QUICK-START TUTORIALS

PUERMC02_0132276593.QXD 08/09/2006 06:05 PM Page 83 QUICK-START TUTORIALS Chapter Objectives Create two real 3D modeling projects, starting them from scratch. Know the difference between representing 3D models with 3D solid objects and with surface-type objects. Become familiar with the commands and tools most frequently used to generate 3D models. Employ commands typically used for 2D design in a 3D environment. Strengthen the argument that working in 3D is not an isolated task, but rather the usage of advanced tools along with those commonly used in 2D. Observe the effects and capabilities of the tools used in modifications to the viewing point and other visual effects. INTRODUCTION These introductory tutorials will provide you with the opportunity to get a better idea about what 3D modeling is. Hands-on practice will help you better comprehend the further detailed explanation of these concepts. Before you start the projects, make sure all the toolbars and dockable windows used in 3D modeling are available. You can do so by simply recalling the workspace you created in the previous chapter. MODELING THE SOFA TABLE In this part of the project you will create 3D solid objects to represent the 3D model. As you will see, the same commands you use to generate 2D drawings are also used in a 3D environment. Many assembling details, such as the connections between the pieces of the sofa table, have been omitted for simplicity. If designing furniture is one of your areas of interest, then you may want to try adding some more details on your own. 1. Start a NEW drawing, using Imperial units. 2. SAVE the drawing AS SofaTable. TIP During the rest of the project, you will not be directed to SAVE the drawing. But it is important that you do so every few steps or when taking a break to prevent losing the work you have done. 3D operations typically demand more from a computer than 2D operations. This may cause your system to stop responding depending on its level of use and properties. 2

PUERMC02_0132276593.QXD 08/09/2006 06:05 PM Page 84 84 Chapter 2 Quick-Start Tutorials NEW to AutoCAD 2007 NEW to AutoCAD 2007 BOX Modeling Toolbar Dashboard: 3D Make control panel Pull-down Draw/ Menu Modeling/ Box Command box NEW to AutoCAD 2007 3. Open the Visual Styles Manager palette and click on the 2D Wireframe sample image. 4. Under 2D Hide Obscured s, set the type to Dashed and the Color to Green or any other color you like. Close the Visual Styles Manager palette. 5. Select the SE Isometric viewing point. 6. Invoke the BOX command using one of the methods in the grid. Respond to the prompts as follows: Specify first corner or [Center]: Click anywhere in the drawing area. Specify other corner or [Cube/Length]: Move the mouse to open a rectangle and click anywhere in the drawing area. Specify height or [2Point]: Move the mouse up and click anywhere in the drawing area. 7. Select the 3D Solid box and right-click in the drawing area. Select Properties from the shortcut menu. 8. In the Properties palette, under Geometry, change the values of the following elements as shown: Position X 12 Position Y 12 Length 24 Width 24 Height 1 Note: The 3D solid box is interactively created as you specify the points. Note: The AutoCAD program now allows you to modify geometrical parameters related to dimensions and location of objects in 3D space through the Properties palette (Figure 2-1). Figure 2-1 Using the Properties palette to modify the 3D solid box

PUERMC02_0132276593.QXD 08/09/2006 06:05 PM Page 85 Chapter 2 Quick-Start Tutorials 85 9. ZOOM to extents and invoke the HIDE command. The 3D model should look now like Figure 2-2. Figure 2-2 The 3D model after invoking the HIDE command TIP In order to ZOOM and PAN in the drawing right after using the HIDE command, you must always regenerate the display by invoking the REGEN command. 10. Using the RECTANGLE command, draw a square as shown in Figure 2-3. When prompted for the first corner, snap to the top endpoint of the table top and enter @8,8 for the second corner. Figure 2-3 An 8 8 square is placed on the top face 11. MOVE the square away from the table top corner, as shown in Figure 2-4. Figure 2-4 The square is moved to the proper place 12. Select the Top view. 13. Using the MIRROR command, obtain the other three squares shown in Figure 2-5.

