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Basic Concepts of Surfacing Wireframe Models | 615
Basic Concepts of Surfacing Wireframe
Models
A completely surfaced model is a single electronic master suitable for engi-
neering and manufacturing activities, such as:
■ Generating accurate sections for engineering and packaging studies.
■ Providing input for finite element modeling and analysis.
■ Producing shaded renderings for marketing.
■ Providing input for rapid prototyping equipment.
■ Supplying rotated surfaces for tool, mold, and die design.
■ Supplying surfaces for numerical control machining of models and tools.
In this tutorial, building on your knowledge of surface types, you examine
the wireframe to be surfaced and determine which surface will produce the
best results.
Discerning Design Intent
Because wireframe models have complex shapes, they are usually made up of
many surfaces joined together. For a model like the pump housing, you will
use many different individual surfaces to completely define it. When you sur-
face a wireframe model, you complete its design.
Before you begin, analyze the design and then plan how you can achieve
your design goals. This process of planning before you begin modeling can
help you avoid errors. For example, you usually follow these steps for wire-
frame modeling:
■ Study the data to understand the design intent.
■ Identify the location and extent of each surface area.
■ Identify the base surface area(s) that can be trimmed later to adjacent sur-
faces and wires.
■ Determine where you can use trimmed planar (flat) surfaces.
■ Decide on the best surface types and approach for combining them.
■ Create additional geometry as needed to resolve problem areas.
■ Verify your surfacing results.
■ Add the finishing touches to a watertight model.