1

CHAPTER 5

SETTING UP ICONS AND COMMANDS IN 3D

Objectives:

1. After the lesson the learner should be able to easily traverse ng basic User Interface
of 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.

 2

3D Basics Interface

The following is AutoCAD’s 3D Basic interface. The 3D Basic

ribbons are as follows:

 Create
 Edit
 Draw
 Modify
 Selection
 Coordinates
 Layers and Views

The 3D Basic pulldown menus are as follows:

 Home
 Render
 Insert
 Manage
 Output
 Plug-ins
 Online
 Express Tools
 3

3D Modeling Interface

The 3D Modeling panels are as follows:

 Modeling
 Mesh
 Solid Editing
 Draw
 Modify
 Section
 Coordinates
 View
 Selection
 Layers and Groups

The 3D Modeling pulldown menus are as follows:

 Home
 Solid
 Surfaces
 Mesh
 Render
 Parametric
 Insert, Annotate, View, Manage, Output, Plug-ins,
Online, and Express Tools

-5-
 4

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.
 5

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.
 6

Named Views

1. Choose View, Named Views…

2. Click the plus (+) sign beside Preset Views.
3. Click NE Isometric, Set Current, Apply,and OK.

Tip:
You can also choose View, 3D Views, and any of the preset 3D views.
 7

Steering Wheel

SteeringWheels are menus that track the cursor over the drawing window,
and provide access to 2D and 3D navigation tools from a single interface.

SteeringWheels, or “wheels,” are divided into wedges; each wedge contains

a single navigation tool. You can start a navigation tool by clicking a wedge
or by clicking and dragging the cursor over a wedge.

Full Navigation Wheel

3. Click the Full Navigation Wheel icon.

 8

2D Navigation Wheel (Zoom/Pan)

View Object Wheel – Center a model and define the pivot point to use with the
Orbit tool. Zoom and orbit a model.
Center
 9

Orbit

Look
 10

Walk/Up/ Down

Rewind

Shortcuts

1. Right-click on the wheel to view shortcuts.

 11

Steering Wheel Settings

1. Right-click on the steering wheel and choose

SteeringWheel Settings…
 12

VPOINT Command (Tripod)

Displays a compass and tripod for defining a view rotation. The compass
represents a two dimensional globe.

4. Choose View, 3D Views, Viewpoint

or

5. Type VPOINT at the command prompt.

Command: VPOINT

Rotate/<Viewpoint><-0.614,-0.614,0.500>:

PRESS ENTER

6. Click a point on the compass to define the viewing angle.

Point in the center of

the compass is the “ Middle ring of
north pole”, looking the compass is
straight down at the the “equator”,
drawing looking straight
on at the
drawing.

Entire outer ring

is the “south
pole”, looking
straight up at the
drawing.

Tripod
 13

VPOINT Command (Rotate)

Enters a rotation angle at the viewpoint prompt.

1. Type VPOINT at the command prompt.

Command: VPOINT
Rotate/<View point> <-0.614,-0.614,0.500>: R (enter)
Enter angle in XY plane from X axis <225>: 225
(enter)
Enter angle from XY plane <30>: 15 (enter)
 14

DDVPOINT

7. Choose View, 3D Views, Viewpoint Preset.

or
2. Type
DDVPOINT at the command prompt.
Command: DDVPOINT
3. Set a viewing angle by typing the From X axis and XY
Plane angle.
or
4. Pick a viewing angle in the 2 graphics Left graphic = From
X Axis
Right graphic = In XY Plane
5. Click OK.
 15

Plan View

8. Choose View, 3D Views, Plan View , World UCS.

or
9. Type PLAN at the command prompt. Command:
PLAN
Enter an option [Current Ucs/Ucs/World]
<Current>: World
 16

Thickness Command

1. Begin a new drawing using a 3D Modeling workspace.

2. Choose View, Viewports, 2 Viewports.
3. Press ENTER for the default of two vertical viewports.
4. Type PLAN and World in the left viewport.
5. Choose SE Isometric for the right viewport.
6. Type THICKNESS at the command prompt.
Command: THICKNESS
Enter new value for THICKNESS <0.0000>: 3
7. Draw a 5”,2” rectangle using in the LINE command in the
left view.

The lines will have a 3D “thickness” that can be seen in the 3D view.
 17

Change Existing Thickness

1. Select the object whose thickness you would like to change

(e.g. one line of the rectangle you drew in 2.1.
2. Choose Modify, Properties…or right click and choose
Properties…
3. Type a new line thickness.

