Introduction Although AutoCAD has a number of commands for creating special 3D objects, a lot can be achieved by changing the properties of basic 2D objects like polylines. Most 2D objects can be given a thickness using the thickness option in the Properties ( DDCHPROP) command. Although objects with a thickness can be said to be extruded, this should not be confused with the EXTRUDE command which creates solid extrusions; giving an object thickness produces a surface extrusion. All objects can be given an elevation by moving them in the Z direction using the MOVE command. With a combination of the MOVE and Properties commands you can quickly create simple 3D drawings. Using this tutorial you will learn how to give objects a thickness, how to move them vertically, how to view your 3D creations and how to use the 3DFACE and SHADE commands.
The DDVPOINT Command Toolbar None Pull-down View 3D Viewpoint Select Keyboard DDVPOINT You can use this command to get an axonometric view of your drawing. There are a number of ways to get an axonometric view of your AutoCAD drawing but the DDVPOINT command is probably the easiest and quickest to use.
By Scott Henderson CATIA V5: Creating 2D Drawings from 3D Annotations (And Removing Those Annoying Red Xs. If you’ve got a model displaying dimensions, tolerances, notes, and annotations in 3D, it can be used to create a 2D drawing view with the same information.
It is, however, buried two layers deep in the pull-down menu so it's often quicker simply to type it at the keyboard, since there is no toolbar button. As you probably recognise from the command name it is a dialogue box driven command. The Viewpoint Presets dialogue box is illustrated on the right. As you can see, you define a view by specifying two angles. The first angle is the rotation from the X axis (the horizontal angle). The second is the angle from the XY plane (the vertical angle).
Using the dialogue box you can specify an angle either by picking on the two dials or by entering an angle into each of the two angle edit boxes. You can even look at your drawing from underneath by specifying a negative vertical angle. For most purposes a horizontal angle along one of the diagonals, 45, 135, 225 and 315 and a vertical angle of 30 give the best results. You can return to a plan view of your drawing by using the PLAN command. To do this, just enter 'PLAN' at the command prompt and then to accept the 'Current UCS' default. You can also return to any previous view by using the Zoom Previous command option, Z P at the keyboard or from the Standard toolbar.
The Properties Command Toolbar Pull-down Modify Properties Keyboard DDCHPROP (single or multiple objects); DDMODIFY (single objects only) You can use the DDCHPROP command to change the colour, layer, linetype, linetype scale and thickness of any single or multiple object selection. The DDMODIFY command gives all of these change options in addition to those which are specific to the object type. DDMODIFY is always used by AutoCAD as a default for single object selections when the Properties command is selected from the toolbar or from the pull-down menu. Command Sequence Command: DDCHPROP Select objects: (pick one or more objects) Select objects: When you have selected the objects, the Change Properties dialogue box appears. To change the thickness, simply enter a value (in drawing units) in the Thickness edit box. When you click the 'OK' button your objects will be extruded by the amount specified.
- By Scott Henderson CATIA V5: Creating 2D Drawings from 3D Annotations (And Removing Those Annoying Red Xs If you’ve got a model displaying dimensions, tolerances, notes, and annotations in 3D, it can be used to create a 2D drawing view with the same information. (More information on creating these 3D.
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The illustration (right) shows the result of applying a thickness to a circle. A circle with no thickness is shown on the left and a circle with thickness on the right. Effectively a circle with thickness becomes a cylinder. You can tell by the orientation of the UCS icon in this illustration that this is an axonometric view (see 'The Command' above for details). Moving in the Z Direction By now you should be quite used to using the Move command but up until now you've only been moving 2D objects in the XY Plane.
Move can just as easily be used to move a drawing object vertically, perpendicular to the XY Plane. You can do this by using XY and Z co-ordinates or by picking points in 3D space. In the illustration on the left a circle has been moved from the base plane of a cube to the top face of a cube. This is done by using the MOVE command ( Modify Move from the pull-down or from the Modify toolbar). Just start the MOVE command, select the circle, pick one of the lower corners of the cube as the base point (use the end point Osnap!) and then pick the corresponding top corner as the second point, again using the end point Osnap.
If you look at the circle in plan there appears to be no difference in it's position because it has not been moved in the XY plane but perpendicular to it. You can use the same principle to move any drawing entity. Bear in mind that you must always use an Osnap when you are picking points in 3D space. If you do not, the picked point will always be on the base plane, which doesn't make any sense. One of the problems with this is that you may not realise your mistake until you change your view position because in the current view the objects will appear to have been moved normally.
