Lecture Note 09162009

Extrude

Command entry: extrude

Current wire frame density: ISOLINES=4
Select objects to extrude:
Specify height of extrusion or [Direction/Path/Taper angle] <default>: Specify a
distance or enter p

If you extrude a closed object, the result is a 3D solid. If you extrude an open object, the
result is a surface.

You can select the objects to extrude before you start the command.

The DELOBJ system variable controls whether the object(s) and path (if selected) are
automatically deleted when the solid or surface is created or whether you are prompted to
delete the object(s) and path.

Object Selection

Specifies the objects to extrude. You can extrude the following objects and subobjects:

 Lines

 Arcs

 Elliptical arcs

 2D polylines

 2D splines

 Circles

 Ellipses

 2D solids
 Traces

 Regions

 Planar 3D polylines

 Planar 3D faces

 Planar surfaces

 Planar faces on solids

Note: You can select faces on solids by pressing and holding CTRL, and then selecting these
subobjects.

You cannot extrude objects contained within a block or polylines that have crossing or self-
intersecting segments.

If a selected polyline has width, the width is ignored and the polyline is extruded from the
center of the polyline path. If a selected object has thickness, the thickness is ignored.

Note : You can use CONVTOSOLID to convert polylines and circles with thickness to solids.
You can use CONVTOSURFACE to convert lines with thickness; arcs with thickness; and
open, zero-width polylines with thickness to surfaces.

Height of Extrusion

Extrudes objects along the positive Z axis of the object's coordinate system if you enter a
positive value. If you enter a negative value, the objects are extruded along the negative Z
axis. Objects do not have to be parallel to the same plane. If all the objects are on a
common plane, the objects are extruded in the direction of the normal of the plane.

By default, planar objects are extruded in the direction of the object’s normal.

Specify second point: Specify a point

Direction

Specifies the length and direction of the extrusion with two points you specify.

Specify start point of direction: Specify a point

Specify end point of direction: Specify a point

Path
 Selects the extrusion path based on a specified object. The path is moved to the centroid of
the profile. Then the profile of the selected object is extruded along the chosen path to
create solids or surfaces.

Select extrusion path: Use an object selection method

The following objects can be paths:

 Lines

 Circles

 Arcs

 Ellipses

 Elliptical arcs

 2D polylines

 3D polylines

 2D splines

 3D splines

 Edges of solids

 Edges of surfaces

 Helixes
Note: You can select faces and edges on solids by pressing and holding CTRL, and then
selecting these subobjects.

The path should not lie on the same plane as the object, nor should the path have areas of
high curvature.

The extruded solid starts from the plane of the object and maintains its orientation relative
to the path.

If the path contains segments that are not tangent, the program extrudes the object along
each segment and then miters the joint along the plane bisecting the angle formed by the
segments. If the path is closed, the object should lie on the miter plane. This allows the
start and end sections of the solid to match up. If the object is not on the miter plane, the
object is rotated until it is on the miter plane.
Objects with multiple loops are extruded so that all the loops appear on the same plane at
the end section of the extruded solid.

Taper Angle
Specify angle of taper for extrusion <0>: Specify an angle between -90 and +90
degrees, press ENTER, or specify a point

If you specify a point for the taper angle rather than enter a value, you must pick a second
point. The taper angle applied to the extrusion is the distance between the two specified
points.

Specify second point: Specify a point

Positive angles taper in from the base object. Negative angles taper out. The default angle,
0, extrudes a 2D object perpendicular to its 2D plane. All selected objects and loops are
tapered to the same value.

Specifying a large taper angle or a long extrusion height can cause the object or portions of
the object to taper to a point before reaching the extrusion height.

Individual loops of a region are always extruded to the same height.

When an arc is part of a tapered extrusion, the angle of the arc remains constant, and the
radius of the arc changes.

Planar surface

Command entry: planesurf

You can create a planar surface by selecting closed objects or by specifying the opposite
corners of a rectangular surface. When you specify the corners of the surface through the
command, the surface is created parallel to the workplane.

The SURFU and SURFV system variables control the number of lines displayed on the
surface.
 Specify first corner or [Object]: Specify the first point for the planar surface
Specify other corner: Specify second point (other corner) for the planar surface

Object

Creates a planar or trimmed surface by object selection. You can select one closed object or
multiple objects that form a closed area.

