Shell feature for hollow parts in Solidworks - Step-by-Step Guide

Introduction

The Shell feature in SolidWorks helps you create hollow parts by removing material from the inside of a solid model. This is useful when you want to make parts lighter or create a cavity inside a solid object without redesigning the whole model.

When you need to reduce the weight of a solid part by hollowing it out.

When designing a plastic casing that requires a uniform wall thickness.

When creating a container or box with a hollow inside.

When you want to add a consistent thickness to walls of a solid model.

When you need to prepare a part for manufacturing processes like injection molding.

Steps

Step 1: Open your solid part model

- SolidWorks main window

The solid model appears on the screen ready for editing

Step 2: Click the Shell tool

- Features tab on the CommandManager

Shell PropertyManager opens on the left side of the screen

Step 3: Enter the desired wall thickness

- Thickness input box in the Shell PropertyManager

The preview updates showing the hollowed part with the specified wall thickness

💡 Choose a thickness that matches your design and manufacturing needs

Step 4: Select faces to remove

- Graphics area by clicking on the faces of the solid model

Selected faces highlight and will be removed to create openings in the hollow part

Step 5: Click OK

- Shell PropertyManager

The part updates to show the hollowed model with the specified wall thickness and openings

Before vs After

Before

A solid cube with dimensions 100mm x 100mm x 100mm

After

A hollow cube with 2mm thick walls and one face removed creating an open box

Settings Reference

Thickness

📍 Shell PropertyManager

Sets the uniform wall thickness of the hollowed part

Default: 1 mm

Faces to Remove

📍 Graphics area during Shell feature

Defines which faces will be removed to create openings in the hollow part

Default: None

Reverse Direction

📍 Shell PropertyManager

Changes the direction of shelling if the default does not hollow the part as expected

Default: Unchecked

Common Mistakes

Entering a wall thickness larger than the smallest dimension of the part

This causes the shell operation to fail because the walls cannot be thicker than the part itself

Choose a wall thickness smaller than the smallest dimension of the solid model

Not selecting any faces to remove when the design requires openings

The part will be hollow but completely enclosed, which may not be the intended design

Select the faces that need to be open to create the desired hollow shape

Summary

The Shell feature hollows out solid parts by removing material inside and leaving uniform walls.

You must specify wall thickness and optionally select faces to remove for openings.

Wall thickness must be smaller than the part dimensions to avoid errors.