Stitching edges to create faces

You can create new faces by automatically stitching any gaps between free edges. Stitching gaps allows you to replace small faces, fillets, or chamfers that you previously deleted. The operation to stitch gaps is stored as a feature of the part; therefore, you can use the Model Tree to delete the stitch and revert to the original part. For more information, see What is stitching?.

Related Topics
Valid parts, precise parts, and tolerance
Methods for editing faces

Context:

You can stitch gaps in either manifold parts (parts in which every edge is shared by only one or two faces) or non-manifold parts.

  1. From the main menu bar, select ToolsGeometry Edit.

    Abaqus/CAE displays the Geometry Edit dialog box.

    Tip: You can also stitch edges using the tool, located with the edit tools in the Part module toolbox. For a diagram of the edit tools in the toolbox, see Editing techniques.

  2. From the dialog box, select the Edge category and the Stitch method.

  3. From the warning dialog box that appears, click OK.

  4. If desired, specify a stitch tolerance from the prompt area for the stitching operation. Abaqus/CAE will stitch only gaps smaller than the tolerance value that you specify.

  5. Do one of the following:

    • If you want to select the edges for the stitching operation individually, toggle on Pick edges, click mouse button 2, then specify the edges you want to select. All the edges you select must be free edges because when Abaqus/CAE attempts only manifold stitching when Pick edges is selected. The stitching operation fails if you select any edges that are shared by more than one face.

      Tip: You can select edges individually, specify an existing set that includes edges, or select edges using the angle method. For more information about selecting geometry in the viewport, see Selecting objects within the current viewport.

    • If you want to stitch edges throughout the entire model, toggle off Pick edges and click mouse button 2. When Pick edges is toggled off, Abaqus/CAE can attempts both manifold and non-manifold stitching on the whole model. If any of the edges of the model are shared by more than one face, the resultant model will be non-manifold.

    Abaqus/CAE attempts to stitch the part according to your specifications. If the repair is successful, Abaqus/CAE prompts you to update the validity of the part.

  6. If you have editing the part, you should check its validity by clicking mouse button 3 on the part in the Model Tree and selecting Update validity from the menu that appears.