolbar, click Edge Blend or choose Insert→Detail Feature→Edge Blend.
In the Edge Blend dialog box, Select Edge is active.
2. Select edges for the edge set.
For this example, three edges are selected for the edge set.
3. In the Edge to Blend group, from the Shape list, select Circular.
4. In the Radius 1 box, type a value to specify the radius
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For this example, it is set to 10.
5. In the Variable Radius Points group, click Specify New Location.
6. Click Point and specify points on the edges where you want to set a variable radius value.
For this example, two variable radius points are selected on a vertical edge.
7. To specify variable radius values, in the Variable Radius Points group, do the following:
a. Click List.
The list shows the two selected variable radius points, V Radius 1 and V Radius 2.
b. Select V Radius 1 and in the V Radius 1 box, type a value.
For this example, it is set to 15.
c. Select V Radius 2 and in the V Radius 2 box, type a value.
For this example, it is set to 25.
8. Move the location of a variable radius point by choosing a Location option: %Arc Length, Arc
Length, or Through Point.
For this example, %Arc Length for V Radius 2 is set to 45.
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Note If you manually move the point location by changing the value for % Arc Length, the point
loses its associativity.
9. Click OK or Apply to create the blend feature with variable radius points.
1.4. Add setback points to an edge blend corner
This example shows how to change the curvature of the corner when you blend three or more edges.
1. On the Feature toolbar, click Edge Blend or choose Insert→Detail Feature→Edge Blend.
In the Edge Blend dialog box, Select Edge is active.
2. Select three edges that intersect at a corner for the edge set.
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Handles are displayed on the selected edge set.
3. In the Edge to Blend group, from the Shape list, select Circular.
4. In the Corner Setback group, do the following:
a. Click Select End Point .
b. Select the vertex point of the blend corner that has three edges.
A corner setback with default values is displayed at the vertex, and is aligned along the
three edges.
c. Click List to display the setback points.
d. Select each setback point from the list and change the value in the Point Setback box.
For this example, Point 2 Setback 1, Point 2 Setback 2, and Point 2 Setback 3 are
changed to 15, 20, and 25, respectively.
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The new setback distances change the shape of the corner.
5. Click OK or Apply to create the blend with setback corners.
1.5. Stop an edge blend short of a corner
1. On the Feature toolbar, click Edge Blend or choose Insert→ Detail Feature→ Edge Blend.
In the Edge Blend dialog box, Select Edge is active.
2. In the graphics window, select edges for the first edge set.
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For this example, one edge string is selected.
3. In the Edge to Blend group, from the Shape list, select Circular.
4. In the Radius 1 box, type a value to specify the radius of the first edge set.
For this example, the radius of the first edge set is set to 10.
5. In the dialog box, in the Stop Short of Corner group, do the following:
a. From the Stopping Location list, select At Distance.
b. Click Select End Point and select end points on the edge set where you want to stop
the blend.
The Location and Arc Length options appear.
Handles are displayed at the selected end points.
c. In the Location list, select Arc Length.
d. Click List to display the list of stop short points.
e. Select Stopshort1 and type a value in the Arc Length box.
For this example, it is set to 10.
f. Select Stopshort2 and type a value in the Arc Length box.
For this example, it is set to 30.
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The stop short points are moved to the specified distances.
6. Click OK or Apply to create the blend.
1.6. Edge Blend dialog box Edge to Blend
Select Edge
Lets you select edges for an edge blend set.
Shape
Lets you specify the underlying shape for the cross section of the blend. Choose
from the following shape options:
Circular
Uses a single handle set to control a circular shaped blend.
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Conic
Conic methods and handle sets control combinations of symmetric boundary edge
radius, center radius, and rho value to create a conical blend.
Conic Method
Available when Shape is set to Conic.
Lets you create symmetric conic blends using advanced methods to control the
blend shape.
Boundary and Center
The conic blend section is defined by specifying a symmetric boundary radius and
a center radius.
Boundary and Rho
The conic blend section is defined by specifying a symmetric boundary radius and
a value for rho.
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Center and Rho
The conic blend section is defined by specifying a center radius and a value for
rho.
Radius x
Available when Shape is set to Circular.
Sets a value for the radius for all the edges in the edge set.
Note The radius must be consistent with the geometry of the faces being blended.
For example, it must be possible to move away from all points in the
second face by at least the distance specified by the given radius.
Boundary Radius x
Available when Shape is set to Conic and Conic Method is set to .Boundary
and Center and Boundary and Rho.
Sets a value all boundary radii in the edge set.
Center Radius x
Available when Shape is set to Conic and Conic Method is set to Boundary and
Center and Center and Rho.
Sets a value for all center radii in the edge set.
Rho x
Available when Shape is set to Conic and Conic Method is set to .Boundary
and Rho and Center and Rho.
Sets a value for the rho in the edge set.
Variable Radius Points
Creates a variable radius blend by adding points with unique radius values to an edge blend.
Specify New
Location
Available when you select an edge using Select Edge in the Edge to Blend
group.
Lets you add points and set radius values along edges in an edge set.
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Note You can define a variable radius point location that is not on the
blend edge. NX automatically projects it to the edge.
Variable radius points are associative. If you move the associated
point when the part is updated, the variable radius location moves
with it. If you delete the point, the variable radius location for that
point continues to exist (as a percent of arc length), but is no longer
associative.
V Radius xx
Available when you select a variable radius point.
Sets the radius at the selected point.
xx is the number representing the variable radius point.
Note You can change the radius values in the graphics window.
Variable radius points with drag handles
Location
Available when you select a variable radius point.
Lets you specify one of the following options to position the variable radius point
on the edge.
Arc Length Sets the specified value for the arc length.
Enter the distance values in the Arc Length box.
% Arc
Length
Sets variable radius point as a percent of total edge arc
length.
Enter the distance values in the % Arc Length box.
Through
Point
Lets you specify a variable radius point.
Specify New Location options are available.
Note You can also do the following:
Drag the variable radius point handle along the edge.
