Hi gunter, sorry I did not see your reply before writing my last post above.

If you've already got the shape you want with your current uncapped version, it's probably easiest to try the "loft between 2 halves" method to build the capping surface.

If you can post your 3DM model file I'll show you how to go about doing that, but the basic steps are to use Edit > Trim to cut the top edge into 2 pieces then do Construct > Loft between those pieces.

The cap surface will be a somewhat more complex surface than one extruded from a 2D curve but it will probably be ok.

In other cases when it's possible it tends to be better to use the 2D cutting curve method I showed above since it results in better quality surface structure which is why I was trying to explain that method.

- Michael

Thanks Michael. Here's the file. I tried creating a point 'below' the to surface and lofting and it worked but now, obviously, the concave
surface comes to a point rather than a smooth surface.

Michael,

I've got a kind of solution by drawing a circle below the top surface and lofting.

Hi gunter, ok now I understand better what you're looking for. All my stuff above was talking about making a straight cap...

So yeah putting in a circle and lofting is a good idea. To make it fully smooth, also put a point object in the center of the circle (draw curve > more > point), and then select all 3 of the top curve, circle and ending in the point to do the loft. Then set loft style = "loose" in the loft options. Check the attached 3DM file for an example.

Making a loft that ends in a point object is one of the new features in v3, there are some examples here:
http://moi3d.com/3.0/docs/moi_command_reference7.htm#loft

- Michael

As another variation, you could also try the new 3D Rail revolve option in MoI v3.
Sample attached.


Martin.

I forgot to mention in the previous post that there is also a hidden surface that was created with the Blend tool that joins a tiny disc surface at the top and the extruded surface below.

Now a query for Michael... Would it be possible to have a 'blend to point' facility for cases like the above surface so it's not necessary to include a small disc surface as a target for a blend?
I think it'd be handy for keeping surfaces tangent in these capping situations.

I'm really enjoying the latest release, thanks Michael.


Martin.

Hi Martin,

> Now a query for Michael... Would it be possible to have a 'blend to point' facility for
> cases like the above surface so it's not necessary to include a small disc surface
> as a target for a blend?

Maybe that could be possible in the future but it may be a bit awkward to work into the Blend command flow since currently it's oriented around picking edges. Another problem is that just a single point itself does not really define enough information it would probably need to be both a point and a normal direction.

- Michael

You can also use negative values for "blend"...



This is a -1.5 blend

But you have to be careful with it... It depends on what you plan on doing with the model (Visualization, etc) It's easy to create intersecting surfaces with this method, when the originating surfaces and the "Scoop" or blend are moving towards each other as opposed to away....

If you look at the extremities of this model, you can see then start to "skim" at the very outer edges...

This may or may not be good for certain circumstances....

Michael, Burrman, Martin - just want to thank you all for such amazing support.
Gunter