Zip Edges

Use the Zip Edges operation to fix minor issues on a surface—such as the closing of small gaps, or stitching multiple parts together.

The Zip Edges operation works with CAD surfaces and discrete surfaces, can heal surfaces (such as tears and small gaps), and can zip edges together—all while being part of a repeatable pipeline. The Zip Edges operation is similar to the Sew feature in 3D-CAD, and the Zip Selected Edges tool in the Surface Repair Tool. The Sew feature requires CAD data, is typically used to stich small gaps between multiple surfaces, and does not form part of the pipeline. The Zip Selected Edges tool only works with discrete surfaces (the CAD data is lost after entering Surface Repair), is typically used to repair minor gaps or tears in the surface, and does not form part of the pipeline.

The zip edges operation works well together with the replace part operation when you have multiple designs that you want to switch between in the pipeline. Using these two operations together, you can, for example, switch between different designs of a car body, stitch them together, and mesh the updated body in a repeatable pipeline. See Replacing a Part in a Parts-Based Mesh.

Zip Edges Options

Set the options to control the outcome of the zip edges operation.


Input Parts	Specifies the parts on which to zip edges. To heal a surface defect, such as a tear, only include the relevant part in the operation. To stitch multiple part surfaces together, include all the parts in the operation.
Zip Mode	Specifies the type of zip operation to execute. New Part - Discrete zips the edges of the selected input parts to produce a single output part. New Description - Discrete zips the edges of the selected input parts to produce a description with new contacts (where appropriate). New Part - CAD zips the edges of CAD parts to produce a single output CAD part. If an input part has no CAD data, the operation skips over that part. If no parts have CAD data, then an empty part is created. In each case, a message is displayed in the Output window.

Zip Edges Controls

Use the controls to Set the options to control the outcome of the zip edges operation.


Zip Free Edges (Discrete Mode)	When activated, all free edges are added to the collection of edges that are zipped as part of the operation.
Zip Part Curves (Discrete Mode)	Specifies curves that are added to the collection of edges that are zipped as part of the operation. The resulting zipped curve is placed in the Geometry > Parts > Zip Edges > Curves node.
Auto Tolerance (Discrete Mode)	Activate this option to let the operation choose an appropriate tolerance. The tolerance is calculated based on the size of the input parts. Deactivate this option to manually specify a tolerance for this operation. In some instances, the auto tolerance can include edges that you did not intend to zip. In this situation, deactivate the auto tolerance option and manually specify a suitable tolerance.
Tolerance (Discrete Mode)	Specifies the tolerance for the operation, when working with discrete parts. This field is only relevant when you deactivate the Auto Tolerance option.
Remesh After Zip (Discrete Mode)	When activated, remeshes the portion of the surface mesh around the zipped edges. Activate this option if the input part surfaces have been remeshed and you want to preserve the high-quality surface mesh. With this option activated, you can save time by only remeshing where needed instead of having to remesh the entire surface mesh further down the pipeline.
Tessellation Options (CAD Mode)	Specifies the tessellation density of the output part.
CAD Tolerance (CAD Mode)	Specifies the tolerance for the operation, when working with CAD parts.