Extrude

Form:  Extrude Points to Frames/Cables, Extrude Lines to Areas, Extrude Areas to Solids, Shell to Shell Extrusion, Line to Line Extrusion, Define Extrusion Path

Use the Edit menu > Extrude command to sweep selected objects through space to create new objects of higher dimension or to convert lines to areas and areas to solids with the same thickness as the original line or area object. The process of extrusion increases the dimensional space of an existing object by one. In other words, line objects are of one dimension that can be generated from a dimensionless object, the point object. In a similar manner, a two-dimensional object, area or plate/shell can be generated from a one-dimensional object, the line object. This feature is especially suited to creating solid objects from plate/shells, plate/shell objects from beams and beams/columns from points/nodes.

1. Select the object to be extruded.

2. Click the Edit menu > Extrude command and select the appropriate sub-command

1. • Extrude Points to Frames/Cables. This command accesses the Extrude Points to Lines form (see Item 3).

   • Extrude Lines to Areas. This command accesses the Extrude Lines to Areas form (see Item 3).

   • Convert Lines to Areas. The command immediately converts line objects into area objects of the same thickness (this is not extrusion in the sense of sweeping the object through space).

   • Convert Lines to Solids. The command immediately converts line objects into solid objects of the same thickness (this is not extrusion in the sense of sweeping the object through space).

   • Extrude Areas to Solids. This command accesses the Extrude Lines to Areas form (see Item 3).

   • Convert Areas to Solids. The command immediately converts area objects into solid objects of the same thickness (this is not extrusion in the sense of sweeping the object through space). When converting area objects into solid objects, two solid objects are created for each area object, each with half the thickness from the section property of the area object.

   • Add Solids Between Areas. This command accesses the Shell to Shell Extrusion form. Use the form to specify the number of divisions in the solid along the 1, 2, and 3 axis.

   • Add Areas between Lines. This command accesses the Line to Line Extrusion form.  When multiple lines have been selected before this command is used, the program must determine between which two lines the areas will be added. The program sorts the lines based on the sorting direction, and then draws the areas between adjacent lines in the direction specified.

3. If the Extrude Points to Lines form, Extrude Lines to Areas form or Extrude Areas to Solids form is displayed, choose the Linear, Radial, or Advanced tab and specify the appropriate parameters. The parameters will extrude the object linearly, radially, or along any defined path. Specify the number of new objects to be created during the extrusion process, and specify if the original object of lower dimension should be retained or deleted.

Linear Extrusion Tab

• • Increment Data. For linear extrusion, specify the increment distance along the X-axis (dx), the increment distance along the Y-axis (dy), the increment along the Z-axis (dz), and the number of times the object is to be extruded. The object is then extruded the specified number of times, each time incrementing the global X, Y and Z coordinates by the specified dx, dy and dz.

  • Delete Source check box. A Delete Source check box is provided on the Extrude Lines to Areas and Extrude Areas to Solids form. Checking this check box will delete the lines or areas used to create the extrusion. Leaving the check box unchecked will keep the source.

Example:

Radial Extrusion Tab

A typical use of this type of extrusion is to generate a cylindrical surface from radial extrusion of a single line about the central axis of the cylinder.

• • Rotate about Axis. Choose the axis about which the radial extrusion will occur.

  • Rotate about Point. Specify the coordinates of the point about which the radial rotation is desired.  

  • Increment Data. Specify the Incremental Data in the form of an Angle of rotation, Number of extrusions and the Total Rise along the axis of rotation. The rotation angle is input in degrees. Angles are measured from the positive global X-axis. Positive angles appear counterclockwise when viewed from above.

The object is then extruded the specified number of times, each time incrementing the location of the objects by the specified rotation angle.

• • Delete Source check box. A Delete Source check box is provided on the Extrude Lines to Areas and Extrude Areas to Solids form. Checking this check box will delete the points, lines or areas used to create the extrusion. Leaving the check box unchecked will keep the source.

Example:

Advanced Extrusion Tab

Points, lines and areas can be extruded along any defined curve. The extrusion path may be defined by specifying the Global X, Y and Z coordinates. Twist, skew and scaling may also be applied to the extruding entities.

• Absolute Coordinates option. Choose this option to use the global coordinates.

• Relative Coordinates option. Choose this option to specify starting coordinates for X, Y, and Z.

• • Define/Modify Path button. Click the Define/Modify Path button to access the Define Extrusion Path form. Use the Define Extrusion Path form to specify the twist, skew and scaling for the curves along which the entity will be extruded.

• Extrusion Path spreadsheet. The path for the extrusion can be specified by typing values directly into the appropriate cells.

• Quick Paths area.

• • Type of Quick Path drop-down list. This drop-down list displays a number of typical curves that may be used to define the extrusion path without specifying the actual coordinates. Depending on the type of curve chosen, specify the additional necessary data, such as Start and End X, Y, and Z coordinates, Center coordinates, Third Point coordinates, Number of Divisions (i.e., smoothness constant) and the like.

Important:  After making a selection from the drop-down list be sure to click the Insert button to "insert" the data for the selected curve type into the Extrusion Path spreadsheet.

• • • From General Ref Line option. This option is included in the drop-down list if a General Reference Line has been drawn in the model. When this option is selected, the replication will occur relative to the General Reference Line, and the X, Y, and Z coordinates will be automatically specified on the Extrude {Object Type} to {Object Type} form when the OK button is clicked to close the Define Extrusion Path form.

Note:  If after closing the Define Extrusion Path form the OK button is not available on the Extrude {Object Type} to {Object Type} form, try changing to another view (XY, XZ, YZ).

Also, the From General Ref Line option can only be used with the Relative Coordinates options. If the Absolute Coordinates Option is chosen, the program will ignore the General Reference Line.

• • Delete Source check box. A Delete Source check box is provided on the Extrude Lines to Areas and Extrude Areas to Solids form. Checking this check box will delete the lines or areas used to create the extrusion. Leaving the check box unchecked will keep the source.