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CAD tip # 5117:

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How to convert surfaces to 3D solids?

Sice AutoCAD 2007 you can easily convert a surface model to a volume (solid body). Run the THICKEN command and enter thickness for the selected surface. For elevated polylines and similar entities you can also use the CONVTOSOLID command.

If you need to change e.g. 3DFACE (3D faces) to 3DSOLIDs, convert the 3DFaces first to surfaces with the CONVTOSURFACE command. If your source object is a polyface mesh (e.g. from 3ds max), first explode it to 3D faces.

Since version 2010 you can directly convert a "watertight" 3D mesh (polyface mesh) to a 3D solid. To keep the original unsmoothed facets, set the FACETERSMOOTHLEV variable to 0. Use the MESHSMOOTH command to convert the 3D mesh to a MESH object (if necessary) and then make the 3D solid from it using the CONVTOSOLID command (right-click on the mesh and choose "Convert mesh to").

Another option is the command SURFSCULPT, which converts watertight surfaces - e.g. PlaneSurface objects - to 3D solids (you may need to divide the object first by a sliced plane - flat surface). You can first convert faces to a surface with the command MESHOPTIONS.

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14.7.2006 120872× FAQ

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applies to: AutoCAD 2018 · AutoCAD 2014 · AutoCAD 2012 · AutoCAD 2010 · AutoCAD 2008 · AutoCAD 2007 ·

See also:
Tip 12297:	Which CAD formats are supported in the Autodesk Manufacturing Data Exchange Utility?
Tip 12248:	How to remove fillet or chamfer from a 3D solid?
Tip 12239:	How to extract isolines from a surface of a 3D object?
Tip 12184:	Overview of CAD formats supported in Inventor 2020 (import/export/AnyCAD).
Tip 12105:	Select the smallest DWG object - MinOf utility.

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