The result is a new line thickness for the selected object.

 18

Elevation

Stores the elevation for new objects relative to the current UCS for the current
space.

1. Type ELEVATION at the command prompt.

Command: ELEVATION
Enter new value for ELEVATION <0.0000>: 1.00
2. Draw two circles in the left view at the new elevation.
Note that they appear to be “floating” 1 unit above the
ground.
 19

Elevation Shortcut

1. Type ELEV at the command prompt.

Command: ELEV
Specify new default elevation: <1.0000>: 2
Specify new default thickness: <3.000>: .5
2. Draw a new line in the left view to see the elevation and
thickness settings.
 20

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
 21

Visual Styles

A visual style is a collection of settings that control the display of edges

and shading in the viewport.

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

Choose View, Visual Styles and one of the following style
options.
 22

Visual Styles

2D Wireframe 3D Wireframe 3D Hidden

Realistic Shaded Shaded with Edges

Shades of Gray Sketchy XRay

 23

Visual Style Manager

The Visual Styles Manager displays sample images of the visual styles
available in the drawing. The selected visual style is indicated by a yellow
border, and its settings are displayed in the panel below the sample
images.

1. Choose View, Visual Styles, Visual Styles Manager…

or

2. Type VISUALSTYLES at the command prompt.

Command: VISUALSTYLES
3. Choose the desired option from one of those available in the
drawing for 2D Wireframe, 3D Wireframe, 3D Hidden,
Realistic, or Conceptual options.
 24

Visual Styles Panel

 25

Adaptive 3D Grid

When you choose a shaded or 3D wireframe visual style, the grid changes from
a dotted grid to a rectangular grid. The new grid provides a better sense of a
model’s orientation in 3D. The rectangular grid supports perspective, can display
major and minor grid lines, provides color options, and can automatically control
the grid density when zooming in or out (adaptive grid.) You can change the grid
settings using the drafting settings dialog box.

1. Choose Tools, Drafting Settings, and the Snap

and Grid TAB.

2. Type DSETTINGS at the command prompt.

Command: DSETTINGS

TIP:
You can turn the adaptive grid on/off from the status bar.

Source: Autocad ® 2013. 3D turorials. By. Kristen S. Kurland

 26

CHAPTER 6
MANIPULATING USER COORDINATE SYSTEM

Objectives
1. After the lesson the learner should be able to construct a 3D model using the basic
commands in AutoCAD 3D.

3D Coordinates

Entering 3D Cartesian coordinates (X,Y,Z) is similar to entering 2D

coordinates (X,Y). In addition to specifying X and Y values, you specify a Z
value.

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

2. Type 3DPoly at the command prompt.
Command: 3DPOLY
Specify start point of polyline: 1,1,0
Specify endpoint of line or [Undo]: 1,2,1
Specify endpoint of line or [Undo]: 2,2,1
Specify endpoint of line or [Close/Undo]: 2,1,0
Specify endpoint of line or [Close/Undo]: 1,1,0

The result will be the following lines that are drawn in 3D:
 27

Track in Z Direction

With AutoTrack (polar tracking and object snap tracking), you can track in
the Z direction as well as in the XY plane. Similarly, when Ortho mode is
turned on, you can lock the cursor to the Z direction.

1. Press F11 or click OSnap Tracking on the status bar if it is

not already on.
2. Press F10 or click Polar Tracking on the status bar if it is
not already on.
3. Draw a line in the 3D view in the Z direction using tracking.
 28

Move in Z Direction

1. Open a drawing with 3D objects in it.

2. Type MOVE at the command prompt.
Command: move
Select objects: pick object in 3D view
Select objects: press enter
Specify base point or displacement:
Specify second point of displacement or
<use first point as displacement>: 0,0,1 or use polar
tracking to move the object.

before move after move

 29

3D Point Filters

Draws in 3D Z direction by filtering X and Y coordinates.

1. Open a drawing with 3D objects in it.

endpoint to filter

Use the CIRCLE command and place it using 3D

point filters (.xy)
Command: CIRCLE
Specify center point for circle or [3P/2P/Ttr (tan tan
radius)]: .XY
of pick endpoint to filter
(need Z): 1
Specify radius of circle or [Diameter] <0.2500>:
press enter
 30

Helix

Creates a 2D or 3D spiral.

