Hello Art

The Surface Subtract tool might be an option for you.

Tim

Edited by user Monday, February 15, 2016 1:41:47 PM(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

>> how do I eliminate the closed end added by the tool;

Select the unwanted face using the Deep Select tool and click the Delete key. I've updated this in 1186 to avoid the extra delete step.

Tim

Edited by user Monday, February 15, 2016 4:09:20 PM(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

I get this error trying to do the same thing sometimes. If its a straight cut like that looks like it is you can split the surface using an infinite plane. You can also use surface intersect in this case and use the resulting curve to split the surface, delete the unwanted side. if the curve doesn't completely split the surface first try, extend the curve lines.

Since this looks like a straight split though I would split it using the infinite plane.

Another option is to thicken the surface and try the boolean subtract now that they are both solids. Once you have the solid you want, offset the surface you want with a value of "0", keep the surface and delete the solid.

Edited by user Monday, February 15, 2016 7:57:10 PM(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

make work planes as perpendicular as possible to the areas of the tubular surface you are working on and draw ellipses, then use the project curve surface tool to project those ellipses to the tubular surface. Another faster way could be to extrude an elipse and rotate it as perpendicular as possible to the different areas of the tubular surface and use the intersect tool to generate curves and split and delete the leftover or just try to split with the extrusion itself (fastest). I'm sure there are better ways then these. I'm pretty primitive.

Project Curve Surface. Second from the left on that toolbar.

Antoine-

huge thanks; I've finally literally and figuratively got the "dots connected"! leading edge and trailing edge geometry complicates the situation but it's the same functionality.

thanks again!

Art
artesmith@earthlink.net