The Surface Feature tool palette contains surfaces that are created by referencing other surfaces in addition to other optional parameters. Example surface features include:

Offset

Loft

Draft

Fillet

TangentCover

Offset Surface

Offset surfaces maintain a constant distance normal to the parent surface. An offset surface is created by first selecting the parent surface and specifying the offset surface. The direction of the offset is in the direction of the surface normal. You can specify negative offsets. Typically you cannot offset a surface a distance greater than the smallest radius of curvature.

Using the Offset Surface tool

Type in an offset value in the Data Entry Window.

Pick the surface to offset from.

Type a negative into the Data Entry Fields if the offset is desired on the opposite side.

Loft Surface

The Loft Surface creates a tangent continuous surface between one or two surfaces. The Loft Surface also accepts a bulge factor which influences the strength of the slope coming off of the referenced surfaces.

Using the Loft Surface tool

Hold the Shift key and pick the starting surface edge to reference.

Hold the Shift key and pick intermediate curves

Pick the ending surface edge for reference.

Type in bulge values to adjust tangent magnitude.

Once created, the blend surface can be modified with the Inspector. The start bulge factor controls the magnitude of the slope from the starting edge, whereas the end controls the slope influence at the end curve. The reverse curve options are provided to fix twisting of the blend surface resulting from different edge directions.

Loft Surface Guides (SharkCAD Pro Only)

The Loft Surface with Guides option allows you to specify guide curves. The guide curves can help control the shape of the surface away from the tangent.

Draft Surface

The Draft Surface tool creates a surface at an angle relative to a referenced surface. For example, zero degrees will create a surface tangent to the referenced surface.

Using the Draft Surface tool

Use the Data Entry Fields to specify the draft angle and surface length.

Pick the starting surface edge.

The draft surface also has an option that controls how the surface slope is calculated with respect to the referenced surface. In the example below, the first draft is aligned with the edge and the second is aligned with the surface.

Fillet Surface

The Fillet Surface tool will create a smooth radial surface between two surfaces. Use the option to trim the surfaces back to the fillet. The default fillet style is Tangent Continuous, there’s also a Curvature Continuous option for curvature continuous blends between two surfaces.(Only Available in SharkCAD Pro) .

Using the Fillet Surface tool

Use the Data Entry Fields to specify the fillet radius.

Pick the first surface.

Pick the second surface.

Using the Fillet Surface tool (Trim Option)

Use the Data Entry Fields to specify the fillet radius.

Press the option key.

Pick the first surface.

Pick the second surface.

The Fillet tool automatically determines the quadrant for the fillet, based on where the user selects.

Using the Fillet Surface tool (Curvature Continuous)

Choose Curvature Continuous from the drop-•down on the Data Entry Window.

Specify a radius in the Data Entry Window.

Select two surfaces to blend.

Tangent Cover Surface

The Tangent Cover Surface creates tangent boundary surfaces. The resulting surface is tangent to selected surfaces. This tool will accept any combination of four curves and surfaces. The tool also recognizes selected surface edges without exploding first to edges. The resulting surface maintains its associativity to the parent curves and surfaces.

Using the Tangent Cover Surface tool

Pick surface edges or curves that define a closed loop.

Use the Data Entry Field to influence the effect of the tangent vector.

Tangent Cover Guide Surface (SharkCAD Pro Only)

The Tangent Cover Guide Surface tool is just like the Tangent Cover Surface tool, but with a Guides option that allows you to specify guide curves. The guide curves can help control the shape of the surface away from the tangent