1. Begin a new drawing.

2. Choose Draw, Helix.
or
10. Type HELIX at the command prompt.
Command: helix
Number of turns = 3.0000 Twist=CCW
Specify center point of base: pick point
Specify base radius or [Diameter] <1.0000>:
enter or drag and pick
Specify top radius or [Diameter] <11.0776>:
enter or drag and pick
Specify helix height or [Axis endpoint/Turns/turn
Height/tWist] <1.0000>:
enter or drag and pick

Source: Autocad ® 2013. 3D turorials. By. Kristen S. Kurla

 31

CHAPTER 7
3D SURFACES AND SOLIDS

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.

Wireframe lines in 3D
 32

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.
 33

Solids

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 then combine these shapes to 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.
 34

2D Solid

Creates solid-filled triangles and quadrilaterals.

1. Type SOLID at the command prompt.

Command: SOLID
First point: P1
Second point: P2
Third point: P3
Fourth point: P4
Third point: enter
 35

3D Faces

3DFACE creates a three or four sided surface anywhere in 3D space. You

can specify different Z coordinates for each corner point of a 3D face.
3DFACE differs from SOLID, which creates a three- or four-sided surface
that is parallel to the current UCS and can be extruded.

1. Begin a new drawing.

2. Set the visual style to Conceptual.
3. Type 3DFACE at the command prompt.
Command: 3DFACE
First point: pick
Second point: pick
Third point: pick
Fourth point: pick
Third point: enter

3D Wireframe Lines 3D Face

 36

3D Face Invisible Edge

With 3DFACE, you control which edges of a 3D face are visible, allowing
accurate modeling of objects with holes. Entering i or invisible before the
first point of an edge makes the edge invisible.Type 3DFACE at the
command prompt.

1. Draw an irregular shaped object similar to the one

shown below.
2. Set the visual style to Conceptual.
3. Type 3DFACE at the command prompt.
Command: 3DFACE
First point: P1
Second point: P2
Third point: i P3
Fourth point: P4
Third point: i P5
Fourth point: P6
Third point: P7
Fourth point: P8
Third point: enter
NOTE: You must enter an “i” for invisible
before the face is chosen.
 37

Edge Command

1. Type EDGE at the command prompt.

Command: EDGE
Specify edge of 3dface to toggle visibility or [Display]:
pick edge

Pick edge

Specify edge of 3dface to toggle visibility or [Display]:

D
Enter selection method for display of hidden edges
[Select/All] <All>: A
** Regenerating 3DFACE objects...done.
Specify edge of 3dface to toggle visibility or [Display]:
press enter
 38

9.5 PFace
Creates a three-dimensional polyface mesh vertex by vertex

1. Type PFACE at the command prompt.

Command: PFACE
Specify location for vertex 1: pick point 1
Specify location for vertex 2 or <define faces>:
pick point 2
Specify location for vertex 3 or <define faces>:
pick point 3
Specify location for vertex 4 or <define faces>:
pick point 4
Specify location for vertex 5 or <define faces>:
pick point 5
Specify location for vertex 6 or <define faces>:
pick point 6
Specify location for vertex 7 or <define faces>:
pick point 7
Specify location for vertex 8 or <define faces>:
enter
Face 1, vertex 1:
Enter a vertex number or [Color/Layer]: 1 (enter)
Face 1, vertex 2:
Enter a vertex number or [Color/Layer] <next
face>: 2 (enter)
Face 1, vertex 3:
Enter a vertex number or [Color/Layer] <next
face>: 6 (enter)
Face 1, vertex 4:
Enter a vertex number or [Color/Layer] <next
face>: 7 (enter)
Face 1, vertex 5: enter
Enter a vertex number or [Color/Layer]
<next face>: Face 2, vertex 1:
Enter a vertex number or [Color/Layer]: 2 (enter)
Face 2, vertex 2:
Enter a vertex number or [Color/Layer] <next
face>: 3 (enter)
Face 2, vertex 3:
Enter a vertex number or [Color/Layer] <next
face>: 4 (enter)
Face 2, vertex 4:
 39

Enter a vertex number or [Color/Layer] <next face>: 6

(enter)
Face 2, vertex 5:
Enter a vertex number or [Color/Layer]
<next face>: Face 3, vertex 1:
Enter a vertex number or [Color/Layer]: 4 (enter)
Face 3, vertex 2:
Enter a vertex number or [Color/Layer] <next face>: 5
(enter)
Face 3, vertex 3:
Enter a vertex number or [Color/Layer] <next face>: 6
(enter)
Face 3, vertex 4:
Enter a vertex number or [Color/Layer]
<next face>: Face 4, vertex 1: enter
Enter a vertex number or [Color/Layer]:
 40