Type values in the on-screen input box.
Note If you manually move the point location by changing the value for % Arc
Length, the point loses its associativity.
Tip Right-click a point handle to toggle between Arc Length and % Arc
Length.
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Corner Setback
Select End Point
Lets you select a corner end point in an edge set and displays a drag handle at
each edge.
Use the drag handles to increase the corner radius values as required.
Note Do not use this option for creating curvature continuous faces.
Point 1 Setback 1
Sets the distance for the currently selected setback point to the value you specify.
Note The option Point 1 Setback 1 corresponds to the first point set and the first
set back. The number varies according to the point set and the edge you
select.
Stop Short of Corner
Stops an edge blend at a point short of the end of the edge.
Select End Point
Lets you select a blend end point and the stopping location on an edge to be
blended.
After you select the edge end point, you can specify the Stopping Location.
Stopping Location list
Available when you select an end point.
At Distance stops the blend short of the edge end point.
Stop Short of Corner using At Distance At Intersection stops a blend at the selected vertex where multiple blends
intersect.
Note You cannot use At Distance at an end point where edge blends intersect.
Tip Use At Intersection to create multiple edge blends at a complex vertex,
where the default resolution is likely to fail, so that blend-to-blend
intersections can be resolved using a manually created patch.
Location list
Available when you select an end point in the Select End Point group.
Arc Length lets you specify a value for arc length at which you want to
select a stop point.
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% Arc Length lets you specify the percentage of the arc length at which
you want to select a stop point.
Through Point lets you select a point on the model.
Specify Point options are available.
Trimming
Trims an edge blend to a selected face or plane.
Before and after trimming
User Selected
Objects
When selected, opens the following options to let you specify objects and
locations to use to trim blend faces.
Limit Object
Lists methods for trimming the edge blend with specified objects.
The limiting plane, face, or edge set (or its extensions) becomes the end cap for
the blend.
Plane Trims the edge blend with one or more planes in face sets.
Specify Plane
Lets you specify planes to trim the blend.
Face Trims the edge blend with one or more faces in face sets
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Select Face
Lets you specify faces to trim the blend.
Edge Trims the edge blend with one or more edges in edge sets.
Select Edge
Lets you specify edges to trim the blend.
Use Limit Plane to
Cap Blend / Use
Limit Face to Cap
Blend
Available when Trim Object is set to Plane or Face.
Caps the blend using a plane or face.
Specify Point options are available.
Specify a point nearest to the intersection where you want the blend capped. Use
this method if the trim plane intersects the blend face in more than one location.
Specify Point
Available when Limit Object is set to Plane.
Specifys a point nearest to the intersection where you want the blend capped. Use
this method if the trim plane intersects the blend face in more than one location.
Overflow Resolutions
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Controls how blend overflows are handled. Blend overflow occurs when tangent edges of a blend
encounter other edges on the solid.
Allowed Overflow Resolutions
Roll Over Smooth
Edges
Allows the blend to extend to a smoothly connected (tangent) face that it
encounters.
A new blend that overflows the edge of an existing blend.
The edge where the blends meet is smooth and shared.
When you select Roll Over Smooth Edges the edge is sharp and
shared.
Roll on Edges
(Smooth or Sharp)
Removes tangency with one of the defining faces, and allows blend to roll onto
any edge, whether smooth or sharp.
With the option selected, the edge remains unchanged and its tangency
with the face owning that edge is removed.
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With the option not selected, the edge is changed and tangency with its
owning face is maintained.
Maintain Blend and
Move Sharp Edges
Allows the blend to maintain tangency with the defining faces, and moves any
encountered edges to the blend face.
Preview of edges with the option selected.
The blend tangency is maintained.
Explicit Overflow Resolutions
Controls whether the Roll On Edges (Smooth or Sharp) overflow option is applied to a selected edge.
Select Edge to Force
Roll on
Lets you select an edge on which you want to force the Roll On Edges (Smooth
or Sharp) option.
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Select Edge to
Prohibit Roll on
Lets you select an edge on which you do not want to apply the Roll On Edges
(Smooth or Sharp) option.
For this edge blend, an encountered edge is selected with Select Edge to
Prohibit Roll on option. This will prevent the Roll On Edges (Smooth or
Sharp) option being applied to it. The Roll On Edges (Smooth or Sharp) option
is applied to the edge of the other cylinder as usual.
Settings
Overlapping Blends Within Feature
Consists of the Resolution and Blend Order lists.
Resolution list
Specifies how overlapping blends are resolved.
This option differs from those with Overflow Resolutions in that it only affects
the interaction of edges within a single edge blend feature. Overflow Resolutions
can be effective for any edge, including blend edges.
Maintain Blend and Intersect ignores that the blend is intersecting itself.
Both parts of the blend are trimmed by the intersection curve. When you
open parts with blends made in early versions of NX, they are assigned
this option.
If Different Convexity, Roll Over makes the blend roll over itself. Use
this option to roll the blend over itself when the convexity is different as
the blend encounters a portion of itself.
Regardless of Convexity, Roll Over makes the blend roll over itself
when the blend encounters a portion of itself, regardless of what the
convexity is.
Blend Order list
Specifies the order in which blends are created.
It is recommended that you try this option to create blends in situations where
they would otherwise fail.
Convex First creates the convex blends before concave blends.
Concave First creates concave blends before convex blends.
Blend All Instances
Blends all the instances in an array when you select one instance to blend.
Tip For instanced features, it is recommended that you add the edge blend
to the master feature, and not one of the instanced features. This is to
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make sure that the edge blend will always remain visible in the
instance set even if the array parameters are later changed.
When creating instances, it is recommended that you first create the
parent feature and the edge blend and then create the instance
features. See Group Feature and Instance for details.
Special Blend at
Convex/Concave Y
Allows an alternate blend for some cases where edges form a Y-shape at a vertex.
Use this option to get a different shape for blends that meet the following criteria
The blends are of opposite convexity.
