Can the Extruded Boss feature be used to remove material?

The Extruded Boss feature in SolidWorks is primarily designed to add material to a part by creating a solid feature from a 2D sketch. When you utilize this feature, it typically extends the profile of the sketch in either a direction away from or towards the sketch plane, thus resulting in a solid addition to the existing part.

While there are features in SolidWorks that can effectively remove material—such as the Extruded Cut feature—the Extruded Boss itself is not designed for removal. Its main function is to create additional material, allowing for the construction of features like bases, ribs, or other solid geometries.

This distinction is important in understanding how to use features effectively in SolidWorks, as each feature has specific purposes and applications within the design process. The misunderstanding might arise from the fact that some operations can involve both adding and removing material, but the Extruded Boss is not one of those versatile operations designed for both tasks.