Go to: Synopsis. Return value. Related. Flags. Python examples.

Synopsis

boundary( string string string [string] , [caching=boolean], [constructionHistory=boolean], [endPoint=boolean], [endPointTolerance=linear], [name=string], [nodeState=int], [object=boolean], [order=boolean], [polygon=int], [range=boolean])

Note: Strings representing object names and arguments must be separated by commas. This is not depicted in the synopsis.

boundary is undoable, queryable, and editable.

This command produces a boundary surface given 3 or 4 curves. This resulting boundary surface passes through two of the given curves in one direction, while in the other direction the shape is defined by the remaining curve(s). If the "endPoint" option is on, then the curve endpoints must touch before a surface will be created. This is the usual situation where a boundary surface is useful.

Note that there is no tangent continuity option with this command. Unless all the curve end points are touching, the resulting surface will not pass through all curves. Instead, use the birail command.

Return value

string[]Object name and node name

In query mode, return type is based on queried flag.

Related

doubleProfileBirailSurface, loft, squareSurface

Flags

caching, constructionHistory, endPoint, endPointTolerance, name, nodeState, object, order, polygon, range
Long name (short name) Argument types Properties
endPoint(ep) boolean createqueryedit
True means the curve ends must touch before a surface will be created.
Default: false
endPointTolerance(ept) linear createqueryedit
Tolerance for end points, only used if endPoint attribute is true.
Default: 0.1
order(order) boolean createqueryedit
True if the curve order is important.
Default: true
Common flags
constructionHistory(ch) boolean create
Turn the construction history on or off.
name(n) string create
Sets the name of the newly-created node. If it contains namespace path, the new node will be created under the specified namespace; if the namespace does not exist, it will be created.
object(o) boolean create
Create the result, or just the dependency node.
polygon(po) int create
The value of this argument controls the type of the object created by this operation
  • 0: nurbs surface
  • 1: polygon (use nurbsToPolygonsPref to set the parameters for the conversion)
  • 2: subdivision surface (use nurbsToSubdivPref to set the parameters for the conversion)
  • 3: Bezier surface
  • 4: subdivision surface solid (use nurbsToSubdivPref to set the parameters for the conversion)
range(rn) boolean create
Force a curve range on complete input curve.
Advanced flags
caching(cch) boolean createqueryedit
Modifies the node caching mode. See the node documentation for more information.
Note: For advanced users only.
nodeState(nds) int createqueryedit
Modifies the node state. See the node documentation for more information.
Note: For advanced users only.
Flag can appear in Create mode of command Flag can appear in Edit mode of command
Flag can appear in Query mode of command Flag can have multiple arguments, passed either as a tuple or a list.

Python examples

import maya.cmds as cmds

# Creating boundary surfaces with three curves:

crv1 = cmds.curve(d= 3, p= ((8, 0, 3), (5, 0, 3), (2, 0, 2), (0, 0, 0)) )
crv2 = cmds.curve(d= 3, p= ((8, 0, -4), (5, 0, -3), (2, 0, -2), (0, 0, 0)) )
crv3 = cmds.curve(d= 3, p= ((10, 0, 3), (9, 3, 2), (11, 3, 1), (9, 0, -3)) )

# These curves form a rough triangle shape pointing at the origin.
# If order is OFF, then the apex of the surface will always between
# the 1st and 2nd curves.

cmds.boundary( crv3, crv1, crv2, order=False, ep=0 )
cmds.boundary( crv3, crv2, crv1, order=False, ep=0 )

# If order is ON, then think of the order of selection as "rail, rail, profile"
# where the boundary is formed by sweeping the profile along two rails.
# Direction of the curves becomes important as well; use the reverseCurve
# command if you want to change a curve's direction.
cmds.boundary( crv1, crv2, crv3, order=True )


# Creating boundary surfaces with four curves:

crv1 = cmds.curve(d= 3, p=((-2, 0, 5), (-1, 0, 3), (1, 0, 3), (3, 0, 4), (6, 0, 5)) )
crv2 = cmds.curve(d= 3, p=(( 7, 0, 4), (8, 0, 2), (8, 0, -3), (7, 0, -4)) )
crv3 = cmds.curve(d= 3, p=(( 6, 0, -5), (2, 0, -3), (1, 0, -5), (-3, 0, -5)) )
crv4 = cmds.curve(d= 3, p=((-2, 0, 4), (-4, 0, 1), (-4, 0, -3), (-2, 0, -4)) )

# These curves form a rough square shape around the origin.
# To make a boundary surface from four curves, two of the curves are
# "rails" while the other two are "profiles".

cmds.boundary( crv1, crv2, crv3, crv4, order=False, ep=0 )
cmds.boundary( crv2, crv3, crv4, crv1, order=False, ep=0 )

# profile, rail, profile, rail
# Notice that in both cases, the resulting boundary surface passes through
# the rail curves.

# When order is ON, direction of the curves becomes important;
# use the reverseCurve command if you want to change a curve's direction.
# Notice the difference between:

cmds.boundary( crv1, crv2, crv3, crv4, order=False, ep=0 )
cmds.boundary( crv1, crv2, crv3, crv4, order=True, ep=0 )