Back to basics: Extrusion in AutoCAD part 5

So, now that we know how to use Path for the extrusion, let’s do some direct manipulation on the extruded object.

 

Let’s start by clicking it and see what we can do. We’ll see grips for the profile, grips for the path (in this case an arc), and another grip for position of the model. It is important to understand that there is no associativity between the arc and the object. The grips belong to the model, although they will be coincident with those from the arc before you make any changes.

 

In the following image you will see what I mean. As soon as we use that grip (center grip along the path), the curvature changes, and once we finish the operation, the arc is still in its place. After the operation, the arc is not relevant for the model itself.

 

The grips that belong to the profile can be moved very easily by using the Gizmo, into pretty much any shape that does not create self intersections. In this case, I just moved one vertex up, and the AutoCAD reacted in a very predictable way (for an extrusion). If you just wanted to move that vertex up, then there’s an extra step (use the command BREP). But that’s another post for another time.

If we were doing some very basic conceptual design, even after doing the extrusion, we have the chance to adjust the volume to another object. In this case, I’m moving the grip so as to be coincident with the height of the adjacent box, and that’s it. No need to worry at the beginning of the design. You can be as flexible as you want.

 

 

Now, I’ll just leave you with the final image. Just wanted you to know it was done with just two more clicks. Wonder how? Yes… you got it. That’s another post.