AutoCAD 3D Modeling. Steve Heather
Snap (You may also use the F3 key to toggle 2D Object Snap ON or OFF.)
When the 2D Object Snap is ON the cursor will “snap” to preset locations on 2D objects. You will learn more about Object Snaps in Lesson 4.
AutoCAD versions 2015 or later.
AutoCAD versions 2014 or earlier.
If you have AutoCAD versions 2014 or earlier you can change the Status Bar tool buttons from icons to text labels. This option is not available for AutoCAD versions 2015 or later.
To change the Status Bar tool buttons to text labels.
1. Right click on any Status Bar tool button and then uncheck “Use Icons” in the list.
The Status Bar tool buttons will now show as text labels.
To revert back to icons instead of text labels, right click on any Status Bar tool button and click on “Use Icons” in the list.
Keyboard Function keys and what they are used for.
F1 - Opens the Help window.
F2 - Displays an Extended Command History list.
F3 - Turns the 2D Object Snaps on or off.
F4 - Turns the 3D Object Snaps on or off.
F5 - Toggles Isoplanes between Top, Right or Left.
F6 - Turns the Dynamic UCS on or off.
F7 - Turns the Grid on or off.
F8 - Turns Orthographic Mode on or off.
F9 - Turns Snap Mode on or off.
F10 - Turns Polar Tracking on or off.
F11 - Turns Object Snap Tracking on or off.
F12 - Turns Dynamic Input on or off.
Using a wheel mouse is by far the easiest and most efficient method of navigating your way around AutoCAD and for creating 3D solid models. The standard wheel mouse has left and right buttons and a central wheel that also doubles as a button. The default functions for the buttons and wheel are as follows.
Zooming and Panning with the Wheel.
Zoom
Rotate your Wheel forward to Zoom in.
Rotate your Wheel backward to Zoom out.
Pan
Press the Wheel and drag the mouse to move the drawing around the screen.
In addition to Zooming and Panning with the Wheel, you can also view the entire drawing by double clicking the Wheel. This is called Zoom Extents.
Application and Workspace Descriptions
A Workspace controls the display of Ribbons, Tabs, Menus, Toolbars and Palettes. There are 3 Workspaces to choose from: 2D Drafting & Annotation, 3D Basics and 3D Modeling. Throughout this Workbook you will be using the 2D Drafting & Annotation and 3D Modeling Workspaces.
The default Workspace is 2D Drafting & Annotation. A brief description of the Workspace elements are shown below. You will learn how to change Workspaces in Lesson 1.
Enlarged view of the Draw Panel on the Home Tab.
LESSONS
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
After completing this lesson you will be able to:
1. Select a basic 3D Tool.
2. Create a Solid Box.
3. Create a Solid Cylinder.
4. Create a Solid Cone.
5. Create a Solid Sphere.
6. Create a Solid Pyramid.
7. Create a Solid Wedge.
8. Create a Solid Torus.
In this lesson you will learn how to create 7 basic 3D solid shapes. There are various methods you can use to initiate the commands. The choice is entirely yours regarding which method you choose.
Method 1 – Modeling Panel on the 3D Tools Tab on the Drafting and Annotation Workspace.
By default the 3D Tools Tab is hidden on the Drafting and Annotation Workspace. To show the 3D Tools Tab do the following.
1. Right click on any Panel of the Workspace Ribbon. For example, right click on the Draw Panel of the Home Tab.
2. Select Show Tabs from the list.
3. Select 3D Tools from the list.
4. Select the 3D Tools Tab.
5. Select the Box drop-down arrow on the Modeling Panel of the 3D Tools Tab.
6. Select a 3D Tool from the list. For example, Box.
Method 2 – Modeling Panel of the Home Tab on the 3D Modeling Workspace.
The Drafting and Annotation Workspace is the default Workspace in AutoCAD. To enable the 3D Modeling Workspace do the following.
1. Select the Workspace Switching icon on the Status Bar in the bottom right-hand corner for AutoCAD version 2015 or later. (Note: Earlier versions of AutoCAD will be different. The Workspace Switching is located on the Quick Access Toolbar in the top left-hand corner. See images below.)