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.
 41

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
 42

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/S
Ettings] <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
 43

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
 44

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/S
Ettings]
<Pyramid>: PYRAMID
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
 45

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/S
Ettings]
<Pyramid>: SPHERE
Specify center point or [3P/2P/Ttr]:
Specify radius or [Diameter] <2.0000>:
 46

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/S
Ettings]
<Wedge>: WEDGE
Specify first corner or [Center]:
Specify other corner or [Cube/Length]: @4,2
Specify height or [2Point] <4.0000>: 2
 47

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/S
Ettings]
<Wedge>: TORUS
Specify center point or [3P/2P/Ttr]:
Specify radius or [Diameter] <2.0000>: 6
Specify tube radius or [2Point/Diameter]: 1
 48

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>:
 49

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 Polyline before MESHSMOOTH 2D Polyline after MESHSMOOTH

 50

Smooth and Refine Meshes

The following commands control the smoothness of mesh objects.

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

 51

Meshsmoothless

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

1. Type MESHSMOOTHLESS at the command prompt.

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

Mesh before smooth decrease Mesh after smooth decrease

 52

Meshsmoothrefine

Multiplies the number of faces in selected mesh objects or faces.

.

1. Type MESHREFINE at the command prompt.

Command: '_MESHREFINE
Select mesh object or face subobjects to refine:
pick object
Select mesh object or face subobjects to refine:
1 object(s) found.
Mesh refine before

Mesh refine after

- 98 -
 53

Add and Remove Mesh Creases

Meshcrease

Sharpens the edges of selected mesh subobjects.

1. Type MESHCREASE at the command prompt.

Command: MESHCREASE
Select mesh subobjects to crease: select objects
Specify crease value [Always] <Always>: enter

Before crease Selected objects After crease

TIPS:
Crease value
Sets highest smoothing level at which the crease is retained. If the smoothing
level exceeds this value, the crease is also smoothed. Enter a value of 0 to
remove an existing crease.

Always
Specifies that the crease is always retained, even if the object or subobject is
smoothed or refined. A crease value of -1 is the same as Always.

- 99 -
 54

Meshuncrease

Removes the crease from selected mesh faces, edges, or vertices.

.

1. Type MESHUNCREASE at the command prompt.

Command: MESHUNCREASE
Select crease to remove: pick object
Select crease to remove: press enter

Before uncrease Selected objects After uncrease

- 100 -
 55

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

 56

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

MIDpoint

MIDpoint
 57

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

Selected mesh faces Resultant merge

 58

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 object before Selected mesh edges

Closed “hole”
 59

Converting Meshes

Converts objects to surfaces. Objects that can be converted to surfaces include

the following: 2D solids, 3D solids, Regions, open, zero-width polylines with
thickness, lines with thickness, arcs with thickness, mesh objects, planar 3D
faces

1. Type CONVTOSURFACE at the command prompt.

Command: CONVTOSURFACE
Mesh conversion set to: Smooth and optimized.
Select objects: pick object
Select objects: press enter

PLine with thickness New converted mesh

Smooth options

Source: Autocad ® 2013.

3D turorials.
By. Kristen S. Kurlands
- 105 -
 60

CHAPTER 8
PERSPECTIVE
Objectives
1. After the lesson the learner will be able to create 3D detailed interior and exterior for
perspective purposes.

Solid Primitives

Solid primitives can easily be drawn from 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
 61

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

Lines with a Thickness of 2” Lines Extruded 2”

 62

Extrude with Taper

1. Choose Draw, Modeling, Extrude.

or
2. Type EXTRUDE at the command prompt.
Command: extrude
Current wire frame density: ISOLINES=4
Select objects to extrude: pick object to
extrude
Select objects to extrude: enter
Specify height of extrusion or
[Direction/Path/Taper angle] <8.9509>: T
Specify angle of taper for extrusion <0>: 15
Specify height of extrusion or
[Direction/Path/Taper angle] <8.9509>: 4
 63

Extrude with Path

1. Type EXTRUDE at the command prompt.

Command: extrude
Current wire frame density: ISOLINES=4
Select objects to extrude: 1 found
Select objects to extrude: pick circle (P1)
Specify height of extrusion or [Direction/Path/Taper
angle] <4.0000>: p
Select extrusion path or [Taper angle]: pick P2

Circle Extruded Along a Path Hidden Line Removal of Extruded Circle

 64

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

 65

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
 66

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
 67

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
 68

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:
 69

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.

