I created a basic surface that is controlled with 2D splines. I am not sure why the change in curvature is so dramatic. All edges splines are tangent. It is causing issues with a fillet around the upper edge after the surface is thickened.
I created a basic surface that is controlled with 2D splines. I am not sure why the change in curvature is so dramatic. All edges splines are tangent. It is causing issues with a fillet around the upper edge after the surface is thickened.
What feature did you use to create the spout section? It looks like you have used either a boundary surface or a filled surface with the "optimize surface" box selected, or perhaps even a loft. Try using a filled surface with the "optimize surface" de-selected.
Can you show your feature tree or attach your SW file? In general, you don't want to use the edge of a curved Surface Thicken for a final product. It's not a very reliable or robust type modeling practice. It's better to make the solid body first and cut the edges to shape.
Hey Ian,
I uploaded the SW file and the feature tree. I am having other issues with the surface thicken tool on another part. I would think this would be simple enough. Especially because the problem I am having is within the surface and not the edge.
Ok, there are a few issues here and they're compounding a bit.
First off, like I said, I'd do trims and cuts after your thicken. The wonky surface that you're seeing here is a result of the thicken feature trying to create a normal surface to a complex 3D curve:
If you create the basic shape first:
And then trim and fillet, you'll have a much more robust part:
Ok, so that should help with some of the thicken stuff. I'll do a separate response for that particular surface you're having issues with.
When creating loft like you have, the loft is trying wrap a square grid onto a complex surface. This is fine for relatively square surfaces, but it doesn't take much to throw the square blanket off. As it tries to pull the shape toward the corners or tangent edges, it "pinches" to fit it. You can especially see it in creases at the edges (a little bit on the top and right edge here). I've shown the squares here by turning on the "mesh preview". This is a surface fill feature, but it's doing the same thing as a boundary surface or loft.
Alternatively, if you take off the "optimize surface" feature, what Solidworks does is just lay a blanket in whatever way fits best, and then trims it at your selected border. It doesn't try to pinch the squares in to fit.
Notice I'm also using an extruded "helper surface" rather than doing "normal to" a sketch as you did. This is common practice when getting into more advanced surfacing.
I forgot to note, the "optimize surface" feature is only available to remove on Surface Fill. Loft and Boundary Surfaces don't function in a way to be able to do this.
Excellent! Thank you for explaining.
When creating loft like you have, the loft is trying wrap a square grid onto a complex surface. This is fine for relatively square surfaces, but it doesn't take much to throw the square blanket off. As it tries to pull the shape toward the corners or tangent edges, it "pinches" to fit it. You can especially see it in creases at the edges (a little bit on the top and right edge here). I've shown the squares here by turning on the "mesh preview". This is a surface fill feature, but it's doing the same thing as a boundary surface or loft.
Alternatively, if you take off the "optimize surface" feature, what Solidworks does is just lay a blanket in whatever way fits best, and then trims it at your selected border. It doesn't try to pinch the squares in to fit.
Notice I'm also using an extruded "helper surface" rather than doing "normal to" a sketch as you did. This is common practice when getting into more advanced surfacing.