2D Sketch Profiles

Ribbon | Draw | Draw 2D

Default | Draw | Line

Tools | Palettes | Sketch | Line

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

A 2D sketch profile, when closed will create a solid 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 compound profile 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.

Closed sketch profile extruded

Open sketch profile extruded

Compound sketch profile extruded 

Creating & extruding Profiles

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 workspace 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 Tools > Palette > Sketch > Linetool, 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

Above-Below Workplane

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 solid 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 

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 workspace.

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

Extruding Closed and Open Sketch Profiles

2D Sketch Profiles form an important part of solid 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 solid extrusion will not be filled, however when the 2D profile is closed, a solid 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.

2 Hexagons	Combined into a Region	Extruded to create a solid

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 solid shape, right

 

Part Tree Updates

Tools | Palettes | Selection Info

The Selection Info Paletteis used to view and modify the dimensional properties of any object.

The Part Tree, shown below allows several objects to be selected and their individual properties modified.

In the example below, the Part Tree Tools | Palettes | Selection Info. Data population requires the part to be selected. is used to modify the width of the blend, shown highlighted below.

Activating the Editing History

The Part Tree must be activated in Options | Drawing Styles | ACIS | Create Editing History (Part Tree)

Updating Parts in the Selection Info Palette using the Part Tree

By selecting the part to modify, its associated part is shown in context in the editor, shown outlined in green above. In the example below, the width value of the blend is changed to 5, shown below.

Using the Selection Info palette to adjust values