Part VI: Using Advanced Techniques
FIGURE 27.17Using the Cut With Surface feature on a part
When cutting with a surface, the edges of the surface must be outside of the body that is being cut.
With sketches, it is advisable to have more sketch than you need so that you are not trying to cut
line-on-line. The same applies to cutting with a surface, where it is advisable to have more surface
than you need to make the cut.Replace Face
The Replace Face feature can be used on imported or native geometry. You can use it to add or
remove material from a part. When it adds material, it must be able to extend faces adjacent to
those that are being replaced, which can be a limitation. A face or faces do not need to be replaced
with the same kind or same number of faces, but the entire face that is being replaced must be
removed. If you only want to replace a part of a face, then you can use a Split line to scribe the
face, and then replace the part you want.
Figure 27.18 shows that the multiple faces of the letter U on this part have been replaced with a
surface from an inserted part. Replace Face is a fantastic tool that you can use in a number of situa-
tions, although it is a little particular sometimes and you cannot always predict when it will or will
not work.Fill Surface
The Fill Surface is my favorite tool in the SolidWorks software. It can get you out of modeling
binds easily, and is often used to cover over nasty modeling mistakes or areas you just can’t get
right by any other method. In addition to its duty in the complex shapes department, it can also be
used as a fast way to create a Planar Surface in some situations. If you do much surface modeling,
the Fill feature will become a staple of your diet.