AutoCAD 3D I Module 9 Viewing 3D Models - Part 2 PREPARED BY Curriculum Development Unit August 2013 Applied Technology High Schools, 2013
Module 9 Viewing 3D Models - Part 2 Module Objectives 1. Differentiate between the display of 3D solids, 3D surfaces, and 3D wireframes. 2. Study the 3D model from different angles. Module Contents 1 Viewing 3D Surface or Solid Models 3 2 Practical Exercise 4 3 Summary Module 9 8 4 Suggestions for practice 8 Module 9: Viewing 3D Models - Part 2 2
1. Viewing 3D Surface or Solid Models In the first nine modules, you have been drawing wireframe models. A wireframe model is a real-world 3D object represented by lines, circles, arcs and/or plines located along the edge of the model. That is the reason you can see right through the model and the objects that would not be visible if the model was surfaced or solid can be seen. Think of it as the skeleton of an object. In Module 12 and 18 respectively, you will begin learning how to construct surface and solid models. Surface and solid models can be viewed in many shade modes. Since they are solid or surfaced, the model can be shaded to appear real and hide the obstructed parts of the model. Before you learn how to construct these models, you must learn how to display them in the different shade modes. The command SHADEMODE is used to do this. The RENDER command can also be used for more sophisticated shading. Rendering is taught in the AutoCAD 3D Rendering Modules. Important Note The continuous 3D orbit feature is an interesting and fun feature in AutoCAD. After you enter this command, the Continuous 3D Orbit icon, Figure 10-1, will appear on the graphic window. Hold down the pick button, spin the model and release the button. The model will start to rotate continuously until you stop it by clicking the window or pressing the ESC key. The faster you spin it, the faster the model rotates. AutoCAD Command: SHADEMODE The SHADEMODE command is used to select the type of shading to apply to a surface or solid 3D model. 1. Command Bar : SHADEMODE Shortcut : SHA 2. Pull Down Menu: View Shade 3. Tool Bar(Shade) : Module 9: Viewing 3D Models - Part 2 3
2. Practical Exercise Shading Models in AutoCAD 2006 Step 1 Using the NEW command, start a new drawing using the template Module Template 3D English. Step 2 Save and name the drawing AutoCAD 3D Workalong 10-1. Step 3 With the current UCS set to World, use the INSERT command to insert the block AutoCAD 3D Workalong 10-1 at the coordinates 0,0,0. Explode the block. Be careful to only explode it once. Step 4 Set the current view to SE Isometric. Your model should now appear as shown in Figure Step 4. Step 5 Create layer Solid as shown in Figure Step 5. Figure Step 5 Figure Step 4 Step 6 Change the layer of both sold models to layer Solid and your drawing should appear as shown in Figure Step 6. Figure Step 6 Step 7 You should now have two solid models. To check this, open the properties window and select one of the solid models. When selected, the object type in the top box of the Properties windows should indicate that the object is 3D Solid as shown Figure Step 7. If the object type is anything else, exit the drawing and start this workalong again. Be careful when using the EXPLODE command. Figure Step 7 Module 9: Viewing 3D Models - Part 2 4
Step 8 Enable the Shade toolbar and enable the 2D Wireframe shademode. You can tell when you are in 2D wireframe shademode by the appearance of the UCS icon. See Figure Step 8. Figure Step 8 Step 9 Enable 3D Wireframe shademode. You can tell when you are in 3D wireframe mode by the appearance of the UCS icon. See Figure Step 9. Figure Step 9 Important Note Except for the appearance of the UCS icon, the 2D wireframe and the 3D wireframe shademode appear the same. There are important differences but they have nothing to do with the appearance. You will learn more about this in later modules. Step 10 Enable Hidden shademode. Note how the model appears solid in hidden shademode and only displays the visible objects. See Figure Step 10. Figure Step 10 Module 9: Viewing 3D Models - Part 2 5
Step 11 Enable Flat Shaded shademode. Note how model appears in this shademode. See Figure Step 11. Figure Step 11 Step 12 Enable Gouraud Shaded shademode. Note how model appears in this shademode. See Figure Step 12. Figure Step 12 Step 13 Enable Flat Shaded, Edges on shademode. Note how model appears in this shademode. See Figure Step 13. Figure Step 13 Step 14 Enable Gouraud Shaded, Edges On shademode. Note how model appears in this shademode. See Figure Step 14. Figure Step 14 Module 9: Viewing 3D Models - Part 2 6
Step 15 Enable the display of the 3D Orbit toolbar and click the 3D Continuous Orbit icon as shown in Figure Step 15. Read the Author's Comments below. Figure Step 15 Important Note The continuous 3D orbit feature is an interesting and fun feature in AutoCAD. After you enter this command, the Continuous 3D Orbit icon, Figure 10-2, will appear on the graphic window. Hold down the pick button, spin the model and release the button. The model will start to rotate continuously until you stop it by clicking the window or pressing the ESC key. The faster you spin it, the faster the model rotates. Step 16 Save and close the drawing. Figure 10-2 Continuous 3D Icon Important Notes Surface and solid models can be viewed in many modes. Models can be viewed as a wireframe, a hidden or a solid. In a hidden view, the model will appear as it would in real life. It obstructs the lines and curves that are behind the visible surfaces. In the solid view, the model is shaded. A shaded model will be shaded with the color of the model. The SHADEMODE command controls the mode in which the model is displayed. It will remain in the mode it has been set until the mode is changed. Even if the drawing is closed and opened again, the mode of the model remains as it was last set. A model must be constructed as a surface or a solid to be viewed hidden or shaded. A wireframe model will only display in the 2D wireframe or 3D wireframe mode. In future modules, you will be taught how to construct surface and solid models. Module 9: Viewing 3D Models - Part 2 7
3. Summary Module 9 1. Surface and solid models can be viewed in many modes. Models can be viewed as a wireframe, a hidden or a solid. A shaded model will be shaded with the color of the model. 4. Suggestions for practice 1. How must a model be constructed if you want to view it in hidden mode using the SHADEMODE command? Choose the BEST answer. A. As a solid model. B. As a 3D wireframe. C. As a 2D wireframe. D. As a surface model. E. As either a surface or solid model. 2. What type of shade mode is Figure 11-1? A. 2D wireframe B. 3D wireframe C. Hidden D. Flat E. Gouraud 3. What type of shade mode is Figure 11-2? A. 2D wireframe B. 3D wireframe C. Hidden D. Flat E. Gouraud Figure 11-1 Figure 11-2 Module 9: Viewing 3D Models - Part 2 8