It is sometimes necessary to perform detailed analyses for particular areas of a beam structure, for example, to evaluate the distribution of internal forces and moments on a support, or to analyze a frame joint as a surface model. You may model the member cross-section by using several surface objects, but this involves effort. The Generate Surfaces from Member function facilitates the task to display a 1D member element by means of 2D surface elements.
Right-click the member to open its shortcut menu. Point to the Members item, and then select the Generate Surfaces from Member function.
Based on the geometry of the cross-section and the member, the program creates surfaces with the respective thicknesses. The information for the structural 'Member' object gets lost during the conversion.