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Lets say I have this object: enter image description here and I want to solidify it to 3d print it.

I would like to have a constant thickness on the XY plane. I mean: I want that every 3d printed level has the same thickness. If I use a Solidify modifier wiht a certain thickness (let's say 2.5mm) It works with the normal of every face, so it works also on z axis and the thickness is not always 2.5mm if measured on XY plane: enter image description here

If I go to edit mode and extrude the faces I can't find a way to get what I want.

Is there a way to do it? I don't need it to be with Solidify. It can be done with Displacement, Animation Nodes, Python or anything else. I just need to do it in a smart and quite fast way.

Thank you all in advance!

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    $\begingroup$ If I'm understanding your question right, then this option doesn't exist because excluding a specific axis could result in a non-manifold mesh or overlapping geometry. $\endgroup$
    – Robert Gützkow
    Commented Nov 22, 2019 at 18:06
  • $\begingroup$ That can be extruding along X/Y only? Or some meshes are too complex? $\endgroup$
    – lemon
    Commented Aug 26, 2020 at 14:00
  • $\begingroup$ The problem is to keep the same identical (and I want a specific value) thickness on all the mesh. $\endgroup$
    – mugnozzo
    Commented Aug 26, 2020 at 14:02
  • $\begingroup$ so extrude first, but don't move, then push/pull the distance you want (with no z) $\endgroup$
    – lemon
    Commented Aug 26, 2020 at 14:03

1 Answer 1

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You can do it in two steps:

  • Extrude, but don't move E then RMB
  • Then push/pull using shiftZ to avoid z displacements

"Push/pull" is available in the tool bar (alternate from shrink/flatten) or via menu "mesh/transform/push pull".

Though, you'll have to tune the distance with the mouse as the operator panel does not allow to choose the concerned axis.

enter image description here

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  • $\begingroup$ It isn't what I need. I need a constant thickness along all the object and I want control on that number (the thickness). $\endgroup$
    – mugnozzo
    Commented Sep 3, 2020 at 15:51
  • $\begingroup$ This doesn't work for me at all. Perhaps it's a Blender 3 thing. If I hit E and then RMB, nothing has happened. RMB cancels the extrude. No additional set of linked faces has been created and I can use push/pull on. $\endgroup$
    – Michael Oryl
    Commented Feb 3, 2023 at 20:47

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