PUERMC02_0132276593.QXD 08/09/2006 06:05 PM Page 86 86 Chapter 2 Quick-Start Tutorials Figure 2-5 The other three squares are created 14. Select the SE Isometric viewing point. Invoke the EXTRUDE command and respond to the prompts as follows: Select objects to extrude: Select the four squares. Select objects to extrude: (To end the selection process) Specify height of extrusion or [Direction/Path/Taper angle]: -6 (The minus sign causes the extrusion to be made downward.) 15. The 3D model should look like Figure 2-6. Invoke the SUBTRACT command, and respond to the prompts as follows: Select solids and regions to subtract from.. Select objects: Select the table top. Select objects: (To end the selection) Select solids and regions to subtract.. Select objects: Select the four new solid blocks. Select objects: (To end the selection) Figure 2-6 The four squares are extruded downward NEW to AutoCAD 2007 16. Select the Realistic visual style. The 3D model now should look like Figure 2-7. 17. Select the 2D Wireframe visual style. 18. Make sure either the Top or the World UCS is shown as current. Otherwise, select one of them. 19. With the RECTANGLE command, draw the square highlighted in Figure 2-8, using the endpoints for the square hole on the board. Using a different color will help you visualize the new object.

PUERMC02_0132276593.QXD 08/09/2006 06:05 PM Page 87 Chapter 2 Quick-Start Tutorials 87 Figure 2-7 The four holes are created by subtracting the four 3D solids from the board Figure 2-8 A new square using the geometry originated 20. OFFSET the square 3/8 outward. ERASE the original rectangle (Figure 2-9). Figure 2-9 The offset square 21. EXTRUDE the new rectangle 1/4 (down). 22. COPY the new 3D solid from any endpoint on the square hole where it is located to the same point in the rest of the holes (Figure 2-10). Figure 2-10 The four thin 3D solids are placed in the right locations

PUERMC02_0132276593.QXD 08/09/2006 06:05 PM Page 88 88 Chapter 2 Quick-Start Tutorials PLANESURF Modeling Toolbar Dashboard: 3D Make control panel Pull-down Draw/ Menu Modeling/ Planesurf Command planesurf 23. SUBTRACT the four new 3D solids from the table top to create a recessed surface where the glass pieces will sit. 24. Select the Realistic visual style. The 3D model should look like Figure 2-11. 25. Select the 2D Wireframe visual style again. 26. Next, you will create the four 3D solids representing the glass pieces of the table. Invoke the PLANESURF command. When prompted, snap to the endpoints of one of the recessed holes on the board (Figure 2-12). Note: If you used 3D solids with different colors for the SUB- TRACT operation, the resulting 3D faces of the solid will show both colors. By changing the color property of the resulting 3D solid, you can give it a uniform color. NEW to AutoCAD 2007 Figure 2-11 The four recesses are created by subtracting the four thin 3D solids Figure 2-12 A surface is created with the PLANESURF command Dashboard: 3D Make control panel THICKEN Pull-down Modify/ Menu 3D Operation/ Thicken Command thicken NEW to AutoCAD 2007 27. Invoke the THICKEN command. When prompted, select the surface and specify 1/4 for the thickness. The 3D model should look like Figure 2-13. 28. COPY the first 3D solid representing the piece of glass from any point on the square hole to the same point in the rest of the holes. 29. Open the Layer Properties Manager dialog box and create a new layer. Name it Glass and change its color to cyan (4) (Figure 2-14). 30. Select the four glass pieces and change their Layer to Glass. Note: The THICKNESS command transforms surfaces into 3D solids, by uniformely thickening them. Figure 2-13 The surface is turned into a 3D solid using the THICKEN command

PUERMC02_0132276593.QXD 08/09/2006 06:05 PM Page 89 Chapter 2 Quick-Start Tutorials 89 Figure 2-14 The Layer Properties Manager dialog box 31. Invoke the HIDE command. The 3D model should look now likefigure 2-15. 32. Turn the Glass layer OFF to hide all 3D solids representing the pieces of glass. 33. Invoke the REGEN command. 34. Next, you will create the table legs. Using the RECTANGLE command, draw a 2 1 2 2 1 2 rectangle anywhere in the drawing area. MOVE the rectangle to the endpoint of the rectangular hole, as shown in Figure 2-16. Note: The active UCS must still be either Top or World. Figure 2-15 After invoking the HIDE command Figure 2-16 bottom face A 3 3 square in the 35. EXTRUDE the rectangle 22 (down). 36. Select the Realistic visual style. The 3D model should look like Figure 2-17. 37. Select the 2D Wireframe visual style.