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
 70

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
 71

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>
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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
 73

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
 74

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

 75

Extract Edges

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

2. Choose Modify, 3D Operations, Extract Edges.
or
3. Type XEDGES at the command prompt.
Command: _xedges
Select objects: pick object
Select objects: enter
 76

acetres

Adjusts the smoothness of shaded and rendered objects and objects with
hidden lines removed. Valid values are from 0.01 to 10.0.

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

2. Type FACETRES at the command prompt.
Command: FACETRES
Enter new value for FACETRES <0.5000>: 10

Facetres=.1 Facetres=10
 77

Isolines

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

2. Type ISOLINES at the command prompt.
Command: isolines
Enter new value for ISOLINES <4>: 20
Command: regen
REGEN Regenerating model.
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Edge Effects

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

2. Choose one of the edge effects from the View, Visual Styles
ribbon panel.
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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

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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

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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

 82

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
 83

Interference Checking

Highlights 3D solids that overlap.

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

a 3D view.
2. Choose Modify, 3D Operations, Interference Checking.
or
3. Type INTERFERE at the command prompt.
Command: INTERFERE
Select first set of objects or [Nested
selection/Settings]: pick solids surrounding
rectangle and and press enter.

Select second set of objects or [Nested

selection/checK first set] <checK>: pick rectangle
and press enter
Solids that interfere will highlight in red.
 84

The following dialog box allows you to change the zoom and display of the
drawing to better see the interfering objects.

You can also choose to retain the interference objects by turning the check box
off for “Delete interference objects created on Close”
 85

Extrude Face

1. Choose Modify, Solid Editing, Extrude face.

NOTE: Must be a solid to extrude the face.
2. Choose a face to extrude. If you choose more than one
face, hold the SHIFT key to deselect unwanted
faces.
3. Press ENTER.
4. Specify height of extrusion or [Path]: .25
5. Specify angle of taper for extrusion <0>: 45

Select Face

Extruded
Face
 86

Taper Face

1. Choose Modify, Solid Editing, Taper face.

2. Choose a face(s) to taper. If you choose more than one
face, hold the SHIFT key to deselect unwanted
faces.
3. Press ENTER.
4. Specify the base point: pick the back left corner
5. Specify another point along the axis of tapering:
pick point
6. Specify the taper angle: 45
Solid validation started. Solid validation completed.

Before Taper

After Taper
 87

Delete Face

1. Choose Modify, Solid Editing, Delete face.

2. Choose a face to delete. If you choose more than one
face, hold the SHIFT key to deselect unwanted
faces.
3. Press ENTER.
4. Choose the face to delete.
 88

Copy Face

1. Choose Modify, Solid Editing, Copy face.

2. Choose a face to copy . If you choose more than one
face, hold the SHIFT key to deselect unwanted
faces.
3. Press ENTER.
4. Pick the solid face to copy.
5. Pick a new location.
 89

Color Face

1. Choose Modify, Solid Editing, Color face.

2. Choose a face to change the color of. If you choose
more than one face, hold the SHIFT key to
deselect unwanted faces.
3. Press ENTER.
4. Choose a color to change the face to.
 90

Imprint
Imprints an object on the selected solid. The object to be imprinted must
intersect one or more faces on the selected solid in order for imprinting to
be successful. Imprinting is limited to the following objects: arcs, circles,
lines, 2D and 3D polylines, ellipses, splines, regions, bodies, and 3D
solids

1. Extrude objects (i.e. walls) to create a solid object.

2. Change the UCS and draw an object on a face of one
of the walls.
3. Choose Modify, Solid Editing, Imprint.
4. Select a 3D solid: pick solid
5. Select an object to imprint: pick circle
6. Delete the source object <N>: Y
 91

Extrude Imprint

1. Choose Modify, Solid Editing, Extrude Faces.

2. Select the circle that was imprinted in 15.6.
3. Deselect any unwanted faces.
4. Type -8 as the height of extrusion (or desired
height).
 92

Shell

You can create a shell or a hollow thin wall with a specified

thickness from your 3D solid object. AutoCAD creates new faces by
offsetting existing ones inside or outside their original positions.
AutoCAD treats continuously tangent faces as single faces when
offsetting.

1. Choose Modify, Solid Editing, Shell.

2. Select a 3D solid: pick solid
Remove faces or [Undo/Add/ALL]: enter
Enter the shell offset distance: .5
 93

Select and Manipulate Subobjects

You can select one subobject, or create a selection set of more than one
subobject on any number of solids. Your selection set can also include
more than one type of subobject.

