AutoCAD 2010 Help

[Onoff]

I never thought I'd pose that question considering myself something of a dab hand. So I was trained on 2000 / 2000i and now use 2010.

Working on a battery adapter 4 years ago I somehow managed to create a near perfect outline of a DeWalt battery case. I think I drew around it, scanned it then imported into AutoCAD. Can't for the life of me remember how!

So this is my polyline:

I offset it by 4mm to the inside:

Then extrude up by 12mm:

In theory I have two solids, one inside the other.

I go to solids editing and attempt to subtract the smaller from the larger. I get this message:

I can quite happily draw a circle say, offset it and extrude both up. I subtract the smaller from the larger and end up with a "doughnut" no problem.

Anyone see where I'm going wrong?

 

[Dilkris]

Is this a question or you are just telling us something...??

 

[Onoff]

Is this a question or you are just telling us something...??

Sorry, hit post without the pictures! Edited now.

 

[Onoff]

I very vaguely recall there was a simple command whereby you could click on a polyline, keep hitting enter or something and the cursor would track around so you could check for breaks etc. Too long ago!

 

[Onoff]

LIST or LI says the polyline is closed:

 

[Agroshield]

...so you could check for breaks etc.

Right click, choose 'properties' and look for 'closed'. If computer says 'no', there's your problem lady. [Edit - is the one you query above the original or the offset one?].

As the object appears symmetrical, draw a line across its symmetry axis and throw away half before you start any 3D operation. Mirror the solid at the end and fuse together.

If any part of the original has a radius less than or equal to 4mm, it may become degenerate when you offset it 4mm inwards. That might be the problem. Try using the original and offsetting it outwards. If you get a 3D solid, you can scale it down later in the process.

Edit2: purge the file and make it as small as possible and upload the dxf so we can play with it.

 

[Onoff]

Panic over! I exploded the polyline and simply remade it.

 

[jmp49]

Interesting exercise, but... https://grabcad.com/library?page=1&time=all_time&sort=recent&query=dewalt battery