Direction 2 Walkthrough

A step by step example of Direction 2: a block that grows 1 in up from the sketch and runs down to the first face below it, in one step. For everything the option can do, see Direction 2.

Before You Start

• Modeling comes with the Pro plans.
• The examples use inches. Use any unit you like, and type it after the number.

Make a Plate

1. Open a sketch on the Top plane and draw a rectangle 4 in by 3 in with the Center Rectangle tool.
2. On the Features tab, click Extrude, set Depth to 1/2 in and click Extrude. This is the plate.

Grow a Block Both Ways

1. Click Sketch. In the Sketch on panel, type 2 in in the Offset box, then click Top (see Reference Planes). The sketch opens on a plane 2 in above the plate. Draw a rectangle 2 in by 1 in over the plate.
2. Click Extrude. Leave End condition on Blind and set Depth to 1 in. Leave Direction on Forward.
3. Tick Direction 2. A second End condition appears, and Both ways is greyed out.
4. In the Direction 2 End condition, choose Up To Next. It has no depth box, because the part decides.
5. Click Extrude. The block grows 1 in up from the sketch, and down it runs until it lands on the top of the plate.
6. The Model tree shows one step: Extrude rectangle, 1 in, direction 2 up to next.

Change the Second Side

1. Right-click the step in the Model tree and choose Edit Feature.
2. Under Direction 2, change End condition to Blind and type 1/4 in in its Depth box.
3. Press Enter. The block now stops 1/4 in below the sketch, and a gap shows over the plate.
4. The step reads Extrude rectangle, 1 in, direction 2 1/4 in.

Tips

• Direction 1 is Forward, so Direction 2 goes Backward. Choose Backward for Direction 1 and the two swap.
• To stop short of a face, use Up To Surface for Direction 2 and type an Offset Distance.
• Press Esc, or click the X, to close the Edit Feature editor without a change.

Related Tools

• Direction 2
• Thin Feature
• Up To Next
• Extrude and Cut