History of CAD - Computer Aided Design

Introduction

Manufacturing of a product is the main activity in engineering profession. The design of a

product may start with trial designs in the form of sketches on paper. As the design improves and
undergoes changes, the final form of design must be the scaled manufacturing drawings with finer details
included. These drawings are two-dimensional representations of three-dimensional objects designed.

During the process of design, the designer may have to carry out a large amount of computations
so that an optimum design is obtained. A computer with good graphic capabilities helps the designer to

1. Realize his ideas

2. Carry out complex computations
3. Present the results of computations in a useful form for decision making and possible
improvement
4. Present the improved model for evaluation.

Interactive the improved model for evaluation.

Computer Aided Drafting

A part to be manufactured is defined first in terms of its geometry which also includes
dimensions, tolerances, surface finish, and in some cases the type of fit between two mating parts. The
two dimensional representation of a part, called an engineering drawing or a blueprint, shows three
orthogonal views of the part. Sometimes, when three views are not enough to define the part, additional
sectional views may have to be added for conveying the right information.

A design is finally represented in the form of orthographic views and auxiliary views so that
production can be carried out. Hence, the computer aided drafting is an important tool for Computer
Aided Design. The Computer Aided Drafting (CAD) system is the computerization of technical,
production, electronics and architectural drawings.

CAD is the product of computer era. Its development originated from early computer graphics
systems. CAD can find its roots to the development graphics systems. CAD can find its roots to the
development of Interactive Computer Graphics (ICG). A system called Sketchpad was developed at
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, U.S.A., in 1963 by Ivan Sutherland.

In the beginning, CAD systems were no more than graphic editors with some built-in design
symbols. The geometry available to the user was limited to lines, circular arcs, and a combination of the
two. The development of free-form curves and surfaces such as coon’s patch, Ferguson’s patch, Bezier’s
curve, and B-splines enable a CAD system allows a user to do very sophisticated design and analysis
work.

Computer aided drawing and drafting system uses the computer to assist in generation of
blueprint data. CAD systems are essential in design and a large number of computer based systems are

1|Page
commercially available. 2D drawing systems correspond directly to traditional engineering drawings, and
they are developed to substitute manual drafting.

The advantages offered by computerized drafting systems can be summarized as:

a) It increases the accuracy and productivity of designer.

b) It allows design alterations to be made easily.
c) It offers beter drawing visualization through colors.
d) It improves the quality of store and retrieve.
e) Storage space required is less.
f) Transfer of drawings is faster and cheaper.
g) It permits the use of library of standard symbols for more productive CAD work.

Although the capital investment required in setting up a computer aided drafting system is high, the
greater capabilities offered by computers and software are making the systems more affordable.

CAD SOFTWARE

The CAD system creates an environment to prepare drawings interactively. Most CAD systems
available commercially are menu driven. Commands can either be typed directly with the help of a
keyboard or can be picked-up from the screen menu with the help of a mouse or can be selected from the
digitizer menu. Some screen menus offer pull-down menus (also referred to as pop-up menus) and
dialogue boxes.

For example, a variety of hatching patterns are displayed on the screen for better visualization and
selection if a hatching command is chosen. The appropriate hatching pattern can be selected with the help
of input device. The effect of every command is immediately displayed on the screen so that selection and
corrections can be done interactively and immediately.

The major functions to be performed by a computer aided drafting system are:

a) Basic set-up of a drawing

b) Drawing the objects
c) Changing the object properties
d) Translating the objects
e) Scaling the objects
f) Clipping the objects to fit the image to the screen
g) Creating symbol libraries for frequently used objects
h) Text insertion
i) Dimensioning

Some of the features of CAD systems are:

1) Modeling and Drafting: The majority of systems provide 2D and 3D modeling capabilities. Some
low cost CAD systems are dedicated to 2D drafting only.
2) Ease of use:The users find CAD systems very easy to learn and use.

2|Page
 3) Flexibility:Popular CAD systems provide greater flexibility when configuring the available
hardware. Hundreds of computers, display devices, expansion boards, input and output devices
are compatible and configurable with popular soft-wares.
4) Modularity:Standard input and output devices are attached to standard connectors thereby
making the system modular in nature.
5) Low maintenance: Little maintenance is needed to keep the system functional.
Capabilities and versatilities of the drafting system vary depending on the system on which they
are implemented.AutoCAD, VersaCAD, CADkey, DesignCAD, etc. are few popular
commercially available drafting systems in use. These systems provide a variety of features
required for producing engineering drawings.
As an example of a popular, low-cost CAD software, we describe here some of the fundamental
capabilities of AutoCAD. All these or similar facilities are very much desired in any CAD
software for it to be useful.

AutoCAD

AutoCAD (a product and registered trademark of Autodesk Inc. USA) is a low cost yet very
effective computer aided design and drafting software. AutoCAD is accepted as the industry standard and
it is preferred by a large community of CAD users in the world. Although AutoCAD is available for a
variety of computer systems, majority of AutoCAD implementations are available on IBM or compatible
personal computers with MS-DOS operating system. AutoCAD comes with a very large number of user-
selectable options to support a great variety of commercially available display devices, digitizers, mouse,
printers and plotters. AutoCAD supports 2D drafting and 3D modeling.

The basic drawing entities are lines, polylines of any width, circles, arcs, ellipses and solids.
There are many ways of defining a drawing entity, and the software always prompts the user for all
options. Each drawing entity has an associated line-type, color, layer and thickness, the thickness is a
property associated with 3D entities.

Before any drawing is started, the AutoCAD environment must be prepared for proper units of
measurement, line-type, drawing size, layer, etc. In AutoCAD the drawings are always prepared at full
scale, and the drawing size can be changed at any instant of time by using LIMITS command.

AutoCAD is a commercial software application for 2D and 3D computer-aided design

(CAD) and drafting — available since 1982 as a desktop application .
Developed and marketed by Autodesk, Inc.,. AutoCAD was first released in December 1982, running on
microcomputers with internal graphics controllers [. Prior to the introduction of AutoCAD, most
commercial CAD programs ran on computers or minicomputers, with each CAD operator (user) working
at a separate graphic.
AutoCAD is used across a wide range of industries, by architects, project managers, engineers, designers,
and other professionals. It is supported by 750 training centers worldwide as of 1994.
AutoCAD was derived from a program begun in 1977 and released in 1979 called Interact CAD, also
referred to in early Autodesk documents as MicroCAD, which was written prior to Autodesk's (then
Marinchip Software Partners) formation by Autodesk cofounder Mike Riddle.

3|Page
The first version by the AutoDesk company was demonstrated at the 1982 Comdex and released that
December. The 2015 release marked the 29th major release for the AutoCAD for Windows. The 2014
release marked the fourth consecutive year for AutoCAD for Mac.

