2011

Convert between mesh and 3D solids or surfaces.
Mesh modeling is powerful, but it cannot do everything that solid modeling
can do. If you need to edit mesh objects through intersection, subtraction, or
union, you can convert mesh to 3D solid or surface objects. Similarly, if you
need to apply creasing or smoothing to 3D solid or surface objects, you can
convert those objects to mesh.
Keep in mind that not all conversions retain complete fidelity to the shape
of the original object. Avoid switching between object types more than once,
if possible. If you notice that the conversion modifies the shape of the object
in an unacceptable way, undo the conversion and try again with different
settings.
The SMOOTHMESHCONVERT system variable sets whether the mesh objects
that you convert to 3D solids or surfaces are smoothed or faceted, and whether
their co-planar faces are optimized (merged).
You might have trouble converting some non-primitive mesh to solid objects
due to the following problems:
■ Gaps in the mesh. If you notice gaps, you can sometimes close them by
smoothing the object or by refining the faces that are adjacent to the gap.
mesh torus that has been twisted using 3D Rotate at various
smoothing levels
You can also close holes by using MESHCAP.
■ Intersecting mesh faces. Be especially careful not to create self-intersections
as you move, rotate, or scale subobjects. (You create self-intersections when
you cause one or more faces to cross, or intersect other faces in the same
mesh model.) View the object from all viewpoints to ensure you create a
viable model.
632 | Chapter 23 Modify 3D Models