3D newbie

I produce architectural/structural drawings in 2D for construction documents with AutoCAD 2004 Vanilla.

I've recently been playing around with the 3D functions and views and am curious about how people use AutoCAD for 3D.

I've been looking for some kind of training or step by step explanation of how to use 3D in AutoCAD and have come up empty.

Can anyone point me to some resources where I can start educating myself for 3D? Thanks.

 

Amazon.com or local library

AutoCAD 2004 : 3D Drawing and Solid Modeling
by Thomas P. Zurflieh

AutoCAD 2004 : 3D Modeling, A Visual Approach (AutoCAD)
by H. Wilson, Alan Kalameja

3D AutoCAD 2004/2005: One Step at a Time [DOWNLOAD: ADOBE READER]
by Timothy Sean Sykes


HTH

--
ADK

ACAD 2004 running Windows XP Pro}

documents with AutoCAD 2004 Vanilla.

curious about how people use AutoCAD for 3D.

how to use 3D in AutoCAD and have come up empty.

for 3D? Thanks.

 

Those are all good book recommendations.

Also, many trade schools offer AutoCAD classes, check around your area. Also, many AutoCAD dealers offer classes. They usually cost a couple of hundred bucks for a 1 or 2 day class.

A class, combined with a good reference book should get you what you need.

 

Check out www.cadtutor.net/forum loads of help and advice and friendly, no
flaming.
It's moderated and post away.

Nick

 

andy drafter: Basic 3D work involves learning how and when to rotate the UCS and how to select a view to work in.

For simple 3d objects like drawing 3dfaces perpendicular to the "normal" world plane, the UCS must be rotated about the X-axis so the Y-axis points "up" (90 degrees from the normal X-Y plane.

To see this happen, you need to change the angle from which you normally view the drawing. In 2D (world) view, you are viewing your drawing from overhead (90 degrees FROM the X-Y plane) and from 270 degrees IN the X-Y plane.

One simple way to change the view is to use the VPOINT command. Start the command and enter something like 225 degrees IN the X-Y plane and 35 degrees FROM the X-Y plane. These values change your viewpoint (the direction from where YOU are to the objects) from "South overhead" to "Southwest up in the air a little ways."

Once you're comforatble with changing views and UCS, 3D gets a lot easier.

 

Hi andy drafter ,if you want create 3D,please try it

# Click VIEW > 3D VIEWS > VIEWPOINT PRESTS...
# Fill box from:X Axis with 315
# Fill box XY Plane with 35
# Create circle with radius 10 at 0,0,0
# Region it
# Extrude it with 5

documents with AutoCAD 2004 Vanilla.

curious about how people use AutoCAD for 3D.

how to use 3D in AutoCAD and have come up empty.

for 3D? Thanks.

 

It is unnecessary to region the circle prior to extruding. Circles and closed PLINES will extrude and revolve quite well.

 

I design timber frame homes on the side.. I use 3d solids to create a model
of the frame. I create the individual timbers or bents from my section then
I'll use the 3d operation to rotate them up and into position. I do this
without changing the ucs at all. I know it isn't "proper procedure", but
it's quick "n" easy, and the end result is accurate, clean, and easy to work
with. I will the change the view in the paper space tabs to create the
"frame dwgs".

Good luck and have fun, I love working 3d.

Paul

 

Explore the use of attributed blocks for the timber sections. Such as a 2x4 that's 1" high, when inserted you can give it a Z scale of a stud ht. I know these will be more difficult for odd end angles, but blocks will reduce file size substantially, and you can extract the data to a material list very easily with EATTEXT.

 

I use attributes. Over the years I've been able to build a rather nice 3d
lib. of timbers with w/ "tag" to match. I've noticed that more and more
frames are alot more customized then the used to be. So, I'll create the
section, timbers, and then attach and attb tag. Your right, it makes it
easy to pull a timber list.

Paul

 

Hi OLD-CADaver ,sorry and yes circle unnecessary to region,I only give them
how to built 3D drawing,in order to easy understanding,because to
understanding 3D drawing for first time rather difficult,especially how to
look in "VIEWPOINT PRESETS"

closed PLINES will extrude and revolve quite well.