AutoCAD Version

 Release 2014
 Release 2013
 Release 2012
 Release 2011
 Release 2010
 Release 2009
 Release 2008
 Release 2006
 Release 2005
 Release 2004
 Release 2002
 Release 2000i
 Release 2000
 Release 14
 Release 13Rl
 Release 12
 Release 11
 Release 10
 Release 9
 Version 2.6
 Version 2.5
 Version 2.1
 Version 2.0
 Version 1.4Vi14
 Version 1.3
 Version 1.2
 Version 1.0

4|Page
CAD systems in general are Consists of:

 CAD User - Human

 CAD Hardware
 CAD Software

CAD Hardware use of Digital Computer:

 CPU
 Memory: internal & external
 Storage: mostly externalgy
 Input devices
o – Keyboard, Mouse, Optical pen, Tablet, Scanner, Modem, Digitiser
 Output devices
o – Computer screen (graphical&textual), Printer, Plotter, Modem

Basic of AutoCAD

 In early days AutoCAD was used as a drafting tool

 Through the years and many releases it become a
 design tool
 ‘Icon’ based environment - icons grouped in toolbars
 AutoCAD screen contains two parts:
 ggraphical screen and textual (command) line()
 AutoCAD saves files in .DWG format but can import
 and export different formats (DXF, IGES)
 Model (2D) is made in a ‘MODEL SPACE’ drawings
 are generated in ‘DRAWING SPACE’DRAWING SPACE

5|Page
Introduce for AutoCAD Screen

Workspaces

You can switch between the workspaces from the menu browser

1. Click the Workspace switching icon in the lower right corner of the screen.

2. Click on one of the following workspace options.

6|Page
Status Bar and Command Prompt

The Status Bar is the area below the command line that shows messages as well as coordinates,
modes, and the current time.

To activate SNAP, GRID, ORTHO, OSNAP, MSPACE, PSPACE, and TILE, you must double-click
on the mode to change.

Use of the Function Key

7|Page
 AutoCAD Commands

Typing Commands:

All AutoCAD commands can be typed in at the command line. Many commands also have one or
two letter aliases that can also be typed as shortcuts to the commands.

1. Type the desired command or the command‟s alias at the command

Prompt.
Command: LINE
Command: L
2. Press ENTER on the keyboard.

3. Type an option at the command prompt.

TIP:

are no longer in an AutoCAD command when you see a blank command line.

Reissuing the Last Command

The last used AutoCAD command can be re-entered by one of the following three methods of
ENTER. The ENTER key on the keyboard will always act as ENTER, the SPACEBAR and RIGHT
MOUSE will act as enter most of the time (exceptions include placing TEXT).

1. Press the ENTER key on the keyboard

or
2. Press the Space bar on the keyboard.
or
3. Click the right mouse button.

Canceling a Command

1. Press the ESCAPE (ESC) key on the keyboard.

Function Keys and Accelerator Keys

Running Object Snaps

An object snap mode specifies a snap point at an exact location on an

Object. OSNAP specifies running object snap modes, which remain
Active until you turn them off.

1. Choose Tools, Drafting Settings...

or
2. Type DDOSNAP at the command prompt
Command: DDOSNAP
or
3. Click OSNAP on the Status Bar.

8|Page
 4. Right Click the Object Snap TAB.
5. Choose an object snap to turn ON/OFF from the dialog box.

UNITS Command

1. Choose Format, Units...

or
2. Type DDUNITS at the command prompt.
Command: DDUNITS or UN
3. Choose a units and angle setting.
4. Choose a precision setting. \

9|Page
Line Command

Creates single straight line segments

1. Choose Draw, Line.
or
2. Click the Line icon.
or
3. Type LINE from the command prompt
Command: LINE or L
4. Press ENTER
5. Pick from point: (point)
6. Pick Specify next point or [Close/Undo] :( point)
7. Pick Specify next point or [Close/Undo] : (point)
8. Press ENTER to end line sequence
or
9. Type U to undo the last segment
To point: U (undo)
or
10. Type C to create a closed polygon
To point: C (close)

Pline Command

A polyline is a connected sequence of line segments created as a single

Object. You can create straight line segments, arc segments, or a
Combination of the two.
1. Choose Draw, Polyline.
or
2. Pick the Pline icon.
3. Type PLINE at the command prompt
Command: PLINE or PL
4. Pick A point on the drawing to start the polyline
From point :( select)
5. Type One of the following options
Arc/Close/Halfwidth/Length/Undo/Width/<endpoint of
Line>:
or
6. Pick A point to continue drawing
Arc/Close/Halfwidth/Length/Undo/Width/<endpoint of
Line>: (pick point)

10 | P a g e
Orthogonal Lines

Control lines from being drawn at various angles to straight lines. When the
Snap grid is rotated, ortho mode rotates accordingly.

1. Press Function Key F8.

or
2. Double Click ORTHO from the Status Bar.
or
1. Press CTRL + L.
2.

Rectangle

1. Choose Draw, Rectangle.

or
2. Click the Rectangle icon.
or
3. Type Rectang at the command prompt Command:
RECTANG Chamfer/Elevation/Fillet/Thickness/Width/
<First corner>:
4. Pick first corner.
5. Pick other corner or type coordinates

Circles

1. Choose Draw, Circle.

or
2. Click t he Circle icon.
or
3. Type CIRCLE at the command prompt.
Command: CIRCLE
4. Type One of the following options:
3P/2P/TTR/<<center point>>:
Circle, Center Radius
Circle, Center Diameter
Circle, Tangent, Tangent Radius
Circle, Tangent, Tangent, Tangent
or
5. Pick A center point.
6. Type A radius or diameter.
or
7. Pick A radius or diameter
Diameter/<<radius>>:

11 | P a g e
TIPS:
- To create circles that is the same size, press
ENTER when asked for the circle radius.
- When selecting a circle with a pickbox, be sure
To select the circumference of the circle.

Arc Command

1. Choose Draw, Arc.

or
2. Click the Arc icon.
or
3. Type ARC at the command prompt
Command: ARC
4. Draw One of the arcs.

TIPS:
-Except for 3 point arcs, arcs are drawn in a COUNTERCLOCKWISE
Direction.
- While in the arc command, press the right mouse button to select the

12 | P a g e
Following options for arcs:

Sp line

The SPLINE command creates a particular type of sp line known as a

Non uniform rational B-sp line (NURBS) curve. A NURBS curve produces a
Smooth curve between control points

1. Choose Draw, Sp line.

or
2. Click the Sp line icon.
or
3. Type SPLINE at the command prompt
Command: SPLINE
4. Pick A start point for the sp line
Object / <Enter first point>: (pick point)
5. Pick Points until you are done drawing sp lines
Enter point :( pick points)
6. Press Enter or close to complete the sp line

13 | P a g e
 7. Pick starting tangent point for the sp line
Enter start tangent (pick point)
8. Pick Ending tangent point for the sp line
Enter end tangent: (pick point)

Editing Poly lines

1. Choose Modify, Poly line.

or
2. Pick the Edit icon from the Modify II toolbar.
3. Type PEDIT at the comma and prompt
Command: PEDIT
4. Pick Pick polyline to edit
Select Polyline :( pick)
5. Type One of the following options: Close/Join/ Width/Edit
Vertex/FitCurve/Spline/Curve/
Deserve/Undo/exit

