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 135628× FAQ

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

See also:
Tip 13472:	How to convert the structure of a volumetric lattice to a real mesh body?
Tip 13273:	Missing options when importing STEP files into Inventor.
Tip 13227:	Reference Explorer - quick analysis of your project or assembly (file size, xref errors).
Tip 13203:	How to model a sphere in Revit?
Tip 13163:	Blended transitional solid between irregular regions, circle-rectangle transition (3D in AutoCAD)

Selected tip: Transferring dimension styles between drawings.

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