1. Open a drawing with 3D solid object and display in a

3D view.
2. Hold the CTRL key and select the solid.
3. Toggle to other subobjects within the solid while
holding the CTRL key.
4. Click and drag to modify the solid.
 94

Use Grip Tools

Grip tools are icons that you use in a 3D view to easily constrain the
movement or rotation of a selection set of objects to an axis or a plane.

There are two types of grip tools:

Move (3DMOVE command)
Rotate (3DROTATE command

1. Open a drawing with 3D solid object and display in a

3D view.
2. Hold the CTRL key and select the solid.
3. Toggle to other subobjects within the solid while
holding the CTRL key.
4. Click and drag to modify the solid using the grip tool.
 95

Press or Pull Bounded Areas

You can press or pull bounded areas by pressing and holding

CTRL + ALT, or by clicking the Presspull button on the
dashboard and then picking the bounded area. The area must
be bounded by coplanar lines or edges.

1. Open a drawing with a 3D object and

imprinted object and display in a 3D
view.
2. Hold the CTRL and ALT keys and select the
imprinted object or solid face to
manipulate it.
3. Click and drag to a new location.

Source: Autocad ® 2013. 3D turorials. By. Kristen S.

 96

CHAPTER 9
RENDERING
Objective
1. After the lesson the learner should be able to render a 3D model from
AutoCAD 3D.
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

 97

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.
2. 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.

4. Close the render preferences and render your objects to the

viewport.
 98

Render Quality

3. 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.

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.
 99

Render Selection

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

4. 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.

This result is a selected object in the drawing that is

rendered.
 100

Render Cropped Window

5. 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.
 101

Render to File

6. Type RPREF at the command prompt.

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

9. Choose a location, format, and file name for your rendered

objects.
10. Adjust the image quality and click OK.
11. 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.

- 195 -
 102

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.
 103

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.

 104

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.

 105

3. Type RENDER at the command prompt to see the new

material applied in the drawing.

4. Apply additional materials to objects and render the drawing.

- 200 -
 106

Show Objects Materials Applied To

1. Right-click a material in the Document Materials section.

2. Click Select Objects Applied To

Object(s) with attached materials are selected in the drawing.

 107

Edit Material

1. Right-click a material in the Document Materials

section.
2. Click Edit.

3. Change one or more properties of the material.

 108

Render the viewport to see the material changes

 109

Adjust Material Scale

Materials such as hard wood might not map properly to objects at different
scales. The follow section shows how to adjust the scale of materials.

1. Right-click a material in the Document Materials

window.
2. Click Edit.

3. Click the image picture to edit it.

4. Click the Transforms dropdown.

5. Click the Scale dropdown and change the
width and height.
 110

Render the viewport to see the newly scaled material.

111
 112

Applying Materials by Layer

You can attach a material to an entire layer using the Material Attach
command.

5. Add the material Course Polished White to your Document

Materials.

2. Type MATERIALATTACH at the command prompt.

Command: MATERIALATTACH

3. Click and drag the concrete material onto layer Wall.

 113

Render the drawing to see the new material attached

to the wall layer.
 114

Create a New Material

1. Open a drawing without materials.

2. Choose View, Render, Material Browser
or
3. Type MATERIALS at the command prompt.
Command: MATERIALS
4. Click the Create Material button and Wall Paint.

5. Type Wall Paint – Eggshell Green as the new

material name.
6. Choose a blue green color.
 115

7. Choose Eggshell as the finish.

.

8. Apply the material to a wall in the drawing.

Render the drawing to see the newly created material.

 116

Create Photo as Material

1. Choose View, Render, Materials...

or
2. Type MATERIALS at the command prompt.
Command: MATERIALS
3. Click the Create Material button and
New Generic Material.
4. Name the material Photo.
5. Click the blank image box and navigate to
the location where images are located,
choose a photo image, and click Open.