PEDIT options:

 Close Closes open poly line segments

 Join Connects poly lines, lines, and arcs to existing poly
Lines.
 Width Changes the width for all poly line segments.
 Fit curve Creates curved arc segments around p line vertices at
The Direction you specify.
 Sp line Curve Creates a curve through control points on a poly line.
 De curve Straightens curved segments.
 Edit Vertex Displays the following Edit Vertex Options:

14 | P a g e
Move Command

1. Choose Modify, Move.

or
2. Click the Move icon.
or
3. Type MOVE at the command prompt
Command: MOVE or M
4. Pick Objects to move
Select objects: (select)
5. Pick A point to move from
Base point or displacement: (pick point)
6. Pick A point to move to
Second point of displacement: (pick point)

TIP:
To move an object a specified distance, type a distance at the second
Point of displacement prompt: @1<0

Copy Command

1. Choose Modify, Copy.

or
2. Click the Copy icon.
or
3. Type COPY at the command prompt.
Command: COPY or CP
4. Pick Objects to copy.
Select objects: (select)
5. Pick A point to move from.
Base point or displacement/Multiple: (pick point).
6. Pick A point to copy to.
Second point of displacement: (pick point)
or
7. Type A point to copy to.
Second point of displacement: @ 1<0

15 | P a g e
TIP:
• To copy many objects in the same copy command, type M for Multiple at
The “Base point or displacement/Multiple” option.

Offset Distance

To offset a specified distance:

1. Choose Modify, Offset.

or
2. Choose the Offset icon.
or
3. Type OFFSET at the command prompt.
Command: OFFSET or O
4. Type the distance to offset.
Offset distance or <Through point>: (number)
5. Pick The object to offset.
Select object to offset: (select object)
6. Pick A side to offset object to.
Side to offset: (pick side)
7. Pick Another object to offset
Select object to offset: (pick side)
or
8. Press Enter to end the command.

Explode Command

1. Choose Modify, Explode.

or
2. Pick the Explode icon.
3. Type EXPLODE at the command prompt.
Command: EXPLODE

16 | P a g e
 or
4. Pick The object to explode. Select objects: (pick)

EXTEND 10.5

1. Choose Modify, Extend.

or
2. Click the Extend icon.
or
3. Type EXTEND at the command prompt
Command: EXTEND
Select boundary edge(s)...
4. Pick The BOUNDARY edge to extend to
Select objects: (select)
5. Press ENTER to accept the boundary edge
Select objects: (press enter)
6. Pick The objects to extend
<Select object to extend> / Project /
Edge / Undo: Select an object, enter
An option, or press enter: (select)
7. Press ENTER when you are done choosing objects

Lines Extended
to an Arc
(Arc is boundary edge)

TIP:
- Use the object selection option FENCE to choose multiple objects

17 | P a g e
Stretch 13.2

1. Choose Modify, Stretch.

or
2. Click the Stretch icon.

3. Type STRETCH at the command prompt.

Command: STRETCH Select
Objects to stretch by window...
4. Type C to choose CROSSING window
Select objects: C
5. Pick a first corner to stretch. First corner: (point)
6. Pick The opposite corner to window the objects to Stretch.
Other corner: (point)
7. Press ENTER to accept objects to stretch.

8. Pick A base point to stretch from Base point: (Point)

9. Pick A point to stretch to new point: (point)
or
10. Type A distance to stretch. New point:@1<0

TIP:
The Stretch command must use a CROSSING window or ACROSSING
POLYGON window

TRIM

The TRIM command allows you to trim objects in a drawing so they end
Precisely at a cutting edge defined by one or more other objects in the
Drawing.

18 | P a g e
 1. Choose Modify, Trim.
or
2. Click the Trim icon.
3. Type TRIM at the command prompt
Command: TRIM

Lines Trimmed
To an Arc
(Arc is cutting
Edge)

Select cutting edge(s)...

4. Pick The CUTTING edge to extend to
Select objects: (select)
5. Press ENTER to accept the cutting edge
Select objects: (press enter)
6. Pick Objects to trim
<Select object to trim> / Project / Edge / Undo:
Select an object, enter an option, or press enter
7. Press ENTERwhen you are done choosing objects
Select object to trim/Undo: (press enter)

TIP:
Hold the SHIFT key to interactively extend instead of trim.

Break

1. Choose Modify, Break.

or
2. Click the Break icon.
or
3. Type BREAK at the command prompt. Command: BREAK
4. Pick Object to break.
Select object: (select one object)
5. Pick A second break point.
Enter second point: (point)
or

19 | P a g e
 6. Type F to choose a different break point
Enter second point (or F for first point):(F)

MIRROR

1. Choose Modify, Mirror.

or
2. Click the Mirror icon.
or
3. Type MIRROR at the command prompt.
Command: MIRROR

4. Pick Objects to mirror.

Select objects :( select)
5. Pick First point of mirror line: (point)
6. Pick Second point: (point)
7. Type Yes to delete the original objects and
No to keep them.
Delete old objects? Y or N

ROTATE

1. Choose Modify, Rotate.

or
2. Click the Modify icon.
or
3. Type ROTATE at the command prompt

20 | P a g e
 Command: ROTATE
4. Pick Objects to rotate:
Select objects :( select)
5. Pick A pivot point to rotate around
Base point: (point)
6. Type A rotation angle<Rotation angle>/Reference: (Number)
or
7. Pick A rotation angle<Rotation angle>/Reference: (point)

SCALE

1. Choose Modify, Scale.

or
2. Click the Scale icon.
or
3. Type SCALE at the command prompt

Command: SCALE
Select objects: (select objects)
4. Pick A pivot point to scale about Base point: (point)
5. Type A rotation angle<Scale factor>/Reference:(number)
or
6. Pick A scale factor<Scale factor>/Reference: (Point)
Scale factor/Reference: (points)

Text
Creates a single-line text object
1. Type TEXT at the command prompt
Command: TEXT
or
2. Pick the Single Line Text icon from the Text Toolbar.

21 | P a g e
 3. Pick A start point
Justify/Style/<Start Point>: (point)
or
4. Type J to change the justification or S to change the text Style.
5. Type A text height
Height <default>: (type value or pick two points)
6. Type A rotation angle
Rotation angle <default>: (angle or point)
7. Type A text string
Text: (type text string)
8. Press enter to exit the Text: prompt.

DTEXT (Dynamic Text)

Creates a single-line text object, showing the text dynamically on the

Screen as it is entered.

1. Choose Draw, Text, And Single Line Text.

or
2. Type DTEXT at the command prompt
Command: DTEXT
3. Follow the steps 3-8 from above

Layers
Introduction to Layers and Layer Dialog Box

1. Choose Format, Layer.

or
2. Type LAYER at the command prompt.
Command: LAYER (or LA)
or
3. Pick the layers icon from the Layer Control box
on the object properties toolbar.

