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Make a 3D Pipe in AutoCAD with SHELL

Lesson notes for the CAD Land video — the exact command, what it does, and how to repeat it on your own drawing.

AutoCAD · 2026-10-07

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⌨️ Command used in this video

SHELLSHELL — Hollow out a solidSee it in the command dictionary →

📝 How to do it yourself

Type SHELL and press Enter.
Select the solid.
Select the faces to remove, press Enter.
Type the wall thickness and press Enter.

ℹ️ What SHELL actually does

Hollows out a solid, leaving a wall of a thickness you set. Faces you remove become openings into the cavity.

When to use it

Use it for cups, boxes, casings and any object where you want an inner void rather than a solid block.

⚠️ Common mistakes

Choosing a thickness greater than the smallest dimension of the solid.
Forgetting to select any face to remove — you get a closed hollow with no opening.

🔗 Related commands

SUBTRACT EXTRUDE THICKEN

🎬 Keep watching

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