AutoCAD 3D Modeling: 3D Modifying Commands
August 11, 2003 The following tutorial shows you how to create
3D Arrays, rotate objects about 3D axes, and mirror objects with
respect to any plane in 3D space. Although you can use ARRAY,
ROTATE, and MIRROR commands in 3D space they are limited to the
current XY plane. However there are 3D equivalents of these
commands that save your time and extend your abilities.
Notes:
- This tutorial is designed for AutoCAD 2004 though might be
applicable for other releases.
- In this tutorial user entries are in boldface.
- The
8 symbol
represents pressing Enter.
1. Download
r16_3d_modify.dwg.
Note:
If you are using AutoCAD 2002 or an earlier release download
r15_3d_modify.dwg
2. Open the drawing
in AutoCAD. The drawing consists of 2 solid models and some
lines shown in 3 viewports [Figure 1].
Figure 1 -
Click on image to enlarge
Note: For more information on viewports read the following
tutorial:
► AutoCAD 3D Modeling: Tiled Viewports
3. Make sure that
the left viewport is enabled.
4. Select the cone
and then invoke MIRROR3D (Modify menu > 3D Operation > Mirror
3D).
5. Answer to the
prompts:
Specify first point of mirror plane (3 points) or
[Object/Last/Zaxis/View/XY/YZ/ZX/3points] <3points>: xy8
Specify point on XY plane <0,0,0>: 0,0,18
Delete source objects? [Yes/No] <N>: y8
Note:
The cone is mirrored with respect to a plane that is
parallel to XY plane and passes through 0,0,1 [Figure 2].
Figure 2
6. Rotate the cone
about Y axis with ROTATE3D (Modify menu > 3D Operation > Rotate
3D):
Command: rotate3d8
Current positive angle: ANGDIR=counterclockwise ANGBASE=0
Select objects: p8
1 found
Select objects:8
Specify first point on axis or define axis by
[Object/Last/View/Xaxis/Yaxis/Zaxis/2points]: y8
Specify a point on the Y axis <0,0,0>:8
Specify rotation angle or [Reference]: 608
Note:
The cone is rotated 60 degrees with respect to the Y axis
[Figure 3].
Figure 3 -
Click on image to enlarge
7. On the viewport
to the left switch to 2D Wireframe shade mode.
8. Move the cone to
the midpoint of the lower line on the slope [Figure 4].
Figure 4 -
Click on image to enlarge
9. Create a polar
array of the cone about the perpendicular line to the slope. Use
3DARRAY (Modify menu > 3D Operation > 3D Array):
Command: _3darray
Initializing... 3DARRAY loaded.
Select objects: p8
1 found
Select objects:8
Enter the type of array [Rectangular/Polar] <R>:p8
Enter the number of items in the array: 48
Specify the angle to fill (+=ccw, -=cw) <360>:8
Rotate arrayed objects? [Yes/No] <Y>:8
Specify center point of array: int of
Specify second point on axis of rotation: end of
10. Switch to
Gouraud shade mode in all viewports. Freeze layer 0 [Figure 5].
Figure 5
- Click on image to enlarge
About the Author
Alireza Parsai is the founder of cadpanel.com. He is a
mechanical engineer with more than 12 years experience with
AutoCAD. Alireza is an Autodesk Authorized Author, the AutoCAD
consultant for Al Khawarizmi Institute, a contributing editor
for Augiworld magazine, a writer for CAD Digest, an instructor
for AUGI Training Program, and an elected speaker for Autodesk
University 2002. He has written 7 books in Farsi, 3 booklets in
English, and more than 30 articles for different magazines and
newsletters. You can reach him at
alireza.parsai@cadpanel.com or visit his website
www.cadpanel.com.
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