Using the Extrude command

Extrude is the first of the group of commands that are used to convert 2D to 3D objects, and it is a mandatory operation for any 3D modeling software, as many 3D bodies can simply be created by drawing a 2D base then extruding it. To start the Extrude command, you can type the command name EXTRUDE, or just type EXT then press Enter. Alternatively, you can click on the Extrude button found in the Create panel in the 3D Basics workspace, and if you are using the 3D Modeling workspace, you will find the Extrude button in the Modeling panel under the Home tab, or in the Solid panel under the Solid tab as shown here:

Figure 12.1: Alternative methods of starting the Extrude command

Depending on the selected object, the Extrude command will create a 3D solid or a surface. Generally, if you select a surface or a 2D closed shape (such as a circle, a polygon,...