Convert surfaces to and from shells (stitch and unstitch)
 
 
 

Surfaces can be altered for use in Boolean operations or for exportation to a CAD package.

Convert surfaces into a shell object

  1. Make sure the surfaces are all facing outward.(See Change the orientation of surfaces for more information.)
  2. Pick the surfaces you want to combine into a shell. The surfaces must together define a closed space with no gaps.
  3. Choose Surface Edit > Stitch > Shell Stitch.

    The prompt line provides feedback on the result of the operation. For example: “Created 2 shells with 0 boundaries (0 non-manifold).

    If some boundaries are left open, small red arrows point to them.

    Note

    Depending on how you set the options, a shell may not match the original surfaces exactly. In this case, unstitching will not produce surfaces that match the originals exactly either.

Convert a shell object into its separate surfaces

  1. Pick the shell object.
  2. Choose Surface Edit > Stitch > Shell Unstitch.

What if...?

I can’t make a shell object because of gaps between the surfaces?
  • You can use the Align tool to make the surface edges match exactly.

See Align curves and surfaces with continuity

  • You can change the tolerance governing how close surface edges must be. In the option box, turn off Use construction options and set the Tolerance value.
I can’t stitch surfaces together again after scaling them?

If you stitch an object, then scale it, then unstitch it, you may not be able to re-stitch the object. This is because the scaling operation can increase the gaps between surfaces beyond the current tolerances.