What is a common recommended practice when it comes to edge blends?

Creating edge blends at the end of the model history is a common recommended practice because it allows for a clearer and more manageable modeling process. When edge blends are applied as the final step, they can be adjusted without affecting the preceding geometry significantly. This is particularly advantageous because it enables designers to focus on the primary form of the component first and then refine the edges for aesthetics, functionality, or manufacturing processes later.

By positioning blends at the end, any changes made to the underlying geometry can be easily propagated without the need to repeatedly adjust the blends. Additionally, this approach minimizes computational complexity during the modeling process, making it more efficient and reducing the likelihood of errors or conflicts in the design.

In contrast, creating edge blends too early in the design process can complicate subsequent modifications, as any change to the base geometry may necessitate reworking the blends, which can be time-consuming. Other methods, such as creating blends in sketches, typically do not provide the same level of flexibility and can limit the designer’s options for adjustments in the 3D model space. Positioning features to blend tangent lines is important for achieving smooth transitions in some cases, but this consideration is often addressed after the overall shape is established in the model history.