The photo is added as an image

material
 117

6. Choose the dropdown option for Transforms.

7. Choose the dropdown for Repeat and set the
Horizontal and Vertical repeats to None.

8. Apply the material to the 3D face in the

drawing.
 118

9. Render the viewport.

10. Edit the material image transforms as

follows.
 119

11. Render the viewport.

 120

Material Mapping (Photo)

1. Type MATERIALMAP at the command prompt.

Command: MATERIALMAP
Select an option
[Box/Planar/Spherical/Cylindrical/copY
mapping to/Reset
mapping]<Box>: PLANAR
Select faces or objects: 1 found

Select faces or objects: enter

 121

Accept the mapping or

[Move/Rotate/reseT/sWitch mapping
mode]:enter
Regenerating model.
 122

Material Mapping (Shapes)

1. Open a drawing with a box, cylinder, and sphere.

2. Attach an image material to the cylinder
(for example. Wild Cherry Natural 2).
3. Type MATERIALMAP at the command prompt.
Command: MATERIALMAP
4. Choose Cylinder and then pick the cylinder in the
drawing.
5. Use the grips to move the mapping plane along the
cylinder.

6. Press enter and render the drawing.

 123

7. Change the material mapping again for the cylinder.

8. Render the viewport.

Practice adjusting the material map for the box and sphere.

Removing Materials from Objects

1. Click Remove Materials from the Render tab

under 3D Modeling.
 124

Purge Materials from Drawings

1. Type MATERIALS at the command prompt.

Command: MATERIALS
2. Right-click anywhere in Document Material section.
3. Click Purge All Unused.

NOTE: You can only purge a material if it is not in use

 125

Cutout Materials

1. Choose View, Render, Materials Broswer...

or

2. Type MATERIALS at the command prompt.

Command: MATERIALS
3. Click Create Material and create a new
generic material called Magnolia Tree.
4. Click Image and add an image for a tree.
5. Select Scale and change both the width and
height to 10’.
6. Select Repeat and set both horizontal and
vertical to None.
7. Click Cutout and select the same image as
the tree as a black and white cutout.
8. Select Scale and change both the width and
height to 10’.
9. Select Repeat and set both horizontal and
vertical to None.
 126

10. Apply the material to an object.

11. Set the material mapping to planar.

 127

221

12. Render the viewport.

Objects should now be seen behind the cutout image.

 128

222

Bump Map Materials

1. Choose View, Render, Materials Browser

or

2. Type MATERIALS at the command prompt.

Command: materials
3. Click Create Material and create a generic material
called Bump Material.
4. Click Image and add a material image.
5. Click Bump and add the same image as the bump
material.

6. Apply the image to an object and set material

mapping if necessary.
 129

223

7. Render the viewport.

5. Adjust the bump settings and render again.

 130

224

Materials ON/OFF

1. Open a drawing with materials and textures added.

2. Set the Visual Style to Realistic.
3. Choose Materials OFF from the Materials ribbon
or
4. Type VSMATERIALMODE at the command prompt.
Command: _VSMATERIALMODE
Enter new value for VSMATERIALMODE <2>:
0
0=Materials OFF/Textures OFF
1= Materials ON/Textures OFF
2=Materials ON/Textures ON
 131

225

Default Lighting

When there are no lights in a scene, the scene is shaded with default
lighting. Default lighting is derived from two distant sources that follow the
viewpoint as you move around the model. All faces in the model are
illuminated so that they are visually discernible. You can control brightness
and contrast, but you do not need to create or place lights yourself.

When you insert custom lights or add sunlight, you can disable the default
lighting. You can apply default lighting to the viewport only; at the same
time, you can apply custom lights to the rendering.

ON/OFF

1. Choose Default Lighting from the Lighting ribbon

or
2. Type DEFAULTLIGHTING at the command prompt.
Command: DEFAULTLIGHTING
Enter new value for DEFAULTLIGHTING <0>: 1
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226

Point Lights
A point light radiates light in all directions from its location.

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

2. Choose View, Render, Light, New Point Light.
or
3. Type POINTLIGHT at the command prompt.
Command: POINTLIGHT
4. Click Turn Off default lighting in the following prompt if
default lighting was on:

Specify source location <0,0,0>: .XY

of pick bottom center of bottle
(need Z): 15
Enter an option to change
[Name/Intensity/Status/shadoW/Attenuation/Color/
eXit] <eXit>: press enter
5. Render the current viewport.
 133

227

View rendered using a point light

 134

228

Spot Lights

A spotlight emits a directional cone of light.

3. Choose View, Render, Light, New Spot Light.

or
2. Type SPOTLIGHT at the command prompt.
Command: SPOTLIGHT
Specify source location <0,0,0>: P1
Specify target location <0,0,-10>: P2
Enter an option to change
[Name/Intensity/Status/Hotspot/Falloff/shadoW/
Attenuation/Color/eXit] <eXit>: press enter

P1

P2

3. Render the current viewport.

 135

229

View rendered using a point and spotlight

 136

230

Editing Lights with Light List

The lightlist command allows you to modify lights in a drawing. This

includes turning lights off, deleting lights, or changing the properties of one
or more lights.