The blends meet at three or more edge vertices.
One blend rolls over the other.
Alternate blend shape at vertex using Special Blend at Convex/Concave Y
Remove Surface
Self-Intersections
Replaces intersections of the blend with itself with a smooth surface patch.
The patch area is not a true representation of a blend produced by a rolling ball,
but it is tangential to all the surfaces with which it connects.
This solution may allow an otherwise self-intersecting blend to be created but it
may be costly to produce the patched surface.
If you have not selected Remove Surface Self-Intersections option, make sure
that the offsets of the surfaces attached to the faces meeting at the edge to be
blended do not self intersect. These offsets of the surfaces attached to the faces
must intersect to define a "spine" curve for the blend.
Corner Setback
Specifies whether setbacks are included in the edge blend corner or if they are
kept separate.
Include with Corner includes the
setback in the corner
Separate from Corner keeps the
setback separate.
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Tolerance
Lets you specify a distance tolerance for non-constant radius blends. Otherwise,
the default distance tolerance from Modeling Preferences is used.
For more information, see Modeling Preferences.
Tip If you are adding a blend to an edge that is already tolerant or across a
tolerant edge, the blend must be greater than twice the tolerance on the edge
or the edge being crossed.
1.7. Edge Blend Allowed Overflow Resolutions
1. On the left side of the animation, click to select a part type.
2. From the menu on the right, click to select an edge type.
3. In the dialog box, try different combinations of overflow resolutions.
1.8. Hierarchy for Allowed Overflow Resolutions in
edge blends Precedence when combining Allowed Overflow Resolutions options
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Blend Conditions
Edge Being Blended
Encountered Edge
Roll Over
Smooth Edges
Roll On Edges
(Smooth or
Sharp)
Maintain Blend and
Move Sharp Edges
When the convexity of the encountered
edge is opposite that of the blended edge,
and the encountered edge is smooth.
Used First
Used Second
Not used
When the convexity of the encountered
edge is opposite that of the blended edge,
and the encountered edge is sharp.
Not used Used First
Used Second
When the convexity of the encountered
edge is the same as that of the blended
edge, and the encountered edge is
smooth.
Used First
Used Third
Used Second
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When the convexity of the encountered
edge is the same as that of the blended
edge, and the encountered edge is sharp.
Not used Used Second
Used First
2. Face Blend
Use the Face Blend command to add tangent blend faces between two or three sets of faces. The cross
section of the blend can be circular, conic, or law controlled.
This example shows a three-face blend along a variable-width rib, and two–face blends on both sides of
the rib.
You can do the following:
For two–face blends, specify the blend cross section using several methods.
For two–face blends, select curves to control the tangent lines of the blend.
Create blends between faces that are not adjacent or are from different bodies.
Create blends as separate sheet bodies without sewing them to existing bodies.
Create symmetric and asymmetric conic blends with aesthetically balanced shapes.
Trim the ends of the blend to selected faces or locations.
Where do I find it?
Application Modeling
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Toolbar Feature→Face Blend
Menu Insert→Detail Feature→ Face Blend
2.1. Create a rolling ball face blend with a constant
radius
This example shows how to create a rolling ball face blend on two intersecting sheet bodies.
1. On the Feature toolbar, click Face Blend , or choose Insert→Detail Feature →Face Blend.
2. In the graphics window, select the first face chain and click the middle mouse button to complete
Face Chain 1.
3. (Optional) If the normals of a face chain do not point toward the approximate center of the blend,
click Reverse Direction .
4. In the graphics window, select the second face chain and click the middle mouse button to
complete Face Chain 2.
5. In the Cross Section group, do the following:
a. From the Section Orientation list, select Rolling Ball.
b. From the Shape list, select Circular.
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c. From the Radius Method list, select Constant.
d. In the Radius box, type a value.
For this example, the radius is set to 20.
6. In the Trim and Sew Options group, do the following:
a. From the Blend Faces list, select Trim to All Input Faces.
b. Select the Trim Input Faces to Blend Faces check box.
c. Select the Sew All Faces check box.
7. Choose another command or click Apply to create the blend.
2.2. Create a swept section face blend
This example shows how to create a swept section face blend with a law controlled radius.
1. On the Feature toolbar, click Face Blend or choose Insert→Detail Feature →Face Blend.
2. From the Type list, select Two Defining Face Chains.
3. Select the first face and click the middle mouse button to complete Face Chain 1.
4. Select the second face in the graphics window.
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5. (Optional) If the normals of the two face sets do not point toward the approximate center of the
blend, click Reverse Direction .
6. In the Cross Section group, do the following:
a. From the Section Orientation list, select Swept Section.
b. Select Select Spine Curve and select an edge parallel to the blend you want to create.
The spine curve is used for orienting the blend cross section and for defining varying
parameters for the law controlled radius.
c. From the Shape list, select Circular.
d. From the Radius Method list, select Law Controlled.
e. From the Law Type list, select Linear.
f. Specify values for Start and End.
For this example, Start and End are set to 50 and 80, respectively.
7. In the Settings group, clear the Terminate at Sharp Edge check box.
This allows the blend to cross the crease in the first face chain.
8. Choose another command or click Apply to create the blend.
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2.3. Create a face blend with an asymmetrical conic
cross section
This example shows how to create a conic cross section face blend.
1. On the Feature toolbar, click Face Blend , or choose Insert→Detail Feature →Face Blend.
2. From the Type list, select Two Defining Face Chains.
3. Select the first face and click the middle mouse button to complete the Face Chain 1.
4. Select the second face in the graphics window.
5. (Optional) If the normals of the two face sets do not point toward the approximate center of the
blend, click Reverse Direction .
6. In the Cross Section group, do the following:
a. From the Section Orientation list, choose Swept Section.
b. Select Select Spine Curve and select an edge parallel to the blend you want to create.
The spine curve is used for orienting the blend cross section and for defining varying
parameters for the law controlled radius.
