Thicken to Solid

Use it!

(3D only) Used to add thickness to an existing surface to create a solid. On identifying the surface, an arrow displays showing the distance and direction of the thickening that will be added. If Add To Both Sides is on, arrows display in both directions. If Thickness is not turned on, then thickening is added graphically, with the amount of thickening defined by the screen pointer.

Tool Setting	Effect
Add To Both Sides	If on, the thickness value is added to both sides of the surface.
Thickness	Sets the thickness value that is added to the surface.
Keep Original	If on, the original profile element is retained.

To add thickness to a surface to create a solid

1. Select the Thicken to Solid tool.


2. Turn on Thickness.


3. In the Thickness field, enter the value for the thickening.


4. If necessary, turn on Add To Both Sides.


5. Identify the surface.
   The surface highlights. An arrow(s) displays, showing the distance and to which side(s) the thickness will be added.


6. If Add To Both Sides is off, move the pointer, using the arrows as a guide, to select the side for thickening.


7. Accept.
   Thickening an existing surface (a cylinder) to create a solid.
   Top left, center, and right show the cylinder before applying thickening to the outer, inner, and both sides, respectively. For thickening to either the inner or outer sides of the surface, the direction is defined by the location of the screen pointer and indicated by an arrow. Where Add To Both Sides is selected, the arrows point in both directions and the screen pointer location has no bearing on the direction of thickening.
   Bottom left, center and right, show the results of the thickening for outer, inner, and both sides, respectively.

   B-spline surfaces also may be thickened to solid: Left: Identify the surface (1), define the distance (2) and accept. Right: The resulting solid.

   Rendered image showing B-spline surface before (left) and after (right) thickening to a solid.

Key-in: CONSTRUCT THICKEN