Similar to the REGION command, valid objects include: line, circle, arc, ellipse, elliptical arc,
2D polyline, planar 3D polyline, and planar spline.

The DELOBJ system variable controls whether the object(s) you select are automatically
deleted when the surface is created or whether you are prompted to delete the object(s).

Select objects: Select one or more objects that define the area for the planar surface

Push and pull

Command entry: presspull

Click inside bounded areas to press or pull.

You can press or pull a bounded area by either clicking inside the bounded area or by
pressing CTRL + ALT and then clicking the area. As you move the cursor, the area that you
want to press or pull changes dynamically and creates a new 3D solid.

You can press or pull any of the following types of bounded areas:

 Any area that can be hatched by picking a point (with zero gap tolerance)

 Areas enclosed by crossing coplanar, linear geometry, including edges and geometry in
blocks

 Closed polylines, regions, 3D faces, and 2D solids that consist of coplanar vertices

 Areas created by geometry (including edges on faces) drawn coplanar to any face of a
3D solid

Loft

Command entry: loft

The cross sections can be either open or closed 2D objects such as circles, arcs, or splines.

With the LOFT command, you can create a new solid or surface by specifying a series of
cross sections. The cross sections define the profile (shape) of the resulting solid or surface.
Cross sections (generally, curves or lines) can be open (for example, an arc) or closed (for
example, a circle). LOFT draws a solid or surface in the space between the cross sections.
You must specify at least two cross sections when you use the LOFT command.

You can use the following objects when creating a lofted solid or surface:

Objects That Can Be Objects That Can Be

Objects That Can Be Used as Guides
Used as Cross Sections Used as a Loft Path

Line Line Line

Arc Arc Arc

Elliptical arc Elliptical arc Elliptical arc

2D polyline Spline 2D spline

2D spline Helix 3D spline

Circle Circle 2D polyline

Note2D polylines can be used as

guides if they contain only 1
segment.

Ellipse Ellipse 3D polyline

Points (first and last 2D polyline

cross section only)

Region 3D polyline

Planar face of solid

Planar surface

Planar 3D face

2D solid

Trace

With the Path option, you can select a single path curve to define the shape of the solid or
surface. With the Guides option, you can select multiple curves to define the contours of the
solid or surface.

The DELOBJ system variable controls whether the cross sections, guides, and path are
automatically deleted when the solid or surface is created or whether you are prompted to
delete these objects.

You can select the cross sections before you start the command.

Select cross sections in lofting order: Select open or closed curves in the order that the
surface or solid will pass through
Enter an option [Guides/Path/Cross sections only] <Cross sections only>: Press ENTER
to use the selected cross sections, displaying the Loft Settings dialog box, or enter an
option

Guides

Specifies guide curves that control the shape of the lofted solid or surface. Guide curves are
lines or curves that further define the form of the solid or surface by adding additional
wireframe information to the object. You can use guide curves to control how points are
matched up on corresponding cross sections to prevent undesired results, such as wrinkles
 in the resulting solid or surface.

Each guide curve must meet the following criteria to work correctly:

 Intersects each cross section

 Starts on the first cross section

 Ends on the last cross section

You can select any number of guide curves for the lofted surface or solid.

Select guide curves: Select the guide curves for the lofted solid or surface, and then
press ENTER

Path

Specifies a single path for the lofted solid or surface.

The path curve must intersect all planes of the cross sections.

Select path: Specify a single path for the lofted solid or surface
Sweep

Command entry: sweep

With the SWEEP command, you can create a new solid or surface by sweeping an open or
closed planar curve (profile) along an open or closed 2D or 3D path. SWEEP draws a solid or
surface in the shape of the specified profile along the specified path. You can sweep more
than one object, but they all must lie on the same plane.

When you select an object to sweep, it is automatically aligned to the object that is used as
the path.

