3D Exercise 132
- Breno Cruz
- 56 minutes ago
- 2 min read
In this CAD tutorial we'll use the features:
Extrude
Extrude command is the fundamental bridge between 2D geometry and 3D physical reality in CAD.
If you are breaking down the absolute basics of modeling for an audience, the easiest way to explain it is through a real-world manufacturing analogy: it is the digital equivalent of pushing material through a die in an aluminum extrusion plant, or squeezing toothpaste out of a tube. You take a 2D cross-section and push it along a straight line to create a solid 3D volume.
Here is a clear breakdown of the mechanics of the command:
1. The Profile (The "What")
Before you can extrude, you need a profile. This is typically a closed 2D sketch (like a circle or a rectangle) drawn on a specific plane or flat face. The shape of this sketch determines the exact cross-section of the final 3D part.
2. The Vector (The "Direction")
By default, the extrude command pulls the 2D profile perfectly perpendicular (normal) to the plane it was sketched on. However, you can choose how that direction is applied:
One Side: Pushes the material entirely in one direction.
Symmetric: Pushes the material equally in both directions from the sketch plane (highly useful for keeping the origin centered in the middle of a part).
Two Sides: Allows you to specify different distances for the front and back of the sketch plane.
3. The Extent (The "How Far")
This determines where the extrusion stops. While a simple distance (like 50mm) is common, using geometric extents makes a model robust:
Through All: Drives the extrusion infinitely until it clears all existing material (perfect for cutting clearance holes).
Up to Object / Surface: Tells the extrusion to stop exactly when it collides with another specific face or body.
4. The Boolean Operation (The "Result")
An extrusion doesn't just create material; it manages how that new volume interacts with whatever is already on the screen:
Join (Boss): Merges the new extrusion with existing touching bodies.
Cut: Uses the extrusion as a digital milling tool to subtract material.
Intersect: Keeps only the material where the new extrusion and the old body overlap.
New Body: Creates a totally independent, unmerged solid.
All dimensions are in mm/g/s/ISO
3D Sketch
Exercise 132 - 3D practice drawing for all CAD software ( AutoCAD, SolidWorks, 3DS Max, Autodesk Inventor, Fusion 360, CATIA, Creo Parametric, SolidEdge etc.)
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Tutorial In Autodesk Fusion: https://youtu.be/OEA955DnROA