How to Use the Shell Command in Inventor 2026

In this blog I’m going to walk you through everything you need to know about the Shell Command and the new Shell features in Inventor 2026, including what it is, when to use it and how to use it effectively.

The Shell command in Inventor allows you to convert a solid part into a hollowed-out structure by removing material from the interior and setting a wall thickness.

New Feature: Rounded Corners

• In addition to the standard shell with sharp corners, there is now a rounded corners option within the shell command. This allows you to automatically apply fillets/rounds to the outer corners of the shell wall geometry created by the offset, resulting in smoother transitions and avoiding sharp intersections.
• This enhancement is particularly helpful for parts that will be subject to fabrication, tooling or need smoother exterior aesthetics and it reduces the need for a separate fillet operation afterwards.

How to Use the Shell Command

• Open a new standard mm ipt.

• Model up something like the below images:

• Start the Shell command.

• Make sure Round Corners is selected, change the thickness to 5mm and select the top face to be removed.

• Notice all the inner edges have now been rounded.

• Select outside as shown in the below image. Then notice how all outer edges have now been rounded.

• Select Center, for both inside and outside, as shown below. Then notice how both inner and outer edges have been rounded.

• Select the option you are looking for.

Bonus Tip: You can also rename the Shell in the dialog box immediately to reflect in your property’s browser. This can be done for other commands too, such as Extrude.

In short, the Shell command is your go-to tool in Inventor for hollowing solids and creating thin-walled parts. In the 2026 version, you’ll find it has been significantly improved with easier UI, richer preview feedback and the new Rounded Corners mode that saves you a step. If you frequently shell parts (especially in plastics, enclosures, mold tooling), these enhancements can make your workflows smoother and more reliable.