TABLE OF CONTENTS Hard to use, impractical, difficult to learn, crude, slow. All these expressions have been used to describe 3D modeling in AutoCAD. At one time there was some validity in each of them, but as AutoCAD and the computers that run AutoCAD become more and more powerful and sophisticated, the reasons for not using the 3D features of AutoCAD become less and less valid. AutoCAD has good 3D modeling capabilities, most objects in the real world are 3D, and most designs should be done in 3D.
The advantages of designing in 3D are almost self evident. Because you actually construct (in a computer) the object you are designing, rather than draw views of it that are as you imagine it looks, the design is more likely to be correct and accurate. From that model, realistic shaded pictures (renderings) can be produced to show what the design will look like, and dimensioned, multi-view 2D drawings can be made for manufacturing it.
This book guides you through all the AutoCAD commands and techniques for building 3D models. You will discover that most 3D work involves the same commands, and uses the same tools that 2D drafting does. To be successful in 3D, you should have a good basic knowledge of AutoCAD's commands, along with skill and experience in using those commands.
Although this book assumes that you have a working knowledge of AutoCAD, it makes no assumptions about your knowledge and experience in using its 3D features. Therefore, all...
