What does the "Extrude" feature do in Autodesk Inventor?

The "Extrude" feature in Autodesk Inventor is primarily used to convert a 2D sketch profile into a 3D solid by adding material in a straight line along a specified direction. When you create a sketch in the 2D plane and then apply the extrude function, you essentially extend the shape of the sketch perpendicular to the sketch plane, thus giving it a height dimension and transforming it into a three-dimensional object.

This capability is fundamental in solid modeling, allowing designers to build complex parts from simpler shapes, which can be further modified and combined with other features to create elaborate assemblies. The value of the extrude feature lies in its ability to easily add volume and structure to designs, which is essential in designing components for manufacturing or further engineering processes.

Other options describe different operations. For example, rotating a shape around an axis refers to the "Revolve" feature, which creates a solid by revolving a sketch around a central axis. Removing material from a solid body corresponds to functions like "Cut" or "Extrude Cut," which focus on creating voids. Creating a surface from a series of points aligns with surface modeling techniques, such as creating a surface using a spline or mesh, which is not what extruding accomplishes