PUERMC02_0132276593.QXD 08/09/2006 06:05 PM Page 90 90 Chapter 2 Quick-Start Tutorials Figure 2-17 The extruded leg displayed in the Realistic visual style Figure 2-18 The polyline is created at the bottom of the leg NEW to AutoCAD 2007 38. Using the 3DORBIT command slightly change the viewing point to have a clearer picture. ZOOM into the bottom part of the leg. 39. Draw the polyline shown in Figure 2-18. 40. Select the Front UCS. 41. MOVE the polyline up 7 (Figure 2-19). 42. Invoke the IMPRINT tool, and respond to the prompts as follows: Note: When you extrude a single profile, the extrusion height is interactively displayed as you move the crosshair cursor. This allows you to simply specify a distance or another point for the extrusion height. Select a 3D solid: Select the table leg 3D solid. Select an object to imprint: Select the polyline. Delete the source object [Yes/No] <N>: y Select an object to imprint: (To end the selection and end the command) Figure 2-19 is moved up IMPRINT Solid Editing Toolbar Dashboard: 3D Make control panel The polyline Pull-down Modify/ Menu Solid Editing/ Imprint Command imprint 43. Invoke the Taper faces tool of the SOLIDEDIT Command. Use Figure 2-20 as a reference and respond to the prompts as follows: Select faces or [Undo/Remove]: Pick edge 1. Select faces or [Undo/Remove/ALL]: (To end the selection). Specify the base point: Snap to endpoint 2. Specify another point along the axis of tapering: Snap to endpoint 3. Specify the taper angle: 7 Enter a face editing option [Extrude/Move/Rotate/Offset/Taper/Delete/Copy/coLor/Undo/eXit] <exit>: Press the <Esc> key to exit the SOLIDEDIT command. 44. After the operation, the lower end of the leg should look like Figure 2-21. Invoke the MIRROR3D command to obtain the second leg. Respond to the prompts as follows: Select objects: Select the table leg 3D solid. Select objects: (To end the selection)

PUERMC02_0132276593.QXD 08/09/2006 06:05 PM Page 91 Chapter 2 Quick-Start Tutorials 91 TAPER FACES Solid Editing Toolbar Pull-down Modify/ Menu Solid Editing/Taper Faces Command solidedit f t Figure 2-20 Points are specified for the Taper faces operation Figure 2-21 The split faces after tapering Specify first point of mirror plane (3 points) or [Object/Last/Zaxis/View/XY/YZ/ZX/3points] <3points>: Specify any of the midpoints indicated in Figure 2-22. Specify second point on mirror plane: Specify another midpoint indicated. Specify third point on mirror plane: Specify a third midpoint indicated. Delete source objects? [Yes/No] <N>: (To keep the source object) Figure 2-22 Points specified in the MIRROR3D command 45. The 3D model should look like Figure 2-23. Invoke the MIRROR3D command again and repeat the process of the previous step to obtain the two MIRROR3D Pull-down Modify/ Menu 3D Operation/3D Mirror Command 3dmirror Figure 2-23 The second leg is mirrored

PUERMC02_0132276593.QXD 08/09/2006 06:05 PM Page 92 92 Chapter 2 Quick-Start Tutorials remaining legs. This time, the three midpoints must be specified perpendicularly to the ones specified previously. 46. Select the Realistic visual style. The 3D model should look like Figure 2-24. 47. Select the Right UCS. Then, using the 3D ORBIT command, change the viewing point so that you can see the bottom face of the table top (Figure 2-25). Figure 2-24 After obtaining the four legs Figure 2-25 After changing the viewing point 48. Select the 2D Wireframe visual style. 49. Draw a 1 3 rectangle anywhere in the drawing area. 50. Select the 3D Hidden visual style and MOVE the rectangle to the endpoint of the leg, as shown in Figure 2-26. 51. Invoke the EXTRUDE command, and respond to the prompts as follows: Select objects: Select the table rectangle. Select objects: (To end the selection) Specify height of extrusion or [Direction/Path/Taper angle]: Snap to the endpoint indicated in Figure 2-27. 52. Turn off the type generation of the Obscured s. Figure 2-26 correct place The 1 3 rectangle in the Figure 2-27 of extrusion Point to indicate the height

