Surface Extraction PropertyManager

Use this PropertyManager to extract sub-meshes from the model as surfaces. You later can convert the surfaces into solids using the SOLIDWORKS surface tools such as Trim, Knit, and Thicken. To manually extract surfaces, select a sub-mesh, then select a surface type under Face Settings.

Model before surface extraction	Model after extracting two cylindrical and two b-spline surfaces

When you extract surfaces, you might see salient sub-meshes (arrows), which are transitions between primary mesh regions. Transition regions usually show a large variation in geometry, such as curvature. You usually do not convert salient sub-meshes as surfaces during guided surface creation, but instead you create these surfaces later in SOLIDWORKS.

Surface Extraction

Global Extraction

Extract All Faces	Extracts all sub-meshes, whenever possible as analytical surfaces. The number of sub-meshes to extract appears next to Regions unspecified. When extraction is complete, click to complete the model, or select surfaces to change their settings and shapes.
Extract Remaining Faces	After you extract at least one surface, the button name changes so you can extract all remaining sub-meshes.

Face Settings

Example of extracting a sub-mesh as a cylinder Video: Creating a Sub-Mesh as a Cylinder. The pointer displays an icon for the type of extracted surface as you hover over it.

	Plane	Extracts sub-mesh as a planar surface. Set a value for Offset to reposition the plane relative to the mesh.
	Cylinder	Extracts sub-mesh as a cylindrical surface. Set a value for Radius.
	Cone	Extracts sub-mesh as a conical surface. Set values for Angle, Top Radius, and Bottom Radius to refine the cone's shape.
	Sphere	Extracts sub-mesh as a spherical surface. Set a value for Radius. For Center, set X, Y, and Z values to position the sphere's center relative to the origin.
	Torus	Specify a single mesh region to form a surface, similar to a face created by a fillet. Set values for Profile Radius and Path Radius.
	Extrude	Extracts sub-mesh as an extrude. Specify a single wall of adjacent mesh faces that form a surface, similar to an extrude.
	Revolve	Extracts sub-mesh as a revolve. Specify a single wall of adjacent mesh faces that form a surface, similar to a revolve. Set a value for Radius. For Extrude and Revolve: All mesh faces must be part of one mesh to be extracted together as an extrude or revolve. Use the Surface Wizard's paint tools in the Face Identification PropertyManager to identify the mesh faces with the same color.
	Ruled	Specify a single mesh region to form a surface, similar to a two-profile loft with no guide curves. Set values for Offset distance 1 and Offset distance 2 to extend the ruled surface.
	BSpline	Extracts sub-mesh as a b-spline surface. A mesh lets you visualize the surface. Set a value for Tolerance to refine the b-spline surface shape by adjusting the deviation between the surface and the mesh. The greater the deviation, the smoother the surface. The Maximum and Average Deviation are reported. Select Display deviation analysis to display the mesh to surface deviation. Modify the number of UV curves and re-position them to improve the surface. For an example, see Extracting a B-Spline Surface.
	Delete Surface	Deletes the selected extracted surface. This does not affect the sub-mesh used to extract the surface.

Hidden Surface

As you work on extracting surfaces, you can right-click the extracted surfaces and select Hide. Note that indicates a mesh feature, which you cannot hide.

Lists extracted surfaces that are hidden.