Surfaces vs. Solids

[mikenaturalice]

I have done a search here and haven't had too many matches so I apologize in advance if this has been covered already. I would like to get opinions (and hopefully some facts from CNC software) about programming from a solid vs programming surfaces. I would like to hear things like processing times, tool gouges(!), time to set up a toolpath (picking a solid body or picking surfaces or faces), etc.

thanks all!

[Mgrenier]

Just for toolpathing, you won't see any difference from my experience. For de drawing side, solids is the way to go.

 

HTH,

[Tyler Robertson]

It probably depends on the type of work you're doing. If I'm doing 5-axis work I prefer surfaces every time as selecting and manipulating them in non-parametric ways is preferable (ie: you might just want to extend or offset a surface) .. whereas for drilling I vastly prefer solids because you can get hole data