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c. From the Shape list, choose Asymmetric Conic.
d. From the Offset 1 Method list, choose Constant.
e. Specify a value for the Offset 1 Distance
For this example, it is set to 50.
f. From the Offset 2 Method list, select Constant.
g. Specify a value for the Offset 2 Distance
For this example, it is set to 30.
h. From the Rho Method list, select Constant.
i. Specify a value for the Rho.
For this example, it is set to 0.3.
Tip You can experiment with the Offset 1 Distance, Offset 2 Distance, and the Rho values by
dragging their respective handles and observing the effect on the blend preview.
7. Choose another command or click Apply to create the blend.
2.4. Create a face blend with a tangent curve
This example shows how to create a face blend that is tangent along the curve to a face without trimming
the existing input faces.
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1. On the Feature toolbar, click Face Blend , or choose Insert→Detail Feature →Face Blend.
2. From the Type list, select Two Defining Face Chains.
3. Select the first face and click the middle mouse button to complete face chain 1.
4. Select face chain 2 in the graphics window.
5. (Optional) If the normals of the two face sets do not point toward the approximate center of the
blend, click Reverse Direction .
6. In the Blend Cross Section group, do the following:
a. From the Section Orientation list, choose Rolling Ball.
b. From the Shape list, choose Circular.
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c. From the Radius Method list, choose Tangency Constraint.
7. In the Constraining and Limiting Geometry group, click Select Tangent Curve and select
the curve as shown.
8. In the Trim and Sew Options group:
a. From the Blend Faces list, choose Trim to All Input Faces.
b. Clear the Trim Input Faces to Blend Faces check box.
9. Choose another command or click Apply to create the blend.
2.5. Create a three-face blend
This example shows how to create a three-face blend along a variable-width rib.
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1. On the Feature toolbar, click Face Blend , or choose Insert→Detail Feature →Face Blend.
2. From the Type list, select Three Defining Face Chains.
3. In the graphics window, select the first outside face chain and click the middle mouse button to
indicate that the face chain is complete.
4. (Optional) If the normals of a face chain do not point toward the approximate center of the blend,
click Reverse Direction .
5. Select the second outside face chain and click the middle mouse button to indicate that the face
chain is complete.
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6. Select the middle face chain.
7. In the Trim and Sew Options group, do the following:
a. From the Blend Faces list, select Trim to All Input Faces.
b. Ensure that the Trim Input Faces to Blend Faces check box is selected.
c. Ensure that the Sew All Faces check box is selected.
8. Choose another command or click Apply to create the blend.
2.6. Choose a face blend from multiple solutions
When creating face blends, NX displays multiple solutions depending on the options you select in Trim
and Sew Options.
In this example, after the input faces are selected, there are two possible solutions for the blend.
To select one of the solutions, do the following:
1. In the Face Blend dialog box, click Specify Point .
2. In the graphics window, click next to the solution that you want.
In this example, the solution with the normals is selected.
The preview is updated to show only the solution you choose.
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3. Choose another command or click Apply to create the blend.
2.7. Face Blend dialog box Type
Two Defining Face
Chains
Three Defining
Face Chains
Specifies whether you are blending two face chains or three face chains.
Face Chains
Select Face
Chain 1
Select Face
Chain 2
Lets you select the first and second sets of face chains.
For a two–face blend, you can click a shared edge to select all the faces in both face
chains.
Select Middle
Face or Plane
For a three–face blend, lets you select the middle face chain or a plane.
Cross Section
Section
Orientation
Rolling Ball
Creates a rolling ball face blend that resembles a surface created by a rolling ball in
constant contact with the input faces.
The plane of the cross section is defined by the two contact points and the center of
the ball.
Swept Section
Creates a swept section blend whose surface is controlled by a cross section swept
along the length of the spine curve, while normal to the spine curve.
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Select Spine
Curve
Available when you select Swept Section from the Section Orientation list, or
when you specify Law Controlled for the Radius Method.
Lets you specify a spine curve for swept section blends or non-swept section blends
that use Law Controlled for the Radius Method.
All swept section blends require a spine curve to orient and sweep the cross section.
If you specify Law Controlled for the Radius Method, then the same spine is used
for defining varying parameters.
Shape Available when Type is set to Two Defining Face Chains.
Lets you specify the underlying shape for the cross section of a two face blend.
Choose from the following shape options:
Circular
Uses a single handle to control a circular shaped blend.
Symmetric Conic
Uses a single set of handles to simultaneously control both edges of the blend and
create a conical blend with symmetry.
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Asymmetric Conic
Uses individual handles to control conical blend edges, varying the blend along each
edge.
Conic Method Available when Shape is set to Symmetric Conic.
Lets you create symmetric conic blends using advanced methods to control the blend
shape.
Boundary and Center
The blend is defined by specifying the boundary and center of the conic section.
Boundary and Rho
The blend is defined by specifying the boundary and rho of the conic section.
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Center and Rho
The blend is defined by specifying the center and rho of the conic section.
Radius Method Available when Shape is set to Circular.
Constant — Keeps the blend radius constant except where you select a
tangent constraining curve.
Law Controlled — Varies the blend radius based on two or more individual
points along a spine curve according to Law Type and Value. For details,
see Law Types.
Tangency Constraint — Varies the blend radius so that its tangent line is
the curve or edge you select. The curve must lie within one of the defining
face chains.
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Boundary Method Available when Shape is set to Symmetric Conic.
Specifies how to define a symmetrical conic blend using a boundary parameter.
Constant — Lets you set a fixed value for the Boundary Radius.
Law Controlled — Sets the boundary of the cross section of the blend along
a spine curve according to the Law Type and Value.
For details, see Law Types.
Note Not available when the Conic Method is set to Center and Rho.
Boundary Radius Available when Boundary Method is set to Constant.
Lets you specify a fixed value for the radius of the blend boundary.
Center Method Available when Shape is set to Symmetric Conic.
Specifies how to define a symmetrical conic blend using a center parameter.
Constant — Lets you set a fixed value for the Boundary Radius.
