3D Modeling

3D Modeling
 solid modeling is a way to represent, generate, and manipulate solid objects.
 3-D models include X, Y, and Z dimensions .it allows better definition of three
dimensional objects.
 There are three general types of 3-D models:
 Wire Frame Models
 Surface Models
 Solid Model
1. Wireframes
 A wireframe model is a skeletal description of a 3D object.

 There are no surfaces in a wireframe model; it consists only of points, lines, and
curves that describe the edges of the object.
 With AutoCAD you can create wireframe models by positioning 2D objects anywhere
in 3D space.
 AutoCAD also provides some 3D wireframe objects, such as 3D polylines (that can
only have a CONTINUOUS linetype) and splines.
 Because each object that makes up a wireframe model must be independently drawn
and positioned, this type of modeling can be the most time-consuming.
 It is oldest form of 3D modeling
 Model Contains edges and vertices - Cannot represent complex
surfaces
 No details regarding interior part
 Ambiguous
2. Surfaces
 Surface modeling is more sophisticated than wireframe modeling in
that it defines not only the edges of a 3D object, but also its surfaces.
 The AutoCAD surface modeler defines faceted surfaces using a
polygonal mesh.
 Because the faces of the mesh are planar, the mesh can only
approximate curved surfaces.
3. Solid Model
 Solid modeling is the easiest type of 3D modeling to use.

 With the AutoCAD solid modeler, you can make 3D objects by creating basic
3D shapes: boxes, cones, cylinders, spheres, wedges, and tori (do- nuts).
 You can create more complex solids by joining or subtracting them or finding
their intersecting (over- lapping) volume.
 You can also create solids by sweeping a 2D object along a path or revolving it
about an axis.
 Solid modeling is a type of 3D CAD process that represents the volume of an
object, not just its lines and surfaces.

 Model Contains edges and vertices,

Exterior surfaces, and interior details
 Part is unambiguously defined
 May be used for engineering analysis
• Solid modeling is based on complete, valid and unambiguous
geometric representation of physical object.
– Complete - points in space can be classified.
(inside/ outside)
– Valid -vertices, edges, faces are connected properly.
– Unambiguous - there can only be one interpretation of object
 solid modeling Recall weakness of wireframe and surface modeling

– Ambiguous geometric description

– incomplete geometric description

– lack topological information

– Tedious modeling process

– Awkward user interface

Advantages of Solid Models
Unlike wireframes and surface representations which contain only geometrical data,
the solid model uses topological information in addition to the geometrical
information to represent the object unambiguously and completely. Solid model
results in accurate design, helps to further the goal of CAD/ CAM like CIM, Flexible
manufacturing leading to better automation of the manufacturing process.
Geometry: The graphical information of dimension, length, angle, area and
transformations
Topology: The invisible information about the connectivity, neighborhood, associatively etc

Wireframe Model Solid Model

Desired Properties of Solid Modeling Systems
A. Domain – system can represent all objects desired and perform all operations
desired.
B. Closure – operations on valid objects produce valid objects.
C. Unambiguous – one representation defines one object.
D. Validity – only valid objects are stored.
E. Creation – easy to create new objects.
F. Accuracy – representation and operations maintain the object close to exactly.
G. Efficiency – operations are quick and easy to perform.
H. Compactness – representation does not use unnecessary space
I. Uniqueness – an object can only be represented in one way
3D Modeling Interface The 3D Modeling pulldown menus are as
The 3D Modeling panels are as follows: follows:
• Home
 Modeling
 Mesh • Solid
 Solid Editing • Surfaces
 Draw
• Mesh
 Modify
 Section • Render
 Coordinates • Parametric
 View
• Insert, Annotate, View, Manage, Output,
 Selection
 Layers and Groups Plug-ins, Online, and Express Tools
 There are two workspaces of 3D modeling: 3D Basics and 3D
Modeling.
 The 3D Basics workspace has commonly used tools, whereas the

 3D Modeling
Activating the 3D workspace includes
Modeling workspace all by
either the tools
using therequired
template orfor creating
from the
3D models.
Workspace drop-down.
 It contains the ribbon and tools related to 3D modeling.
 By default, the Home tab is activated in the ribbon. From this tab, you can access the
tools for creating and editing solids and meshes, modifying the model display, working
with coordinate systems, sectioning 3D models and so on.
 There are some additional tabs such as Solid, Surface, Mesh, and
Render.
 The Solid tab contains tools to create solid models;

 The Surface and Mesh tabs are used to create surface models and
complex shapes;
 The Visualize tab is used for creating realistic images of solid and
surface models.
Creating Solids by the following commands:

1. Solid Primitives
2. Polysolid Command
3. Extrude
4. Revolve
5. Sweep
6. Loft
 Solid Primitives
 Solid primitives can easily be drawn from the 3D Modeling panel, Solid Panel .

