topic Re: Can freeform boxes create a surface instead of a solid? in Inventor Forum

Can freeform boxes create a surface instead of a solid?

brandon.rodriguezN68U2 — Thu, 25 Feb 2021 23:27:56 GMT

I (think I) want to create a hollow freeform box as a surface so that I can later split it, thicken each side independently, and create separate parts from each half so they have a matching interface (for plastic parts that will be joined together).

But it seems like you can only create solids from the freeform box tool when I prefer to stick to surfaces until the end.

Re: Can freeform boxes create a surface instead of a solid?

leowarren34 — Fri, 26 Feb 2021 00:25:10 GMT

Hi @brandon.rodriguezN68U2

You can use the convert tool to convert your form to a surface:

As you can see below I just made a test solid and ran the convert tool to produce the surface model (and moved it to show side by side)

Re: Can freeform boxes create a surface instead of a solid?

-niels- — Fri, 26 Feb 2021 08:19:46 GMT

Another option would be to use "copy object" on the freeform solid and select "composite" to create a new surface body:

Re: Can freeform boxes create a surface instead of a solid?

johnsonshiue — Fri, 26 Feb 2021 20:39:33 GMT

Hi! On top of what Leo and Niels offered, there is another approach to keep the associativity. The watertight Freeform is converted to a solid. There is no way around that. One thing you can use is to create a zero-offset surface based on the solid body (Thicken/Offset -> Surface -> auto-chained faces -> distance = 0). If you don't need the solid body, you can use Delete Face -> Lump selection to remove the solid geometry.

Many thanks!

Re: Can freeform boxes create a surface instead of a solid?

brandon.rodriguezN68U2 — Mon, 01 Mar 2021 18:28:33 GMT

Thanks. Speaking of, when you're first generating a freeform shape, is there a way to parametrically constrain its origin to a feature? I thought I was doing that when initially placing the shape by selecting a datum point, but when I moved the point the freeform stayed in its original place.

Re: Can freeform boxes create a surface instead of a solid?

johnsonshiue — Mon, 01 Mar 2021 23:55:10 GMT

Hi Brandon,

No, I don't believe so. The Freeform environment cannot leverage dimensions, constraints or parameters. If you work on Freeform extensively, you may consider using Fusion 360, which has more comprehensive Freeform tools.

Many thanks!