Law Controlled — Sets the boundary of the cross section of the blend along
a spine curve according to the Law Type and Value.
For details, see Law Types.
Note Not available when the Conic Method is set to Boundary and Rho.
Center Radius Available when Center Method is set to Constant.
Lets you specify a value for the radius of the blend from the center of the section.
Offset 1 Method Available when Shape is set to Asymmetric Conic.
Sets the method for the conic offset. You can select Constant or Law Controlled
for each conic offset.
Offset 1 Distance Available when Shape is set to Asymmetric Conic.
Sets the distance of the conic offset from the first face.
Offset 2 Method Available when Shape is set to Asymmetric Conic.
Sets the method for the second conic offset.
These input boxes define distances for offsets 1 and 2 when you choose the
Constant method.
Offset 2 Distance Available when Shape is set to Asymmetric Conic.
Sets the distance of the conic offset from the second face.
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Rho Method Available when Shape is set to Symmetric Conic or Asymmetric Conic.
Specifies rho for conic cross sections.
Constant — Sets a constant value for rho.
Law Controlled — Sets the blend cross section along the spine curve
according to the Law Type and Value.
For details, see Law Types.
Automatic Ellipse — Sets a circular blend cross section or an ellipse of least
eccentricity.
Note Not available for Symmetric Conic when the Conic Method is set to
Boundary and Center.
Rho Available when:
Shape is set to Symmetric Conic or Asymmetric Conic
Rho Method is set to Constant
The value of Rho has the following effects on the cross section:
0 < rho < 0.5
Cross section is an ellipse. As rho approaches zero, the blend tends towards
being flat and resembles a chamfer.
rho = 0.5
Under Settings, if the Rho Type is set to Absolute, the cross section is a
parabola. If Rho Type is set to Relative, the cross section is an ellipse of
least eccentricity.
0.5 < rho <1
The cross section is a hyperbola. As rho approaches 1, the blend becomes
more L-shaped.
Law Type Available when you select Law Controlled as an offset, center, or radius method.
For details regarding law sub options that may appear, see Law Types.
Value Available when any of the following is set to Law Controlled:
Radius Method
Boundary Method
Center Method
and...
Law Type = Constant
Lets you enter a value for the law.
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For details, see Law Types.
Constraining and Limiting Geometry
Select
Coincident Curve
Lets you roll the blend along an edge.
When you select this option, the blend rolls on the edge and does not remain
tangent to the face. The blend radius remains constant.
Coincident Curves list
Specifies whether the constraining curve is on the first or second face chain.
Select
Tangent Curve
Lets you select a curve along which the blend maintains tangency with the face set.
The blend is tangent to the face at along the curve.
For circular blends, you can define the radius with a tangent curves string.
For conic blends, the offset opposite the wall containing the tangent curve string is
computed as the smallest offset defined by the tangent curve string or the constant or
variable offset.
Tangent Curves list
Specifies whether the constraining curve is on the first or second face chain.
Select Middle
Tangent Object
Available when the following are set:
Section Orientation = Swept Section.
Shape = Circular.
Radius Method = Law Controlled.
Makes the blend tangent to three sets of faces. Tangency faces constrain the blend so
that the geometry dictates the blend radius.
Siemens PLM Software recommends that you use the Three Defining Face Chains
type rather than Select Middle Tangent Object to create three-face blends.
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Trim and Sew Options
Lets you specify how you want NX to trim and or sew the blend into the part.
Blend Faces list Lists options to trim blend faces.
The following sheet bodies are blended with various trim and sew options.
Trim to All Input Faces
Trim Input Faces to Blend Faces is selected
Sew All Faces is cleared
Trim to Long Input Faces
Trim Input Faces to Blend Faces is selected
Sew All Faces is selected
Trim to Short Input Faces
Trim Input Faces to Blend Faces is selected
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Sew All Faces is cleared
Do Not Trim Input Faces
Trim Input Faces to Blend Faces is selected
Sew All Faces is selected
or
Trim Input Faces to Blend Faces is cleared
Sew All Faces is selected
For sheet bodies, you can trim the participating faces and the blend without stitching
the blend.
Overriding Trim Objects
User Selected
Objects
When selected, opens the following options to let you specify objects and locations
to use to trim blend faces.
Limit Object Lets you specify the type of object to use to limit the blend.
Plane Lets you stop the blend between its start or end using planes.
You can use this option to trim a face blend and to create end cap
faces.
Specify Plane
Lets you specify or select planes to trim the blend.
The right side of the following solid body shows a preview of two
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planes trimming a face blend during creation. The left shows how the
trimmed blend would look after creation.
Note that you may need to reverse the plane direction normals to get
the desired portion of the face blend to trim.
Specify Point
Lets you select a point to specify the portion of the blend to trim
when there are multiple possible trim solutions.
Face Lets you trim the blend between the start or end using a face. The
selected face or its extension becomes the end cap for the blend.
Select Face
Lets you select faces to trim the blend at start and end positions.
Edge Lets you trim the blend between the start or end using an edge. The
selected edge or its extension becomes the end cap for the blend.
Select Edge
Lets you select edges to trim the blend at start and end positions.
Reverse Direction
Lets you reverse the direction of the plane, face or edge limiting object.
Use Limit Plane to
Cap Blend,
Use Limit Face to
Cap Blend
Creates an end cap face based on a trimming plane or face.
If this option is off, the trim plane or face is used only as a trimming location object.
The end cap face is the plane or face that contains the trim location point and a blend
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face isoline, as shown in the following graphic.
If this option is selected, NX uses the plane or face for both the trimming location
and the end cap as shown in the following graphic.
Add New Set Lets you define sets of planes, faces, or edges as limiting objects for the face blend.
List Lists the plane, face, or edge limiting object sets you have defined, with their name,
number and expression information.
Remove
Lets you delete limiting object sets you have defined.
Settings
Add Tangent
Faces as
Encountered
Available when Section Orientation is set to Rolling Ball.
