PartDesign Thickness: Difference between revisions

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The '''Thickness''' tool works on a solid Body and transforms it into a thick-walled hollow object with at least one open face, giving to each of its remaining faces a uniform thickness. On some solids it allows you to significantly speed up the work, and avoids making extrusions and pockets.
The [[Image:PartDesign_Thickness.svg|24px]] '''PartDesign Thickness''' tool transforms a solid body into a hollow object with at least one open face, giving to each of its remaining faces a uniform thickness. It adds a '''Thickness''' object to the document with its corresponding representation in the [[Tree_view|Tree view]].


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[[File:PartDesign_Thickness_example.svg|600px]]
[[File:PartDesign_Thickness_example.svg|400px]]
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<translate>
<!--T:23-->
<!--T:23-->
{{Caption|The thickness tool applied to a face (B) of a solid (A), resulting in the hollow object (C).}}
{{Caption|Base solid (A) Solid with selected face to be opened (B) Resulting hollow object (C)}}


==Usage== <!--T:5-->
==Usage== <!--T:5-->


=== Add a Thickness ===
=== Add a thickness === <!--T:24-->


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<!--T:6-->
# Optionally activate the Body to apply Thickness to (by double clicking the [[Tree_view|Tree view]] item).
# Optionally [[PartDesign_Body#Active_status|activate]] the Body to apply the Thickness to.
# Select one or more face(s) of the active Body.
# Select one or more faces of the Body.
# There are several ways to invoke the Thickness tool:
# There are several ways to invoke the tool:
#* Press the {{Button|[[Image:PartDesign_Thickness.svg|16px|text-top=Thickness|link=PartDesign_Thickness]] [[PartDesign_Thickness|Thickness]]}} button.
#* Press the {{Button|[[Image:PartDesign_Thickness.svg|16px]] [[PartDesign_Thickness|Thickness]]}} button.
#* Select the {{MenuCommand|Part Design → Apply a dress-up feature → [[Image:PartDesign_Thickness.svg|16px]] Thickness}} option from the menu.
#* Select the {{MenuCommand|Part Design → Apply a dress-up feature → [[Image:PartDesign_Thickness.svg|16px]] Thickness}} option from the menu.
# If there is no active Body, and there are two or more Bodies in the document, the {{MenuCommand|Active Body Required}} dialog will open and prompt you to activate one. If there is a single Body it will be activated automatically.
# The Thickness parameters dialog will open in the [[Task_panel|Task panel]] and allows to set several [[#Options|options]].
# The {{MenuCommand|Thickness parameters}} [[Task_panel|task panel]] opens. See [[#Options|Options]] for more information.
# Click {{Button|OK}} to validate.
# Press the {{Button|OK}} button to finish.




<!--T:25-->
:''Remember'':
:''Remember'':
:* Since there must be at least one face for the feature, the last remaining face in the list cannot be removed.
:* Since there must be at least one face for the feature, the last remaining face in the list cannot be removed.


=== Edit a Thickness ===
=== Edit a thickness === <!--T:26-->


<!--T:27-->
# There are two ways to reopen the Thickness parameters dialog to edit a Thickness:
# Do one of the following:
#* Double-click on the Thickness item in the [[Tree_view|Tree view]]
#* Right-click on the Thickness item in the [[Tree_view|Tree view]] and select {{MenuCommand|Edit Thickness}} from the context menu.
#* Double-click the Thickness object in the [[Tree_view|Tree view]]
# The Thickness parameters dialog will open in the [[Task_panel|Task panel]] and allows to set several [[#Options|options]].
#* Right-click the Thickness object in the [[Tree_view|Tree view]] and select {{MenuCommand|Edit Thickness}} from the context menu.
# The {{MenuCommand|Thickness parameters}} [[Task_panel|task panel]] opens. See [[#Options|Options]] for more information.
# Click {{Button|OK}} to validate.
# Press the {{Button|OK}} button to finish.


