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Synopsis

smoothTangentSurface [-caching boolean] [-constructionHistory boolean] [-direction int] [-name string] [-nodeState int] [-object boolean] [-parameter float] [-replaceOriginal boolean] [-smoothness int] surface

smoothTangentSurface is undoable, queryable, and editable.

The smoothTangentSurface command smooths the surface along an isoparm at each parameter value. The name of the surface is returned and if history is on, the name of the resulting dependency node is also returned. This command only applies to parameter values with a multiple knot value. (If the given parameter value has no multiple knot associated with it, then the dependency node is created but the surface doesn't change.)

When would you use this? If you have a surface consisting of a number of Bezier patches or any isoparms with more than a single knot multiplicity, you could get into a situation where a tangent break occurs. So, it only makes sense to do this operation on the knot isoparms, and not anywhere in between, because the surface is already smooth everywhere in between.

If you have a cubic or higher degree surface, asking for the maximal smoothness will give you tangent, curvature, etc. up to the degree-1 continuity. Asking for tangent will just give you tangent continuity.

It should be mentioned that this is "C", not "G" continuity we're talking about, so technically, you can still see visual tangent breaks if the surface is degenerate.

Note: A single smoothTangentSurface command cannot smooth in both directions at once; you must use two separate commands to do this.

Return value

string[]Object name and node name

In query mode, return type is based on queried flag.

Flags

caching, constructionHistory, direction, name, nodeState, object, parameter, replaceOriginal, smoothness
Long name (short name) Argument types Properties
-parameter(-p) float createqueryeditmultiuse
Parameter value(s) where knots are added
Default: 0.0
-direction(-d) int createqueryedit
Direction in which to smooth knot: 0 - V direction, 1 - U direction
Default: 1
-smoothness(-s) int createqueryedit
Smoothness to get: 0 - Tangent, 1 - Maximum (based on the degree)
Default: 1
Advanced flags
-caching(-cch) boolean createqueryedit
Modifies the node caching mode. See the node documentation for more information.
Note: For advanced users only.
-nodeState(-nds) int createqueryedit
Modifies the node state. See the node documentation for more information.
Note: For advanced users only.
Common flags
-name(-n) string create
Sets the name of the newly-created node. If it contains namespace path, the new node will be created under the specified namespace; if the namespace does not exist, it will be created.
-constructionHistory(-ch) boolean create
Turn the construction history on or off
-object(-o) boolean create
Create the result, or just the dependency node
-replaceOriginal(-rpo) boolean create
Create "in place" (i.e., replace)

Flag can appear in Create mode of command Flag can appear in Edit mode of command
Flag can appear in Query mode of command Flag can be used more than once in a command.

MEL examples

smoothTangentSurface -ch on -p 0.3 -d 0 surface1;
smoothTangentSurface -ch on surface1.v[0.3];
// Smoothes surface1 along parameter value v = 0.3. When the
// isoparm is specified, the direction and parameter value is
// implied and the "-p" and "-d" flags can be omitted.

smoothTangentSurface -ch on -p 0.3 -p 0.5 -p 0.8 -d 0 surface1;
// Smoothes along parameter values v = 0.3, 0.5 and 0.8.