Too many surfaces!!!

[ecnata]

Hi everybody,

I've been working for some time with surfaces by joining, filleting and healing them. I've recently noticed that when a command is applied to a surface, it is sent in no-show and the new surface takes the name of the last operation. After over 40 fillets (it's a big surface), the file's getting heavy. Is there any way to delete the surfaces in no-show that are of no use for me?

Thanks

 

[ferdo]

Hi,

In GSD there is a command called "delete useless elements". You can go to tools, customize, commands, all commands, drag and drop the "delete useless elements" in a toolbar.

Regards
Fernando

 

[catiajim]

Delete Useless Elements will not do anything to the parent surfaces that ecnata is talking about. These surfaces are directly linked to the surface you are still working on and cannot be deleted without Isolating your working surface.

If you isolate the surface, be forwarned that you will not be able to go back and modify any portion of your surface (i.e. change fillet radii, move features, etc.) While this may make your part seem heavy, this is the main power of V5. By maintaining all of that history of how you created your surfaces, CATIA is capturing your knowledge and your desgn intent. You can then go back easily and modify these features easily, you can change your design intent, and you can even re-use your knowledge on different parts.

 

[ecnata]

Thanks to both of you for your hints.

I still have one question left though: what is the best way to isolate a surface. I've used "Create Datum" and then did a healing on my surface. It gave me an independant surface. Is there a way isolate an existing geometry without creating a new one.

Thanks again

 

[KooKoo]

You can Copy the existing surface and do a Paste Special/As Result. Hope that helps.

 

[V5nige]

Select the 'Create Datum' function (usually at bottom of V5 screen).

This function enables you to create your geometry e.g. Split, and the resulting geometry is not reliant upon the geometry from which it was created. The original data wcan then be deleted without deleting your Split surface.

The function remains active until you 'switch' it off again