How to Thicken a Complicated Surface

[jake_resnick]

I'm trying to make a mold for this RC airplane fuselage, I can do Combine Cut from another body, but then I have a lot of excess material.

I want to Thicken it as a surface so a can have a mold with a consistent thickness everywhere, but it just shows an error because the surface is too complicated.

I have attached the file if anyone can give me some advice I would greatly appreciate it.   

[jhackney1972]

I agree, the surfaces are too complex to thicken a surface but you can create a mold using a different process.  Here is a solid mold of the fuselage.  One half is turned off but can be shown if needed.  May not be what you asked for but it is a mold. Model is attached.

[etfrench]

Try this:

Offset face excluding flat areas.

Thicken.

Repeat for flat areas.

[TrippyLighting]

How thick would it need to be?

That is an important detail you forgot to mention!

I was able to shell it inwards of outwards by.1mm 😉

Anything larger, you'll have to offset this surface by surface and re-trim. 

[jake_resnick]

Hi, 

I was able to do that, but I'm left with a lot of excess material. I wanted to just thicken the whole thing so I only have the material I need, but if it's not possible I will just do as you showed. 

Thanks so much!

[jake_resnick]

Ok I will try, Thanks!

[jake_resnick]

Yes a wanted to thicken it to 20mm or 30mm but I guess that's not possible. I will try doing it surface by surface. Thanks!