INTRODUCTION TO 3D MODELLING

By the end of this lecture, student should be able to: Differentiate between 2D and 3D modeling Explain the importance of 3D modeling Identify type of 3D modeling and its own characteristics

Explain how AUTOCAD can be used to create 3D model

for different type of model

3D objects (models) are closer to reality than 2D objects. These 3D models can be transformed into multiview,

dimensioned 2D drawings.

In addition, 3D solid models can gives important design information such as mass, volume, centroid and inertia.

Rendering can be also made from 3D solid models to

show and verify a design more clearly.

AutoCAD drawing is always done in 3D space even though the object is only 2D.

In 3D space, objects can be modeled (constructed) from different view points not just from the top view (as in 2D drawing / drafting)

For this reason, 3D objects are called models and the process of making a model is called modeling.

SURFACE MODEL WIREFRAME MODEL SOLID MODEL

3D MODELS

Wireframe models is an edge or skeletal

representation of a real-world 3D object using lines and curves

It is a representation of an object by its edges only. Between the edges there are empty spaces.

Wireframe models appear 3D but give an

unfinished feel and appearance.

Surface models have an infinitely thin computer-

generated surface between their edges. They are an empty shell but appear to be solid.

Surface models are a step closer to creating realistic 3D objects.

Surface models are mainly used in architectural discipline to model a house

(roofs, walls, windows, doors, etc.).

 They have 0 thickness surface models are merely empty shells.

They can hide objects, including other surfaces, that are behind them using HIDE and/or SHADEMODE commands.

They are always flat, with curved and rounded surfaces approximated by small rectangular and/or triangular faces.
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 They can be rendered given colors, material properties, spotlight, scene, etc.
However, surfaces cannot be used as objects in commands such as TRIM and EXTEND.

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3DFACE

Use to make planar (flat) surfaces that have three and/or four sides. The surfaces are clean (unmeshed) and able to hide edges. Try this: enter (60,230) (60,110) (190,110,150) (190,230,150)

PFACE

Similar to 3DFACE except that faces are grouped

as a single object and edges between the faces

are automatically invisible.
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Solid models consist of edges, surfaces and

computer-calculated mass under their surfaces

Solid models consist of the following

basic shapes:
Box Wedge Cylinder Cone Sphere Torus

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 They have mass, surfaces and edges. Properties (mass, volume, surface area, center of gravity and moments of inertia) are readily available. The basic geometric shapes are called

primitives.

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 Holes can be drilled through any primitives using SUBTRACT command. Curves and rounded surfaces on solids are more accurate than those created using 3DFACE and/or PFACE commands.

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UNION SUBTRACT REGION INTERSECT SLICE

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VIEWING IN 3D
Changing the view point in AutoCAD to either 2D or 3D For 2D drawing, always work in Plan View>World UCS

2D view of 3D drawings

3D view of 3D drawings

One of the easiest way to build a model is to specify 3D

points in the LINE command. The following example

demonstrates the entering of several points (X, Y, Z) in 3D space. The model is projected

at a certain angle (SE

Isometric) using VPOINT command. The

dimensions are placed

accordingly after manipulating the UCS.
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Use LINE command to construct the rectangular based.

Note: AutoCAD assumes Z = 0 if the third coordinate is

NOT supplied. The first two are X and Y coordinates.

Point
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Absolute Coordinate 0, 0 2, 0 2, 4 0, 4 Close

Relative Coordinate 0, 0 @2, 0 @0, 4 @-2, 0 Close

Polar Coordinate 0, 0 @2<e @4<n @2<w Close

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Similarly, use LINE command to construct the square top.

For the 1st point, enter all three coordinates (X, Y, Z).
For other points, see below.

Point
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Absolute Coordinate 0, 2, 1.5 2, 2, 1.5 2, 4, 1.5 0, 4, 1.5 Close

Relative Coordinate 0, 2, 1.5 @2, 0 @0, 2 @-2, 0 Close

Polar Coordinate 0, 2, 1.5 @2<e @2<n @2<w Close

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One way to project a model in a 3D space is by using VPOINT command with View Point (coordinate) and/or Rotate modes. The standard coordinates and/or angles are listed below.

Orthographic Viewpoints Top Bottom Front Back Right Left

(X, Y, Z) Coordinate s 0, 0, 1 0, 0, -1 0, -1, 0 0, 1, 0 1, 0, 0 -1, 0, 0

Rotation angles from X-axis 270 270 270 90 0 180 XY plane 90 -90 0 0 0 0
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One way to project a model in a 3D space is by using VPOINT command with View Point (coordinate) and/or Rotate modes. The standard coordinates and/or angles are listed below.

Isometric Viewpoints Southwest Southeast Northwest Northeast

(X, Y, Z) Coordinate s -1, -1, 1 1, -1, 1 -1, 1, 1 1, 1, 1

Rotation angles from X-axis 225 315 135 45 XY plane 35.2644 35.2644 35.2644 35.2644

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To draw the top of the front vertical face, COPY a line

from the rectangular base with 0.5 unit displacement in

Z-direction.

The top line after copying.

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Turn on the OSNAP with the Endpoint mode.

Connect the rectangle with the square using LINE

command (see blue lines).

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DIMENSION command only works in XY plane.

We need to manipulate (move and/ rotate) the coordinate system in order to place the model dimensions accordingly.
This is accomplished using the User Coordinate System (UCS) by typing UCS at the command prompt.

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The origin is at the base (bottom left corner) of the model.

We can place these two dimensions (in blue).

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The origin is at the top (bottom left corner) of the model.

We can place these two dimensions (in magenta).

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The origin is at the base (bottom left corner) of the model.

We can place one dimension (in red).

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The origin is at the base (top left corner) of the model.

We can place the last dimension (in green).

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Use Draw>Solids command Choose the object / shape that you want to draw Follow instruction on command prompt

Try this out

Create a box (a cube) with corner (0,0,0) and length of 4 units Create a cylinder with centre of (2,2,0), radius of 1 unit and height of 4 unit Change view to 3D views > SW Isometric Shade your drawing to see the solid model VIEW > SHADE > GOURAUD SHADED (you can also use FLAT SHADED)

AFTER SHADING

Now, try to subtract the cylinder from the cube to get the following (Hint: Go back to SHADE > 3D WIREFRAME. Then, use MODIFY > SOLIDS EDITING > SUBTRACT)

A HOLE IN THE BOX

Now, lets SLICE the object (Type SLICE at command prompt)

Use the following point for slicing

(2,4,4) (2,0,4) (2,0,0)

When prompted to either keep both side or one side only, click on just one side of the model

Want to learn more? Reference:

Introduction to AUTOCAD 2005, 2D and 3D Design, Alf Yarwood, Newnes, Oxford (2005) The AutoCAD 2004, Tutor for Engineering Graphics with AutoCAD 2005 UPDATE, Alan J Kalameja, Thomson

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Commands in AUTOCAD: 3DFACE PFACE

Surface Modeling & Characteristics

Lecture 07 (3D Modelling)

Solid Modeling & Characteristics Commands in AUTOCAD: Union Subtract Region Intersect Slice
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Wire-mesh Modeling & Characteristics

Use 3D Coordinate System