It's a good idea to keep switching your view point as a check. In the above example the move was fairly easy because we had a cube to use as a guide. Very often you will need to move an object vertically without any guide. In such a case you should use co-ordinates. For example, if the cube in the illustration above was 40 drawing units high then I could move the circle using the following command sequence. Command Sequence Command: MOVE Select objects: (select the circle) Select objects: Base point or displacement: 0,0,0 Second point of displacement: 0,0,40 Notice that I use the UCS origin point as a base point, that's because it's standard practice but in principle it could be any point in space. The most important thing is that the X and Y co-ordinates remain the same (because we do not want to move in the XY Plane) and the Z co-ordinate must increase by the distance you want to move up.
Using co-ordinate 25,43,16 as the base point and 25,43,56 as the second point would have resulted in exactly the same move. To move down you just need to specify a negative Z co-ordinate.
For example to move the circle down by 40 units the second point co-ordinate would be 0,0,-40. The 3D Face Command Toolbar Pull-down Draw Surfaces 3D Face Keyboard 3DFACE The 3D Face command is used to draw 3D surfaces with 3 or 4 edges. Command Sequence Command: 3DFACE First Point: (pick point) Second Point: (pick point) Third Point: (pick point) Fourth Point: (pick point or for only 3 edges) Third Point: (start another 3D Face or to end) Why do I need a 3D Face? The reason is that when you give an entity like a rectangle a thickness it is given solid sides in the direction of the extrusion but it is left open ended like a tube.
To add a top and a bottom to a box you must use 3D Faces. In the illustration on the right, two boxes have been shaded using the Shade command, SHADE from the keyboard, View Shade Options from the pull-down or from the Render toolbar.
See for a description of the Shade command options. The box on the right is a rectangle which has been given a thickness. As you can see, it does not have a top. A 3D Face has been added to the top of the box on the left which gives the effect of a solid surface when shaded.
When you use the Shade command, don't forget to use the Regen command to get back to the wireline drawing. AutoCAD does not allow you to pick points on a shaded drawing.
For complicated shapes you may need to use a number of 3D Faces to fill a surface. Fortunately, extruded circles are automatically given a solid top and bottom so you don't need any 3D Faces. If you do need to use a complex of faces to fill a surface there is a way to hide the join lines between faces.
If you type 'I' and before the first pick point of any edge, that edge will be made invisible. If you are careful you can easily fill a complicated surface with many 3D Faces which will simply appear as a single continuous surface. If you need to create a very complex surface it may be better to use the EXTRUDE command which creates solid extrusions i.e. They already have top and bottom surfaces. An Exercise The exercise below is designed so that you can practice all of the new commands and techniques outlined above. It is a simple table which is composed of 9 main elements, 4 legs, 4 rails, and a top. These elements are all constructed using the Rectangle command, RECTANG from the keyboard or Draw Rectangle from the pull-down menu.
Remember, there is nothing special about rectangles, they are just 4 sided closed polylines, so if you prefer using the PLINE command, then feel free. These rectangles will be given a thickness using the Properties command and an elevation using the MOVE command. Some 3D Faces are used for the finishing touches using the 3DFACE command.
Drawing the Table Step 1 First of all draw the table plan using the dimensions on the illustration and inset detail below. All dimensions are in millimetres. The plan is composed of nine rectangles. You may need to use other commands like Line and Offset to construct the rectangles.
Alternatively you can work out the rectangle co-ordinates and construct them manually. Remember to use the Copy and/or Mirror commands to duplicate identical objects. For example, it's really only necessary to draw one leg since they are all the same. Step 2 Next, using the Properties command, select the four table legs and give them a thickness of 700. Using the Properties command a second time, select the four table rails and give them a thickness of 100. Move the rails vertically through 600 with the MOVE command using a co-ordinate value of 0,0,0 for the base point and 0,0,600 for the second point. Finally use the Properties command a third time to give the table top a thickness of 40 and use MOVE again to give the top an elevation of 700.
Now look at what you have created using the DDVPOINT command, View 3D Viewpoint Select from the pull-down or DDVPOINT at the keyboard. Use the SHADE command to see the solid effect, View Shade Options from the pull-down or SHADE at the keyboard.
Step 3 As you will have noticed, your table does not yet have a solid top. You can achieve this using 3D Face. You can start the 3D Face command from the pull-down, Draw 3D Surfaces 3D Face, from the Render toolbar, or from the keyboard, 3DFACE.
