stitch tool question
 

When I am stitching surfaces, the behavior doesn't seem to equal what is described in the online manual pages. For instance, I have two surface edges near each other. Using the stitch edges tool, I click on the outer edges of both and confirm with return. The gap between the two edges is bridged, and what appears to be one surface is created. However, they are still two surfaces. I can click on each one and the two are listed in the outliner. I guess I was under the impression that stitch would "weld" these two surfaces into one. What am I missing?

Thanks.

No, it won't weld them. It just tries to keep the edges together with tangency or any other settings you've chosen...

So is grouping the only way to hold multiple surface together?

Hmm.. take a look at Mike's arm stiching tutorial here: http://www.mtmckinley.net

That'll give you the idea. The same tut is available in video format right here in the VIP area...

Thanks for your replies KB. Let me try rewording my question. Simply put, to move or manipulate two adjacent surfaces, is grouping the only method of keeping them together as though they were one surface?

You can attach them, but it's usually not possible to do so and maintain tangency in a patch modeling situation.

If you're just trying to attach two surfaces, that's not a problem.

My site has a couple tutorials going over this kind of thing. For just attaching two surfaces, check out "Attaching NURBS Surfaces Cleanly."

The main things you need to look for in attaching two nurbs surfaces together is

-matching connecting surface direction (U or V)
-matching number of spans

Normals can also play a part.

It's also important that nurbs surfaces be rebuilt. Not necessarily to change their spans, but just to get rid of 'surface background noise.'

Once you have both surfaces attached like you want, be sure to delete history, as when you try to move it, it will have the history of the seperate pieces and will move accordingly.

Hope some of that helps.

That's what I needed! Thanks again Mike!