Mesh Geometry - Not solid - Need quick area calculation

[mmiles]

Hi all,

I am using RAC2010- in very early stages of sketching a project. I need some area calcs and thought I could scan the sketched plan, insert and trace with area boundary lines, but it doesn't appear I can sketch a boundary since nothing has been "modeled" yet.

My 2nd thought was to make an in-place mass since that would report an area and volume. so, I traced my sketch using reference lines (since it seem they offer a lot of potential flexibility, and do not get absorbed by a solid). When I select the chain of refence lines and make a solid it makes, not a solid, but what it calls a "mesh geometry". The solid is essentially a series of extruded lines.

I then traced the ref lines with model lines, thinking that creating the solid would act differently, but it did the same thing. Plus, I thought I would be given a choice as to what type of solid I wanted - a face, or an extruded solid - but I do not. See attached...any thoughts? I need quick areas only at this point....but I would like more insight into why the mass is doing these things.

thanks.

[jeffh]

If I was to take a guess I would say the loop of lines is not closed somehow. Impossible to tell without the file but that is my guess. If the loop is closed it SHOULD make an extruded mass.

[tomnewsom]

Filled Regions report their area when you bring up their properties. That's what I use to get a quick area calc.

[mmiles]

Jeff - that's right. There was a segment missing, and two segments were not trimmed at the corner intersections.

but, I also like the filled region idea. I did not realize that it reported area. That seems faster. Although, the mass has several other benefits which may come in handy later.

thanks!