Polysolid Command
 With the POLYSOLID command, you can convert an existing line, 2D polyline, arc, or
circle to a solid with a rectangular profile.
 A polysolid can have curved segments, but the profile is always rectangular by default.
1. Open a drawing with a closed 2D polyline and display in a
3D view.
2. Type POLYSOLID at the command prompt.
Command: polysolid
Specify start point or
[Object/Height/Width/Justify]
<Object>: h
Specify height <0'-4">: 10
Specify start point or
[Object/Height/Width/Justify]
<Object>: o
Select object: Pick polygon
Extrude
 The Extrude tool is used to add a third dimension (height) to an existing 2D shape.
 If you extrude a closed shape such as circle and closed polylines, a solid is created.
 If you extrude an open sketch such as lines and arcs, a surface is created.
Example 1:
•Start a new AutoCAD file in 3D Modeling workspace.
•Click Home > View > 3D Navigation > Front on the ribbon;
the front view will become parallel to the screen.
•Click Home > Draw > Polyline on the ribbon and create
the sketch as shown below.
• Select SE Isometric from the In-canvas controls; the view orientation will be
changed South east Isometric.
• Click Home > Modeling > Extrude.

• Select the polyline sketch and press Enter. 

Move the pointer toward right.
• Type 100 in the command line or Dynamic Input
box and press ENTER; the polyline sketch will be
extruded.
Types of the Extrusions in Autocad
1) Solid Extrude
2) Surface Extrude
3) Direction Extrude
4) Path Extrude
5) Tapered Angle
 Using the Sweep tool

The Sweep tool is used to create a new solid or surface by sweeping a closed or open
planar profile along an open or closed 2D or 3D path.

Example:
•Open a new file in 3D Modeling workspace.
•Set the view orientation to Front and create the sketch using the Polyline tool.
•Use the Fillet tool and apply fillets of x mm radius.
•Change the view orientation to SE Isometric.
•Click Home > Coordinates > Z-Axis Vector on the ribbon.
•Select the endpoint of the top vertical line as the UCS origin and align the Z-axis to it.
• Click the Circle button on the Draw panel.

• Select the end point of the vertical line to specify the center point of the circle. Specify
5 mm as radius of the circle.
• Click the UCS, World button on the Coordinates panel; the User Coordinate

System will be set to World Coordinate System (0,0,0).

• Click Home > Modeling > Solids dropdown > Sweep on the ribbon.
• Select the circle as the profile and press

ENTER; the message, “Select sweep path or [Alignment/Base point/Scale/Twist]:”

appears in the command line.
The Alignment option aligns the profile perpendicular to the direction of the sweep
path. By default, the profile is aligned to the path.
The Base point specifies the base point of the profile. By, default, the center of the profile
is used as the base point. You can select any other point on the profile to define the base
point.
The Scale option scales the profile along the path.

The Twist option twists the profile as it is swept along the length of the path.
 Using the Loft tool
Using the Loft tool, you can create a solid or surface by selecting a series of cross sections.
The selected cross sections will define the shape of the lofted solid.
Example 1:
• Create three circles as shown below. The diameters and center point
locations are given in the table.
Circle Center points Circle Diameters
(Absolute
Coordinates)

0,0,0 50
0,0,70 100
0,0,140 50
• Click Home > Modeling > Solids dropdown > Loft on the ribbon or type LOFT in the
command line and press ENTER.
• Select the cross-sections one by one; the preview of the lofted solid appears.
• Press ENTER to accept the selection; the message, “Enter an option
[Guides/Path/Cross sections only/Settings] <Cross sections only>:”appears in the
command line.
• Select the Settings option from the command line; the Loft Settings dialog appears.
In this dialog, the Smooth Fit option creates a smooth connection between the cross-
sections. If you select the Ruled option, the lofted solid or surface has sharp edges.
 Solid Composites
1. Union
2. Subtract
3. Intersect
4. Thicken
5. Interference Checking
The Union tool
The Union tool joins two or more solids together into a single solid. For example,
when you try to select the complete model, its individual objects are selected. But,
after performing the Union operation, all the solid objects are combined together
and act as one object.
 The Intersect tool
The Intersect tool is used to create a composite solid by finding common volume
shared by the selected objects.
The Subtract tool

The Subtract tool is used to subtract

one or more portions
 Using the Presspull tool
 The Presspull tool is used to create and modify solid models with a greater
ease and speed.
 It can be used to accomplish two types of operations: extruding closed 2D
shapes and add or remove material from a solid object based on whether you
“pull” or “push” the extrusion.
END