Convert to Polygon ??
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The context menu when an arc or circle is chosen shows "Convert to Polygon". It seems to have an effect just like "Explode Curve". Is there something else it does or am I missing something?
A Google search comes up with "The Convert to Polygon menu item is used to convert the entity into a polygon arc, which will remain editable yet generate standard facets when extruded."
I just don't want to miss out on some really cool functionality which I may be missing.
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If it stays a polygon instead of being exploded, you can adjust the number of segments using Entity Info dialog (if you haven't extruded it.)
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Jim being faster, I can only expand it:
A circle's segments, when extruding a cylinder from it, will create a smooth surface. If you explode the circle or create a (24 sided) polygon, the faces will be clearly separated. It's not the same as exploding though since you can still select the entire polygon entity (not just segment by segment).
So a polygon entity is almost like a bunch of connected segments, except that it is one entity (and therefore editable in the entity info dialogue to add more segments or can be selected with just a click, you can add centerpoint etc.).
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A circle and a polygon are pretty much indistinguishable in 2D. Same number of sides and all connected into a single 'curve' object - if you explode either type the sides split into individual edges...
However, a circle and a polygon differ if you extrude them into 3D forms - using pushpull or followme etc.
A circle is a smooth curve and extrudes faces in 3D that are also smoothed - i.e. the edges between the facets are not normally visible.
A polygon is not smoothed and so it extrudes faces in 3D that are separated by visible edges. However, you can hide or smooth these later if desired...
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