Overview

Nothing in AutoCAD is quite as fascinating as drawing in 3D. Compared with a traditional 3D rendering of a building on a drafting board that uses vanishing points and projection planes, a true 3D computerized model of a building that can be rotated and viewed from any angle, as well as from the inside, is a world of difference. Many architectural firms still use the drafting board to create 3D presentation drawings, even though they use AutoCAD for their construction drawings. But more and more of them are using AutoCAD's 3D features to create either perspective drawings or simple 3D models that are then traced over by hand in the process of creating the final presentation drawing. It's useful to acquire some skills in working in 3D, and it's also a lot of fun.

AutoCAD LT has a few 3D viewing tools, but none of the 3D solids modeling tools that AutoCAD supports. Therefore, this appendix doesn't apply to users of LT.

Constructing a 3D model of a building requires many of the tools that you've been using throughout this book and some new ones that you'll be introduced to in this appendix. Your competence in using the basic drawing, editing, and display commands is critical to your successful study of 3D for two reasons. First, drawing in 3D is more complex and difficult than drawing in 2D, and it can be frustrating. If you aren't familiar with the basic commands, you'll become that much more frustrated. Second, accuracy...