===Options=== <!--T:7-->
==Options== <!--T:7-->


<!--T:8-->
<!--T:8-->
* {{MenuCommand|Thickness}}: Set the desired wall thickness of the resulting object either by editing the value or by clicking on the up/down arrows.
* {{MenuCommand|Add face}}: Add faces to the selection by pressing the {{Button|Add face}} button and selecting more faces.
* {{MenuCommand|Remove face}}: Choose a way to remove faces from the selection:
** Select one or more faces in the list and press the {{KEY|Del}} key or right-click the list and select {{MenuCommand|Remove}} from the context menu.
** Press the {{Button|Remove face}} button. All previously selected faces are highlighted in purple. Select each face to be removed.
* {{MenuCommand|Thickness}}: Set the wall thickness either by editing the value or by clicking the up/down arrows.
* {{MenuCommand|Mode}}:
* {{MenuCommand|Mode}}:
** {{MenuCommand|Skin}}: Select this option if you want to get an item like a vase, headless but with the bottom
** {{MenuCommand|Skin}}: Only this option can be selected.
** {{MenuCommand|Pipe}}: Not implemented. See [https://forum.freecadweb.org/viewtopic.php?p=484495#p484495 this forum topic].
** {{MenuCommand|Pipe}}: Select this option if you want to get an object like a pipe, headless and bottomless.
** {{MenuCommand|Recto Verso}}:
** {{MenuCommand|Recto Verso}}: Not implemented. See [https://forum.freecadweb.org/viewtopic.php?p=484495#p484495 idem].
:(In case you wonder: '''Pipe''' and '''Recto Verso''' functionality hasn't been implemented since version 0.13, see [https://forum.freecadweb.org/viewtopic.php?p=35987#p35987 2013 topic] and [https://forum.freecadweb.org/viewtopic.php?p=484495#p484495 2021 follow-up])
* {{MenuCommand|Join Type}}:
* {{MenuCommand|Join Type}}:
** {{MenuCommand|Arc}}: Removes the outer edges and creates a fillet with a radius equal to the defined thickness.
** {{MenuCommand|Arc}}: When non-tangential faces are offset, new faces that do not intersect are joined by a fillet with a radius equal to the defined thickness.
** {{MenuCommand|Intersection}}: When faces are offset outward, sharp edges are kept between faces.
** {{MenuCommand|Intersection}}: When non-tangential faces are offset, new faces that do not intersect are extended to meet at their virtual intersection.
* {{MenuCommand|Intersection}}: When checked, self-intersections in certain models are avoided. This option is not recommended as it relies on an incomplete [https://dev.opencascade.org/doc/refman/html/class_b_rep_offset_a_p_i___make_thick_solid.html#af78f35025a31e2ce8bd96c82fb33a981 OpenCASCADE method].
* {{MenuCommand|Make thickness inwards}}: When checked, faces are offset inward.
* {{MenuCommand|Make thickness inwards}}: When checked, faces are offset inward.


== Notes == <!--T:28-->
==Properties==


<!--T:10-->
* If thickness goes inwards, the value must be smaller than the smallest height of the Body.
* The tool may fail with complex shapes. [[PartDesign_AdditivePipe|Additive Pipe]] or [[PartDesign_AdditiveLoft|Additive Loft]] may work better to create complex shapes.
* Known errors:
** BRep_API: command not done.
** BRep_Tool: no parameter on edge.
** Silently fails.

== Properties == <!--T:29-->

<!--T:30-->
See also: [[Property_editor|Property editor]].
See also: [[Property_editor|Property editor]].


<!--T:31-->
A PartDesign Thickness object is derived from a [[Part_Feature|Part Feature]] object and inherits all its properties. It also has the following additional properties:
A PartDesign Thickness object is derived from a [[Part_Feature|Part Feature]] object and inherits all its properties. It also has the following additional properties:


