Extrude Tool Use
The Extrude tutorial shows you how to use the Extrude tool to stretch basic outlines into 3D shapes and provides tips for using Closed or Open 2D shapes.
Extruding
Extruding means taking a 2D shape and pushing it out on one of the axis to make it a 3D object.
- Click the Color Swatch and select a color.
- Using the Oval Tool, draw an oval in the Front view.
- Click the Extrude Tool or press Shift E. Your view should now look somewhat like Illustration 8.
Illustration 8 - Extrude Step 1
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NOTE: The Top view shows a line with an arrow head. This is the length of your extrude. You can click on the arrow head and move it to make your extrude longer, shorter or angled.
NOTE: The Front view shows an oval outline with triangles and circles at the edges. The triangles are used to make the end shape of the extruded object larger or smaller. The circles are used to move the end part of the extrude so that you can make an object look twisted. Experiment with moving the triangles and circles.
TIP: As you experiment with moving the small triangles and circles, look at the Tool Info bar at the top (Illustration 9). It shows the degree of rotation when you move the small circles and the height and width of the end shape as you move the small triangles.
Illustration 9 - Extrude Tool Info Bar
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The Tool Info bar also gives you the choice of splitting the extrude it several segments. The rest of the settings determine the direction of the extrude as you move the arrow head in the Top and Right windows.
TIP: As with all the 3D operations, you can change parameters by inputting numbers in the Tool Info bar or doing it manually by clicking and dragging in the Top, Front and Right windows.
- When you are ready to extrude, then click the Extrude button on the top right of the Tool Info bar (Illustration 9).
NOTE: Illustration 10 shows the result of performing an extrude.
Illustration 10 - Extrude Step 2
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Using the Closed or Open 2D Shape
The 3D object that results from the extrude operation should have capped ends and appear as a solid form. This time you will repeat the extrusion, but make a form that is open on both ends.
- Click the name 'Extrude Mesh 1' in the Groups palette to select it. Press the Delete key to get rid of it.
- Click the Closed or Open 2D Shape Tool next to the Color Swatch. The gray oval in the Closed or Open 2D Shape Tool should now turn white with only an outline. This means any enclosed 2D shapes that are now drawn will not have a surface.
- Repeat the previous steps to draw an oval and extrude it.
NOTE: Notice that in the shaded view, the object doesn't have any capped ends. It is open like a tube. You can always cap a 3D object later.
- In the Groups palette, double click the name 'Extrude Mesh 1' or select it and press Command I. This will bring up the info box for the object.
- You can now change the name of the object and under Options, you can click in the boxes for Filled/Capped and End Capped. This will close the object's ends and make it appear solid. Click OK.
NOTE: Now, when you look at the shaded 3D object in the Angled view, you should see it as a solid object.