Split, extrude, merge,
collapse, or spin mesh faces to modify their shapes.
Split a Mesh Face
You
can split a mesh face to make custom subdivisions. Use this method
to prevent deforming a larger area for small modifications.
Because you specify the
start point and end point of the split, this method also gives you
control over the shape of the two new faces. Use the Vertex option
to snap automatically to the vertices of the face. If you plan to
split a face to create—and then spin the edge of—two
triangular faces (MESHSPIN), use the Vertex option to ensure precision.
Show Me: Split a Mesh Face
Extrude Mesh Faces
You can add definition
to a 3D object by extruding a mesh face. Extruding other types of
objects creates a separate 3D solid object. However extruding a
mesh face extends, or deforms, the existing object and subdivides
the extruded face.
You can use the same
methods for extrusion of the faces of 3D solids and meshes as you
use for other types of objects. For example, you can specify an extrusion
direction, a path, or a taper angle. However, when you extrude mesh
faces, the MESHEXTRUDE command provides
an option that sets whether adjacent faces are extruded individually
or whether their shared edges remained joined.
You cannot create joined
extrusions for mesh faces in which only the vertices are shared.
For more information
about extrusion, see Create a Solid or Surface by Extruding.
Reconfigure Adjacent Mesh
Faces
You can extend your editing
options by reconfiguring adjacent faces. Several options are available:
To split a mesh face
- Click the mesh face that you want to
split.
- To snap to a vertex of the face, enter v (Vertex).
- Click the location where you want to
start the split.
- Click a second location to end the split.
The mesh face is split
along the boundary you specified. Surrounding faces are adjusted.
To extrude mesh faces
- To review or change the extrusion method,
press s (Setting) and set one of the
following options:
- To keep adjacent faces joined as you
extend them, enter y (Yes).
- To extend adjacent faces separately,
enter n (No).
- Click one or more mesh faces and press
Enter.
- Specify the amount of extrusion using
one of the following methods:
- (Single face extrusion only) Press Enter
to set the extrusion dynamically.
- Enter a value to indicate the height
or depth of the extrusion and press Enter.
The selected face is
extruded.
To merge mesh faces
- On a mesh object, select two or more
mesh faces and press Enter.
The selected faces are
combined to form a single face.
To collapse mesh faces
- Select a mesh face or edge.
NoteIf you cannot select
a face or edge, verify whether subobject selection filtering is
turned on for a different subobject type. (Right-click the drawing area
and click Subobject Selection Filter.)
The vertices of the face
or edge that you selected are collapsed to a single point.
To spin the shared edge
of triangular mesh faces
- Select two triangular mesh faces that
are adjacent to one another.
The edge shared by the
original triangles rotates, or spins, to connect two different vertices.
CommandsMESHCOLLAPSE
Merges the vertices
of selected mesh faces or edges.
MESHEXTRUDE
Extends a mesh face
into 3D space.
MESHMERGE
Merges adjacent faces
into a single face.
MESHSMOOTHLESS
Decreases the level
of smoothness for mesh objects by one level.
MESHSMOOTHMORE
Increases the level
of smoothness for mesh objects by one level.
MESHSPIN
Spins the adjoining
edge of two triangular mesh faces.
MESHSPLIT
Splits a mesh face into
two faces.
