Chapter 11: Editing and Evaluation
Check
Check is a tool that checks geometry for invalid faces and other similar geometry errors. It is also
often used to find open edges of surface bodies, short edges, and the minimum radius on a face or
entity. I usually apply the Check tool before selecting the Verification on rebuild option. The
Check tool points to specific face or edge geometry (not features or sketches) that is the cause of
the problem. When the Check tool finds general faults, the locations it points to may or may not
have something obvious to do with a possible fix.
Much of the time, the best tool for tracking down geometry errors is the combination of experience
and intuition. It is not very scientific, but you come to recognize where potential problems are
likely to arise, such those that occur when you attempt to intersect complex faces at complex
edges. Figure 11.8 shows the Check Entity dialog box.FIGURE 11.8The Check Entity dialog box
Evaluating reflective techniques
Evaluating complex shapes can be difficult. A subjective evaluation requires an eye for the type of
work you are doing. An objective evaluation requires some sort of measurable criteria for deter-
mining a pass or fail, or a way for you to assign a score somewhere in the middle.One way to subjectively evaluate complex surfaces, and in particular the transitions between sur-
faces around common edges, is to use reflective techniques. If you look at an automobile’s fender,
you can tell whether it has been dented or if a dent has been badly repaired by seeing how the light