You can use the following objects and paths when creating a swept solid or surface:

Objects that Can Be Swept Objects that Can Be Used as a Sweep Path

Line Line

Arc Arc

Elliptical arc Elliptical arc

2D polyline 2D polyline

2D spline 2D spline

Circle Circle

Ellipse Ellipse

Planar 3D face 3D spline

2D solid 3D polyline

Trace Helix

Region Edges of solids or surface

Planar surface

Planar faces of solid

Note: You can select faces and edges on solids or surfaces by pressing and holding CTRL,
and then selecting these subobjects.

The DELOBJ system variable controls whether the profile(s) and sweep path are
automatically deleted when the solid or surface is created or whether you are prompted to
delete the profile(s) and path.

You can select the objects to sweep before you start the command.

Current wire frame density: ISOLINES=4

Select objects to sweep: Use an object selection method and press ENTER when you
finish
Select sweep path or [Alignment/Base Point/Scale/Twist]: Select a 2D or 3D sweep
path, or enter an option

Alignment

Specifies whether the profile is aligned to be normal to the tangent direction of the sweep
path. By default, the profile is aligned.

Align sweep object perpendicular to path before sweep [Yes/No] <Yes>: Enter no to
specify that the profile is not be aligned or press ENTER to specify that the profile is
aligned
Note: If the profile curve is not perpendicular (normal) to the tangent of the start point of
the path curve, then the profile curve automatically aligns. Enter No at the alignment
prompt to prevent this.

Base Point

Specifies a base point for the objects to be swept. If the specified point does not lie on the
plane of the selected objects, it is projected onto the plane.

Specify base point: Specify a base point for the selection set

Scale
Specifies a scale factor for a sweep operation. The scale factor is uniformly applied to the
objects that are swept from the start to the end of the sweep path.

Enter scale factor or [Reference] <1.0000>: Specify a scale factor, enter r for the
reference option, or press ENTER to specify the default value

Reference

Scales the selected objects based on the length you reference by picking points or entering
values.

Specify start reference length <1.0000>: Specify a beginning length from which to scale
the selected objects
Specify end reference length <1.0000>: Specify a final length to which to scale the
selected objects

Twist

Sets a twist angle for the objects being swept. The twist angle specifies the amount of
rotation along the entire length of the sweep path.

Enter twist angle or allow banking for a non-planar sweep path [Bank] <n>: Specify an
angle value less than 360, enter b to turn on banking, or press ENTER to specify the
default angle value
Select sweep path [Alignment/Base point/Scale/Twist]: Select a sweep path or enter an
option

Banking specifies whether or not the curve(s) being swept will bank naturally (rotate) along
a 3D sweep path (3D polyline, 3D spline, or helix).

2D SOLID

Command entry: solid

Specify first point: Specify a point (1)

Specify second point: Specify a point (2)

The first two points define one edge of the polygon.

Specify third point: Specify a point (3) diagonally opposite the second
Specify fourth point or <exit>: Specify a point (4) or press ENTER
Pressing ENTER at the Fourth Point prompt creates a filled triangle. Specifying a point (5)
creates a quadrilateral area.

The last two points form the first edge of the next filled area. The Third Point and Fourth
Point prompts are repeated. Specifying successive third and fourth points creates further
connected triangles and four-sided polygons in a single solid object. Pressing ENTER ends
SOLID.

2D solids are filled only when the FILLMODE system variable is on and the viewing direction
is orthogonal to the 2D solid.

3D FACE

Command entry: 3dface

Specify first point or [Invisible]: Specify a point (1) or enter i

First Point
Defines the start point for the 3D surface. After entering the first point, enter the
remaining points in a natural clockwise or counterclockwise order to create a normal
3D face. If you locate all four points on the same plane, a planar face is created that
is similar to a region object. When you shade or render the object, planar faces are
filled.
Invisible
Controls which edges of a 3D face are visible, allowing for accurate modeling of
objects with holes. Entering i or invisible before the first point of an edge makes the
edge invisible.
The invisible specification must precede any object snap modes, XYZ filters, or
coordinate input for that edge. You can create a 3D face in which all edges are
invisible. Such a face is a phantom; it does not appear in wireframe presentations
but can hide material in line drawings. 3D faces do appear in shaded renderings.

You can combine 3D faces to model complex 3D surfaces.