22 | P a g e
Layer Options
Lists layers, with states, colors and linetypes
Make Creates a new layer and makes it current
Set Sets current layer
New Creates new layers
ON Turns on specified layers
OFF Turns off specified layers
Color Assigns color to specified layers
Line type Assigns line type to specified layers
Freeze Completely ignores layers during regeneration
Thaw Unfreezes specified layers Ltype
Lock Makes a layer read only preventing entities from being edited but available
visual reference and o snap functions
Unlock Places a layer in read write mode and available for edits
Plot Turns a Layer On for Plotting
No Plot Turns a Layer Off for Plotting
Line Weight Controls the line weight for each layer

TIP:
Layers can be set using the command line prompts for layers. To use this,
Type –LAYER or -LA at the command prompt
1. Type Command: -LAYER or LA
2. Type One of the following layer options
?/Make/Set/New/ON/OFF/Color/Ltype/Freeze/Thaw:
Layer Shortcuts

Changing the Layer of an Object

1. Click Once on the object to change.
2. Select the desired layer from the Layer Control Box
Drop down.

23 | P a g e
 AutoCAD will move the object to the new layer

Color + Line Weights

Color Command

1. Type COLOR at the command prompt. Command: COLOR or COL

or

2. Choose Color on the Object Properties toolbar and then select a color from the list or
select other to display the Select Color dialog box.

24 | P a g e
TIP:

By Layer
If you enter by layer, new objects assume the color of the layer upon which they are drawn.

By Block

If you enter by block, AutoCAD draws new objects in the default color (white or black, depending on
your configuration) until they are grouped into a block. When the block is inserted in the drawing, the
objects in the bloc k inherit the current setting of the COLOR command.

Line types

Loading and Changing Line types

1. Type LTYPE at the command prompt. Command: LTYPE or LT

2. Choose Load... to see a list of available line types.

3. Choose the desired line type to assign.

4. Click OK

25 | P a g e
Line weights

Loading and Changing Line weights

1. Type LINEWEIGHT at the command prompt. Command: LINEWEIGHT or
LWEIGHT

TIPS:

weights in the drawing, thus making regenerations faster.

o the real- world unit value at which

they plot. If you are using a high-resolution monitor, you can adjust the line weight display scale to
better display different line weight widths.

Object Properties

1. Choose Modify, Properties.

or
2. Click the Properties icon.

26 | P a g e
 or
3. Type DDCHPROP or DDMODIFY at the command prompt.
Command: DDCHPROP (CH)
or
DDMODIFY (MO)
4. Pick Objects whose properties you want to change
Pick a window for DDCHPROP, single object
for DDMODIFY.
Select objects:(select)
5. Press ENTER to accept objects.
Select objects: (press enter)
6. Choose One of the following properties to change.

HATCH
1. Choose Draw, Hatch...
or
2. Click the Hatch icon.
or
3. Type BHATCH at the command prompt
Command: BHATC

Hatch Patterns

27 | P a g e
Hatch Options

Pattern Type Sets the current pattern type by using AutoCAD's

Predefined patterns or user defined patterns.
Pattern Properties Sets the current pattern, scale, angle, and spacing.
Controls if hatch is double spaced or exploded.
Pick Points Constructs a boundary from existing objects that form an enclosed
area.
Select Objects Selects specific objects for hatching. The Boundary Hatch dialog box
disappears and AutoCAD prompts for object selection.
Inherit Properties Applies the properties of an existing associative hatch
To the current Pattern Type and Pattern Properties options.
Preview Hatch Displays the hatching before applying it. AutoCAD removes the
dialog box and hatches the selected areas.
Associative Controls associative hatching.
Apply Creates the crosshatching in the boundary.

HATCHEDIT

1. Choose Modify, Hatch...

or
Click the Hatch Edit icon.
or
Type HATCHEDIT at the command prompt.
Command: HATCHEDIT
2. Choose one of the BHATCH options to modify.
3. Pick The OK button.

28 | P a g e
Boundary Command

Defines the object type, boundary set, and island detection method for defining boundaries from
points you specify.

1. Choose Draw, Boundary

or
2. Type BOUNDARY at the command prompt.
Command: BOUNDARY

Region Command

Regions are two-dimensional areas you create from closed shapes or loops. Closed poly lines, lines,
and curves are valid selections. Curves include circular arcs, circles, elliptical arcs, ellipses, and sp
lines.

1. Choose Draw > Region

2. Type REGION at the command prompt.
Command: REGION
Select objects: (pick boundary)
Select objects:1 found
1 loop extracted.
1 Region created.

29 | P a g e
Point Styles

Changes the appearance of points and point sizes.

1. Choose Format, Point Style...
or
Type DDPTYPE at the command prompt.
Command: DDPTYPE

Point Command

1. Choose Draw, Point, Single or Multiple Point.

or
2. Click the Point icon.
or
3. Type POINT at the command prompt.
Command: POINT
4. Pick A point on the drawing. Point (point)

Divide

1. Choose Draw, Point, and Divide.

or
2. Type DIVIDE at the command prompt
Command: DIVIDE
3. Pick Object to divide
Select object to divide: (pick one object)
4. Type The number of equal segments to divide the object into<Number of
segments>/Block: (number)

30 | P a g e
TIP:
within the
drawing. If you answer yes to the Align block ? Prompt, the Block will be rotated round its insertion
point so that it is drawn tan- gent to the object being divided.

Measure

1. Choose Draw, Point, and Measure.

or
2. Type MEASURE at the command prompt
Command: MEASURE
3. Pick Object to measure: Select object to measure:
(Pick one object)
4. Type The length of each segment along the object.
<Length o f segment>/Block :( number)
or
5. Type B to specify a block instead o f a point to insert.

31 | P a g e
 DIMENSIONS
Linear Dimensions

1. Choose Dimension, Linear.

or
2. Click the Linear Dimension command from the toolbar.

or
3. Type DIM at the command prompt. Command: DIM
Dim: HOR or VER

Aligned Dimensions

1. Choose Dimension, Aligned.

or
2. Click the Aligned Dimension command from the toolbar.

or
3. Type DIM at the command prompt. Command: DIM Dim: ALIGNED

32 | P a g e
Radial Dimensions

1. Choose Dimension, Radius or Diameter.

or
2. Click the Radial Dimensions command from the toolbar.

or
3. Type DIM at the command prompt. Command: DIM
Dim: RADIUS or DIAMETER

Angular Dimensions

1. Choose Dimension, Angular.

or
2. Click the Angular Dimensions command from the toolbar.

or
3. Type DIM at the command prompt. Command: DIM Dim: ANGULAR

Continued and Baseline Dimensions

1. Choose Dimension, Continue or Baseline.

or
2. Click the Continue or Baseline Dimensions command from the toolbar.

