Creating & Extruding Profiles

Estimated reading: 6 minutes 4 views

2D Sketch Profiles

Ribbon | Draw | Draw 2D

Default | Draw | Line

Tools | Palettes | Sketch | Line

2D Sketch profiles form the basis of most 3D construction.

A 2D sketch profile, when closed will create a 3D shape when extruded, shown below left; an open profile will produce a profile extrusion only, shown below middle.

2D profiles can be modified after extrusion using the node edit tool.

2D Boolean functions such as Add, Subtract and Intersect can be used to create complex geometry where closed profiles are required.

A compoundprofile is created from a boundary profile with interior regions which are automatically subtracted from the volume of the extruded object.

The interior regions are selected by holding down the SHIFT key to include them into the selection of the boundary profile before creating the extrusion.

Worked Example

1. Simple Extrude

This method uses the Simple Extrude tool to create an extrusion on a 2D sketch profile.

Grid

Ribbon : Options |

Drawing Styles | Grid

Default : Options | Grid

A regular series of vertical and horizontal lines can be displayed in the graphics editor by creating a Grid.The Grid snap mode works by attaching the cursor onto each grid intersection.The Grid snap mode will function even when the grid is not displayed.The light blue lines of the grid are crossed at regular intervals by heavier blue lines.The darker blue lines are known as the Grid Divisions.Grid divisions can be halved or doubled in size using the Halve or Double Grid option.

Right click onto the Show/Hide grid tool from the menu options abovethen create an XY grid of 5.

Select the Polyline tool, activate the Grid snap mode, then draw an outline similar to the illustration, below.

Dimensional accuracy is not required.

Next turn the view to Isometric South East, switch off the grid display and remove the grid snap mode.

The model and Workplane should now be aligned to the view, similar to the illustration, below.

Use the Edit tool to adjust the vertices of this sketch if necessary, shown below.

Simple Extrude

Ribbon : Draw | Draw 3D | Simple Extrude

Default Menu : Draw | 3D Object | 3D Profile Based | Simple Extrude

Palette : 3D Model | 3D Object | Simple Extrude

A 2D profile can be extruded to create an equidistant extrusion about the profile.A closed profile will produce a 3D object.

Select the Simple Extrude tool from the menu options above and create a height of -50, shown below.

The result should be similar to the illustration, below.

Depth created using Simple Extrude tool

Selection Info Palette

Tools | Palettes | Selection Info

Use the Selection Info Palette to update the extrusion value, shown below.

Using the Selection Info palette to change the extrusion value

2. 3D Thickness

This method uses the 3D Thickness property to create an extrusion on a 2D sketch profile.

Activate the SelectionInfo palette using Tools | Palettes | Selection Info. This palette will open at the right side of the graphics editor.

Make sure the view is set to any Isometric viewpoint. Using a similar profile to that shown above, select the profile, then open the 3D page in the Selection Info palette shown below. Input a suitable value into the Thickness field, shown below.

Using the Selection Info Palette to create a 3D Thickness on a sketch profile

The result should be similar to the illustration below.

Depth created using 3D Thickness tool

Advantages & Disadvantages

When creating a depth using the Extrude tool, the depth is created from the sketch profile, which remains part of the model.

Original sketch profile selected after creation of extrusion

This is useful if the original profile needs to be modified after the creation of the extrusion, shown below.

Profile modified after extrusion

When creating a depth using the 3D Thicknes tool, the original sketch profile is absorbed into the 3D model and post-extrusion modification cannot be done to the profile.

Take Note

The Selection Info palette can be used to adjust the extrusion values of any extrusion, whether created using the Simple Extrude or the 3D Thickness property.

00000000

Selection Info palette used to change values of both extrusions whether created as Extrusion, above left, or 3D Thickness, above right

Closed and Open Sketch Profiles

2D Sketch Profiles form an important part of 3D creation. Most 2D profiles can be produced from a polygonal shape, or by combining (adding), separating (subtracting) or creating a new region from intersecting profiles.

When a 2D profile is not closed, the resulting extrusion will not be filled, however when the 2D profile is closed, a 3D object is produced.

Arcs and lines which are connected by their vertices can be formed into a single polyline contour using the Join Polyline tool.

When the profile is not closed and extruded, the shape shown below is produced.

When a closed profile is required which is created from different 2D entities, such as lines and arcs, the Join Polyline tool can be used. Providing the end points of such entities are contiguous, a single contour can be created.

In the example below left, the Join Polyline tool was used to connect the outer entities which form the profile. This profile was then extruded to create the object shown below right.

Closed profile, left, extruded to produce 3D shape, right