CONVTOSURFACE (Command)

Converts objects to 3D surfaces.

Access Methods

Tool Set: Modeling tab > Surface panel > Convert to Surface.

Menu: Modify > 3D Operations > Convert to Surface.

Summary

As you convert objects to surfaces, you can specify whether the resulting object is smooth or faceted.

When you convert a mesh, the smoothness and number of faces of the resulting surface are controlled by the SMOOTHMESHCONVERT system variable. Whereas the previous example shows a conversion to a smooth, optimized surface, the following example shows a conversion to a faceted surface in which the faces are not merged, or optimized.

With the CONVTOSURFACE command, you can convert the following objects into surfaces:

Objects That Can Be Converted to 3D Surfaces

Objects
2D solids
3D solids
Regions
Open, zero-width polylines with thickness
Lines with thickness
Arcs with thickness
Mesh objects
Planar 3D faces

objects converted to surfaces

You can select the objects to convert before you start the command.

Note: You can create surfaces from 3D solids with curved faces, such as a cylinder, with the EXPLODE command.

The DELOBJ system variable controls whether the geometry used to create 3D objects is automatically deleted when the new object is created or whether you are prompted to delete the objects.

List of Prompts

The following prompts are displayed.

Select objects

Specifies one or more objects to convert to surfaces.

If one or more objects in the selection set are invalid for the command, you will be prompted again to select objects.