 Specify second point or [Invisible]: Specify a point (2) or enter i
Specify third point or [Invisible] <exit>: Specify a point (3), enter i, or pressENTER
Specify fourth point or [Invisible] <create three-sided face>: Specify a point (4), enter
i, or press ENTER

The Third Point and Fourth Point prompts are repeated until you press ENTER. Specify
points 5 and 6 at these repeating prompts. When you finish entering points, press ENTER.

EDGE

Command entry: edge

Specify edge of 3dface to toggle visibility or [Display]: Select an edge or enter d

Edge

Controls the visibility of the edges you select.

Specify edge of 3d face to toggle visibility or [Display]:

The prompt is repeated until you press ENTER.

If the edges of one or more 3D faces are collinear, the program alters the visibility of each
collinear edge.

Display

Selects invisible edges of 3D faces so that you can redisplay them.

Enter selection method for display of hidden edges [Select/All] <All>: Enter an option or
press ENTER
All
Selects the hidden edges of all 3D faces in the drawing and displays them.
If you want to make the edges of the 3D faces visible once again, use the Edge
option. You must select each edge with your pointing device to display it. AutoSnap™
markers and Snaptips are automatically displayed, indicating the apparent snap
locations on each invisible edge.
This prompt continues until you press ENTER.
Select
Selects hidden edges of a partially visible 3D face and displays them.
Select objects:

If you want to make the edges of the 3D faces visible once again, use the Edge
option. You must select each edge with your pointing device to display it. AutoSnap
markers and Snaptips are automatically displayed, indicating the apparent snap
locations on each invisible edge.
This prompt continues until you press ENTER.

3D MESH

Command entry: 3dmesh

Enter size of mesh in M direction: Enter a value between 2 and 256
Enter size of mesh in N direction: Enter a value between 2 and 256
Note3DMESH is designed primarily for programmers. Other users should use the 3D
command.

A polygon mesh is defined by a matrix, the size of which is determined by M and N size
values. M times N equals the number of vertices that you must specify.

Specify location for vertex (0, 0): Enter a 2D or 3D coordinate

The location of each vertex in the mesh is defined by m and n, the row and column indices
of the vertex. Defining vertices begins with vertex (0,0). You must supply the coordinate
locations for each vertex in row m before specifying vertices in row m + 1.
Vertices may be any distance from each other. The M and N orientation of a mesh depends
on the position of its vertices.

3DMESH polygon meshes are always open in both M and N directions. You can close a mesh
with PEDIT.

TABULATED SURFACE

Command entry: tabsurf

Select object for path curve:

The path curve defines the approximated surface of the polygon mesh. It can be a line, arc,
circle, ellipse, or 2D or 3D polyline. The mesh is drawn starting at the point on the path
curve closest to the selection point.

Select object for direction vector: Select a line or open polyline

Only the first and last points on a polyline are considered, and intermediate vertices are
ignored. The direction vector indicates the direction and length of the shape to be extruded.
The end selected on the polyline or line determines the direction of the extrusion. The
original path curve is drawn with wide lines to help you visualize how the direction vector
dictates the construction of a tabulated mesh.
TABSURF constructs a 2 by n polygon mesh, where n is determined by the SURFTAB1
system variable. The M direction of the mesh is always 2 and lies along the direction vector.
The N direction lies along the path curve. If the path curve is a line, arc, circle, ellipse, or
spline-fit polyline, tabulation lines are drawn that divide the path curve into intervals of
equal size set by SURFTAB1. If the path curve is a polyline that has not been spline fit,
tabulation lines are drawn at the ends of straight segments, and each arc segment is
divided into intervals set by SURFTAB1.

EDGE SURFACE

Command entry: edgesurf

Current wire frame density: SURFTAB1=current SURFTAB2=current

Select object 1 for surface edge:

Select object 2 for surface edge:
Select object 3 for surface edge:
Select object 4 for surface edge:

You must select the four adjoining edges that define the mesh patch. The edges can be
lines, arcs, splines, or open 2D or 3D polylines. The edges must touch at their endpoints to
form a topologically rectangular closed path.

You can select the four edges in any order. The first edge (SURFTAB1) determines the M
direction of the generated mesh, which extends from the endpoint closest to the selection
point to the other end. The two edges that touch the first edge form the N edges
(SURFTAB2) of the mesh.