Patches > Repair Patches steps through problematic regions of a patch layout for inspection and repair.
Problem Type group - The checkbox specifies whether all instances of a given problem will be visited by the step-through tool. For simplicity, check only one problem type, press the Update button, step through all instances of that problem type, then repeat with a different problem type.
Intersecting paths: n checkbox and indicator - An intersecting path causes two patches to share one location of the object.
Poor Patch angles: n checkbox and indicator (not present when the object has contour patches only) - A poor patch angle is significantly greater or less than 90 degrees.
High degree corners: n checkbox and indicator (not present when the object has contour patches only) - A high-degree corner is similar to a poor patch angle; it is caused by many patches sharing the same vertex.
High deviation patches: n checkbox and indicator (not present when the object has contour patches only) - A high-deviation patch is one that is very different in shape from the others.
Update button - re-examines the object and counts the instances of problems. To add additional patches to the set of “problems”, click them in the Viewing Area. To remove patches from the set of problems, Ctrl-Click them in the Viewing Area.
Repair Method group - Regardless of the Problem Type, pick one of two main Repair Methods:
Repair Patches
button - (not available if the object contains only contour patches) the
focus of repair will be whole patches.
Edit Vertices
button - the focus of repair will be individual points on patch lines.
Action group (when Repair Method is Repair Patches) - specifies a repair method:
Relax Linear radio button - offers the functionality of Patches > Relax Patches > Linear. (This function has the added benefit of the step-through tool, while the other relaxes globally.)
Relax Curvilinear radio button - offers the functionality of Patches > Relax Patches > Curvilinear. (This function has the added benefit of the step-through tool, while the other relaxes globally.)
Delete and Fill radio button - deletes existing paths and generates new ones.
Relax and Project radio button - relaxes a region with multiple curves. This option helps keep multiple curves from influencing one another during relaxation; to repair the cut-off effect in regions of high curvature.
Subdivide Patch radio button - creates a smaller patch inside the selected one, with corners of the interior patch connected to corners of the larger patch, such that one patch becomes five patches.
Expand button (only when Repair Method is Repair Patches) - expands the highlighted region to which the repair Method will apply.
Apply button (only when Repair Method is Repair Patches) - performs the repair repair Method on the highlighted region. Typically, press the Update button again to recalculate the number of problem regions.
Action group (when Repair Method is Edit Patches) - is exactly the same as Patches > Edit Patches.
Step-Through Tool with First, Next, and Last arrow buttons - These buttons cycle through the set of problems that are chosen in the Problem Type group. Use a Repair Method on the first problem, then press the Update button to see if the problem disappeared or press the Next button to go to the next problem. Repeat this process until all problems of a given Problem Type are resolved, then repeat the process for a different Problem Type.
Clip Plane checkbox - guarantees that the region being viewed will not be obscured in the Viewing Area by other elements of the object. This checkbox generates a cut-away view of the region of interest.
OK button - saves modified patches to the object and closes the dialog.
Cancel button - terminates the dialog without saving modified patches.