Stretching 3D objects

[~Dramatic~Details~]

I wish you could stretch a 3D object, similar to how you stretch a 2D object, it would be better that slicing, extruding and then unioning. That would be awesome:thumbs_up

[acadder]

You could use the 'extrude face' or 'offset face' commands

though i think they could be a little primative with complex surfaces??

just my 0.02c

[~Dramatic~Details~]

Ya, those are great commands but I am working with more complex objects like doors with profiles and to slice, extrude, union each on everytime I need a new size is time consuming

[csiarch]

I was reading your posts and some of the comments caught my eye.

Often times, people become influenced by the "3D solids" syndrome. Granted, there are a lot of things you can do with solids that you can't do with other 3D techniques. However, you should remember that you don't always need 3D solids to depict what you need.

You mentioned creating doors. There are lots of different finds of doors ranging from the plain faced hollow metal or flush wood door right up through the fancy carved custom types. I don't think you can achieve a heightened elvel of detail in a carved door with plain Autocad, 3d solids or not. As for the other doors, I would suggest using a combination of polylines with thickness and/or 3d faces.

Plines with thickness and 3d faces are easier to manipulate and 3D faces can be stretched. Working with 3d faces is similar to working in 2D except for changing the UCS orientation. You have to do a little thinking once in a while but that's alright, too. One other benefit is that the finished product file sizes are considerably smaller than their 3D solid counterparts. With a little practice, you can whip out objects using 3d faces pretty quickly.

I often model building exteriors in 3D, expecially if the shapes are complex and I suspect the designer is going to change his/her mind a million times. Most of the time, the models are done primarily in 3D faces and I resort to 3d solids only when I have to. Once you get used to using these simpler 3D drawing tools, you'll find that they are ofter adequate for conveying the intent of the project.

Just some other suggestions to think about....