33 | P a g e
 3. Type DIM at the command prompt. Command: DIM
Dim: CONTINUE or BASELINE

Leaders

1. Choose Dimension, Leader...

or
2. Click the Leader icon from the Dimension toolbar.

or
3. Type QLEADER at the command prompt. Command: QLEADER

Quick Dimensions

Quickly creates dimension arrangements from the geometry you select.

1. Choose Dimension, QDIM.

or
2. Click the Quick Dimension icon from the Dimensions toolbar.

34 | P a g e
 or

3. Type QDIM at the command prompt. Command: QDIM

4. Pick the objects to dimension.

Modifying Dimensions
DDEDIT

1. Choose Modify, Object, Text.

2. Choose the dimension text to modify.

TIP:

brackets. If text is placed between the brackets, the dimension loses its associative properties.

Stretching Dimensions
1. Choose Modify, Stretch.

2. Choose a crossing window around the area to stretch. Be sure to include the
dimension endpoints.

35 | P a g e
Creating Dimension Styles

1. Choose Format, Dimension Style...

Or
2. Choose Dimension, Style.
Or
3. Choose Dimension Style icon from the Dimension Style toolbar.

4. Type DDIM at the command prompt

Command: DDIM
5. Choose New... from the dialog box.

6. Create a new style from the existing styles.

7. Click the Continue button.

TIP:
All dimension variables except for DIMSHO and DIMASO can be saved as a style.

36 | P a g e
Lines

Edits Dimension Lines, Extension Lines.

1. Pick the Lines tab from the Dimension Variables and Styles dialog box.

Symbols and Arrows

Edits Symbols and Arrows.

1. Pick the Symbols and Arrows tab from the Dimension Variables and Styles dialog
box.

37 | P a g e
Text
Edits Text Appearance, Text Placement and Text Alignment.

1. Pick the Text tab from the Dimension Variables and Styles dialog box.

Primary Units
Edits Unit options for dimension’s primary units.

1. Pick the PRIMARY UNITS tab from the Dimension Variables and Styles dialog
box.

Alternate Units

Edit Unit options for dimension’s alternate units.

38 | P a g e
 Pick the ALTERNATE UNITS tab from the Dimension
Variables and Styles dialog box.

Tolerances

Edit Unit options for tolerances.

1. Pick the TOLERANCES tab from the Dimension Variables and Styles dialog box

39 | P a g e
 AutoCAD 3D

Launch AutoCAD

1. Choose Start, Programs, Autodesk , AutoCAD from the Windows program manager.

OR
2. Double-click the AutoCAD icon from your desktop.

Workspaces

AutoCAD workspaces are sets of menus, toolbars and dockable windows (such as the Properties
palette, DesignCenter, and the Tool palettes window) that are grouped and organized so that you can
work in a custom, task-oriented drawing environment.

1. Click the Workspace Switching icon.

2. Click 3D Basics and OK.

40 | P a g e
3D Modeling Interface

The 3D Modeling panels are as follows

The 3D Modeling pulldown menus are as follows:

Plug-ins, Online, and Express Tools

41 | P a g e
Viewports

1. Open a drawing or create simple objects as shown below.

2. Click the dropdown menu in the shortcut tools and choose

Show Menu Bar.

3. Choose View, Viewports, 4 Viewports.

OR
4. Type -VPORTS at the command prompt.
Command: -VPORTS
Enter an option [Save/Restore/Delete/Join/SIngle/?/2/3/4] 4: enter

Enter a configuration option [Horizontal/Vertical/Above/ Below/Left/Right] <Right>:

enter

Your screen will look something like the figure below with four views in one AutoCAD drawing

42 | P a g e
Preset 3D Viewports

1. Choose View, Viewports, New Viewports

2. Click the dropdown option for Setup and click 3D.
3. Choose Four: Right as the viewport option.

Tip: You can also choose View, 3D Views, and any of the preset 3D views.

43 | P a g e
 Visualizing Your Model

HIDE Command

Regenerates a three-dimensional model with hidden lines

1. Open a drawing with 3D objects and display in a 3D view.
2. Choose View, Hide.
or
3. Type HIDE at the command prompt.
Command: HIDE

Visual Styles

A visual style is a collection of settings that control the display of edges and shading in the viewport.

1. Open a drawing with 3D objects and display in a 3D view.

2. Choose View, Visual Styles and one of the following style
options.

44 | P a g e
Graphic of Visual Styles

UCS Icon

The UCS icon represents the orientation of the user coordinate system (UCS) axes and the location of the
current UCS origin. It also represents the current viewing direction relative to the XY plane. AutoCAD displays
the UCS icon differently for 2D, 3D and Paper Space environments.

1. Choose View, Display, UCS Icon.

or
2. Type UCSICON at the command prompt.
Command: ucsicon
Enter an option [ON/OFF/All/Noorigin/ORigin/Properties] <ON>:

ON Displays the UCS icon.

45 | P a g e
 OFF Turns off the display of the UCSICON.
All Affects the display of the UCSICON in all viewports.
Noorigin Always displays the UCS at the lower left corner.
Origin Shows the UCS at the 0,0,0 origin of the current UCS.
Properties Changes the display properties of the UCS icons(s).

UCS Icon Properties

1. Choose View, Display, UCS Icon, Properties.

or
1. Type UCSICON at the command prompt.

Command: ucsicon
Enter an option
[ON/OFF/All/Noorigin/ORigin/Properties] <ON>: P

UCS Overview

The user coordinate system provides an alternate movable coordinate system for coordinate entry, planes of
operation, and viewing. Most AutoCAD geometric editing commands are dependent on the location and
orientation of the UCS. There are a variety of ways to set the User Coordinate System using the UCS command.

1. Type UCS at the command prompt.

Command: UCS
Specify origin of UCS or [Face/NAmed/OBject/Previous/View/World/X/Y/Z/
ZAxis] <World>:
Face Aligns the UCS to the selected face of a solid object.
Named Saves or restores a UCS.
Object Lets you define a new UCS by pointing at an object.
Previous Restores the previos UCS.
New Defines a new coordinate system by one of six methods: Origin, Z Axis, 3
Point, Object, Face, View X, Y, Z
View Establishes a new UCS whose XY plane is perpendicular to your viewing
direction (e.g. parallel to your screen).
46 | P a g e
 World Restores the world UCS
X/Y/Z Rotates the ucs around a specified axis

UCS Toolbars
Found under the AutoCAD Classic Toolbars

Modeling

Extrude

Creates unique solid primitives by extruding existing two-dimensional objects. You can extrude multiple
objects with EXTRUDE.

