# Compound of face/surface issue **URL:** \ **Category:** General Questions\ **Created:** [June 21, 2026, 4:57pm UTC](https://prepomax.discourse.group/t/compound-of-face-surface-issue/3541 "2026-06-21T16:57:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Crysthius](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/919ad9/32.png) [@Crysthius](https://prepomax.discourse.group/u/Crysthius)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2026, 4:57pm UTC](https://prepomax.discourse.group/t/compound-of-face-surface-issue/3541/1 "2026-06-21T16:57:13Z")
Hi Team, I would like to find out if I am making an mistake or if it is just not possible what I am trying to do: I created a step file suing FreeCAD v1.1.1. The components were created using the Part workbench “Face from Wires”. There are 5 components. They are then selected and exported as step file and imported into PrePoMax v2.5.0. When I create a compound of the 5 components, the compound is created, but with a orange triangle icon with an exclamation mark inside, indicating there is a problem with the compound. I saw the video of Matej ([https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dUALkdr4f7w](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dUALkdr4f7w)) which I thought would have been similar to what I tried, however no success unfortunately. I attached the FreeCAD, Step and PrePoMax file, with the hopes someone can point me in the right direction. I do have my suspicion the issue lies with the btm (base) plate, and should maybe be split in two, and if needs as such then I will do it that way. Was just wondering if there is another way maybe? ![Screenshot 2026-06-21 185332](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/free1/uploads/prepomax/original/2X/3/3f66135dee7fead8e660d98056e8be7b5c9dfbf3.jpeg) [plateModel.zip](https://prepomax.discourse.group/uploads/short-url/fX0A1VgREghUdfW6yDa40WdrsrH.zip) (146.3 KB) ---
**Author:** ![FEAnalyst](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/prepomax.discourse.group/feanalyst/32/688_2.png) [@FEAnalyst](https://prepomax.discourse.group/u/FEAnalyst)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2026, 5:10pm UTC](https://prepomax.discourse.group/t/compound-of-face-surface-issue/3541/2 "2026-06-21T17:10:28Z")
For compounding to work with shells, you need proper partitioning to get corresponding edges also on the other side: [Orthogonal shell mesh model - #6 by FEAnalyst](https://prepomax.discourse.group/t/orthogonal-shell-mesh-model/2976/6) ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/free1/uploads/prepomax/original/2X/8/8220afb6e8960be81b528391c36df02d10791e7d.png) ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/free1/uploads/prepomax/original/2X/1/1ecba7ded560a9593245bd77b9439481b9a07427.png) [plateModel\_mod.zip](https://prepomax.discourse.group/uploads/short-url/xb2e7G0EtoYhv32iE9LpMEt5S8K.zip) (115.6 KB) ---
**Author:** ![Crysthius](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/919ad9/32.png) [@Crysthius](https://prepomax.discourse.group/u/Crysthius)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2026, 5:19pm UTC](https://prepomax.discourse.group/t/compound-of-face-surface-issue/3541/3 "2026-06-21T17:19:10Z")
Hi FEAnalyst, Thanks for the quick feedback and advice, it is greatly apprecaited. I am curious thou what the difference is between what I attempted and what Matej did in the video I provided the link for. Even thou my model is much more simple than his. ---
**Author:** ![FEAnalyst](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/prepomax.discourse.group/feanalyst/32/688_2.png) [@FEAnalyst](https://prepomax.discourse.group/u/FEAnalyst)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2026, 5:22pm UTC](https://prepomax.discourse.group/t/compound-of-face-surface-issue/3541/4 "2026-06-21T17:22:02Z")
Another way to make these cuts in FreeCAD is using extruded lines. See the attached file. The end result is the same, but it’s less work. [plateModel\_rev1\_mod\_2.zip](https://prepomax.discourse.group/uploads/short-url/1Btc6acNMDcLBqi3jYyGRtMAqbl.zip) (43.3 KB) ---
**Author:** ![FEAnalyst](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/prepomax.discourse.group/feanalyst/32/688_2.png) [@FEAnalyst](https://prepomax.discourse.group/u/FEAnalyst)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2026, 5:24pm UTC](https://prepomax.discourse.group/t/compound-of-face-surface-issue/3541/5 "2026-06-21T17:24:03Z")
> [@Crysthius](#): > > I am curious thou what the difference is between what I attempted and what Matej did in the video I provided the link for. Even thou my model is much more simple than his. His model is included in built-in examples under PrePoMax v2.5.0\Models\Crane.step, so you can import it for a test. It also shows a warning sign after compounding, but Matej’s video includes some partitioning done in PrePoMax with the Split a Face Using Two Points tool. In practice, it’s best to do any partitioning in CAD software before importing the geometry for analysis. ---
**Author:** ![Crysthius](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/919ad9/32.png) [@Crysthius](https://prepomax.discourse.group/u/Crysthius)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2026, 5:29pm UTC](https://prepomax.discourse.group/t/compound-of-face-surface-issue/3541/6 "2026-06-21T17:29:05Z")
Great, thanks again FEAnalyst, for the additional information, advice and explanation. I will study the information you shared here and I believe you have put me on a better path I was on before 😆 Have a good one, until next time.