> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.enercalc.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.enercalc.com/e3d-user-manual/interface/toc175916526/toc161393755/extrude/toc161393766.md).

# Extrude Members to Shells

How to generate shells by extruding selected members along a global direction.

Modify > Extrude > Extrude Members to Shells prompts you with the following dialog.

![](https://560001759-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FWNe8U6EBBBdUJHdb2X9G%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-8b696884b91bd6c97ae764e29eade375397636d7%2FFASTFR~1_img20.png?alt=media)

It generates a series of shells by extruding selected members along a global direction. You may specify a distance list and an extrusion direction for the generation of shells. The extrusion direction must not be parallel to the selected members. You have the option to automatically merge nodes and elements after extrusion. You should check this option unless duplicate nodes are explicitly permitted. You also have the option to automatically delete selected members after the extrusion.

The input in the above dialog is applied to the members in the screen capture below\...

![](https://560001759-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FWNe8U6EBBBdUJHdb2X9G%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-a619227e5cd5ee985d9fd02865ae709ca3ec9789%2FFASTFR~1_img19.png?alt=media)

members used for extruding

...to generate the shells in following screen capture by extruding.

![](https://560001759-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FWNe8U6EBBBdUJHdb2X9G%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-f66f54f5af496be1c60029b136c640c9f9500d3e%2FFASTFR~1_img22.png?alt=media)

shells generated


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter:

```
GET https://docs.enercalc.com/e3d-user-manual/interface/toc175916526/toc161393755/extrude/toc161393766.md?ask=<question>&goal=<endgoal>
```

`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal.

The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.