PUERMC02_0132276593.QXD 08/09/2006 06:05 PM Page 93 Chapter 2 Quick-Start Tutorials 93 FOR MORE DETAILS Refer to Steps 3 and 4 for more details about changing this setting. 53. Select the 2D Wireframe visual style and invoke the HIDE command. The first reinforcement 3D solid should look like Figure 2-28. 54. Select the Top view. 55. Draw a diagonal polyline, snapping to endpoints, as shown in Figure 2-29. Figure 2-28 After invoking the HIDE command Figure 2-29 A diagonal polyline to locate the center point of the table 56. Invoke the ARRAY command. In the Array dialog box (Figure 2-30), select Polar Array. Click the Select objects button to select the reinforcement 3D solid. Click the Center point: button and snap to the midpoint of the polyline you just drew. Click the OK button to close the dialog box. 57. ERASE the diagonal polyline. 58. Select the SE Isometric viewing point. Figure 2-30 The Array dialog box

PUERMC02_0132276593.QXD 08/09/2006 06:05 PM Page 94 94 Chapter 2 Quick-Start Tutorials Figure 2-31 The resulting reinforcements after the ARRAY operation 59. Select the Realistic visual style. The model should look like Figure 2-31. 60. Select the 2D Wireframe visual style. 61. Select the Bottom view. 62. Invoke the HIDE command. 63. Invoke the POLYLINE command. With ORTHO activated, draw the polyline highlighted in Figure 2-32. You should snap only to endpoints. Try using a different color to distinguish the object better. 64. Select the SE Isometric viewing point. 65. Select the Front UCS. 66. If necessary, MOVE the polyline to where the straight section of the legs begins. Use endpoints to snap to (Figure 2-33). 67. EXTRUDE the polyline 1 up. 68. Turn on the Glass layer. 69. Select the Conceptual visual style. Figure 2-32 A profile created from the Top view Figure 2-33 The profile is moved to its final location

PUERMC02_0132276593.QXD 08/09/2006 06:05 PM Page 95 Chapter 2 Quick-Start Tutorials 95 70. In the Visual Style panel of the Dashboard, click on the Edge jitter button and move the slide bar to the third position from left to right (Figure 2-34). NEW to AutoCAD 2007 Figure 2-34 The Visual Style panel of the Dashboard 71. Invoke the 3DORBIT command to inspect the 3D model of the sofa table. It should look like Figure 2-35. 72. SAVE the drawing. Figure 2-35 The 3D model shown in a modified Conceptual visual style The 3D models created with the AutoCAD program have many uses. As demonstrated in this tutorial, this versatile program can create 3D models of objects for interior design and space planning projects. The 3D representation of objects can provide different levels of complexity. Unlike 3D models prepared for manufacturing processes according to a company s specifications and standards, the construction of 3D models used for other purposes, such as interior design and space planning, can be simplified. Recognizing the procedures and techniques that enable the development of different levels of complexity of 3D models and systems is an important skill for the workplace. Organizations recognize this skill as efficiency and productiveness.

PUERMC02_0132276593.QXD 08/09/2006 06:05 PM Page 96 96 Chapter 2 Quick-Start Tutorials MODELING THE LAMP Figure 2-36 base profile The lamp In this tutorial, you will use surfaces, faceted surfaces, and regions jointly to create a 3D model of a lamp. As in the previous tutorial, many details have been avoided. As a general rule, you can create different levels of detail according to the purpose of the 3D model. 1. Start a NEW drawing, using Imperial units. 2. SAVE the drawing AS TableLamp. 3. Set the VIEWRES system variable to 3000. When prompted about fast zooms, respond Yes by pressing <Enter>. 4. Set the DISPSILH system variable to 1. 5. By default, the Top view and the WCS should be current. Do not change these settings yet. 6. You will start by creating the lamp base. To do so, you first draw the profile shown in Figure 2-36. The next few steps will assist you in creating the polyline that will be used as the profile. 7. Start the curve or wire by drawing the objects shown in Figure 2-37. 8. TRIM the existing objects as necessary. Add the other highlighted objects as shown in Figure 2-38. Modify II Toolbar PEDIT Pull-down Modify/ Menu Object/ Polyline Command pedit Alias pe Figure 2-37 Instructions to create the profile Figure 2-38 Instructions to create the profile, continued 9. Perform the final TRIM operations. Add an extra line as shown in Figure 2-39. Align its endpoints horizontally with the endpoints of the first and last objects. 10. Invoke the PEDIT command in order to join all the continuously drawn objects into a single polyline. Respond to the prompts as follows: Figure 2-39 Placing the lamp base axis Select polyline or [Multiple]: Select any of the objects. Object selected is not a polyline Do you want to turn it into one? <Y> (To turn the selected object into a polyline)

