Surf and Code: Surface Modeling

In this tutorial you learn:

How to model a Baby Bottle using the new BlueSurf command of Solid Edge

How to use the BlueSurf command

Thicken surfaces to make solids
It is assumed that you are familiar with the basics of Solid Edge Part modeling.


Visualize It - Front View Its important to first understand the shape of the Baby Bottle before modeling it. For this silhouette or driving curves prove useful. Identify the driving curves of the Baby Bottle — those curves that actually drive the finished shape of the surfaces. All you need to do on in the first few steps is read and understand. The front view of the Baby Bottle is as shown in figure.
Drawing the profile - Front view Start with creating a sketch in the the x-z plane. Using the Curve tool, create the outline of the right part of the bottle. See figure.
Visualize It - Side View The side view of the Baby Bottle is as shown in figure.
Side Curve Draw an ellipse in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the earlier curves and passing through their end points. Trim the lower part of the ellipse. See figure. Connect the end-points of the ellipse well to the end points of both the curves. This takes care of the shape of the bottle near the neck.
Side Curve – Grip Draw an ellipse in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the earlier curves and passing through their mid points. Trim the lower part of the ellipse. See figure. Connect the end-points of the ellipse well to the mid points of both the curves. This takes care of the shape of the bottle where the baby holds the bottle with its both hands..
The BlueSurf - First Curve Click the BlueSurf tool on the surfacing toolbar. Select the trimmed ellipse at the end and click accept on the ribbon bar.
The BlueSurf - Second Curve Select the trimmed ellipse in the middle and click accept on the ribbon bar. Both - correct and incorrect - ways of picking the second curve are shown in figure. Pick in the correct way.
BlueSurf Appears Click accept and then Preview. A BlueSurf will be created as shown in figure.
Add a Guide Curve Still in the BlueSurf command, Click the Add Guide Curves button on the ribbon bar. Select the curve as shown and click accept
BlueSurf changes Form - Curve 1 The BlueSurf changes its form as shown in figure.
Another Guide Curve – Type Select Single from the Select pull-down list on the ribbon bar.
Add Another Guide Curve Select the other curve as shown in figure. Click the accept Preview and Finish buttons in that order.
BlueSurf Created A BlueSurf, as shown in figure, is finally created . This surface spans the two trimmed ellipse and is guided by the two curves. This is only 1/8 ^th of the total bottle.
Mirror to ¼ So mirror it as shown in figure. This is only 1/4 ^th of the total bottle.
Mirror to ½ So mirror it again as shown in figure.
Mirror to Full Mirror it again to get the complete surface.
Stitch the Surfaces Click the Stitch Surface tool on the surfacing toolbar. Select all the eight Bluesurfs as shown in figure. Click accept and Finish on the ribbon bar. The Bluesurfs are stitched together to form a single surface.
Surface to Solid Click the Thicken tool on the Features toolbar. The Thicken tool is in the same flyout as the Thin Wall and Thin Region tools. Select the stitched surface to thicken. Use a suitable value to thicken in any direction. Use the Part Painter to apply a color of your choice.
Create the Opening Create a simple protrusion of suitable diameter to create the mouth of the bottle. Round off sharp edges at the top and neck not just for for aesthetic looks but also since this is a Baby Bottle.
Create Base Rest – Cut Similarly, create the base rest for the bottle. First cut rip the bottom rounded portion of the bottle. This will reveal the thickness you applied in the thicken step.
Create Base Rest – Close Next, create a simple protrusion and round off sharp edges again.
Baby Bottle Ready This being a Baby Bottle, take care that there are absolutely no sharp edges on any part of the bottle. You can ensure this by making the beginning profiles tangential whenever they are mirrored or wherever two disjointed profiles meet each other at any stage in the process.
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