Ruled Surfaces and the Ruled Surface PropertyManager

The Ruled Surface command creates surfaces that extend out in a specified direction from selected edges.

Examples of how you can use ruled surfaces:
  • Add tangent extensions to complex surfaces
  • Create drafted sidewalls
  • Replace non-drafted surfaces on imported models with drafted surfaces (using the Tapered or Sweep type)
  • Create parting and interlock surfaces

Ruled Surface PropertyManager

To create a ruled surface:

  1. Click Ruled Surface on the Mold Tools toolbar, or click Insert > Molds > Ruled Surface.
  2. In the PropertyManager, under Type, select an option:
    Option Description
    Tangent to Surface Ruled surface is tangent to the surfaces that share an edge.

    Normal to Surface Ruled surface is normal to the surfaces that share an edge.

    Tapered to Vector Ruled surface is tapered to the specified vector.

    Perpendicular to Vector Ruled surface is perpendicular to the specified vector.

    Sweep Ruled surface is built by creating a swept surface using selected edges as guide curves.

  3. Under Distance/Direction:
    • Set a value for Distance .
    • With Tapered to Vector, Perpendicular to Vector, or Sweep:
      • Select an edge, a face, or a plane as the Reference Vector.
      • Optional: Click Reverse Direction .
      • With Tapered to Vector only, set an Angle .
      • With Sweep only, you can select Coordinate input, and specify coordinates for the reference vector.
  4. Under Edge Selection:
    • Select the edges or parting line used as the base for the ruled surfaces.
    • Optional: Click Alternate Face.
  5. Under Options:
    • Clear Trim and knit to manually trim and knit the surfaces.
    • Clear Connecting surface to remove any connecting surfaces. Connecting surfaces are usually created between sharp corners.
  6. Click .