How to use SOLIDWORKS Surface Extrude without Pre-drawing a Sketch

Using the SOLIDWORKS Surface Extrude feature, we can extrude the boundary edges of a face of a solid body or edges of a surface body in a customized direction. When we run the Extruded Surface command, two things can happen: Either a sketch is active or preselected or no sketches exists. In case no sketches exists or is selected, a message in yellow color shows in the property manager window on the left. The message is guiding us to select a sketch or a planar face to start drawing a sketch for extrusion purpose. In addition, the message guides us to extrude from a 3D face or use “Alt + planar face” to extrude.

If no Sketches Exists for Surface Extrusion, a 3D or Planar Face Could Be Selected for Surface Extrude Feature

In the following picture, three different SOLIDWORKS Surface Extrude features are demonstrated using the above method:

• A planar face of a rectangular cube is extruded.
• Also, a planar surface body is used to extrude its boundary edges.
• Finally, a 3D surface is extruded in the defined direction.

To Specify the direction of the extrusion a sketch line or edge of solid or surface body could be picked.

Extruded Surface Feature Can Be Initiated from a Planar or 3D Face without Preselecting a Sketch

This technique could be used to design cool design such as a hat as shown below. To see details of this design, check out this SOLIDWORKS Help article.

Extruded Surface Feature Is used for Cool Designs