How to split a surface?

[SrGilberto]

How do you split a surface (we use Wildfire 2). The need is to apply a different color to one section of a surface and not the remaining part. How can a surface be split using WF 2.0?

Thanks for the help.
SrG.

 

[PeterStock]

If the surface is part of the solid, it will be the same color, pro/e does not have a way to split it up. If the surface is just that a surface, then do a cut keeping both sides of the surface. If the surface is part of the solid, then offset the surface away from the part by .001 or so, then cut away was needs to be the same as the solid surface and change the color of the resulting surface.

Peter Stockhausen
Senior Design Analyst (Checker)
Infotech Aerospace Services

http://www.infotechpr.net

 

[SrGilberto]

Thanks. That's how I described it to my co-worker. He is a new employee. He is a solidworks user and he said in SW he could do something called "split surface" command. It is quite a process to do in Pro-e.

Thanks,
SrG.

 

[loughnane]

Chalk up another reason for "all surfaces all the time".

Chris Loughnane - Product Design

http://www.pdnotebook.com

http://www.twitter.com/DesignNotebook

 

[PeterStock]

Chris's response gives me and idea, if you can switch your construction to surfaces, then split them and specify the color. Then merge and solidify. I will try a simple part to see if that works.

Peter Stockhausen
Senior Design Analyst (Checker)
Infotech Aerospace Services

http://www.infotechpr.net

 

[PeterStock]

Ok, I tried it and when the surfaces are merged back together, they become the same color.

Peter Stockhausen
Senior Design Analyst (Checker)
Infotech Aerospace Services

http://www.infotechpr.net

 

[loughnane]

If it's just for aesthetic purposes,you could always copy the surface, trim it where you would put the "split" surface, and then offset that surface by .0001".

It's definitely a hack and has no practical utility, but if you are just trying to snap a screenshot to communicate to the client, it will work.

Chris Loughnane - Product Design

http://www.pdnotebook.com

http://www.twitter.com/DesignNotebook

 

[SrGilberto]

Chris,
That works very well. Though perhaps not as quick and easy as it can be done in Solidworks. We use WF 2.0. Wouldn't you think that in a later release that function would be available without a "work-around"?
Thanks, SrG.

 

[loughnane]

I suppose they might release a function like that, although I can't imagine why you would want to split a surface and then not do anything with it.

I can see splitting a surface to get a shutoff for molding, or something similar.

I suppose it really only comes into play with solids, which I avoid.

Chris Loughnane - Product Design

http://www.pdnotebook.com

http://www.twitter.com/DesignNotebook