Extracting Geometry

Tool

Tool set

Extract

3D Modeling

The Extract tool can be used to extract geometry from the edge or surface of a NURBS surface or solid object, leaving the original unmodified. The extracted geometry can then be used for snapping or for other surface operations.

Mode

Description

Extract Point

Extracts 3D loci from the edges of a NURBS surface or solid object. 3D loci are placed at the start, end, and mid-points of the selected edges. For circular edges, a 3D locus is created at the circle center as well.

Extract Curve

Extracts a NURBS curve from the edge of a solid object

Extract Iso-parametric Curves

Extracts an iso-parametric curve from the surface of a solid object

Extract Surface

Extracts a NURBS surface from the face of a solid

Preferences

Provides options for extracting tangent entities, faces, or all entities; the specific items extracted depends on which mode is selected. These options have no effect in Extract Iso-parametric Curves mode.

To extract geometry from the edge or surface of a NURBS surface or solid object:

In the desired view, click the tool and mode.

If Extract Iso-parametric Curves mode is selected, skip to step 4. For all other modes, click Preferences.

The Extract Preferences dialog box opens; specify the desired parameters.

Click to show/hide the parameters.

Select the edge or surface from which geometry will be extracted. To select multiple edges or surfaces, hold the Shift key while selecting. To select the back faces of solids, press the Alt key (Windows) or Option key (Mac).

See Selecting the Edges and Faces of a Solid for information on selecting surfaces.

Press Enter or click the check mark button on the Tool bar to extract the 3D loci, curves, or surfaces.

To edit extracted groups, select Modify > Ungroup.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Parameter	Description
Select Tangent Entities	In Extract Point or Extract Curve mode, extracts loci or curves from tangentially connected edges of the selected object; in Extract Surface mode, extracts surfaces from tangentially connected faces of the selected object
Select Faces	In Extract Point or Extract Curve mode, extracts loci or curves from all edges of the selected faces
Select All Entities	In Extract Point or Extract Curve mode, extracts loci or curves from all edges of the selected object; in Extract Surface mode, extracts surfaces from all faces of the selected object
Create Planar Objects	In Extract Surface mode, creates planar objects from faces by extracting the geometry of a planar face. For example, create a polyline extracted from the face of a wall. The polyline could then have a hatch applied to simulate the appearance of brick in 3D views. Another way to create planar objects from faces is with the Inner Boundary mode of the 2D Polygon tool.