3D Faces are defined by picking the four points of a rectangle in either a clockwise or anticlockwise direction. Start the 3D Face command and using the endpoint Osnap, select the four upper corners of the table top. Use the Shade command again to see the effect. You can use more 3D Faces to complete the model. By looking at the table from various angles you will notice that the underside of the rails, the underside of the legs and the underside of the table top all need 3D Faces in order to create a completely solid model. Now that you have completed your model, experiment with the Shade command and the various shade edge settings (see below). Step 4 To finish your drawing, set tilemode to 0, create an A3 drawing sheet and insert some tiled viewports, see the exercise for details.
Your drawing should end up looking something like the one below. The vase was created using the REVSURF command, see for details. 3D Objects In addition to the simple 3D objects you can create by giving objects thickness and adding 3D Faces, AutoCAD provides a number of ready made 3D objects.
These objects can be chosen from the 3D Objects dialogue box. As you can see from the illustration of the dialogue box below, you can create very simple objects like a box and complex ones like the torus. You must invoke the 3D objects dialogue box from the pull-down menu, Draw 3D Surfaces 3D Objects as there is no keyboard equivalent.
Alternatively you can select individual 3D Object commands from the Surfaces toolbar. Each 3D Object requires different input from the user but the command line is quite explicit so you shouldn't have any problems.
One of the most useful objects is the Sphere. In the illustration on the right a 3D tree has been created using a circle with thickness as the trunk and a sphere as the canopy. One thing to bear in mind when creating spheres is that the centre of the sphere will be on the ground plane.
Therefore, half of the sphere is below ground level and half above. If you want the sphere to sit on the ground plane, all you have to do is move it up through a distance which is the same as it's radius. Another consideration when creating spheres and some of the other shapes is the number of segments to use. It is very tempting to use a lot and create a smooth shape but this does take lots of drawing memory so go carefully.
The default value (16) is usually adequate for most purposes. Command Sequence Invoke the dialogue box from the pull-down ( Draw 3D Surfaces 3D Objects), pick the sphere icon and then the 'OK' button or pick from the Surfaces toolbar. Center of sphere: (pick point) Diameter/: (pick point or enter value) Number of longitudinal segments: (enter number or ) Number of latitudinal segments: (enter number or ) Your Sphere is drawn. Tips & Tricks.
If you would like to try creating the vase as shown in the table drawing. You will need to know a little bit about UCS, User Co-ordinate Systems (see ) and how the Revolved Surface command works (see the exercise for details). You can change the shaded effect that the Shade command gives to your drawing using the SHADEDGE variable. To change the shade edge variable just enter SHADEDGE at the keyboard and enter a value between 0 and 3.
SHADEDGE = 0 gives a shaded colour surface with no lines. SHADEDGE = 1 gives a shaded colour surface with lines. This tends to give the best overall results. SHADEDGE = 2 gives a background colour surface which gives a similar effect to the Hide command. SHADEDGE = 3 gives a block colour surface, this is the AutoCAD default.
See for a fuller description of the SHADEDGE variable. Always use Osnaps when picking in 3D. Use the Shade command regularly to keep track of your drawing.
In wireline it's impossible to tell if a surface has a 3D Face or not, so you'll need to use Shade to check. You can force invisible 3D Face edges to display in wireline using the SPLFRAME variable.
If SPLFRAME = 0 all invisible edges remain hidden. If it is set to 1 invisible edges will be displayed. This can be extremely useful because it is impossible to select a 3D Face which has no visible edges. The only way to select such a 3D Face is to set SPLFRAME to 1 first.
Have you ever wanted to create, a 3D cartoon model. One that's based on your own original drawing? I mean seriously.
Would this not be the coolest thing. Ever since I've been able to hold a pencil. I've always wanted to be able to take my creations - animals, characters, dragons, monsters, etc. And make them into sculptures. I just think it would be so neat, to see a 2D creature on paper - something straight out of my imagination. Sitting there on my desk, right next to my sketch book, computer, and drawing tablet. It would be awesome.
I remember not too long ago. A friend was telling me about something called '.
Using sophisticated 3d modeling software like Maya and ZBrush - the very same programs that animators and concept artists use, in movies like Monsters Inc, Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, and others. Along with some state-of-the-art technology - just like this 3D Systems' ZPrinter 650, seen in the photo. A digital 3D cartoon model can be made from any drawing at all. And then printed in real life, as a physical statue, made of sandstone. No doubt, it's a pretty amazing thing!
And lucky me. I had the opportunity to take part in the entire model-making process. From selecting and submitting a drawing of my choice - to seeing it gradually take form in 3D, on the computer - and to finally, have it printed. Imagination, in the palm of your hands. Well here on this page of the site - I'd like to share with you, some information about 3D printing technology, and also. How I used it, to convert one of my all-time favorite character creations.