Automatically adds tangent faces to the input face chain as needed.
In the following example, the input faces are green. Face Blend automatically
selects the blend along tangent faces (red), but stops at face because it is not
tangent.
Orient Cross
Section by
Isoparameter
Lines
Available when Section Orientation is set to Swept Section.
An isoparametric blend is a specialized blend and is recommended for turbine blades
because the blend may produce good results when other blend types fail.
Terminate at
Sharp Edge
Allows a face blend to extend past a notch in the middle or at the end of a blend.
Use this option to stop a face blend when it encounters a localized feature, like a
notch, that has a sharp edge.
The following part is the input shape.
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When you clear the Terminate at Sharp Edge check box for the blend, the notch is
ignored and is used to trim the face.
When you select the Terminate at Sharp Edge check box, the blend does not
extend beyond the notch.
Rho Type Available when, in the Cross Section group, Shape is set to Asymmetric Conic.
Specifies the type of rho for conic cross sections.
Relative — Sets a rho value that is relative to the angle subtended by the
blend. A value of 0.5 will give the blend cross section of an ellipse of least
eccentricity.
Absolute — Sets a rho value that is independent of the angle subtended by
the blend.
Remove Self
Intersection
Available when Type is set to Rolling Ball and Shape is set to Circular.
Replaces face chains which cause self-intersections in the blend with a patch.
The patch area is not a true representation of a blend produced by a rolling ball, but
it is tangent to all of the surfaces to which it connects.
Blend Across
Sharp Edges
Propagates face blends across slightly non-tangent edges.
Use this when you have slightly sharp edges that a face blend needs to cross, such as
parting edges.
Maximum Edge
Angle
Available when Blend Across Sharp Edges is selected.
Specifies the maximum edge angle over which the blend is allowed to propagate.
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Tolerance Determines the fit accuracy of the blend to the defining faces.
This determines the degree of smoothness required for transitions from one face to
another.
The edge of the blend created on the adjoining face cannot deviate from the edge of
the blend on the current face by more than the tolerance.
The default value is the distance tolerance modeling preference.
2.8. Rho and the shape of conic face blends
The blend cross section changes with the value of rho as follows:
If the value of rho is between zero and 0.5, the cross section is an ellipse. As rho approaches zero,
the blend becomes flatter and resembles a chamfer.
If rho is equal to 0.5 and, under Settings, if the Rho Type is set to Absolute, the cross section is a
parabola. If Rho Type is set to Relative, the cross section is an ellipse of least eccentricity.
If the value of rho is between 0.5 and 1, the cross section is a hyperbola. As the value of rho
approaches 1, the blend has a sharper corner.
If the Rho Method is set to Automatic Ellipse and the offsets are equal, the blend has a circular cross
section. If the offsets are not equal, the blend has an elliptical cross section.
Rho Value Face blend cross section
0.2
0.5
0.8
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3. Soft Blend Use the Soft Blend command to create tangent and curvature continuous blend faces between selected
sets of faces.
You can do the following:
Make blends with better aesthetics than other blends as the cross section is not circular.
Control the cross sectional shape.
Create designs with lower weight.
Create designs that have better stress resistance properties.
Choose various options to trim and attach the blend to the faces.
Where do I find it?
Application Modeling
Toolbar Feature→Soft Blend
Menu Insert→Detail Feature→Soft Blend
3.1. Create a soft blend sheet between two surfaces
1. On the Feature toolbar, click Soft Blend , or choose Insert→Detail Feature→Soft Blend.
In the Soft Blend dialog box, under Selection Steps, First Set appears selected.
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2. In the graphics window, select the face containing the first tangency curve.
An arrowhead appears normal to the surface.
3. Click Second Set , and in the graphics window, select the face containing the second
tangency curve.
An arrowhead appears normal to this face.
Note The face normals should point towards the approximate arc center of the blend. If they do
not, click Reverse Normal to change the face normals.
4. Click First Tangency Curve , and in the graphics window, select the first tangency curve.
5. Click Second Tangency Curve , and in the graphics window, select the second tangency
curve.
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6. Click Define Spine String.
The Spine dialog bar opens.
7. In the graphics window, select the spine.
8. In the Spine dialog bar, click OK to accept the spine.
The Spine dialog bar closes.
9. Click OK or Apply to create the soft blend.
3.2. Soft Blend dialog box Selection Steps
First Set
Lets you select the first set of faces of the face blend.
Second Set
Lets you select the second set of faces of the face blend.
First Tangency
Curve
Lets you select a string of curves that lies on the selected face and becomes the edge of
the blend.
Second
Tangency
Curve
Lets you select a string of curves that lies on the selected face and becomes edge of the
blend.
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Reverse Normal
Lets you reverse the direction of the face normal that is displayed after you choose a face set.
Tip The face normals should point towards the center of the blend.
Attachment Method list
Specifies a trimming and attachment method for the soft blend.
Note When you edit a soft blend, you can change the attachment method in either of the following
groups from the list:
Trim & Attach All, Trim Long & Attach All, and No Trim & Attach All.
Trim Blend, Trim Blend Short, Trim Blend Long, and No Trim.
The following graphic shows attachment method examples that use the surfaces and curves.
Trim & Attach
All
Trims the blend and attaches it to the underlying sets of faces.
Note If you use the Trim & Attach All attachment method across multiple bodies, and
want to edit the blend using Edit Using Rollback, you must select at least one
face of the original target body for the First Set.
Trim Long &
Attach All
Creates a blend as long as possible, attached to the underlying sets of faces.
The trimmed blend sheet has end boundaries that are constant parameter lines
determined by the wall boundaries.
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No Trim &
Attach All
Creates an untrimmed blend sheet or a sheet trimmed by specified limiting planes, and
attaches the sheet to the underlying sets of faces.
Trim All
Trims the blend and the underlying face sets, but does not attach the blend to the faces.
Trim Blend
Trims the blend sheet only to the limiting edges of the underlying face sets or specified
limiting planes.
