Blend Surfaces

Use it!

(3D only) Used to construct a blend between two elements (extruded surfaces, surfaces of revolution, cones, or B-spline surfaces) with a specified order of continuity. The resulting B-spline surface consists of the trimmed original elements and a transition connecting them.

The direction of the first and last tangents of the transition is the direction of the tangents of the original elements at their trimmed edges. The relative magnitudes of these tangents can be adjusted to achieve the desired blend.

Tool Setting	Effect
Continuity	Sets the order of continuity — Position, Tangent, or Curvature.
Factor 1	Sets the magnitude of the initial tangent.
Factor 2	Sets the magnitude of the final tangent.

To construct a blend between two surfaces

1. Select the Blend Surfaces tool.


2. Identify the point on the first element where the blend is to start.


3. Identify the edge of the first element to trim.


4. Identify the point on the second element where the blend is to end.


5. Identify the edge of the second element to trim.


6. (Optional) Adjust the settings to achieve a satisfactory blend.


7. Accept the blend.

   Constructing a blend surface with Continuity set to Tangent. Left: Identify the blend start point on first element (1) and the edge to be trimmed back (2), the blend end point on the second element (3), and the edge to be trimmed back (4). Right: The proposed blend (before accepting).

   After adjusting the Factor 1 and Factor 2 settings to suit.

Key-in: BLEND SURFACE