AutoCAD 3D Drawing and Modeling

The AutoCAD®: 3D Drawing and Modeling course introduces users who are proficient with the 2D commands in the AutoCAD® software to the concepts and methods of 3D modeling. The course provides a thorough grounding in the fundamentals of 3D and explores the main features of the advanced 3D Modeling workspace in the AutoCAD software.

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

• Addinws
• 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