Merging Subdivision Surfaces

You can merge two subdivision surfaces at their open edges. To do so, from the action bar, click the Merge command, or use the Merge context toolbar.

This task shows you how to:

Before you begin:
  • Create a 3D shape with two subdivision surfaces.
  • Create open loops on the subdivision surfaces to merge them.
Note: Subdivision objects can only be merged with subdivision objects already created in the tree.
See Also
Subdivision Command Toolbar

Merging from the Action Bar

  1. From the Subdivision section of the action bar, click Merge .
  2. In the Merge two subdivision surfaces dialog box, select a merging option.

    Option Description Result
    Merge by default

    • Stretches each body and their open loop.
    • Joins the open loops in the middle.



    Merge by joining

    • Does not modify the position of the open loops on each body.
    • Adds new material between the two open loops.



    Merge by extruding the loops

    • Does not modify the position of the open loops on each body.
    • Adds new material between the two open loops.
    • Adds a new loop in the middle of the added material.



  3. Select the edges to merge on the edited subdivision object.
  4. Select the edges to merge on the second subdivision object.

    Tips:
    • If you select fewer edges on one of the subdivision objects, the corresponding open loop is merged partially around the second subdivision object.
    • You can modify your selection or insert more loops to adjust the merge.

  5. Click .
    The second subdivision object is merged into the edited subdivision object.

Merging from the Context Toolbar

  1. Select the edges to merge on the two subdivision objects.

    Tips:
    • If you select fewer edges on one of the subdivision objects, the corresponding open loop is merged partially around the second subdivision object.
    • You can modify your selection or insert more loops to adjust the merge.

  2. From the General section of the context toolbar, click Merge .
  3. From the Merge section of the context toolbar, select one of the following merging options:

    Option Description Result
    Default Merge

    • Stretches each body and their open loop.
    • Joins the open loops in the middle.



    Join Merge

    • Does not modify the position of the open loops on each body.
    • Adds new material between the two open loops.



    Extrude Merge

    • Does not modify the position of the open loops on each body.
    • Adds new material between the two open loops.
    • Adds a new loop in the middle of the added material.



    The subdivision objects are merged.
  4. Optional: Click Open Dialog Box to open the Merge two subdivision surfaces dialog box and edit your selection.
  5. Click .

    To cancel the merge, click or press Esc.