How do you get better surface continuity?

[ghertyish]

Hi, I'm trying to model the HP x4000 mouse (http://img.misco.eu/Resources/images/Modules/InformationBlocks/1210/HWP/HWP-Q/Q554983-HP-Wireless-Mouse-X4000-w-Laser-Sensor-Ruby-Red.jpg) using surfaces but on some of the surfaces I don't get the option for curvature or tangency between surfaces resulting in uneven surfaces particularly at the back http://i.imgur.com/usc9V0m.png. I'm also having trouble trying to round the front http://i.imgur.com/n7ZBx2u.png. It seems to be because of the thin surface I created near it though i'm unsure on how to fix this. The file is attached if anybody wants a closer look. Thanks.

[TomD.inPDX]

The only tip I can give you on the merged corner is the Transition Mode in the round feature.

Without the advanced surface extension, you are limited to how well you can do true continuous surface development. The core feature set is quite limiting for true industrial design and development.

[ghertyish]

I've tried doing it another way to see if I get better results: http://imgur.com/jPv8nkF, including the curves to begin with rather than rounding them later though i'm unsure on what the next steps to make the surfaces would be. The problem with the curves is that it produces a lot of 3 sided surfaces. Any ideas?

[ghertyish]

Seems like i'm getting closer: http://imgur.com/N30PSMT, but i'm not sure on how to close the gap. As shown here http://img.misco.eu/Resources/images/Modules/InformationBlocks/1210/HWP/HWP-Q/Q554983-HP-Wireless-Mouse-X4000-w-Laser-Sensor-Ruby-Red.jpg it needs to transition between the groove and the rounded back but I can't seem to get it working.

[TomD.inPDX]

Your file is an education version. I cannot open those.

Typically, a surface pair like that is a stylized surface that is intersected with the second stylized surface.

You wouldn't create it from patches.

These surfaces are often created with extensive sweeps and blends that are derived from a minimum of 3 2D views (side/top/front). You can make 2D curve and intersect them to make 3D curves. These curves along with guide curves can make for some interesting sweeping surfaces. Personally, I would not like to reverse engineer these objects since the master intent is long lost in existing design.

[ghertyish]

Thanks for the reply, though i'm not sure I understand how you would intersect the surfaces to create the shape. Do you mean creating it by trimming with another surface?

[TomD.inPDX]

Yes, you can make the lower surface a large sweeping surface and "merge" it with the upper surface where they intersect.

[TomD.inPDX]