It is possible in MINOS to create surfaces or solids. A surface can be compared to a very thin sheet of paper. Surfaces are often opened.

MINOS uses a system called "Constructive Solid Geometry" (CSG) to represent solids or surfaces. In this system, objects are represented by their history.

But each time a solid is created, the "Boundary Representation" (B.Rep) is computed. When all the faces of a solid are closed, it is called "Solid" because it can be considered filled by material. When the faces are not closed they are considered as "Surface".

In a lot of functions, it is possible to define if the result is a "Solid" or a "Surface". Then they are represented by facets or patches.

Create and modify surfaces. There are two types of surfaces in MINOS. Bézier's patches, and polyhedron.

A cylinder (also called Extrusion) is generated by moving a basis line along a vector. The result is closed if the basis is closed.

Basis: Select a line to define the basis. The line must be planar. It can be also a perforated facet. If the line is closed, then the result is closed.

Result: Select SOLID if you need a polyedron as result. Select SURFACE, if you need a result with surface of Bézier's patches.

Vector: Create a vector by two point to define the vector of the cylinder.

A revolve is generated by a meridian line turning around an axis. If the beginning and the end of the line are on the axis, the result is closed.

If the meridian line is close, the result is closed. Note that the meridian must not cross the axis.

Meridian: Select a line to define the meridian. The line must be planar.

Axis: Create a line by two points to define an axis. If the meridian is opened, the axis is computed automatically to have a closed solid.

Angle: Input the angle of the revolve in degrees. A full revolve must have a 360 degrees angle.

Result: Select SOLID if you need a polyedron as result. Select SURFACE, if you need a result with surface of Bézier's patches.

A circular cylinder is defined by an axis of revolution, a radius and an height.

Axis: Create a line by two points to define an axis.

Radius: Input the value of the radius.

Height: Input the value of the height. Note that the length of the axis is taken by default.

Result: Select SOLID if you need a polyedron as result. Select SURFACE, if you need a result with surface of Bézier's patches.

A cone is defined by an axis of revolution, a top radius a bottom radius and an height.

Axis: Create a line by two points to define an axis.

Bot. Rad.: Input the value of the bottom radius.

Top. Rad.: Input the value of the top radius.

Height: Input the value of the height. Note that the length of the axis is taken by default.

Result: Select SOLID if you need a polyedron as result. Select SURFACE, if you need a result with surface of Bézier's patches.

A ruled surface is a surface created between lines. Between two lines, the generators are streight lines.

Lines: Select at least two lines.

Result: Select SOLID if you need a polyedron as result. Select SURFACE, if you need a result with surface of Bézier's patches.

In order to obtain a correct result, lines must have the same number of different parts. Circles are divided in 4 parts of at least 90 degrees each. A line string has as many parts as number of components.

Be careful not to twist lines. Lines must be in the same direction.

A pipe is generated by moving a basis line along a neutral line. The result is closed if the basis is closed.

Basis: Select a line to define the basis. The line must be planar. It can be also a perforated facet. If the basis is closed, then the result is closed.

Neutral: Select a line to define the neutral line.

Result: Select SOLID if you need a polyedron as result. Select SURFACE, if you need a result with surface of Bézier's patches.

An evolutive volume is generated by moving a basis line along a neutral line. The result is closed if the neutral line is closed.

Basis: Select a line to define the basis.

Neutral: Select a line to define the neutral line. The line must be planar. If the neutral line is closed, then the result is closed

Result: Select SOLID if you need a polyedron as result. Select SURFACE, if you need a result with surface of Bézier's patches.

A box is a solid created with 6 shapes parallels to the axes. A box can be defined with a diagonal line or an enclosed object.

DIAGONAL

Diagonal: Create a polyline with two points defining the diagonal of the box.

INCLUDE

Element: Select an element that will be enclosed in the box.

A fuse object is created by the topological union of some solids.

Fuse: Select at least two solids to fuse.

A cut object is created by the topological substraction of some solids.

Solid: Select a solid to cut.

Tools: Select solids cutting the first one.

A common object is created by the topological intersection of two solids.

1rst Solid: Select the first solid.

2nd Solid: Select the second solid.