Issue with creating a surface in AutoCAD

[Anonymous]

Hi ,  I have a 3D wireframe of a geodesic structure which I am trying to convert to a surface so I can generate the intersection profile of a second shape.  I just keep getting a message that xxx items cannot be converted, no matter what I try.  The really annoying thing is that I know I have done this before, a while back ,but can't remember how!  I am a 3D novice so any help in walking through this would be really appreciated!

@Anonymous

john.vellek has edited your subject line for clarity: Issue with creating a surface

[john.vellek]

HI @Anonymous,

I see that you are visiting as a new member to the AutoCAD forum. Welcome to the Autodesk Community!

 Have you tried giving the surface some thickness?  I would like to see your file if you can share it.

If your data needs to be private or confidential, please email it directly to me at [email protected] and please include a link to this thread in your email.

Please select the Accept as Solution button if my post solves your issue or answers your question.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for your response.  The problem is that I cannot create the surface to give it any thickness.  I have attached the file here - I hope.

thanks

[dieters]

@Anonymous

To clarify your question, did you create a wireframe structure in 3D using only lines or polylines?

Dieter

[Anonymous]

The wireframe is an export from Cadre Geo7 which is a geodesic generation program so it just exports each member as a 3D line, not polylines.

Jeff

[Patchy]

My old autocad can get to 3d face but can't go UNION to make a whole dish.

[john.vellek]

HI @Anonymous,

I was able to isolate all the 3DfACES and use CONVTOSURFACE. I was then able to use Union to connect them all into a single surface. I was also able to convert to a mesh.  Perhaps this will get you further along.

Please select the Accept as Solution button if my post solves your issue or answers your question.

[dieters]

@Anonymous, @Patchy, @john.vellek

From there, take a look at these Help topics:

AutoCAD 2019 Help: To Create a Solid by Offsetting a Surface
https://help.autodesk.com/view/ACD/2019/ENU/index.html?guid=GUID-72C2824A-4895-4CDD-87BF-7ED26199F9D...

AutoCAD 2019 Help: About Converting Surfaces and Meshes to 3D Solids
https://help.autodesk.com/view/ACD/2019/ENU/index.html?guid=GUID-FABC5079-9078-468A-8AAD-E61FEAD7381...

Dieter

[Anonymous]

Yes,  I have the same problem,  I cannot join the individual planes together into one surface.  I thought I could use SURFBLEND but I cannot select any of the triangles so it does not recognize them as surfaces.

Jeff

[Patchy]

Have you tried SURFSCULPT

https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/autocad/learn-explore/caas/CloudHelp/cloudhelp/2015/ENU/AutoC...

[Anonymous]

Hi John, sorry,  my last post crossed with yours , but,  wow,  that's great.  Would you be able to give me the steps you took to get here as I tried using CONVTOSURFACE.

Thanks

jeff

[john.vellek · Accepted solution]

Hi @Jeff.hebel,

I made a quick video for you that shows my steps.  I first try to isolate the 3Dfaces from the line work.  I do this by using Qselect.

I then use the CONVtoSURFACE command which changes each face into a surface. Then, I use UNION to combine them into a single surface.

Please select the Accept as Solution button if my post solves your issue or answers your question.

[Anonymous · Accepted solution]

Thanks so much John,  think I am good to go,  but I am sure I will be back as this advances!

Jeff