Extrude Curve
Introduction
This topic will explain the Extrude Curve function, will explain where to find the function, and explain the options found in it. This topic will also give a brief description of Dynamic Drawing, the Snap Increment function, explain creation with quick steps and examples, and provide links to related topics.
The Extrude Curve Function
The Extrude Curve function creates a solid or surface shell by extruding open or closed wireframe curves to a specified distance.
Tip: This function does not merge with other solids in the Workspace. To extrude and merge with other solids, use Extrude Boss.
Dynamic Drawing
This function supports Dynamic Drawing which allows you to use a combination of sketching and data entry to create the entities. Prior to confirming the desired result in the function, an adjustable preview is visible. These previews can be modified using the sketch handles, data entry, or a combination of both. The benefit of Dynamic Drawing is that you can quickly place and adjust the size to get the approximate result, and then use data entry to update to the exact dimensions, and coordinate values as needed.
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Preview with Sketch Handles |
Final Entities |
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In the images above, we see the preview of entities which can be adjust with sketch handles, followed by those same entities after they are finalized.
Snap Increment
This function support the use of the snap increment when selecting the location of the entities. The snap increment allows you to get precise results when using mouse selection and helps to reduce data entry modifications.
To learn more, view Snap Increment.
Navigation
To open the Extrude Curve:
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In the Extrude group, of the Create 3D ribbon, click
Extrude Curve.
The Extrude Curve parameters display in the Data Entry Manager.
The Data Entry Parameters
Selected Geometry
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| The list box will list the entities currently selected for the function. | |
(Delete) - removes
the highlighted item from the list.
(Delete All)
- removes all entities from the list.
Positive Direction
- Distance - sets the distance of the extrusion from the selected geometry in the positive direction. You can use dynamic sketch handles or data entry to set this value. The snap increment applies to the distance value when using sketch handles.
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Distance Along Z-AxisWhe |
Distance Along Normal |
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Draft Angle - creates an angle along the edge of the extruded shape in the positive direction. This also applies to any internal shapes when you select more than one curve to extrude. This can be a positive or negative value.
Draft Along Z-Axis
Draft Along Normal
Other Direction
- Distance - sets the distance
of the extrusion from the selected geometry in the negative direction.
You can use dynamic sketch handles or data entry to set this value.
The snap increment applies
to the distance value when using sketch handles.
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Draft Angle - creates an angle along the edge of the extruded shape in the negative direction. This also applies to any internal shapes when you select more than one curve to extrude. This can be a positive or negative value.
Options
- With Caps
- Extrudes the wireframe geometry and adds a surface to the top and bottom. All surfaces are stitched into a solid
- Extrudes the wireframe geometry without adding a surface to the top and bottom.
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Along
Normal - the extrusion occurs parallel to the normal direction
of the plane created by the selected curve.
Front View 
Top View
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Along
Z-Axis - the extrusion direction is the Z-axis regardless of
how the selected curve is oriented.
Front View 
Top View
- OK - finalizes the function.
- Cancel - exits the function.
Quick Steps - Extrude Curve
- Open the function.
The Selected Geometry list automatically has focus. - Select the geometry to extrude.
The geometry is added to the Selected Geometry.
Note: The geometry can be closed wireframe chains, surface edges, or planar
surface geometry. When using a surface, the software automatically
extracts the edges of the surface to use for the boss.
Tip: Selection can sometimes be made easier by pressing S to turn off the shaded view of solids.
- Update the parameters to achieve the desired result, which is visible in the preview.
- Click OK to confirm.
The feature is added to the CAD Tree. - Repeat as necessary.
- Click Cancel to close the function.
Examples
Example 1 (Single Curve)
Note: In the images below, both the Show Axis X-Y and Show Gnomon toggles have been disabled in the Axis X-Y group of the Settings Part > Display dialog.
- In the Quick Access Toolbar, click
New. - Click anywhere in the graphics area, to give it focus,
and press Ctrl+7 to select
the ISO 2 view.
- In the Shapes group, of the Create 2D ribbon,
click
Rectangle.
The Rectangle parameters display in the Data Entry Manager and the Preview appears showing the default values.
- In the Corner Type group, click
to create chamfered corners.
The preview updates.
- Input 0.3750
for the Chamfer Length.
The Preview updates.
- In the Base Point
group, change the Z value
to 0.5000.
The Preview updates.
- To create the rectangle as shown in the CAD preview,
click OK.
The rectangle is created in the graphics area.
- In the Extrude group, of the Create 3D ribbon,
click Extrude Curve.
The Extrude Curve parameters display in the Data Entry Manager.
Select the entity shown in the image below.
The entity is added to the Selected Geometry list and the Preview updates.
- Window pick the remainder of the entities, as shown
in the image below.
The entities are added to the Selected Geometry list and the Preview updates.
- To create the geometry as shown in the CAD preview,
click OK.
The Extrude Surface is created in the graphics area, and an Extrude Curve feature is
added to the CAD Tree. 
Tip: With Caps and Along Normal are selected by default. This adds a top and bottom surface to the extruded geometry to create closed geometry instead of creating a surface shell (With Caps off). Because the normal of the plane created by the curve is the same as the Z-axis, Along Normal and Along Z-Axis create the same result for this example.
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To end the function, click Cancel.
This completes Example 1. Leave the file open and continue to Example 2 to learn more about Extrude Curve.
Example 2 (Multiple Curves with Draft Angle)
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After completing Example 1, press Ctrl+Z to undo the extruded geometry.
The Extrude Curve is undone and the rectangle remains.
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In the Entity group, of the Create 2D ribbon, click the down arrow under
Arc, and select 
Arc Center.
The Arc Coordinate parameters display in the Data Entry Manager and the Preview appears showing the default values.
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In the Data Entry Manager, in the Center Z box, type 0.500. Press Tab.
The Preview updates.
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In the Dimensions group, change the Radius value to 0.3750 and press Tab.
The Preview updates.
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To create the arc as shown in the CAD preview, click OK.
The Arc is created in the graphics area.
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In the Extrude group, of the Create 3D ribbon, click
Extrude Curve.
The Extrude Curve parameters display in the Data Entry Manager. -
Window pick the geometry, as seen in the image below.
The entities are added to the Selected Geometry list and the Preview updates.
Tip: When selecting geometry for a function like this, if each chain must be selected one at a time, select the inner geometry first, so the preview does not obstruct the view of other geometry which may need to be selected for the function.
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In the Positive Direction group, change the Distance value to 0.000.
The Other Direction group is automatically given a default value of 1.0000, and the Preview Updates.
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In the Other Direction group, change the Distance value to 0.5000.
The Preview updates.
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In the Draft Angle box, type 5.000.
The Preview updates.
Note: You can use negative values to invert the Draft Angle.
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To create the geometry as shown in the CAD preview, click OK.
The Extrude Surface is created in the graphics area, and an Extrude Curve feature is
added to the 
CAD Tree.
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To end the function, click Cancel.
That concludes these examples.