What tool would you use to create a 3D feature from a 2D sketch?

To create a 3D feature from a 2D sketch, the Extrude tool is the most commonly used option. The Extrude tool allows you to take the elements of a 2D sketch and extend them along a specified direction, converting the flat profile into a three-dimensional object. By defining the distance and direction of the extrusion, you can generate various forms such as solid shapes or thin-walled features.

This method is fundamental in 3D modeling as it efficiently transforms planar geometric information into three-dimensional structures. The ability to extrude profiles into solids is central to many design processes in Autodesk Inventor, making it an essential skill for anyone using the software to develop 3D models.

In contrast, the other tools have different functionalities suited for specific tasks: the Loft tool shapes a profile between multiple sketches, the Revolve tool creates a 3D object by rotating a 2D sketch around an axis, and the Pattern tool duplicates existing features in a defined arrangement. These methods do not serve the same purpose of directly converting a single 2D sketch into a 3D form.