Creating a Hollow Extrude

Objects created with the Extrude Tool are normally solid, but the Extrude Tool is capable of creating hollow objects as well. In this tutorial we will create a hollow object using the Extrude Tool.

This tutorial assumes familiarity with the 3D Canvas Extrude Tool. 

bulletIn this tutorial we will create a door frame.

Drag and drop an "Extrude Tool" object on to your scene.

Create an outline as shown. Be sure to define it in a clockwise order or the object will be inside-out.

 

 
bulletAt this point we do not want to close our extrude source. Keeping our extrude source "open" simplifies our task.

Create the interior. Interiors need to be defined in a counter-clockwise order.

 
bulletComplete the extrude source as shown.

We are now ready to close our source. We have an exterior and an interior.

 
bulletClose the source by clicking on the green control point. This produces a "C" shape.

 
bulletNow move the control points so that the source is closed.

We have a 2-D hollow object. Depth can now be added to our hollow extrude.
 

 
bulletOur completed hollow extrude.

One of the disadvantages of adding depth to our hollow extrude within the Extrude Tool is that it will result in a small number of faces within the interior of the object. These faces are non-destructive and only a negative if the model is being used in a circumstance where maximum performance is critical. If this is the case, it may be better to add depth using the Extrude Operation.