Lesson

7 Shell

Purpose

This lesson introduces the Shell feature operation.

Objectives

Upon completion of this lesson, you will be able to:

• Create a Shell feature.

• Specify faces to be removed and apply an alternate thi ckness to a face.

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Shell Feature Overview

The Shell feature operation provides additional definition to an existing solid
by crea ting a cavity inside the solid or a shell around the solid based upon a
speci fied thickness. This can be accessed in the Feature Operation toolbar or
by choosing Insert? Offset/Scale? Shell.
The entire solid body is hollowed during this operation but faces can be
removed to create openings. In the following example, the top face was
selected to be removed.

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Creating a Shell Feature

When you choose the Shell option, the Shell dialog is displayed.
The Remove Faces icon is initially active by default and you are prompted to
select the faces to remove. You may also enter a Thickness value.

After the selecting faces to remove, the resulting solid previews in the
graphics window. The Thickness can be adjusted by dragging the handle (1)
to the desired value or keying in the value in the dynamic input field (2).
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Initially, the drag handle will point inward and a positive value for thickness
will hollow the original solid. To reverse the direction, double click the drag
handle (or use MB3). When the drag handle points outward, a positive
thickness value will create a shell around the original solid.

You may also specify a negative thickness value to create the shell
in the opposite direction of the drag handle.

When you achieve the desired Thi ckness value and direction , choose OK (or
MB2) to create the feature.

Selection Intent Face Options

The Selection Intent toolbar is available to specify face selection rules while
selecting faces. These rules can be applied to automatically select a collection
of faces in a single step instead of selecting each one individuall y.

Alternate Thickness List

7 A unique thickness may be assigned to faces with the Alternate Thickness

List option. This option allows you to select sets of faces and specify a
different thickness value using a drag handle or entry field.

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Activity — Creating a Shell Feature

In this activity, you will use the Shell feature to define a plastic molded part.
Step 1: Open the shell_hair_dryer part.

Step 2: Start the Modeling application.

Step 3: Inspect the Part.

7
Set the Rendering Style to Shaded with Edges and
rotate the part to verify that a shell feature is required.

Step 4: Create the shell feature and remove the proper faces.

Choose the Shell icon from the Feature Operation

toolbar. (Insert→Offset/Scale→Shell)

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Key in a Thi ckness value of 2.

Select the right (1), and back (2) planar faces to remove.

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Choose OK (MB2).

Step 5: Rotate the part to verify the shell was created correctly.

Step 6: Close the part.

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Activity — Creating a Shell and Removing Multiple Faces

In this activity, you will create a Shell feature and select multiple faces to
remove.
Step 1: Open the shell_face_selection part.

Step 2: Start the Modeling application.

7 Step 3: Create a shell feature.

Choose the Shell icon. (Insert→Offset/Scale→Shell)

Key in a Thickness of .12.

Select the following five faces to remove: front, back, left, right,
and bottom.

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Choose OK. (MB2)

Step 4: Edit the Shell feature.

Ori ent the work view to Front. (MB3→Orient View→Front)

Fit the view. (MB3→Fit)

Choose Edit? Feature? Edit Parameters.

Choose the Shell feature and OK.

Change the Thickness to –.12 and choose OK twice (or MB2 7

twice) to update the model.
Notice the material is offset in the opposite direction.

Step 5: Close the part.

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Activity — Creating a Shell with an Alternate Thickness

In this activity, you will create a Shell feature with an alternate thickness
applied to a face.
Step 1: Open the shell_alternate_thickness part.

Step 2: Start the Modeling application.

Step 3: Create the shell feature.

Choose the Shell icon. (Insert→Offset/Scale→Shell)

Key in a Thickness of 4.

Verify the Face option is set to Tangent Faces in the Selection

Intent toolbar.

Select the top face to remove.

This will automatically include the right and left faces because
they are tangent.

Choose Alternate Thickness List.

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Select the bottom face.

Key in a Set1 T value of 8.

Choose OK twice. (or MB2 twice)

Step 4: Close the part.

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Summary
The Shell feature creates a cavity inside, or a shell around an existing solid,
based upon a specified thickness. In addition, selected faces may be assigned
alternate thicknesses.
In this lesson you:
• Created a Shell feature with a uniform thickness.

• Created a Shell feature and selected multiple faces to remove.

• Created a Shell feature and specified an alternate thickness for a face.

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