To Construct a Faceted Element from a Surface or Solid

Select the Mesh from Element tool ( Modeling > Mesh > Create ).
Do one of the following:

Select the surface or solid.

or
Enter a data point and drag to use a selection rectangle.

or
Enter a data point and press the <Alt> key to use a selection line.

If a selection set is used, the set can be add to or removed from by pressing the <Ctrl> key and selecting or deselecting elements.
Enter a data point to accept the surface or solid.

Mesh from Element. Left: Solid, Right: Surface