1. Type EXTRUDE at the command prompt.

Command: extrude
Current wire frame density: ISOLINES=4
Select objects: pick objects
Select objects: enter
Specify height of extrusion or [Direction/Path/Taper angle]: 2

47 | P a g e
Revolve Command

1. Open a drawing with 3D objects and display in a 3D view.

2. Type REVOLVE at the command prompt.
Command: revolve
Current wire frame density: ISOLINES=4
Select objects: pick profile
Select objects: enter
Specify start point for axis of revolution or define axis by [Object/X (axis)/Y (axis)]: o
Select an object: pick axis
Specify angle of revolution <360>: enter

Sweep Command

1. Open a drawing with 2D objects to sweep and display in a

3D view.
2. Type SWEEP at the command prompt.
Command: sweep
Current wire frame density: ISOLINES=4
Select objects to sweep: pick arc
Select objects to sweep:
Select sweep path or [Alignment/Base point/Scale/Twist]: pick path

48 | P a g e
Loft Command

1. Open a drawing with 2D objects to sweep and display in a

3D view.
2. Type LOFT at the command prompt.
Command: loft
Select cross-sections in lofting order: pick circles Specify opposite corner: 5 found
Select cross-sections in lofting order:
Enter an option [Guides/Path/Cross-sections only] <Cross-sections only>: enter

3D Edits
Convert to Solid

Converts polylines and circles with thickness to 3D solids. With the CONVTOSOLID command, you can
convert the following objects into extruded 3D solids:

Uniform-width wide polylines with thickness

Closed, zero-width polylines with thickness
Circles with thickness

You cannot use CONVTOSOLID with polylines that contain vertices with 0 width or that
contain segments of variable width

1. Open a drawing with 2D polylines or circles with thicknesses

and display in a 3D view.
2. Choose Modify, 3D Operation, Convert to Solid.
or
3. Type CONVTSOLID at the command prompt. Command: convtosolid
Select objects: pick circle or polyline 1 found
Select objects: press enter

49 | P a g e
Convert to Surface

Converts polylines and circles with thickness to surfaces.

1. Open a drawing with 2D polylines or circles with thicknesses

and display in a 3D view.

2. Choose Modify, 3D Operation, Convert to Surface.

or
3. Type CONVTSURFACE at the command prompt.
Command: convtosurface
Select objects: 1 found
Select objects:

3D Move

Displays the move grip tool in a 3D view and moves objects a specified distance.

1. Open a drawing with 3D objects and display in a 3D view.

2. Choose Modify, 3D Operations, 3DMove.
or
3. Type 3DMOVE at the command prompt.

50 | P a g e
 Command: 3Dmove
Select objects: pick object to move
1 found
Select objects: enter
Specify base point or [Displacement] <Displacement>: D
Specify displacement <0.0000, 0.0000, 0.0000>: 0,0,2

3D Rotate

1. Open a drawing with 3D objects and display in a 3D view.

2. Choose Modify, 3D Operations, 3DRotate.
or
3. Type 3DROTATE at the command prompt.
Command: 3DROTATE
Current positive angle in UCS: ANGDIR=counterclockwise ANGBASE=0
Select objects: pick object and press enter
Specify base point: pick point
Pick a rotation axis: select X axis
Specify angle start point: -90

3DAlign
1. Open a drawing with 3D objects and display in a 3D view.
2. Choose Modify, 3D Operations, 3DAlign.
or
3. Type 3DALIGN at the command prompt.
Command: 3DALIGN
Select objects: pick and press enter
Specify source plane and orientation ...
Specify base point or [Copy]:
Specify second point or [Continue] <C>:
Specify third point or [Continue] <C>:
Specify destination plane and orientation ...
Specify first destination point:
Specify second destination point or [eXit] <X>:
Specify third destination point or [eXit] <X>
51 | P a g e
3D Mirror
1. Open a drawing with 3D objects and display in a 3D view.
2. Choose Modify, 3D Operations, 3DMirror.
or
3. Type MIRROR3D at the command prompt.
Command: mirror3D
Select objects: pick the circle
Select objects: enter
Specify first point of mirror plane (3 points) or
[Object/Last/Zaxis/View/XY/YZ/ZX/3points] <3points>:
P1
Specify second point on mirror plane: P2
Specify third point on mirror plane: P3
Delete source objects? [Yes/No] <N>: enter

Circle Mirrored around 3 Points

52 | P a g e
3D Rectangular Array

1. Open a drawing with 3D objects and display in a 3D view.

2. Choose Modify, 3D Operations, 3DArray.
or
3. Type 3DARRAY at the command prompt.
Command: 3darray
Select objects: pick object and press enter
Enter the type of array [Rectangular/Polar] <R>: R
Enter the number of rows (---) <1>: 3
Enter the number of columns (|||) <1>: 4
Enter the number of levels (...) <1>: 2
Specify the distance between rows (---): 5
Specify the distance between columns (|||): 4
Specify the distance between levels (...): 8

3D Polar Array

1. Open a drawing with 3D objects and display in a 3D view.

2. Choose Modify, 3D Operations, 3DArray.
or
3. Type 3DARRAY at the command prompt.
Command: 3darray
Select objects: pick cube
Select objects: enter
Enter the type of array [Rectangular/Polar] <R>: P
Enter the number of items in the array: 5
Specify the angle to fill (+=ccw, -=cw) <360>: enter
Rotate arrayed objects? [Yes/No] <Y>: enter
Specify center point of array: mid of axis line
Specify second point on axis of rotation: pick

Arrayed Objects Around a Line Arrayed Objects in Plan View

53 | P a g e
 Solid Composites
Union
1. Open a drawing with 3D objects and display in a 3D view.
2. Choose Modify, Solids Editing, Union.
or
3. Type UNION at the command prompt.
Command: UNION
Select objects: pick objects to union
Select objects: ENTER

Solid Objects Unioned Together

Subtract

1. Open a drawing with 3D objects and display in a 3D view.

2. Choose Modify, Solids Editing, Subtract.
or
3. Type SUBTRACT at the command prompt.
Command: SUBTRACT
SUBTRACT Select solids and regions to subtract from...
Select objects: pick the main box
Select objects: (press enter)
Select solids and regions to subtract... Select objects: pick the other solids
Select objects: enter

Objects Subtracted from Box

54 | P a g e
Intersect

1. Choose Modify, Solids Editing, Intersect

or
2. Type INTERSECT at the command prompt.
Command: INTERSECT
Select objects: pick objects
Select objects: enter

Intersection of Cylinder and Box

Thicken

Creates a 3D solid by thickening a surface.

1. Open a drawing with 3D surface and display in a 3D view.

2. Choose Modify, 3D Operation, Thicken.
or
3. Type THICKEN at the command prompt.
Command: THICKEN
Select surfaces to thicken: 1 found
Select surfaces to thicken:
Specify thickness <0.0000>: 1

55 | P a g e
 Basic 3D Surfaces
Basic Mesh Commands

1. Click the 3D Modeling dropdown option from the Solids

panel.
2. Click the Mesh tab.
3. Click the Primitives panel.

4. Click the Primitive drop-down.

Mesh Primitive Options

The following settings can be adjusted for mesh primitives.