1. Open a drawing with lights.

2. Choose View, Render, Light, Lightlist.
or
3. Type LIGHTLIST at the command prompt.
Command: LIGHTLIST

4. Double-click the point light in the drawing to modify its

properties.
 137

231

Render the viewport to see the changes to the light

 138

232

20.2 Photometric Lights

For more precise control over lighting, you can use photometric lights to
illuminate your model. Photometric lights use photometric (light energy)
values that enable you to more accurately define lights as they would be in
the real world. You can create lights with various distribution and color
characteristics, or import specific photometric files available from lighting
manufacturers.

Photometric lights can use manufacturers' IES standard file format. By

using manufacturers’ lighting data, you can visualize commercially
available lighting in your model. Then you can experiment with different
fixtures, and by varying the light intensity and color temperature, you can
design a lighting system that produces the results you want.

1. Open a drawing with lights.

2. Type LIGHTLIST to see the current lights in the drawing.

3. Render the viewport to see the current light settings with

photometric lights off.
 139

233

4. Type LIGHTINGUNITS at the command prompt and set its

value to 1 (on).
Command: LIGHTINGUNITS
Enter new value for LIGHTINGUNITS <0>: 1
5. Render the viewport to see the current light settings with
photometric lights on.

6. Type LIGHTLIST and double-click the Lamp Spotlight.

7. Change the lamp color to Halogen and the Candela intensity
to 150.

8. Render the viewport.

9. Practice changing other light’s
photometric properties.
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234

Lights Tool Palette

Default lights can be added to your drawing from the Tool Palette menus.

1. Press CTRL +3 to open the Tool Palettes.

2. Right click Incandescent.

3. Right-click the 75 Watt bulb and choose properties.

4. Notice the photometric properties for this bulb.
 141

235

Luminaries

To create realistic lighting in a drawing, you can embed photometric lights

in blocks that also contain geometry.
Tool palettes of photometric lights provide easy access to photometric
lighting bulbs, lamps, or webs. You can select from fluorescent, low
pressure sodium, incandescent, and high intensity discharge types of
lighting.
A luminary assembles a set of light objects into a light fixture. For
example, you can create a set of lights to create a light over a dining area.
You can select the photometric lights from the tool palettes, position them
within a 3D representation of the light, and create a block of the light
objects and the 3D representation of the light to create the light fixture with
photometric properties.

1. Open a drawing with photometric lights and a light fixture.

2. Create a block of the light fixture made up of the lights and
fixture.
3. Insert the block in the drawing and render the viewport.
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239

Distant Lights

A distant light emits uniform parallel light rays in one direction only.
You specify a FROM point and a TO point anywhere in the viewport
to define the direction of the light. There is no light glyph to
represent a distant light in your drawing.

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

2. Choose View, Render, Light, New Distant Light.
or
3. Type DISTANTLIGHT at the command prompt.
Command: DISTANTLIGHT
Specify light direction FROM <0,0,0> or [Vector]: .XY
of MID P1
of (need Z): 5
Specify light direction TO <1,1,1>: .XY
of MID P2
of (need Z): 5
Enter an option to change
[Name/Intensity/Status/shadoW/Color/eXit] <eXit>:
enter

P
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240

Other Lights

Weblights
Photometric weblights provide real-world light distribution.

A photometric weblight (web) is a 3D representation of the light intensity

distribution of a light source. Photometric weblights can be used to
represent anisotropic (non-uniform) light distributions derived from data
provided by manufacturers of real-world lights. This gives a far more
precise representation of the rendered light than either spot or point lights
are capable of.

This directional light distribution information is stored in a photometric data

file in the IES format using the IES LM-63-1991 standard file format for
photometric data. You can load photometric data files provided by various
manufacturers under the Photometric Web panel in the Properties palette
for the light. The light icon represents the photometric web you select.

Light that uses a photometric web can be added to a drawing by entering

the commands WEBLIGHT and FREEWEB at the command prompt. A
weblight targets an object whereas a freeweb light does not.

Target Point Lights

You create a target point light with the TARGETPOINT command. The
difference between the target point light and a point light is the additional
target properties that are available. A target light can be pointed to an
object. A target point light can also be created from a point light by
changing the target property of the point light from No

Source: Autocad ® 2013. 3D turorials. By. Kristen S.

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