AutoCAD 3D Drawing and Modeling

Topics Covered:

• 3D viewing techniques
• Working with simple and composite solids
• Creating complex solids and surfaces
• Modifying objects in 3D space
• Editing solids
• Creating sections, camera perspectives, and animations
• Working with point clouds
• Converting 3D objects
• Setting up a rendering with materials and lights
• Creating 2D drawings from 3D models
• Working with the User Coordinate System
• Set up a drawing for 3D Prints

Prerequisites:

A good working skill level in the AutoCAD software, i.e. a minimum of 80 hours of work experience with the AutoCAD software, is recommended.

Course Outline

Chapter 1: 3D Foundations
1.1 Why Use 3D?
Types of 3D Models
1.2 Introduction to the 3D Modeling Workspace
3D Ribbon Panels
1.3 Basic 3D Viewing Tools
Preset 3D Views
Orbiting in 3D
Using Visual Styles
1.4 3D Navigation Tools
ViewCube
SteeringWheel
Practice 1a 3D Navigation Tools
1.5 Introduction to the User Coordinate System (UCS)
Dynamic UCS
Practice 1b Introduction to the User Coordinate System
Chapter Review

Chapter 2: Simple Solids
2.1 Working with Solid Primitives
Drawing Solid Primitives
Editing Solid Primitives
2.2 Solid Primitive Types
Creating Boxes and Wedges
Creating Pyramids
Creating Cylinders and Cones
Creating Spheres and Tori
Creating Wall-like Solids with Polysolid
Practice 2a Working with Solid Primitives - Architectural
Practice 2b Working with Solid Primitives - Mechanical
2.3 Working with Composite Solids
Creating Composite Solids
Modifying Composite Solids
Practice 2c Working with Composite Solids
Practice 2d Mechanical Project - Machine Part
Practice 2e Architectural Project - Facade Puzzle
2.4 Working with Mesh Models
Creating Mesh Primitives
Creating Mesh Models from Objects
Editing Mesh Models
Convert From Mesh Models
Practice 2f Mesh Model
Chapter Review

Chapter 3: Working with the User Coordinate System
3.1 UCS Basics
UCS Icon
Moving the UCS Origin
Moving the UCS to a Face
Moving the UCS Using 3 Points
Practice 3a Using the UCS
3.2 UCS X, Y, and Z Commands
Practice 3b X, Y, and Z Commands
3.3 UCS Multi-functional Grips
3.4 Saving a UCS by NamePractice 3c Working with Named UCSs
Chapter Review

Chapter 4: Creating Solids & Surfaces from 2D Objects
4.1 Complex 3D Geometry
Creating Surfaces and Solids
4.2 Extruded Solids and Surfaces
Presspull
Modifying Extrusions
Practice 4a Creating an Extruded Solid
Practice 4b Extruding Along a Path
4.3 Swept Solids and Surfaces
Modifying Sweeps
3D Paths
Practice 4c Creating a Swept Solid
Practice 4d Sweeping Along a Helix
Practice 4e Sweeping Along a 3D Polyline
4.4 Revolved Solids and Surfaces
Modifying Revolves
Practice 4f Creating Revolved Solids
4.5 Lofted Solids and Surfaces
Modifying Lofts
Practice 4g Creating a Lofted Solid
Practice 4h Basic Solid and Surface Editing
4.6 NURBS Surfaces
Creating NURBS Surfaces
Edit NURBS Surfaces
Practice 4i Create and Edit a NURBS Surface
Chapter Review

Chapter 5: Modifying in 3D Space
5.1 3D Gizmo Tools
Practice 5a 3D Gizmo Tools
5.2 Aligning Objects in 3D Space
Align Command
3D Align Command
Practice 5b Aligning Objects in 3D
5.3 3D Modify Commands
3D Move and 3D Rotate
3D Scale
Mirroring Objects in 3D
Arraying Objects in 3D
Practice 5c Working with 3D Modify Commands
Practice 5d Architectural Project - Gallery
Chapter Review

Chapter 6: Advanced Solid Editing
6.1 Editing Components of Solids
Editing Faces
Editing Edges
Editing Vertices
Modification Options
Practice 6a Editing Components of Solids
6.2 Editing Faces of Solids
Extruding Faces
Offsetting Faces and Edges
Moving Faces
Rotating Faces
Tapering Faces
Removing Faces
Copying Faces
Practice 6b Editing Faces of Solids
6.3 Fillets and Chamfers on Solids
Practice 6c Fillets and Chamfers on Solids
Practice 6d Mechanical Project: Bracket
Chapter Review

Chapter 7: Additional Editing Tools
7.1 Creating a Shell
Practice 7a Creating a Shell
7.2 Imprinting Edges of Solids
Practice 7b Imprinting Edges on a Solid
7.3 Slicing a Solid along a Plane
Practice 7c Slicing a Solid
7.4 Interference Checking
Practice 7d Interference Checking
7.5 Converting Objects to Surfaces
Creating Planar Surfaces from 2D Objects
Converting 2D Objects to Surfaces
Converting Solids to Surfaces
7.6 Converting Objects to Solids
Converting 2D Objects to Solids
Converting Surfaces to Solids
Converting Solids or Surfaces to Wireframe
Practice 7e Converting Objects to Surfaces and Solids
Practice 7f Mechanical Project - Connector
Chapter Review

Chapter 8: Refining the View
8.1 Working with Sections
Working With Sections
Setting the Section Plane
Working with Live Sections
Generating Sections from Section Planes
Practice 8a Working with Sections
8.2 Working with Cameras
Adjusting a Camera
Clipping Camera Views
Practice 8b Working with Cameras
8.3 Managing Views in 3D
Modifying Views
Practice 8c Managing Views in 3D
8.4 Animating with ShowMotion
8.5 Creating ShowMotion Shots
Practice 8d Animating with ShowMotion
8.6 Creating AnimationsUsing Walk and Fly
Animating a Walkthough
Animation Motion Paths
Practice 8e Walking and Flying Through Models
Chapter Review

Chapter 9: Point Clouds
9.1 Point Clouds
Attach Point Cloud
Point Cloud Contextual Tab
Object Snap
Dynamic UCS
Practice 9a Attach a Point Cloud
Practice 9b Working with Sections
Chapter Review

Chapter 10: Visualization
10.1 Creating Visual Styles
Visual Style Settings
Practice 10a Creating Visual Styles
10.2 Working with Materials
Using the Materials Browser
Libraries
Adding Materials
Attaching Materials by Layer
Material Editor
Texture Editor
Practice 10b Working with Materials
10.3 Specifying Light Sources
Default Lighting
Sunlight
User-Defined Lights
Modifying Lights
Practice 10c Creating a Sun Study
Practice 10d Placing Lights in a Model
10.4 Rendering Concepts
Adjusting the Exposure
Render Presets Manager
Practice 10e Rendering Concepts
Chapter Review

Chapter 11: Working Drawings from 3D Models
11.1 Creating Multiple Viewports
Practice 11a Creating Multiple Viewports
11.2 2D Views from 3D Solids
Creating Hidden Line Views
Creating Profiles from Solids
Practice 11b 2D Views from 3D Solids
11.3 Creating Technical Drawings with Flatshot
Practice 11c Creating Technical Drawings with Flatshot
Practice 11d Mechanical Project - Saddle
11.4 3D Model Import
11.5 Automatic Model Documentation
Adding Base Views
Adding Projected Views
Editing Drawing Views
Practice 11e Creating Automatic Model Documentation
11.6 3D Printing
3D Print Service
Practice 11f Send a 3D Model to Print
Chapter Review