PUERMC02_0132276593.QXD 08/09/2006 06:05 PM Page 97 Chapter 2 Quick-Start Tutorials 97 Enter an option [Close/Join/Width/Edit vertex/fit/spline/decurve/ltype gen/undo]: j Select objects: Using a selection window, select all the objects. Select objects: (To end the selection) Enter an option [Close/Join/Width/Edit vertex/fit/spline/decurve/ltype gen/undo]: (To exit the command) Note: Two or more wire-type objects can be joined as a single polyline object. As a requirement, all objects must lie in the same plane and the endpoints of two continuous objects must be located in the same place. TIP You can check whether all the objects were joined by simply hovering the cursor above the polyline, or by selecting it. 11. Select the two objects by picking them directly. With the objects selected, invoke the CUTCLIP command to move them to the clipboard. 12. Select the Front View. 13. Invoke the PASTECLIP command. When prompted to specify the insertion point, click anywhere in the drawing area. 14. Select the SE Isometric viewing point and zoom as needed. 15. Select the Top UCS, and draw the two circles shown in Figure 2-40. Snap to the endpoints of the objects to specify the center and radius of both circles. 16. Invoke the REGION command. When prompted, select the two circles. This operation will turn the circles into regions. 17. Invoke the REVOLVE command. Respond to the command prompts as follows: Select object to revolve: Select the polyline. Select object to revolve: (To end the selection) Specify axis start point or define axis by [Object/X/Y/Z] <Object>: o Select an object: Select the line. Specify angle of revolution or [STart angle] <360>: (To accept the default angle) 18. ERASE the line. Note: The Front UCS should activate itself at the moments you select the Front view. Note: The objects inserted from the clipboard were simply moved from the Top plane to the Front plane, where the XY plane or the current UCS now lies. Cutting and pasting objects from one plane to another is equivalent to rotating the objects in the 3D space. Figure 2-40 The top and bottom circles are drawn in place Draw Toolbar Dashboard: 2D Draw control panel REGION Pull-down Draw/ Menu Region Command region Modeling Toolbar Dashboard: 3D Make control panel REVOLVE Pull-down Draw/ Menu Modeling/ Revolve Command revolve Alias rev

PUERMC02_0132276593.QXD 08/09/2006 06:05 PM Page 98 98 Chapter 2 Quick-Start Tutorials NEW to AutoCAD 2007 CYLINDER Modeling Toolbar Dashboard: 3D Make control panel Pull-down Draw/ Menu Modeling/ Cylinder 19. Set the FACETRES system variable to 8 to enhance the visual effects. 20. Invoke the HIDE command. The 3D model should look like Figure 2-41. 21. Invoke the REGEN command. 22. With the Top UCS still active, invoke the CYLINDER command. When prompted, specify the center point of the base in the center point of the top circular region. Specify 0.5 for the radius and 3 for the height (Figure 2-42). Note: 23. Now you will create the 3D model of the lightbulb as a polygon mesh. Select the Front UCS and draw the three objects shown in Figure 2-43. The open profile is revolved, becoming a true surface. Command cylinder Alias cyl Figure 2-41 The lamp base surface is generated with the REVOLVE command Figure 2-42 A 3D solid cylinder is placed on top of the lamp base Figure 2-43 Draw the three objects shown REVSURF Pull-down Draw/ Menu Modeling/ Meshes/ Revolved Mesh Command revsurf 24. Invoke the PEDIT and join the arc with the small line as a single polyline. 25. Set the SURFTAB1 and SURFTAB2 system variables to 15. To access these settings enter their names in the command line. 26. Invoke the REVSURF command and create a revolved faceted surface. Respond to the prompts as follows: Select object to revolve: Select the polyline. Select object that defines the axis of revolution: Select the line. Specify start angle <0>: (To accept the default) Specify included angle ( ccw, cw) <360>: (To accept the default) 27. ERASE the polyline and the line. The result, after invoking the HIDE command, is shown in Figure 2-44. 28. Select the Front view and draw the two highlighted objects in an empty spot, as shown in Figure 2-45. 29. Select the SE Isometric viewing point.

