Advantages for using surface instead of solid?
Advantages for using surface instead of solid?
(OP)
I don't use AutoCAD on a regular basis, and the few times that I use it I don't do 3D work. I used to do some of it on AutoCAD 2000 back at school but that's about it. Now my question is this.
What is the advantages of working with surfaces instead of solid to create a 3D model. Is it a time saver? or "weight" saver?
I'm asking this because I don't understand why someone would work that way, and I'm curious to see if I'm missing something.
On two different projects I received AutoCAD drawing from two different customers that were built using surface and I haven't been able to do anything with it. I can't use the command to create the 2D views and I can't export it to another software. So what's the use of it? I don't understand.
I hope there are some AutoCAD gurus that will be able to give me some insight on this.
Thanks in advance
Patrick
What is the advantages of working with surfaces instead of solid to create a 3D model. Is it a time saver? or "weight" saver?
I'm asking this because I don't understand why someone would work that way, and I'm curious to see if I'm missing something.
On two different projects I received AutoCAD drawing from two different customers that were built using surface and I haven't been able to do anything with it. I can't use the command to create the 2D views and I can't export it to another software. So what's the use of it? I don't understand.
I hope there are some AutoCAD gurus that will be able to give me some insight on this.
Thanks in advance
Patrick





RE: Advantages for using surface instead of solid?
I suggest taking a class in 3D modeling.
Look up surface in ACAD help.
I do not use surfacing in ACAD, only in SolidWorks.
Chris
Systems Analyst, I.S.
SolidWorks 06 4.1/PDMWorks 06
AutoCAD 06
ctopher's home (updated 10-27-06)
RE: Advantages for using surface instead of solid?
Unless it's because the drawings were converted to AutoCAD from SolidWorks or anything like that I would understand, but that doesn't seem to be the case.
Why would someone design a walkway with AutoCAD using surface? I don't get it! Is it because it's faster to draw a 3D object that way? and then what can you do with it?
Thanks
RE: Advantages for using surface instead of solid?
Chris
Systems Analyst, I.S.
SolidWorks 06 4.1/PDMWorks 06
AutoCAD 06
ctopher's home (updated 10-27-06)
RE: Advantages for using surface instead of solid?
In my experience, the only defensible reason for actually generating 3D surfaces in AutoCAD is so that you can import them into Rhinoceros for manipulations like trimming and blank development. That's not really defensible either; it's usually faster to just generate the surfaces in Rhino.
Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA
RE: Advantages for using surface instead of solid?