Trim Blend
Short
Trims the blend as short as possible.
The blend end boundaries are constant parameter lines of the wall boundaries.
Trim Blend
Long
Makes the blend as long as possible.
The end boundaries are the constant parameter lines determined by the wall boundaries.
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No Trim
Generates an untrimmed blend sheet or a sheet trimmed by specified limiting planes.
Smoothness
Matches only the tangents of the blend and faces, or matches the curvature (which also matches the
tangents).
Match
Tangents Matches the adjacent walls in tangency only.
Match
Curvature Matches both tangency and curvature.
Rho
Available when you select Match Curvature.
A small value (near zero) will give a flattened blend.
A large value (near one) will give a sharply peaked blend.
Constant
Available when you select Match Curvature.
Sets a constant value along the entire law function for Rho.
Law
Controlled
Available when you select Match Curvature.
Opens the Law Function dialog box where you can select the law that specifies the
curvature of the blend.
For more information, see Law Types.
Skew
Available when you select Match Curvature.
A small value (near zero) gives a blend whose peak is near the first wall.
A large value (near one) puts the peak near the second wall.
Constant
Available when you select Match Curvature.
Sets a constant value along the entire law function for Skew.
Law
Controlled
Available when you select Match Curvature.
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Opens the Law Function dialog box.
For more information, see Law Types.
Define Spine
String Lets you define the spine string for the soft blend.
Limit Start /
Limit End
Lets you define planes to trim the blend at the start and the end for the Trim Blend and
No Trim Attachment Method. If no limiting planes are chosen, the blend is trimmed
between the selected faces.
Tolerance Sets a tolerance for the fit accuracy of the blend to the faces. Tolerance also determines
the degree of smoothness required for transitions from one face to another.
Confirm Upon
Apply
Opens the Confirm Upon Apply dialog box after you choose Apply. You can preview
the results, and accept, reject, or analyze the results.
3.3. Comparing Soft Blend, Edge Blend, Face Blend,
and Bridge
Soft Blend Edge Blend Face Blend Bridge
The blend is Sheet or
Solid body
A solid or sheet
body blend on a
shared edge of two
faces
Either a solid or sheet
body depending on
the base part
Sheet body connecting any
two faces of either sheet
bodies or solid bodies.
Blend can be of
circular cross-
section
Yes Always Yes No
Blend can have
non-circular
cross-section
Yes No Yes, but only conic Yes.
Can constrain a
blend with
tangent curves
Necessary No Optional No
4. Fillet
This option lets you create fillet sheets of constant or variable radius between two faces. You can create a
fillet between the faces of a solid and/or sheet bodies.
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A fillet is created tangent to two faces. However, for the fillet to be created, the faces must intersect or be
close enough so that the fillet touches both faces at all points of tangency.
Note When you are creating a fillet between two spherical or cylindrical faces, the faces do not need to
intersect.
There are four possible quadrants in which the fillet can be created. You specify the quadrant for the fillet
by making the normals to the two faces point in the direction of the desired quadrant.
The spine curve acts as a guide for the fillet. You can choose to create a fillet with or without a spine
curve.
The Distance Tolerance modeling preference lets you define the accuracy of the fillet.
After you have selected both faces and the optional spine curve, you are prompted to define the following
options:
Create
Fillet
Lets you create or not create a fillet by toggling between YES and NO. The default is set to
YES.
Create
Curve
Lets you create the offset intersection curve between the two faces. It has the contour of the
fillet type you selected and the parameters you entered, and can be used as a spine curve for
creating a more complicated fillet. This option toggles between YES and NO and defaults to
NO.
You are next prompted to choose between Circular and Conic as the cross section type.
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Fillet Type
You are given these options for the fillet:
Constant Creates a fillet with a fixed radius.
Linear Creates a linear fillet of variable radius. The change in radius of curvature is linear from the
start to the end of the fillet.
S-
shaped
Creates a variable radius fillet of an S-shaped curvature.
General Creates a variable radius fillet by specifying multiple points on the spine curve and functional
values at each point. This option only appears if you selected a spine curve.
The figure below shows examples of each fillet type.
Selecting Points
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For a constant radius fillet specify a Start Point or simply choose OK. The system creates a start point for
the fillet and traces edge to edge, unless the start and endpoints are specified.
Except for a constant radius fillet, you are required to select at least a Start Point and an End Point that
describes the beginning and ending position of the fillet. For a fillet around a closed periodic face you
may choose OK when prompted for the End Point.
For a general fillet (using a spine curve) you may specify additional points.
Note The Limit Face and Limit Plane options are alternative means for determining limit points for the
offset intersection curve at the center of the fillet. The fillet is not trimmed to, or exactly limited by
these objects. To get a trimmed version of the fillet, create a fillet that extends beyond these objects,
then trim the fillet to these objects.
Specifying Functional Values
Each cross section fillet type requires you enter different creation parameters.
Circular - requires that you enter a radius for the point(s) you selected.
Conic - requires that you enter a radius, ratio, and rho for the point(s) you selected.
Ratio
The Ratio value is used to compute the radius (or offset value) for the second face. It is the ratio of the
distances from the selected faces to the offset intersection point (see the figure below).
If the ratio value is less than 1, the larger offset value of the fillet sheet is from the first selected face.
If the ratio value is greater than 1, the larger offset value of the fillet sheet is from the second selected
face.
If the ratio value is equal to 1, the offset values is equal.
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Rho
The Rho value determines the fullness of each conic section. It represents a fraction of the distance from
the chord midpoint between the edge points to the apex, and can have a value ranging from 0.001 to 0.900.
The Rho value determines the shape of the conic:
Parabola: rho = 0.5
Ellipse: 0.0 < rho < 0.5
Hyperbola: 0.5 < rho < 1.0
The figure above shows how the conic shape is related to the value of Rho. A small value of Rho (0.001)
produces a very flat conic, while a large rho value (0.900) produces a very "pointed" conic.
