Use any line/curve/edge in extrude

Dean_Gardner

So I have been spoilt in a previous package where i could use any line/edge from a solid, curve, or sketch to extrude from.  It didn't have to be plainar either.  Is this a possibility in Onshape? It seems that i can only create an extrude from a face or sketched line.

leecasey

Hi Dean, to extrude you would need to sketch something. I'm not sure how you would extrude from an edge, how would you define a sketch without a plane to sketch on? Maybe I've misunderstood the question. 

Dean_Gardner

@leecasey in NX i could pick the edge of one of those holes to create a round bar extrude.  Extrude doesn't let me select it, unless i sketch over the top of said hole.

I could even click around the perimeter of this pocket (below) and create a surface that would radiate out in a single direction.

leecasey

Ah I understand now. I know you can re-use sketches, so if that hole was created from a sketch you can just unhide the sketch and extrude from that. 

GregBrown

There's a custom feature (though not created by us at Onshape) that does this: https://cad.onshape.com/documents/24819ddab7dc83c810eb8246/v/b409220bda82b907cd49f383/e/38727ba0d05188ebe79387a5

Just be aware that it was a fork from the standard Extrude feature code of a few years ago, and has not kept up with the latest and greatest (especially a few things from this year!). 

EvanAReese

@GregBrown
I would be interested in expanding the native one in this direction a bit more. It seems like it's moving that way now that a direction can be selected. I know opExtrude() isn't limited to planar inputs.

wout_theelen541

I needed something like this today and made an improvement request:
https://forum.onshape.com/discussion/21158/simple-geometry-imprinting-on-extrude/p1?new=1