topic Re: Delete faces error in AutoCAD Forum

Delete faces error

jason_vardy — Tue, 09 May 2023 06:13:12 GMT

I am getting an error when I try and delete a face from a 3D object. I have tried on multiple objects, even a simple box.

The message returned in Modelling operation error: Error code number 103013.

Can anyone assist in solving this?

Many thanks

Re: Delete faces error

imadHabash — Tue, 09 May 2023 08:02:26 GMT

Hi,

Would you try:

Move the 3d object near to 0,0,0 then try again, any changes?
Scale down the 3d object size then try again, any changes?

Re: Delete faces error

j.palmeL29YX — Tue, 09 May 2023 08:18:23 GMT

@jason_vardy wrote:

I have tried on multiple objects, even a simple box.

Show us examples what you have and want to get.

The result of such an operation must be an intact solid as you can see here:

(view in My Videos)

What should be the result if you delete a face of "a simple box"?

Re: Delete faces error

jason_vardy — Tue, 09 May 2023 10:00:10 GMT

I am trying to remove the top face to create an open tank as closed roof tank. I am using the delete faces command/button under solid edit. I select the face as below hit enter and then I get the error message referenced above.

Re: Delete faces error

jason_vardy — Tue, 09 May 2023 10:02:03 GMT

It is already on the origin. I have tried drawing a completely new object and no luck. I have tried closing and reopening the file, shutting down. None of those tricks have worked.

Re: Delete faces error

j.palmeL29YX — Tue, 09 May 2023 10:54:51 GMT

I think your problem has nothing to do with the origin. You simply use the wrong commands.

Unfortunately I do not know what is (or how looks) "an open tank as closed roof tank", but here an example (without exact dimensions) how you can model similar geometry:

(view in My Videos)

We can help better if you tell us more detailed what you want to achieve

Re: Delete faces error

willard_oliver — Fri, 25 Jul 2025 13:01:51 GMT

I am having the same issue as the OP.

Description:

Box with no top.

Create 6x6x6 box
Create a shell using SOLIDEDIT with an offset of .25
I should be able to delete the face thus making a box with no top. (this is as I see it, there is always multiple ways to do things)

When I do this I get an error message:

Modeling Operation Error:
Error Code Number is 103013

No other explanation

Re: Delete faces error

j.palmeL29YX — Fri, 25 Jul 2025 16:26:55 GMT

Post your dwg file please.

Which Version do you use? (screenshot of the about command).

Re: Delete faces error

te240112824 — Sat, 04 Oct 2025 18:07:18 GMT

I have the same Error code, I am trying to delete a face of any 3D object, I am using Solidedit/Faces/Delete and shows the error code 103013, and when selecting with Ctrl + Delete, does not work either. Already tried to close the program, restart pc and restore defaults of Autocad and still got the error code, I am using Autocad 2026

Re: Delete faces error

j.palmeL29YX — Sun, 05 Oct 2025 10:54:05 GMT

The result after deleting a face of a solid must be a valid solid. If you have e.g. a box (6 faces) and want to delete one of the faces, the result can not be a solid, you will get the error code 103013. See also post #3 above.

Post your file please and tell us what you want to achieve, then we can try to help you.

Re: Delete faces error

imadHabash — Sun, 05 Oct 2025 04:28:09 GMT

Hi,

I suggest to read carefully the following hints and matched to your situation:

According to Autodesk docs, to use SOLIDEDIT → Faces → Delete, the face must be bounded by faces that lie on the adjacent planes. If deleting it would leave a gap or malformed solid, AutoCAD blocks it. >> Click <<
AutoCAD will “heal” adjacent faces when you delete one, but only if it can maintain a valid solid. If the healing fails, the deletion is denied.
If the object is degenerate or already has flawed geometry or faces that aren’t properly joined, the command may fail.
Sometimes a face deletion is better done in a surface modeling environment rather than on a solid, depending on what you want (open shell or surface body). Some commands are disabled for solids when they would break the “watertight” requirement.
Some faces are integral to the solid’s definition; deleting them would require leaving an open solid or invalid geometry, so AutoCAD disallows it.

Re: Delete faces error

j.palmeL29YX — Sun, 05 Oct 2025 07:09:28 GMT

@te240112824

If you want to achieve what I think (guessing) you want to get, here you see one of the possible ways:

(view in My Videos)

The other way may be to create a surface model (instead of a 3DSolid)...