For each fillet type, the Rho value's behavior is:
Constant The value of rho is constant along the entire sheet.
Linear The values of rho are linearly tapered between starting and ending values corresponding to the
start and end of the sheet.
S-
shaped
The values of rho follow a s-shaped curve.
General The values of rho vary continuously between the specified values.
If your fillet will have a conic cross section, the system prompts you for the Rho Function type:
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Same As Fillet
Type
The rho values are computed in the same way as the fillet type you are using, constant,
linear, s-shaped or general.
Least Tension The rho values are computed from the input geometry according to a least tension
condition. In most cases this produces an elliptical cross section.
Direction Vector
A direction vector is displayed at the first point. The direction of the vector can be changed and should
point in the direction for the fillet from the first selected point to the last selected point.
Tips and Techniques
When No Suitable Spine Curve
If you do not have a suitable spine curve, you may create the offset intersection curve by toggling Create
Curve to yes and Create Fillet to no. This creates a curve that can be used as a spine curve.
Non-Intersecting Faces
When creating a fillet between two faces that do not touch, the fillet radius must be large enough so that
the edges of the fillet overlap both selected faces. If the fillet radius is not large enough and its edges do
not overlap both selected faces, the system will not generate the fillet sheet, as shown in the figure below.
Note If the fillet just touches the edges of the selected faces but does not overlap them, you may get
undesirable results.
Trimmed Sheets
Filleting of trimmed sheet body faces may produce undesirable results.
Small Radii
The fillet radius (including the second radius for a conic cross section) should not be smaller than the
distance tolerance. If the radius is too small, the fillet may not be created.
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4.1. Error Messages
The system may display the following error message if it is unable to find the offset intersection point (or
edge curve points) for the specified pair of faces and/or the specified radius (and ratio and rho) values.
Data Not Found Respecify Point
Point Not Found - Respecify Functional Values or Faces
The system may display the following error message if the ratio is not equal to 1.0 and the sheets are
convex relative to the offset intersection point.
Fillet Gouging Faces Respecify Point
Fillet Gouging Faces Functional Values
The following error message may occur if the system is not able to trace the curves (if the faces are not
sufficiently smooth or under certain other unusual conditions).
Unable To Complete Trace Creating Partial Fillet
The system may display the following error message if the radius of curvature of one, or both, of the faces
is too small compared to the radius (or radii) of the fillet sheet.
Excessive Curvature In Face Creating Partial Fillet
5. Bridge
Use the Bridge command to create a sheet body to connect two faces.
You can do the following:
Specify either Tangent or Curvature Continuity between the bridge and the defining surfaces.
Specify the Tangent Magnitude for each edge.
Select the Flow Direction for the surface.
Limit the surface edges to a percentage of the selected edges.
Offset the defining edge onto the selected surface edges.
Where do I find it?
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Application Modeling
Toolbar Feature→Detail Feature Drop-down→Bridge
Menu Insert→Detail Feature→Bridge
5.1. Create a bridge between two faces
This example shows how to create a bridge between two faces and create the required shape.
1. Choose Insert→Detail Feature→Bridge.
2. In the Edge group, highlight Select Edge 1, in the graphics window, select the first edge.
3. In the Edge group, highlight Select Edge 2, in the graphics window, select the second edge.
The surface is created and previewed in the graphics window.
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4. Select the Tangent Magnitude arrow to change the surface shape.
The surface is updated and the result is previewed in the graphics window.
5. Select the Edge arrow to change the surface size along the guide edges.
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The surface is updated and the result is previewed in the graphics window.
6. Drag the Offset arrow to change the surface edge offset.
The surface is updated and the result is previewed in the graphics window.
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5.2. Bridge Surface dialog box Constraints
Continuity
Edge 1 or Edge 2
G0 (Position)
G1 (Tangent)
G2 (Curvature)
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Tangent Magnitude
Edge 1 or Edge 2
Tangent Magnitude=1.0
Tangent Magnitude=2.0
Flow Direction
Edge 1 and 2 Not Specified
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Isoparametric
Perpendicular
Edge Limit
Edge 1 or Edge 2 Start 0%End 100%
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Start 25%End 75%
Offset
Edge 1 or Edge 2
Offset=0%
Offset=50%
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6. Spherical Corner
Use this command to create a spherical corner from three walls.
Each wall can consist of one or more connected faces. The walls do not have to come in contact with one
another.
The geometry is identical to that created in similar circumstances where an edge blend is created using the
intersected edges of the input faces.
The graphic shows a Spherical Surface feature that was created using three faces. You would need to use
two Face Blend features to achieve a similar result.
1.8. Hierarchy for Allowed Overflow Resolutions in edge blends ................................................................. 22
2. Face Blend ...................................................................................................................................................... 24
2.1. Create a rolling ball face blend with a constant radius.......................................................................... 25
2.2. Create a swept section face blend ......................................................................................................... 26
2.3. Create a face blend with an asymmetrical conic cross section .............................................................. 28
2.4. Create a face blend with a tangent curve .............................................................................................. 29
2.5. Create a three-face blend ....................................................................................................................... 31
2.6. Choose a face blend from multiple solutions ......................................................................................... 33
2.7. Face Blend dialog box ............................................................................................................................ 34
2.8. Rho and the shape of conic face blends ................................................................................................. 46
8.1. Isocline and True Draft methods ............................................................................................................ 75
8.2. Create a draft from a plane .................................................................................................................... 76
8.3. Create a draft from an edge ................................................................................................................... 77
8.4. Create a draft tangent to faces .............................................................................................................. 78
8.5. Create a draft to parting edges .............................................................................................................. 79
9. Draft Body ...................................................................................................................................................... 84
9.1. Create a double-sided draft ................................................................................................................... 85
9.2. Draft a body based on an extreme face point ........................................................................................ 87
9.3. Draft a body by resizing selected faces .................................................................................................. 89
9.4. Draft a body to remove an undercut ...................................................................................................... 91
9.5. Draft Body dialog box ............................................................................................................................. 92