Mesh Box

1. Choose Mesh box from the Primitives panel.

Command: MESH
Current smoothness level is set to : 0
Enter an option [Box/Cone/CYlinder/Pyramid/Sphere/Wedge/Torus/
SEttings] <Box>: _BOX
Specify first corner or [Center]: pick point
Specify other corner or [Cube/Length]: @4,2

Specify height or [2Point] <3.0000>: 2

56 | P a g e
Mesh Cone

1. Choose Mesh cone from the Primitives panel.

Command: MESH
Current smoothness level is set to : 0
Enter an option [Box/Cone/CYlinder/Pyramid/Sphere/Wedge/Torus/SEttings] <C
one>: CONE
Specify center point of base or [3P/2P/Ttr/Elliptical]:
Specify base radius or [Diameter] <1.5074>: 2
Specify height or [2Point/Axis endpoint/Top radius] <2.0000>: 5

Mesh Cylinder

1. Choose Mesh cylinder from the Primitives panel.

Command: MESH
Current smoothness level is set to : 0
Enter an option [Box/Cone/CYlinder/Pyramid/Sphere/Wedge/Torus/
SEttings]
<Cylinder>: CYLINDER
Specify center point of base or [3P/2P/Ttr/Elliptical]:
Specify base radius or [Diameter] <2.0000>: 2
Specify height or [2Point/Axis endpoint] <5.0000>: 8

Mesh Pyramid

1. Choose Mesh pyramid from the Primitives panel.

Command: MESH
Current smoothness level is set to : 0
Enter an option [Box/Cone/CYlinder/Pyramid/Sphere/Wedge/Torus/SEttings]
<Pyramid>: PYRAMID

57 | P a g e
 4 sides Circumscribed
Specify center point of base or [Edge/Sides]:
Specify base radius or [Inscribed] <2.0000>:
Specify height or [2Point/Axis endpoint/Top radius] <8.0000>: 4

Mesh Sphere

1. Choose Mesh sphere from the Primitives panel.

Command: MESH
Current smoothness level is set to : 0
Enter an option [Box/Cone/CYlinder/Pyramid/Sphere/Wedge/Torus/SEttings]

<Pyramid>: SPHERE
Specify center point or [3P/2P/Ttr]:
Specify radius or [Diameter] <2.0000>:

Mesh Wedge

1. Choose Mesh wedge from the Primitives panel.

Command: MESH
Current smoothness level is set to : 0
Enter an option [Box/Cone/CYlinder/Pyramid/Sphere/Wedge/Torus/SEttings]

<Wedge>: WEDGE
Specify first corner or [Center]:
Specify other corner or [Cube/Length]: @4,2
Specify height or [2Point] <4.0000>: 2

58 | P a g e
Mesh Torus

1. Choose Mesh torus from the Primitives panel.

Command: MESH
Current smoothness level is set to : 0
Enter an option [Box/Cone/CYlinder/Pyramid/Sphere/Wedge/Torus/SEttings]

<Wedge>: TORUS
Specify center point or [3P/2P/Ttr]:
Specify radius or [Diameter] <2.0000>: 6
Specify tube radius or [2Point/Diameter]: 1

Mesh Tesselations

By default, new mesh primitives are created with no smoothness. To change the default smoothness, enter mesh
at the Command prompt. Specify the Settings option before you specify the type of mesh primitive you want to
create.

1. Type MESH at the command prompt.

Command: MESH
Enter an option
[Box/Cone/CYlinder/Pyramid/Sphere/Wedge
/Torus/SEttings]
<Box>: SE
Specify level of smoothness or [Tessellation] <0>: 3
Enter an option
[Box/Cone/CYlinder/Pyramid/Sphere/Wedge/
Torus/SEttings]

<Box>: BOX
Specify first corner or [Center]: pick point
Specify other corner or [Cube/Length]: @5,5
Specify height or [2Point] <3.0000>:

59 | P a g e
Mesh Smooth

Converts 3D faces (3DFACE) and legacy polygonal and polyface meshes (from AutoCAD 2009 and earlier).
You can also convert 2D objects such as regions and closed polylines. The default mesh settings are defined in
the Mesh Tessellation Options dialog box. The level of smoothness upon conversion depends on the mesh type
setting in this dialog box. If the mesh type is not set to be optimized, the converted object is not smoothed

1. Type MESHSMOOTH at the command prompt.

Command: MESHSMOOTH
Select objects to convert: pick object
Select objects to convert: press enter
2. Click Create mesh.
2D

Smooth and Refine Meshes

The following commands control the smoothness of mesh objects.

60 | P a g e
Meshsmoothmore

Increases the level of smoothness for mesh objects by one level.

1. Type MESHSMOOTHMORE at the command prompt.

Command: MESHSMOOTHMORE
Select mesh objects to increase the smoothness level: pick object.

Mesh before smooth increase Mesh after smooth increase

Editing Meshes
Meshextrude

Extends a mesh face into 3D space.

1. Type MESHEXTRUDE at the command prompt.

Command: _MESHEXTRUDE
Adjacent extruded faces set to: Join
Select mesh face(s) to extrude or [Setting]:
pick object(s)
Select mesh face(s) to extrude or [Setting]:
Specify height of extrusion or [Direction/Path/ Taper angle] <0.5000>: 1

Selected mesh face Extruded mesh face

61 | P a g e
Meshsplit

Splits a mesh face into 2 faces.

1. Type MESHSPLIT at the command prompt.

Command: _MESHSPLIT
Select a mesh face to split: (pick object)

Specify first split point on face edge or [Vertex]:MID

of
Specify second split point on face edge or [Vertex]: MID of

62 | P a g e
Mergeface

Merges adjacent faces into a single face.

1. Type MESHMERGE at the command prompt.

Command: _MESHMERGE
Select adjacent mesh faces to merge: (pick object)
Select adjacent mesh faces to merge: (pick object)
Select adjacent mesh faces to merge: press enter

Resultant merge Selected mesh faces

Meshcap (Close Hole)

Creates a mesh face that connects open edges..

1. Type MESHCAP at the command prompt.

Command: _MESHCAP
Select connecting mesh edges to create a new mesh face: (pick objects)
Select connecting mesh edges to create a new mesh face: press enter

Mesh Selected mesh edges Mesh object before

Result

63 | P a g e
Extrude Surfaces

Creates a 3D solid or surface by extending the dimensions of an object.

1. Type EXTRUDE at the command prompt.

Command: EXTRUDE
Current wire frame density: ISOLINES=4, Closed profiles creation mode = Surface
Select objects to extrude or [MOde]: pick object
creation mode
[SOlid/SUrface] <Solid>: _su
Select objects to extrude or [MOde]:enter
Specify height of extrusion or [Direction/Path/Taper angle/Expression]
<1.4581>: 10

Revolved Surfaces

Regenerates a three-dimensional model with hidden lines

1. Type REVSURF at the command prompt.

Command: REVSURF
Current wire frame density:
SURFTAB1=6 SURFTAB2=6
Select object to revolve: pick path curve
Select object that defines the axis of revolution:
pick line
Specify start angle <0>: enter
Specify included angle (+=ccw, -=cw) <360>: enter

64 | P a g e
Surftab Variables

Sets the number of tabulations for both directions to be generated for RULESURF and TABSURF. Also sets the
mesh density in ROTATE3D the M direction for REVSURF and EDGESURF commands.