===Data===
===Data=== <!--T:32-->


<!--T:33-->
{{Properties_Title|Base}}
{{Properties_Title|Base}}


<!--T:34-->
* {{PropertyData|Base|LinkSub}}: Base. Sub-link to the parent feature's list of selected edges and faces.
* {{PropertyData|SupportTransform|Bool}}: Support Transform. "Include the base additive/subtractive shape when used in pattern features.
* {{PropertyData|Base|LinkSub}}: Sub-link to the parent feature's list of selected edges and faces.
: If disabled, only the dressed part of the shape is used for patterning. Default: {{FALSE}}.
* {{PropertyData|Support Transform|Bool}}: Include the base additive/subtractive shape when used in pattern features. If disabled, only the dressed part of the shape is used for patterning. Default: {{FALSE}}.
* {{PropertyData|AddSubShape|PartShape|hidden}}: Add Sub Shape.
* {{PropertyData|Add Sub Shape|PartShape|hidden}}
* {{PropertyData|BaseFeature|Link|hidden}}: Base Feature. Link to the parent feature.
* {{PropertyData|Base Feature|Link|hidden}}: Link to the parent feature.
* {{PropertyData|_Body|LinkHidden|hidden}}: _Body. Hidden link to the parent body.
* {{PropertyData|_ Body|LinkHidden|hidden}}: Link to the parent body.


<!--T:35-->
{{Properties_Title|Part Design}}
{{Properties_Title|Part Design}}


<!--T:36-->
* {{PropertyData|Refine|Bool}}: "Refine shape (clean up redundant edges) after adding/subtracting". Default: {{TRUE}}.
* {{PropertyData|Refine|Bool}}: Refine shape (clean up redundant edges) after adding/subtracting. The default value is determined by the {{MenuCommand|Automatically refine model after sketch-based operation}} preference. See [[PartDesign_Preferences#General|PartDesign Preferences]].


<!--T:37-->
{{Properties_Title|Thickness}}
{{Properties_Title|Thickness}}


<!--T:38-->
* {{PropertyData|Value|Length}}: Value. "Thickness value". Default: {{value|1,00 mm}}.
* {{PropertyData|Mode|Enumeration}}: Mode. {{value|Skin}} (default), {{value|Pipe}} (seems to be useless).
* {{PropertyData|Value|Length}}: Thickness value. Default: {{value|1 mm}}.
* {{PropertyData|Mode|Enumeration}}: Mode. {{value|Skin}} (default), {{value|Pipe}} or {{Value|Recto verso}}. Only {{value|Skin}} is implemented.
: ("Recto verso" isn't even listed here...)
* {{PropertyData|Join|Enumeration}}: Join. "Join type".{{value|Arc}} (default).
* {{PropertyData|Join|Enumeration}}: Join type. {{value|Arc}} (default) or {{Value|Intersection}}.
* {{PropertyData|Reversed|Bool}}: Reversed. "Apply the thickness towards the solids interior". Default: {{FALSE}}.
* {{PropertyData|Reversed|Bool}}: Apply the thickness towards the solids interior. Default: {{FALSE}}.
* {{PropertyData|Intersection|Bool}}: Intersection. "Enable intersection-handling". Default: {{FALSE}}.
* {{PropertyData|Intersection|Bool}}: Enable intersection-handling. Default: {{FALSE}}.

==Limitations== <!--T:9-->

<!--T:10-->
* At least one face to be opened must be selected.
* If thickness goes inwards, the value must be smaller than the smallest height of the Body.
* The command may fail with complex shapes. In this context the surface of e.g. a cone has already to be regarded as complex.
** [[PartDesign_AdditivePipe|Additive Pipe]] or [[PartDesign_AdditiveLoft|Additive Loft]] may work better to create complex shapes

==Example== <!--T:11-->

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# Create a Pad from the sketch
# Create a second sketch on the XY plane
# Create a second Pad from the second sketch

<!--T:13-->
As in the following pictures:

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[[File:Braga-primoPad.png]]

[[File:Braga-secondoschizzo.png]]

[[File:Braga-secondo Pad.png]]
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<!--T:14-->
Then
# Select a circular face
# Select {{Button|[[Image:PartDesign_Thickness.svg|24px]] Thickness}}
# Add the other circular faces to the selection

<!--T:15-->
Result:
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[[File:Brga-spessore.png]]
<translate>

== Known Errors == <!--T:18-->

<!--T:19-->
* BRep_API: command not done
* BRep_Tool: no parameter on edge
* Silently Fails





Latest revision as of 18:07, 3 December 2023

PartDesign Thickness

Menu location
Part Design → Apply a dress-up feature → Thickness
Workbenches
PartDesign
Default shortcut
None
Introduced in version
0.17
See also
Part Thickness

Description

The PartDesign Thickness tool transforms a solid body into a hollow object with at least one open face, giving to each of its remaining faces a uniform thickness. It adds a Thickness object to the document with its corresponding representation in the Tree view.

