AutoCAD 3D Modeling: Wireframe Models, Part 1
July 28, 2003
Most of Wireframe models are built with 2D objects. The
success key is in correct use of UCS and 2D commands. Here you
will learn how to build the following simple Wireframe models.
Two further tutorials will help you to create more complex
Wireframe models.
Figure 1 -
Click on image to enlarge
Note:
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 is equivalent to pressing Enter.
1. Download
r16_wireframe_p1.dwg.
Note:
If you are using AutoCAD 2002 or an earlier release download
r15_wireframe_p1.dwg.
2. Draw a 3×3
square. Locate the lower left corner of the square on origin
[Figure 2].
Figure 2
3. Create an offset
copy of the square. Set the offset distance to 1 [Figure 3].
Figure 3
4. Move the small
square 3 units along Z axis:
Command:
m
8
MOVE
Select objects: l8
1 found
Select objects:8
Specify base point or displacement:
0,0,38
Specify second point of displacement or <use first point as
displacement>:8
5. Connect the
lower left corners of the squares with a line segment [Figure
4].
Figure 4
6. Select the line.
7. Invoke ARRAY.
Use the settings shown in Figure 5.
Figure 5
8. Click OK to
create the polar array [Figure 6].
Figure 6
9. Move the objects
7 units along X and Y axes simultaneously:
Command:
m
8
MOVE
Select objects: all8
10 found
Select objects:8
Specify base point or displacement:
7,78
Specify second point of displacement or <use first point as
displacement>:8
10. Use display
tools to build a 3D view similar to Figure 7.
Figure 7-
Click on image to enlarge
Note:
For more information on 3D display tools read the following
tutorial:
► AutoCAD 3D Modeling: 3D Views
11. Select WF2 as
the current layer.
12. Freeze WF1
layer.
13. Rotate UCS +90
degrees about X axis.
Note:
For more information on UCS read the following tutorial:
► AutoCAD 3D Modeling: User
Coordinate System
14. Draw a polyline
as follows [Figure 8]:
Command:
pl8
PLINE
Specify start point:
3,38
Current line-width is 0.0000
Specify next point or [Arc/Halfwidth/Length/Undo/Width]:
0,38
Specify next point or [Arc/Close/Halfwidth/Length/Undo/Width]:
0,08
Specify next point or [Arc/Close/Halfwidth/Length/Undo/Width]:
5,08
Specify next point or [Arc/Close/Halfwidth/Length/Undo/Width]:
c8
Figure 8
15. Switch to WCS:
Command: ucs8
Current ucs name: *NO NAME*
Enter an option [New/Move/orthoGraphic/Prev/Restore/Save/Del/Apply/?/World]
<World>:8
16. Copy the
polyline 2 units along Y axis [Figure 9]:
Command:
cp8
COPY
Select objects: l8
1 found
Select objects:8
Specify base point or displacement, or [Multiple]:
0,28
Specify second point of displacement or <use first point as
displacement>:8
Figure 9
17. Connect the
opposite endpoints with line segments [Figure 10].
Figure 10
18. Thaw WF1 to
view both models at the same time.
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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