You can select a subset of surfaces in a body to convert to plane, cylinder, revolve, and extrude. This conversion results in a combine node consisting of a Component node of the non-converted surfaces and a new analytic node (Plane, Cylinder, Revolve, Extrude) representing the converted surfaces. When you create an analytic surface node from a subset of surfaces that belong to a top-level node, the original node retains its name and the Solid option setting as relevant, selected or not selected. The sub-node representing the converted surfaces are named after the analytic surface. The remaining non-converted surfaces are placed in a new sub-node named Component.

When you convert all the surfaces of a node to an analytic surface node, the analytic surface node inherits the system-assigned generic name or the explicitly assigned name and the Solid option setting of the original node. Only the conversion to the revolve node consumes an entire component node that results in a closed quilt. The top-level revolve node then inherits the Solid option setting of the original node.

When you convert surfaces, IDD creates a set of procedural surfaces that replaces the original surfaces. When you convert freeform surfaces that approximate cylinders and planes to analytic cylinders and planes, you can use them as references for component assembly and datum creation. When you convert the surfaces that are already analytically planes and cylinders to procedural planes and cylinders, you can adjust their size or placement, or both. When you convert surfaces to extrusions or revolves, you have full access to the section representing the converted surfaces; this allows for almost unlimited customization of their shape.

Conversion works best when the shape of surfaces selected for conversion closely matches the shape to which you are converting the surfaces. There is no restriction that disallows you from attempting to convert a planar surface to a revolution or cylinder, but the results could be erratic. The intent of the tools is to take surfaces that are a close or even exact match to the form of the selected conversion to allow for expanded modification abilities and or better down-stream usability.