Feature Request: “Smooth or Flat Interior Option” for the Shell Command

Feature Request: “Smooth or Flat Interior Option” for the Shell Command

cklyons99
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Feature Request: “Smooth or Flat Interior Option” for the Shell Command

cklyons99
Explorer
Explorer

Feature Request: “Smooth or Flat Interior Option” for the Shell Command Summary

Add an option in the Shell command to allow users to generate a simplified or flat interior wall instead of a fully conformal offset of the outer surface. This would provide a faster, cleaner, and more print-friendly inner geometry for organic or detailed models created from Form (T-Spline) or Surface bodies.


Current Behavior

  • The Shell tool performs a mathematically exact inward offset of the outer BRep surfaces.

  • All exterior details (bumps, waves, embossing) are carried into the interior wall, resulting in a highly complex inner surface.

  • For 3D printing, this often increases print time, uses extra filament, and can cause poor bridging or adhesion at steep internal overhangs.

  • Users who want a smooth, flat inner wall must manually reconstruct it using Sketch + Extrude or Surface + Stitch workarounds.


Proposed Enhancement

Add a new option within the Shell dialog:

🟢 Interior Simplification Mode:

  • “Conformal” (current behavior)

  • “Smoothed” (averaged curvature)”

  • “Flat Interior” (planar or simple revolved wall)

When “Flat Interior” is selected, Fusion would:

  • Offset only the base plane if present.

  • Create a simple cylindrical or planar inner cavity following the overall bounding contour.

  • Maintain uniform wall thickness while ignoring local exterior surface detail.


Benefits

  • Dramatically simpler interior geometry for complex sculpted bodies.

  • Reduced print time and filament usage for FDM prints.

  • Cleaner G-code paths, fewer bridging artifacts.

  • Faster shelling operation for large or high-curvature T-Spline conversions.

  • Eliminates the need for manual “flatten-interior” workflows with additional sketches or surfaces.


Example Use Cases

  • Organic 3D-printed planters, vases, or bowls where exterior form matters but interior smoothness is desired.

  • Sculpted lampshades or art pieces modeled in the Form workspace.

  • Mechanical covers or housings where interior detail offers no functional benefit.

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