BLend Edge

Modify | Solid Feature | Blend Edge

The Blend Edge tool is used to create a transitional radial surface by defining a radius and setback value.

Material is either added to, or subtracted from the volume of the solid depending of the radius and setback values.

Options :

Constant Blend

Variable Blend

Select the Blend Edge function from the toolbar or select Modify | Solid Feature | Blend Edge.

TAB to the radius field and input 5.

Position the cursor over the top edge of the cylinder, using the Ambiguity pop-up to select the correct part. The correct part is always highlighted in red, shown below.

Selecting the top edge to blend

Select the top face, shown below.

Top edge blended using a radius of 5

Parts

At present, two separate components form part of the model. By selecting close to the two intersecting parts, the popup shows two distinct parts. As can be seen in the illustration below, the cylinder is highlighted. By moving the cursor to the bottom part of the model, the extruded base will be selected.

To combine two separate components into one unified part, the boolean functions are used.

Cylinder part selected

Boolean Functions

Boolean is the name given to the method of combining or separating objects which intersect or are adjacent.

The first object selected is referred to as the Primary Object ; the second object selected is referred to as the Secondary Object or the Subtracting Unit.

To combine the volumes of the two parts which comprise the model in this task, the Boolean Add tool will be used.

Add Solid

Modify | Solid Booleans | Add Solid

This 3D boolean function combines the volume of 2 intersecting or adjoining 3D solids or surfaces.

Select the Add Solid tool from the toolbar or use Modify | Solid Booleans | Add Solid.

Select the two parts in any order. The resulting combined part is shown below.

Combined volumes of two parts