Patches > Relax Patches is a pair of functions that force the patch mesh to conform to the original polygon surface. Both can be run repeatedly, but excessive relaxation causes patches to misrepresent the original object.
Patches > Relax Patches > Linear
- straightens all patch lines between their endpoints (without
moving endpoints), regardless of the position of adjoining patch lines.
Patches > Relax Patches > Curvilinear - straightens all patch lines between their endpoints, while maintaining smoothness with adjoining patch lines.
Linear relaxation generates an efficient patch layout and may be performed muiltiple times. Curvilinear relaxation prevents Grids > Construct Grids from generating “intersecting grids”, and can be performed just once. Typically, use Linear one or more times, then Curvilenear once.