Shell

Task area 3D Objects

You can use this tool to create parallel 3D surfaces or 3D solids at a specific distance from any 3D surfaces or 3D solids.

Tip: The Shell tool deletes neither reference surfaces nor reference solids. It is a good idea to draw the basic elements in a separate drawing file. You can then open this drawing file in edit mode and create the surfaces or solids in the current drawing file.

To create 3D surfaces or solids that are parallel to and at a specific distance from 3D surfaces or solids

1. Click Shell (How).
   

   Activate Shell in one of the following ways

   • Actionbar:Role Draft Task Modeling Task area 3D Objects

   • Menu bar: Create Bonus Tools 3D Modeling

   • Palette: Tools Create area in the following module(s):

   3D Modeling

2. Select the surface or solid you want to enlarge.
3. Select the reference surface.
   You can select several reference surfaces for solids or surfaces composed of several parts.
4. Right-click to confirm the number of reference surfaces.
5. Define the parameters of the parallel surface or the solid.
   • Mode: Define how the edges of the resulting solid are to look:
     
     Surface normal:
     The surface normal defines the edge.
     Example
     
     Consider adjoining surfaces:
     When creating the new surface, the program considers surfaces that you have not selected but that are connected with the reference surfaces.
     Example
     
     Defined direction:
     You can define the direction of the edge by clicking two points.
     Example
   • Direction: You can define the direction in which you want to apply the offset distance.
     
     Positive direction: applies the offset distance in the direction of the normal vector of the reference surface.
     
     Negative direction: applies the thickness in the opposite direction of the normal vector of the reference surface.
     
     On both sides: applies the thickness equally to both sides of the reference surface in the direction of the normal vector, thus creating two new surfaces.
     
     Note: The direction defining the direction of the surface normal depends on how and in which direction you enter the reference surface.
   • Offset:
     You can define the offset distance between the new surface and the reference surface (or the thickness of the solid). The surface normal defines the offset distance between the surfaces.
     
     Note: The offset to the reference surface can even be zero. For example, you can create an identical surface or partial surface of a solid and then assign a finish to this surface. By placing this surface in front of the solid, you can produce a striking depth during rendering or in animation.
   • Trim division point:
     Select this option to add triangular surfaces to the edges between the reference surfaces that are selected and the adjacent surfaces that are not selected.
     Example
   • Closed volume:
     Select this option to create a solid between the reference surfaces and the parallel surfaces.
     Example
6. After you have set all options, press ESC.

   Allplan creates the 3D surfaces or the solid without deleting the reference surfaces or solids.

   Note: Solids and surfaces get the color set in the Properties palette.