1. Type Surftab1 at the command prompt.

Command: SURFTAB1
Enter new value for SURFTAB1 <6>: 30
2. Type Surftab2 at the command prompt.
Command: SURFTAB2
Enter new value for SURFTAB2 <6>: 30
3. Type Revsurf at the command prompt.
Command: REVSURF
Current wire frame density:
SURFTAB1=30 SURFTAB2=30
Select object to revolve: pick path curve
Select object that defines the axis of revolution: pick line
Specify start angle <0>: enter
Specify included angle (+=ccw, -=cw) <360>: press enter

Ruled Surfaces

1. Type RULESURF at the command prompt.

Command: rulesurf

Current wire frame density: SURFTAB1=6

Select first defining curve: P1

Select second defining curve: P2

65 | P a g e
Edge Surfaces

Regenerates a three-dimensional model with hidden lines

1. Type EDGESURF at the command prompt.

Command: EDGESURF

Current wire frame density:

SURFTAB1=20 SURFTAB2=10

Select object 1 for surface edge: P1

Select object 2 for surface edge: P2

Select object 3 for surface edge: P3

Select object 4 for surface edge: P4

66 | P a g e
Planesurf

Creates a planar surface by selecting a closed object or by creating a rectangular plane.

1. Type PLANESURF at the command prompt.

Command: PLANESURF
Specify first corner or [Object] <Object>: press enter
Select objects: pick object
Select objects: press enter

Planar surface

Loft Command

Creates a 3D solid or surface in the space between several cross sections..

1. Type LOFT at the command prompt.

Command: LOFT
Current wire frame density: ISOLINES=4, Closed profiles creation mode = Surface
Select cross sections in lofting order or [POint/Join multiple edges/MOde]: select
object
Select cross sections in lofting order or [POint/Join multiple edges/MOde]: select
object
Select cross sections in lofting order or [POint/Join multiple edges/MOde]: select o
bject
Select cross sections in lofting order or [POint/Join multiple edges/MOde]: 3 cross
sections selected
Enter an option [Guides/Path/Cross sections only/Settings] <Cross sections only>:
press enter

67 | P a g e
Surfaces using loft Objects before

Sweep Command

Creates a 3D surface by sweeping a 2D or 3D curve along a path.

1. Type SWEEP at the command prompt.

Command: SWEEP
Current wire frame density: ISOLINES=4, Closed profiles creation mode =
Surface
Select objects to sweep or [MOde]: select object
Select objects to sweep or [MOde]: select path (line)
Select sweep path or [Alignment/Base point/Scale/Twist]:

68 | P a g e
Surface Network

One way to create surfaces is with a network of curves. The SURFNETWORK command creates a
surface similar to a lofted surface from a network of curves in the U and V directions.

A network surface also can be created from curves that are not all connected.

The resulting surface can be either a procedural surface or a NURBS surface.

1. Type SURFNETWORK at the command prompt.

Command: SURFNETWORK

Surface Blend

Creates a blend surface between two existing surfaces.

1. Type SURFBLEND at the command prompt.

Command: SURFBLEND

69 | P a g e
Surface Patch

Creates a new surface or cap to close an open edge of an existing surface.

1. Type SURFPATCH at the command prompt.

Command: SURFPATCH

Offsetting Surfaces

Creates a parallel surface at a specified distance from the original surface.

1. Type SURFOFFSET at the command prompt.

Command: SURFOFFSET

70 | P a g e
 Editing Surfaces
Surface Fillet

1. Type SURFFILLET at the command prompt.

Command: SURFFILLET

Surface Trim

1. Type SURFTRIM at the command prompt.

Command: SURFTRIM

Surface UnTrim

1. Type SURFUNTRIM at the command prompt.

Command: SURFUNTRIM

Surface Extend

1. Type SURFEXTEND at the command prompt.

Command: SURFEXTEND
Surface Suplt

71 | P a g e
 Introduction to Rendering

Render Command

Creates a photorealistic or realistically shaded image of a three- dimensional wireframe or solid model.

1. Open an AutoCAD drawing with 3D objects to render.

2. Choose View, Render, Render...
or
3. Type RENDER at the command prompt.
Command: RENDER

The following render window is the result of default rendering

Render Destination

You are able to determine the output site that the renderer uses to display the rendered image. Two
options are the render window and viewport.

1. Choose View, Render, Advanced Render Settings...

or
2. Type RPREF at the command prompt.
Command: RPERF
3. Click the dropdown option for destination and choose
Viewport.

72 | P a g e
 4. Close the render preferences and render your objects to the
viewport.

Render Quality

1. Choose View, Render, Advanced Render Settings...

or
2. Type RPREF at the command prompt.
Command: RPREF
3. Click the dropdown option for the render quality and
choose Presentation.

73 | P a g e
 4. Close the render preferences and render your view. Note: Depending on the objects,
lights, materials, etc. in your model, rendering in presentation mode might take a
long time.

Render Selection

Controls the parts of the model that gets processed during rendering. The render procedure has three
settings: View, Crop, and Selected.

1. Choose View, Render, Advanced Render Settings...

or
2. Type RPREF at the command prompt.
Command: RPREF
3. Click the dropdown option for Procedure and choose
Selected.

4. Close the render preferences and render

selected objects.

74 | P a g e
 This result is a selected object in the drawing that is rendered.

Render Cropped Window

1. Choose View, Render, Advanced Render Settings...

or
2. Type RPREF at the command prompt.
Command: RPREF
3. Click dropdown option for Procedure and choose Crop.

4. Close the render preferences and render a cropped window.

The result is a cropped portion of the drawing that is rendered.

75 | P a g e
Render to File

1. Type RPREF at the command prompt.

2. Click the small disk beside the title for “Render Content”.
3. Click the option for Output file name.

4. Choose a location, format, and file name for your rendered objects.
5. Adjust the image quality and click OK.
6. Close the render preferences and render your objects.

The result is a rendered image to a file that you can copy , print, or manipulate in any imaging
software application.

76 | P a g e
Turn Off Render to File

1. Open an AutoCAD drawing with 3D objects to render.

2. Choose View, Render, Advanced Render Settings...

or

3. Type RPREF at the command prompt.

Command: RPREF

4. Click the small disk beside the title for “Render Content”.

You will notice that the Output file name option will be grayed out.

77 | P a g e
 Materials
Adding Material to a Drawing

1. Open an AutoCAD drawing with 3D objects to add

materials to.
2. Choose View, Render, Materials Brower ...
or
3. Type MATERIALS or MATBROSWEROPEN at the
command prompt.
Command: MATERIALS or MARBROWSEROPEN
4. Click the categories button to see more swatches.
5. Browse the various materials in the Autodesk Library.

78 | P a g e
Apply Material to Objects

1. Click and drag the following materials into the

document section of the materials browser.

2. Select an object and select a material.

79 | P a g e