  We give a general solution to the question when the convex hulls of orbits of
quantum states on a finite-dimensional Hilbert space under unitary actions of a
compact group have a non-empty interior in the surrounding space of all density
states. The same approach can be applied to study convex combinations of
quantum channels. The importance of both problems stems from the fact that,
usually, only sets with non-vanishing volumes in the embedding spaces of all
states or channels are of practical importance. For the group of local
transformations on a bipartite system we characterize maximally entangled
states by properties of a convex hull of orbits through them. We also compare
two partial characteristics of convex bodies in terms of largest balls and
maximum volume ellipsoids contained in them and show that, in general, they do
not coincide. Separable states, mixed-unitary channels and k-entangled states
are also considered as examples of our techniques.
