Cannot create sculpt

[Anonymous]

I'm trying to fill in the area enclosed in the surfaces and planes shown in the picture to add material to the bottom of part while keeping the curvature of the outsides faces the same. From what I can tell the volume is entirely enclosed in the surfaces shown, but I keep getting the error message "The attempted operation has no effect on the part, Try with different inputs." 

Any insight? 

[JDMather]

Your images do not show what is selected in the browser.

Your images do not show the direction arrows.

Here is an idea - attach your *.ipt file here.

[johnsonshiue]

Indeed, like JD already mentioned, the images do not give any clue what could have happened. It is possible one of the participating surface is incomplete (not covering the volume). Or, there is a bad body. Or, Inventor is having problem joining the Sculpt to the main body. Did you try using "New Body" option? Does it work?

Could you attach the file here or send it to me directly (johnson.shiue@autodesk.com)?

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Here's the .ipt

I'm relatively new to inventor so the design tree is a bit cluttered, best of luck!

[johnsonshiue · Accepted solution]

Hi! There are a few places on the model I would do differently. Based on the design intent I captured, I think you are looking for a way to offset the top split faces (the ones with the ribs), right? If yes, couldn't you simply use Thicken feature to push the faces out, instead of using Sculpt?

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Ah yes, this worked much better. I had tried using the thicken feature, but it extended each face individually and left gaps in the new solid. I had to first combine the surfaces with the patch function and then the thicken feature worked perfectly. Thanks!