DmExtrude

Pro, Platinum Pro, Platinum Pro, Platinum

Creates 3D solids or 3D surfaces by extruding closed 2D entities, faces of 3D solids, regions or closed boundaries.

Optionally adds volume to solids or removes volume from solids.

Accessing the Command

command bar: dmextrude

menu bar: Model | Direct Modeling | Extrude

toolbar: Direct Modeling | (solid) (surface)

Quad cursor menu: Direct Modeling | (solid) (surface)

: dmExtrude

When launched from the command bar, menu bar, toolbar or ribbon:

Prompts you in the command bar:

Select entities/subentities to extrude or set [MOde]: (Select a region or a closed 2D entity (closed polylines, circles and ellipses are accepted) or a face of solid.)

Entities in set: 1

Select entities/subentities to extrude or set [MOde]: (Select another entity or subentity or press Enter to stop selecting entities.)

When launched from the Quad cursor menu:

First select the entity, entities or boundary to be extruded.

Closed 2D entities (1)(2) and regions (3) are accepted. Closed boundaries in the XY-plane of the current coordinate system (4) or on the face of a solid (5) are recognized automatically if the Select detected boundaries option () on the Selection Modes toolbar is active.


1	2	3	4	5

Do one of the following:

Launch the command when the desired entity or boundary highlights.
To extrude multiple entities: compose a selection set, then launch the command.
Click to add the highlighted entity to the selection.

Solid mode:

Specify height of extrusion or [Auto(subtract or create)/Create/SUbtract/Unite/Taper angle/Direction/Limit] <Auto>:

The selected entities are extruded dynamically. (Move the mouse to specify the extrusion direction.)
The extrusion direction is perpendicular to the selected entity or entities.

Do one of the following to define the height of the extrusion:

Specify a point in the drawing.
Type a value in the dynamic entry field.
Choose the Limit option.

Surface mode:

Specify height of extrusion or set [Auto/Create/Taper angle/Direction] <Auto>:

The selected entities are extruded dynamically. Move the mouse to specify the extrusion direction.
The extrusion direction is perpendicular to the selected entity or entities, unless the Direction option is selected.

Do one of the following to define the height of the extrusion:

Specify a point in the drawing.
Type a value in the dynamic entry field.

Command Options

Option

Description

Mode

Allows to create either solids or surfaces.

Prompts you:

Choose type of created entity [SOlid/SUrface] <Solid>:

Solid: creates solids.
Surface: creates surfaces.

The Extrude tool () starts the command in Solid mode.

The Extrude Surface tool () starts the command in Surface mode.

Select Entities

Click an entity or choose an option in the dmExtrude prompt menu.

Depending on the value of the DELOBJ (Delete Object) system variable, the defining entities are either retained or deleted or you are prompted whether to keep or delete the source entities.

TaperAngle

Specifies the taper angle for the extrusion.

Prompts you:

Specify taper angle value in degrees - type a value in the command bar.

The angle is measured from the extrusion direction.

A negative value tapers outwards.

This option allows to create pyramids and cones.

If Dynamic Dimensions are ON, press the TAB key to jump to the Taper Angle field, then type the desired value and press the TAB key again to apply the new value.

Direction

Allows to specify the extrusion direction.

Prompts you:

Select axial entity or define direction by [2Points/Xaxis/Yaxis/Zaxis] <2Points>:

Select an option:

2 Points: Define the extrusion direction by specifying two points.
X axis: Sets the extrusion direction parallel to the X axis of the current UCS.
Y axis: Sets the extrusion direction parallel to the Y axis of the current UCS.
Z axis: Sets the extrusion direction parallel to the Z axis of the current UCS.

Limit

Allows to limit the extrusion by the face of a solid.

Prompts you:

Select face or 3d solid to limit extrude:

Move the cursor over a face, then click when the face highlights.


1. Select entities. 2. Launch DMEXTRUDE.	3. Choose Limit option. 4. Select cylindrical face.	Result

The SELECTIONPREVIEW system variable must be set to 2 or 3 to highlight faces. Press the TAB key to subsequently highlight overlapping faces.

Auto*

The result depends on the extrusion direction of the 3D solid and the value of the DMEXTRUDEMODE system variable.

when extruded inside the existing solid, the new solid is subtracted from the existing solid (right).
when extruded outside the existing solid (left) the result depends on the value of the DMEXTRUDEMODE system variable, which is stored as the sum of the value of the selected options.
0: the new solid is unified with the existing solid. There is no interaction with intersecting solids. This is the default option for 3D Modelling.
1: a separate solid is created which is unified with intersecting solids.
2: the new solid is unified with the existing solid and subtracted from intersecting solids.
3: a separate solid is created and subtracted from intersecting solids. This is the default option for BIM.

Create*

Regardless of the extrusion direction, a new 3D solid is created.

Subtract*

The 3D solid is subtracted from each interfering existing solid.

Unite*

The new 3D solid is unified with each interfering existing solid.

* Repeatedly hit the Ctrl-key during the dynamic display of the extrusion to cycle the various options: Auto / Create / Subtract / Unite showing the result of the currently selected option.

If TIPS is ON the Tips widget displays:

: Auto
: Create
: Subtract
: Unite

Related Commands

Extrude - Extrudes 2D entities to 3D solids.

Loft - creates 3D solids passing through two or more cross sections.

Sweep - creates a 3D solid by sweeping a closed 2D entity along a path.

dmChamfer - creates an equal distance chamfer between adjacent faces sharing a sharp edge.

dmDelete - deletes faces and solids.

dmFillet - creates a smooth fillet between adjacent faces sharing a sharp edge.

dmMove - moves the selected faces or edges of a solid using a vector.

dmPushPull - adds or removes volume from a solid by moving a face or surface.

dmRevolve - Creates 3D solids by revolution of closed 2D entities or regions about an axis.

dmRotate - rotates faces of a solid around an axis.

dmStitch - converts a set of region and surface entities that bound a watertight area to a 3d solid.

dmThicken - creates 3D solids by thickening (i.e. adding thickness to) surfaces, their faces, and faces of 3D solids.