PUERMC02_0132276593.QXD 08/09/2006 06:05 PM Page 99 Chapter 2 Quick-Start Tutorials 99 Figure 2-44 After invoking the HIDE command Create the 2D ob- Figure 2-45 jects as shown 30. MOVE the objects so that the lower endpoint of the line is placed at the bottom center point of the cylinder (Figure 2-46). 31. Select the World UCS. Figure 2-46 The 2D objects after they are moved to the proper location 32. Select the arc and invoke the ARRAY command. In the Array dialog box (Figure 2-47), select Polar Array, click the Center point: button, and snap to the top endpoint of the line. In the Total number of items: field, specify 8. After clicking on the OK button, the array should look like Figure 2-48. 33. Invoke the 3DORBIT command to slightly change the viewing point. 34. Draw two lines between any two arcs as shown in Figure 2-49. 35. Change the values of the SURFTAB1 and SURFTAB2 system variables to 8. 36. Invoke the EDGESURF command and, when prompted, select the two lines and the two arcs connecting them in any order. 37. Change the Color property of the polygon mesh you just created to any color you like. EDGESURF Pull-down Draw/ Menu Modeling/ Meshes/ Edge Mesh Command edgesurf

PUERMC02_0132276593.QXD 08/09/2006 06:05 PM Page 100 100 Chapter 2 Quick-Start Tutorials Figure 2-47 The Array dialog box Figure 2-48 The arrayed copies of the arc Figure 2-49 Draw the two lines shown 38. Invoke the DRAWORDER command by entering its name in the command line and respond to the prompts as follows: Select objects: Select the polygon mesh. Select objects: (To end the selection) Enter object ordering option [Above objects/under objects/front/back] <Back>: (To accept the default, which is sending it to the back) TIP Alternating the order in which overlapping objects are displayed facilitates the selection of the objects on top.

PUERMC02_0132276593.QXD 08/09/2006 06:05 PM Page 101 Chapter 2 Quick-Start Tutorials 101 39. ERASE all the lines and arcs, except the vertical line in the middle of the lamp (Figure 2-50). 40. With the World or Top UCS still active, select the polygon mesh and invoke the ARRAY command. Use the same parameters as in the previous ARRAY operation. Use the endpoint of the vertical line in the middle to specify the Center point:. 41. ERASE the vertical line. 42. Change the Color property of the lamp base to color 42, the cylinder to color 251, and the lightbulb to yellow. 43. Select the Realistic visual style. 44. Invoke the 3DORBIT command to inspect the 3D model from underneath. 45. Select No edges from the Edges flyout buttons located in the Visual Style control panel of the Dashboard (Figure 2-51). Figure 2-50 After erasing the lines and arcs Figure 2-51 Modifying the edge display in the Visual Style control panel of the Dashboard 46. Select Desaturate Mode from the Face color mode flyout buttons located in the same control panel (Figure 2-52). 47. The 3D model should look like Figure 2-53. SAVE the drawing. Figure 2-52 Modifying the face display in the Visual Style control panel of the Dashboard Figure 2-53 A modified Realistic visual style to display the 3D model

PUERMC02_0132276593.QXD 08/09/2006 06:05 PM Page 102 102 Chapter 2 Quick-Start Tutorials SUMMARY You have just walked though two different projects. In the first project, you were able to use operations related to the creation of 3D solid objects. In the second project, you mixed other types of objects used to generate 3D models. You should now have a better idea of what 3D modeling is about. Throughout the remaining chapters, you will find the answers to the many questions you might have gathered from these projects.