Extrude Surface

Introduction

This topic will explain the Extrude Surface 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 an example, and provide links to related topics.

The Extrude Surface

The Extrude Surface function creates a solid or surface shell by extruding surface geometry.

 

 

Tip: This function does not merge the result with other solid bodies. To extrude a surface that merges with other solid bodies, 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.

 

Preview with Sketch Handles

Final Entities

 

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.

To open the Extrude Surface function:

 

  • In the Extrude group, of the Create 3D tab, click Extrude Surface.

 

The parameters display in the Data Entry Manager.

The Data Entry Parameters

Selected Geometry

 

(Delete) - removes the highlighted item from the list.

(Delete All) - removes all entities from the list.
The list box will list the entities currently selected for the function.

 

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.

    •  

    Distance Along Z-Axis

    Distance Along Normal

     

 

  • 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.

  • 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.

 

With Caps

 

With Caps
 

 

  • Along Normal - the extrusion occurs parallel to the normal direction of the plane created by the selected curve.

    Front View
    Top View

     

  • 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 Surface

  1. Open the function.

    The Selected Geometry list automatically has focus.

  2. Select the surface to be extruded.

    The surface is added to the Selected Geometry list.

    A preview appears showing the result using the default parameters.

  3. Update the parameters to achieve the desired result, which is visible in the preview.

  4. Click OK to confirm the result.

    The feature is added to the CAD Tree.

  5. Repeat the function as necessary.

Tip: Instead of applying features to solids and surfaces more than once, go to the CAD Tree to edit the existing feature. Since all solid and surface moves, and modifications are stored in the CAD Tree, editing a feature is preferable to adding many more to achieve the desired result. This will keep file size down and help ensure files don't become slow to respond.

 

  1. Click Cancel to exit the function.

Example

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.

 

  1. In the Quick Access Toolbar, click New.

  2. In the Surfaces group, of the Create 3D ribbon, click the down arrow under Planar, and select Rectangular Plane.

    The Rectangular Plane parameters display in the Data Entry Manager and the Preview appears showing the default values.

 

Important: The location of the Preview will vary based on the last mouse location, until the Base Point value is updated in the Data Entry Manager. However, if you click OK, the location will be placed at the Base Point, and not the preview location.

 

  1. In the Data Entry Manager, leave the Width and Height values at their default values, but in the Corner Type group, select to create a fillet, and set the value to 0.6250.

    The Preview updates.



  2. Click OK.
    The Rectangular Plane is created in the graphics area and a Rectangular Plane feature is created in the CAD Tree.



  3. In the Extrude group, of the Create 3D tab, click Extrude Surface.

    The Extrude Surface parameters display in the Data Entry Manager.

  4. Click the Rectangular Plane in the graphics area to add it to the Selected Geometry list.



    The Rectangular Plane (Face 2-0) is added to the Selected Geometry list and the Preview is updated.


 

Note: The names of the geometries added to the Selected Geometry list will vary based on the amount of geometry in the file. For instance, this Rectangular Plane will always be listed as "Face ...". if it is the only geometry in the file, it will be labeled as "Face 2-0".



  1. In the Positive Direction group, Input 0.5000 for the Distance.

    The Preview updates.



  2. Click OK to confirm.

    The Extrude Surface is created in the graphics area and a Extrude Surface feature is created in the CAD Tree.



  3. To end this function, click Cancel.


That concludes this example.

Related Topics

The CAD Overview