Extrude Edges

This tool is used to extrude free edges and border edges.  Border edges have exactly one face attached and free edges have zero faces attached.  Edges with two or more faces attached cannot be extruded.

Extruding can be performed using 3 modes: Individual, Group, and Normal.

Operation

1. (Optional) Preselect free or border edges to extrude
2. Activate the Extrude Edges Tool
3. Click to set the extrude start reference point.
4. Move the mouse to control the extrude distance or key-in a distance in the measurements box.
5. Click again to complete the extrusion.

Modifiers

• ALT = Cycle between Individual, Group, and Normal Extrude Modes
• SHIFT = Tap to extrude freely in any direction

Tips

• Press ESC to clear the selection

Extruding Free Edges

From left to right: Original Edges, Individual Mode, Group Mode

Extruding Border Edges

From left to right: Original, Individual Mode, Group Mode, Normal Mode

Extrude Modes

Press ALT to switch extrude modes.  This can even be done while extruding.

Individual Mode will extrude each of the selected edges individually.  Extruded edges will separate in this mode.

Group Mode will extrude each group of edges while trying to keep the newly generated faces parallel to the border faces. Extruded edges stay together in this mode.

Normal Mode will extrude each group of edges in a direction that is within a plane formed by the edges.  Extruded faces stay together in this mode.

Note that Group Mode and Normal Mode may sometimes produce identical results depending on the orientation of the border faces.

Free Mode

By tapping SHIFT while extruding, you can then mode the extruded edges freely in any direction.  All edges will then move together in the same direction.  Tap SHIFT again to turn off free mode.