I agree with Heckler. There is no need to show an actual knurl on a surface, unless it is for a photorendering or some other type of presentation. Adding such features with actual cuts only helps to slow down your regen time.
If you really, really, really need to make a knurl (diamond shape I assume), then you can project or revolve a datum curve around the cylinder surface, then make a swept cut and then pattern the datum curves and cuts. Do the same thing for the other direction.
One other way to go about it is with a helical sweep. Make sure you sketch the sweep profile on a Make Datum that is offset at an angle, as this will allow you to pattern it radially. You will need two patterns, one from a right handed helical sweep, and the other left handed. It's basicaly the same thing as Steve's suggestion.
I also agree with Heckler though, knurls make for slow regenreating models. Applying a texture with a bump map would probably be the best way to go about it.
Thank you for all your help. I agree. the surface texture is the best. I am using ProE wildfire 2. How can I create a surface texture on cylindrical surface. Please advise.
Thanks,