Into a physical 3D cartoon model. The entire process, recounted in 6 steps - please click on the following links to learn more. Step 1 - Submit a Drawing The very first step in the process, was deciding on a drawing that I wanted to have converted, into a 3D cartoon model - and then, submit it. I decided to go with the ' Shark Dragon' - one of my favorite creations to date, and something that was also made into a drawing lesson, here at DrawCartoonsOnline.com.
Here's an original sketch. I wanted to see.just how good. of job the artists could do, based on submitting only one image - and how they would interpret the character in 3D. In this way - if everything went well - people who wanted to see their drawings printed faster - wouldn't have to go through the trouble, of creating more than one image. So yes, while providing 2 or 3 images is a good idea - please keep reading, to see how things turned out, with just one. Next up, a 3D cartoon model of the Shark Dragon, is created!
Step 2 - A 3D Cartoon Model is Created After deciding upon, and submitting my drawing - next. A team of highly skilled 3d modeling artists - using sophisticated software like Maya and ZBrush (yes - the same programs used to create characters in movies like Monsters INC, Star Wars, and Lord of the Rings). Began working away, carefully designing a three-dimensional likeness, to the Shark Dragon. In doing so, something called a ' 3D wireframe' is created - thousands of interconnecting points.
Creating the illusion of shape and form, in virtual space. Once this tedious task, of creating a wireframe based on your character is completed. Next, it's on to the next phase of the process - 'skinning' and painting the 3D cartoon model. Step 3 - The Model is 'Skinned' and Painted Here in Step 3, the artists continued to work on the Shark Dragon, first by 'skinning' the 3D wireframe. And then painting it - brining it to an even closer resemblance to the original drawing. More snapshots of the process, here's a look at the Shark Dragon, after skinning.
Pretty awesome, isn't it! When I first saw these images, I was totally taken back.
I couldn't believe just how detailed the model was - and also. I was really impressed by how, with only one image (we were talking about this above) - they were able to really get in there, and come up with a 3D design - truly reminiscent of my original Shark Dragon sketch. It was clear, this was a top-notch service (probably the best out there!) - as the artists went well beyond, my expectations. Well next up, it was time to add some color to the skinned model, preferably using a palette and pattern, close to what I had in the original colored Shark Dragon drawing.
Here's what they came up with. I couldn't believe how far things had come, in such a short period of time. I remember forwarding these pics to my girlfriend, my brother and my nephews.
Everyone really like what they saw, and were just as excited as I was - to see the final 3D model, complete. And yes, at this stage of the process - things definitely were, just about complete. Next, in Step 4 - it was time to review the images, and emailing back and forth with the artists. Discussing any changes that needed to be made, in order to finalize the 3D cartoon model, for printing.
3d Drawing Online
Step 4 - Checking to Make Sure, Everything is OK Here in Step 4, I was given the opportunity to consult with the 3D modeling artists - checking to make sure, that everything was OK with the digital model images - finalized and ready for printing. And yes, this was another very positive part of the process. I think it's really important, that you can review and change things.before. it's printed.
And that you have the opportunity to consult like this, back and forth via email. Of course, in this situation (again this was my first time ever doing this). I was more than happy with the results. Just check out the detail, in the photo!
And so, the only email I sent back (after being asked what changes I wanted to make), was. 'It looks amazing! Please go ahead, and print!'
:) The printing had begun! Step 5 - The 3D Cartoon Model is Printed! How exciting this was! My own unique creation - the Shark Dragon!
Was about to be converted, into a real-life, physical 3D cartoon model. Using the 3D Systems' ZPrinter 650 - the same one seen, in the photo near the top of this page. The digitally rendered model, was gradually constructed - made out of sandstone. Interesting to know. Sandstone is a popular medium when it comes to sculpting. It's actually the same substance used, to create magnificent works of art throughout history.
Take the Cambodian Temple of Angkor Wat for example. Many of its bricks, columns, and statues (there's a big one of the Buddha!) - are all made out of sandstone. Once the 3D printing process was complete - again, images of the model were taken and sent to my email to show me how it turned out. And how did it turn out?
Directly to my doorstep! Holding a product of my imagination, right in my very hands like this. It was just amazing. Better yet, was showing my friends and family. First the original sketch (you can see the comparison in the image above) - and then, the finished printed model.
They just couldn't believe it.:) Today, the Shark Dragon sits nicely atop my desk - right next to my work area - a constant reminder of the importance and power, of creativity. And there you have it. First-time-ever experience with 3D printing - a total success!