Base solid (A) → Solid with selected face to be opened (B) → Resulting hollow object (C)

Usage

Add a thickness

  1. Optionally activate the Body to apply the Thickness to.
  2. Select one or more faces of the Body.
  3. There are several ways to invoke the tool:
    • Press the Thickness button.
    • Select the Part Design → Apply a dress-up feature → Thickness option from the menu.
  4. If there is no active Body, and there are two or more Bodies in the document, the Active Body Required dialog will open and prompt you to activate one. If there is a single Body it will be activated automatically.
  5. The Thickness parameters task panel opens. See Options for more information.
  6. Press the OK button to finish.


Remember:
  • Since there must be at least one face for the feature, the last remaining face in the list cannot be removed.

Edit a thickness

  1. Do one of the following:
    • Double-click the Thickness object in the Tree view
    • Right-click the Thickness object in the Tree view and select Edit Thickness from the context menu.
  2. The Thickness parameters task panel opens. See Options for more information.
  3. Press the OK button to finish.

Options

  • Add face: Add faces to the selection by pressing the Add face button and selecting more faces.
  • Remove face: Choose a way to remove faces from the selection:
    • Select one or more faces in the list and press the Del key or right-click the list and select Remove from the context menu.
    • Press the Remove face button. All previously selected faces are highlighted in purple. Select each face to be removed.
  • Thickness: Set the wall thickness either by editing the value or by clicking the up/down arrows.
  • Mode:
    • Skin: Only this option can be selected.
    • Pipe: Not implemented. See this forum topic.
    • Recto Verso: Not implemented. See idem.
  • Join Type:
    • Arc: When non-tangential faces are offset, new faces that do not intersect are joined by a fillet with a radius equal to the defined thickness.
    • Intersection: When non-tangential faces are offset, new faces that do not intersect are extended to meet at their virtual intersection.
  • Intersection: When checked, self-intersections in certain models are avoided. This option is not recommended as it relies on an incomplete OpenCASCADE method.
  • Make thickness inwards: When checked, faces are offset inward.

Notes

  • If thickness goes inwards, the value must be smaller than the smallest height of the Body.
  • The tool may fail with complex shapes. Additive Pipe or Additive Loft may work better to create complex shapes.
  • Known errors:
    • BRep_API: command not done.
    • BRep_Tool: no parameter on edge.
    • Silently fails.

Properties

See also: Property editor.

A PartDesign Thickness object is derived from a Part Feature object and inherits all its properties. It also has the following additional properties:

Data

Base

  • DataBase (LinkSub): Sub-link to the parent feature's list of selected edges and faces.
  • DataSupport Transform (Bool): Include the base additive/subtractive shape when used in pattern features. If disabled, only the dressed part of the shape is used for patterning. Default: false.
  • Data (hidden)Add Sub Shape (PartShape)
  • Data (hidden)Base Feature (Link): Link to the parent feature.
  • Data (hidden)_ Body (LinkHidden): Link to the parent body.

Part Design

  • DataRefine (Bool): Refine shape (clean up redundant edges) after adding/subtracting. The default value is determined by the Automatically refine model after sketch-based operation preference. See PartDesign Preferences.

Thickness

  • DataValue (Length): Thickness value. Default: 1 mm.
  • DataMode (Enumeration): Mode. Skin (default), Pipe or Recto verso. Only Skin is implemented.
  • DataJoin (Enumeration): Join type. Arc (default) or Intersection.
  • DataReversed (Bool): Apply the thickness towards the solids interior. Default: false.
  • DataIntersection (Bool): Enable intersection-handling. Default: false.