Extrusion 'from' non-sketch face, force extrusion end to match sketch plane instead of start face?

[nbonnett-murphy]

Hello, 

I'm using the extrusion feature that allows you to extrude from a face other than the sketch plane. The 'from' face of the extrusion is curved (or sometimes just angled) from the sketch plane. When I use the alternate plane, the end cap of the extrusion matches the shape of the 'from' face. In some situations this is desirable, but today it's the opposite of what I need.

Is it possible to force the end of the extrusion to match the sketch plane rather than take the geometry of the 'from' feature? I know I could just make a sketch on an offset ref plane and extrude back the other way, but it seems like this should be possible without extraneous reference geometry.

Also, what is the function of the "extend face to start feature" button? I haven't been able to contrive a situation where toggling it makes anything change, and the help documentation only addresses the "end" version of this button, saying:

"Extend face to end feature - automatically activates when the From selection does not intersect the extruded profile. You can also manually turn on or off the option."

The help docs don't bother to explain the purpose or function of the button, and I can't find a reference to the "start" version of the button in the help docs at all.

Here is a screenshot of an example model to illustrate. I'm looking for the end of the extrusion to be squared off wrt the sketch plane.

[kacper.suchomski · Accepted solution]

Hi

Ideas for tool improvements can be submitted on Idea Station.

In this case you have several options:

1. Offset workplane & Extrude (To or To next mode)
2. Extrude & Delete face

[kacper.suchomski]

Extending the starting surface, as the name suggests, is used in situations where the starting surface does not cover the entire area of the geometry used for extrusion.

[kacper.suchomski]

However, the alternative solution allows you to choose a solution in a situation when the geometry of the base surface cannot clearly determine the starting point and allows the user to manually select the variant.

[nbonnett-murphy]

Too bad that feature isn't an option. Luckily it just requires a little extra ref geometry.

Thanks for the explanatory videos, that helps clear things up.