About the Surface User Interface
The Surface tab consists of commands, tabs, and shortcut menus. Click 
Style > 
Surface to open the Surface tab.
Style > Surface to open the Surface tab.Commands
• References
◦ 
Primary chains collector—Displays the primary curves that define a surface.
Primary chains collector—Displays the primary curves that define a surface.◦ 
collector—Displays secondary chains depending on the type of surface:
collector—Displays secondary chains depending on the type of surface:▪ Internal chains—Displays internal curves for boundary surfaces.
Internal chains—Displays internal curves for boundary surfaces.▪ Cross chains—Displays cross curves for sweep surfaces.
Cross chains—Displays cross curves for sweep surfaces.• Options
◦ 
Auto-update—Updates the surface automatically as you modify it.
Auto-update—Updates the surface automatically as you modify it.◦ 
Reparameterization—Activates or deactivates reparameterization mode.
Reparameterization—Activates or deactivates reparameterization mode.◦ 
Show Reparameterization Curves—Displays reparameterization curves.
Show Reparameterization Curves—Displays reparameterization curves.◦ 
Show Draft Connections—Displays surface connection icons for a draft.
Show Draft Connections—Displays surface connection icons for a draft.◦ 
Show as Transparent—Displays a translucent or opaque preview of the modified surface.
Show as Transparent—Displays a translucent or opaque preview of the modified surface.Tabs
• References
◦ Primary chain references collector—Displays the primary curves that define a surface. Displays the trajectory curves in a sweep surface.
▪ 
—Moves chains up in the list.
—Moves chains up in the list.▪ 
—Moves chains down in the list.
—Moves chains down in the list.▪ Details—Opens the Chain dialog box.
◦ Internal chain references collector—Displays the internal curves for boundary surfaces.
▪ —Moves chains up in the list.
—Moves chains up in the list.▪ —Moves chains down in the list.
—Moves chains down in the list.▪ Details—Opens the Chain dialog box.
◦ Cross chain references collector—Displays the cross-sectional sweep profiles for sweep surfaces.
▪ —Moves chains up in the list.
—Moves chains up in the list.▪ —Moves chains down in the list.
—Moves chains down in the list.▪ Details—Opens the Chain dialog box.
• Constraints
Displays the connections that can be fully defined in the current surface definition. Connections that are driven by neighboring leader surfaces are not displayed. The items on this tab cannot be edited in Reparameterization mode.
◦ Connection table
▪ Connection—Lists the connections of a surface by number.
▪ Condition—Selects the connection type for each connection.
◦ Connection reference—Collects the surface or plane reference for the selected connection.
▪ 
—Reverses the connection:
—Reverses the connection:▪ G0, G1, G2, and G3 connections—Switches between the follower surface and the leader surface, so the leader will be the follower, and the follower will be the leader.
▪ Normal connections—Reverses the normal direction.
• Parameterization
The items on this tab are available only when you enter Reparameterization mode.
◦ Reparameterization Curves List—Displays the reparameterization curves you have created.
◦ Reparameterization Soft Point—Places the reparameterization curve soft points. The options are context sensitive according to the Type of constraint you select.
▪ Type—Sets a soft point type.
▪ Length Ratio—Places a soft point at a ratio of the distance between the curve end points.
▪ Length—Places a soft point on the curve at a specified distance from the curve end point.
▪ Offset from Plane—Places a soft point at a specified distance offset from a selected plane.
▪ Lock to Datum Point—Places a soft point on a datum point.
▪ Value—Sets the soft point placement value based on the soft point type.
▪ Reference—Displays a soft point placement reference.
• Options
◦ Sweep
▪ Radial check box—Rotates cross sections radially along the guide curves.
▪ Uniform check box—Scales cross sections uniformly along the guide curves to preserve proportions.
◦ Display
▪ Show trimmed neighbors check box—Displays neighbors as trimmed surfaces.
◦ Trimmed Rectangle
▪ Use for 3 and 4 boundaries check box—Makes a 3-sided or a 4-sided boundary surface into a trimmed rectangle surface.
◦ Loft Surface
▪ Make periodic check box—Makes a loft surface a closed periodic surface. Not available when Reparameterization is selected.
Reparameterization is selected.Shortcut Menus
Right-click the graphics window when the Surface tab is open to access shortcut menu commands:
• Primary Collector—Activates the Primary collector.
• Internal Collector—Activates the Internal collector for boundary surfaces.
• Cross Collector—Activates the Cross collector for sweep surfaces.
• Deactivate Collector—Deactivates the currently active collector.
• Clear—Clears the active collector.
• Reparameterization—Activates the Reparameterization mode.
• Periodic Surface—Makes a loft surface a closed periodic surface.
• 
Curve—Opens the Curve tab.
Curve—Opens the Curve tab.• 
Surface—Opens the Surface tab.
Surface—Opens the Surface tab.• 
Edit Definition—Opens the appropriate Curve Edit or Surface Edit tab.
Edit Definition—Opens the appropriate Curve Edit or Surface Edit tab.• 
Standard Orientation—Sets the views to their standard position.
Standard Orientation—Sets the views to their standard position.• 
Active Plane Orientation—Displays the model with the active datum plane parallel to the screen.
Active Plane Orientation—Displays the model with the active datum plane parallel to the screen.• 
Set Active Plane—Sets the current datum plane as the active plane for geometry creation.
Set Active Plane—Sets the current datum plane as the active plane for geometry creation.• 
Show All Views—Displays all four views for the model.
Show All Views—Displays all four views for the model.• Show Only—Hides the display of all the Style entities except the selected entities.
• 
Show All—Displays all the previously hidden features or Style entities.
Show All—Displays all the previously hidden features or Style entities.When Reparameterization mode is active, right-click a surface to access shortcut menu commands:
• Add U reparam curve—Adds a reparameterization curve in the u-direction at the selected point.
• Add V reparam curve—Adds a reparameterization curve in the v-direction at the selected point.