This Doesn't Make Sense (Surface Merge Problem)

[sundevil98]

I've been trying to make some minor changes to a model now for the last 5 hours.

I've been trying all different methods, and I haven't had any luck.

After some close investigation, I've found something that really bothers me (I feel as though I've wasted the last 5 hours of my day).

When I make the changes I need to make, a surface merge fails on me with the error "Feature Aborted: Geometry Overlapping". Of course, I can't determine where there is any geometry overlapping (nothing is highlighted).

I went back to a previous version of the model (one that regenerated fine - but doesn't have the changes I need) and tried something. I used the insert mode just before the feature that failed. When I try to create a new merge of the same two exact surfaces together (using the same primary and additional quilts and using the same exact sides of each surface), I get the same "overlapping geometry" error. However, if I resume the feature that failed, it regenerates just fine.

Why in the H E double hockey sticks is this happening? It doesn't make any sense that the feature that's already in the model regenerates just fine, but if I try to create the same exact feature just before the feature that regenerates, I get a failure.

I've tried changing the accuracy of the model and the model blows up on anything other than the default value.

Any help is appreciated here.

 

[sundevil98]

OK,

Well, after playing around with things a little bit, I've solved my problem, but it still doesn't make ANY sense to me at all.

Here's what I did. In the model where my changes were made, I redefined the surface merge, only this time, I used the opposite sides of the quilts that I wanted to merge. The model was able to regenerate, but it wasn't the result that I wanted... I then went in and redefined the feature, only, I switched back to the quilt sides that I really wanted. Voila - everything works the way I want.

This is totally ridiculous... but, my model is the way that I want it to be... Go figure.

 

[TheTick]

Try making an intersection curve and trim your surfaces with it prior to merging. Sometimes this solves temperamental surface merge problems.

If the ladies don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy.

 

[mjcole]

I think that Pro/E has a problem with surface merges on regeneration and for some reason will flip the sides on the merge. I struggled with this problem when I modeled a video cassete which I created the complex diagonal cut pattern with a quilt from a patterned surface and merge feature. When I made modifications the surface merge would change and it was extremely annoying.

Good Luck with your Part

Michael

 

[JBFJR]

Oh the fund and enjoyment of this program.
Do not try to understand young sundevil98.
Just use the mouse!

TheTick is on to something, I try to this do ALL the time. Beacuse Pro/E is so bad at making assumptions and often changes its mind (allot like my wife), I try to leave nothing to chance. I generally always use a curve to define the cut. Then make the cut and at last merge. It is adding features to the model but in the future revisions of the part you will find that what took place is easier to understand, definition of the edges are a lot more clear and failures are easier to find.

Oh wait until you get into surface tangency and continuous curvature of a surface. You will long to ONLY waste 5 hours. I blew most of this week trying to get a smooth surface transitional blend on a part. All while trying to learn the fine aspects of surfacing in wildfire. They heard a few shucks and darns coming from my cube.

JOSE FIGUEROA JR.

 

[TheTick]

Don't get intimidated by the number of features when surface modeling in Pro/E. Don't try to do too much in one step in the interest of reducing the number of features. Baby steps. Keep it simple. etc. Small, discreet steps help when making changes or troubleshooting.

Also, make liberal use of layout sketches. Use layout sketches as the basis for your sketches for protrusions, cuts, etc. This makes for models that can better withstand unforeseen changes that laugh in the face of your "design intent".