{"id":9421,"date":"2024-03-13T13:34:51","date_gmt":"2024-03-13T17:34:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/nx-design\/?p=9421"},"modified":"2026-03-26T04:37:38","modified_gmt":"2026-03-26T08:37:38","slug":"nx-tips-and-tricks-surface-quality","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/nx-design\/nx-tips-and-tricks-surface-quality\/","title":{"rendered":"NX | Tips and Tricks | Surface Quality Tools"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Our latest NX\u2122 software Tips and Tricks video demonstrates the latest improvements to surface quality tools, specifically in Face Analysis objects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Face Shape Group offers a number of analysis tests to ensure your parts and assemblies meet company and industry standards. In this blog, we will dive into the surface quality tools available in NX, and how to use them to elevate your designs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"NX | Tips and Tricks | Surface quality tools | Analysis objects\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/USgo-0SWqzw?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What are surface quality tools<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Surface quality inspections are an important part of producing a durable design. High quality surface finishes enhance surface electrical conductivities, strengthen products against wear while reducing friction, and even play a role in corrosion and chemical resistance. There is also an additional aesthetic appeal to products that have a smooth contour with well-placed angles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>NX has a dedicated group under the Analysis tab called Face Shape that contains different tools and tests to provide a comprehensive overview of your models and designs. In this group, some of the different tests include Highlight Lines, Draft Analysis, and Face Curvature. All of these tests have their own individual benefits and values, offering great opportunity to improve your models and designs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In this latest edition of the NX Tips and Tricks series, we explored a few of these tools. Lets take a deeper look at what&#8217;s in this episode.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Highlight Lines<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Producing highlight lines is a great tool to examine the quality of your product\u2019s design. You have the option to explore reflection lines, projection lines, and isoclines to investigate what your design looks like under varying light conditions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Visualizing these highlight lines will make many types of surface irregularities easily apparent. To perform these analysis tests, begin by selecting the faces you want to investigate, and then choose a light setup to fit product and design needs.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"557\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/03\/Reflection-Lines.png\" alt=\"Reflection lines are an excellent surface quality tool to use when inspecting your models and designs.\" class=\"wp-image-9432\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/03\/Reflection-Lines.png 900w, https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/03\/Reflection-Lines-300x186.png 300w, https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/03\/Reflection-Lines-768x475.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Radius and Slope Analysis<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"450\" height=\"394\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/03\/slope-analysis.png\" alt=\"Slope analysis is a great surface quality tool to use on your designs.\" class=\"wp-image-9438\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/03\/slope-analysis.png 450w, https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/03\/slope-analysis-300x263.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>In addition to the variety of highlight line options, there are several different face analysis tools available within NX. These tools including slope, radius, and distance, will all display a color scale gradient on the face of the model that demonstrates the different respective values which were tested. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When performing these tests, there is a color scale key along the right of the screen to provide a better understanding of the values displayed. As with the highlight lines, the different face analysis tools provide excellent resources to analyze your parts and assemblies for specific design requirements.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Personalize color schemes and gradients<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>One key tool to optimize your face analysis tests is the ability to customize the color scheme and data range for your design evaluations. This is a great way to organize values into ranges that are acceptable, unacceptable, and values somewhere in between. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To do this, you select the \u201cUser Defined\u201d option under the Data Range tab and then choose the number of colors to display. After this, you can now select the value each color range is organized between, and the associated color. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"554\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/03\/Color-Gradient-1024x554.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-9434\" style=\"width:840px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/03\/Color-Gradient-1024x554.png 1024w, https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/03\/Color-Gradient-300x162.png 300w, https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/03\/Color-Gradient-768x416.png 768w, https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/03\/Color-Gradient-900x487.png 900w, https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/03\/Color-Gradient.png 1121w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Customized color gradients are a great tool to highlight particular ranges for your design needs.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>One useful trick when doing this is to organize your model into three color tiers: one for acceptable values, a middle tier for questionable values, and a color scheme for unacceptable values.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-default\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Continue your journey with NX<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Watch the Surface Modeling tips and tricks video here \u25b6\ufe0f<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Watch the Algorithmic Text Modeling tips and tricks video here \u25b6\ufe0f<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"NX | Develop your skills | Surface Modelling\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/nj_RVg36s-M?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"NX | Tips and Tricks | Algorithmic Text Modeling\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/OqE-YY-U89Q?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-16018d1d wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button has-custom-width wp-block-button__width-100\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=OqE-YY-U89Q&amp;list=PL1m1vu8_quoDVJfmPp3FL9700HGM_LK9P&amp;index=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Take a look at the full Tips &amp; Tricks playlist on YouTube\u25b6\ufe0f<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text has-media-on-the-right is-stacked-on-mobile has-background\" style=\"background:linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(0,255,185) 0%,rgb(0,230,230) 100%)\"><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Take me to the NX design blog \ud83d\udcda<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/div><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/nx-design\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"587\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/12\/designblog-1024x587.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8926 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/12\/designblog-1024x587.png 1024w, https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/12\/designblog-300x172.png 300w, https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/12\/designblog-768x441.png 768w, https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/12\/designblog-900x516.png 900w, https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/12\/designblog.png 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button has-custom-width wp-block-button__width-100\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"http:\/\/community.sw.siemens.com\/s\/topic\/0TO4O000000MihTWAS\/nx-design\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Visit the NX design community\ud83d\udcf1<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Our latest NX\u2122 software Tips and Tricks video demonstrates the latest improvements to surface quality tools, specifically in Face Analysis&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":99378,"featured_media":9430,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"spanish_translation":"","french_translation":"","german_translation":"","italian_translation":"","polish_translation":"","japanese_translation":"","chinese_translation":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[166,81,162,1,163,167],"tags":[3,501,499,4],"industry":[110,117,141,146],"product":[],"coauthors":[6694],"class_list":["post-9421","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-tips-tricks","category-featured","category-learning-resources","category-news","category-product-updates","category-video","tag-cad","tag-nx","tag-nx-cad","tag-product-design","industry-aerospace-defense","industry-automotive-transportation","industry-industrial-machinery-heavy-equipment","industry-marine"],"featured_image_url":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/03\/Blog_Header_TipsTricks_Surface_Quality_Tools.png","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/nx-design\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9421","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/nx-design\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/nx-design\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/nx-design\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/99378"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/nx-design\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9421"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/nx-design\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9421\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9444,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/nx-design\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9421\/revisions\/9444"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/nx-design\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9430"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/nx-design\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9421"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/nx-design\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9421"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/nx-design\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9421"},{"taxonomy":"industry","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/nx-design\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/industry?post=9421"},{"taxonomy":"product","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/nx-design\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product?post=9421"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/nx-design\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=9421"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}