Book Image

Practical Autodesk AutoCAD 2021 and AutoCAD LT 2021

By : Yasser Shoukry, Jaiprakash Pandey
Book Image

Practical Autodesk AutoCAD 2021 and AutoCAD LT 2021

By: Yasser Shoukry, Jaiprakash Pandey

Overview of this book

AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT are one of the most versatile software applications for architectural and engineering designs and the most popular computer-aided design (CAD) platform for 2D drafting and 3D modeling. This hands-on guide will take you through everything you need to know to make the most out of this powerful tool, starting from a simple tour of the user interface through to using advanced tools. Starting with basic drawing shapes and functions, you'll get to grips with the fundamentals of CAD designs. You’ll then learn about effective drawing management using layers, dynamic blocks, and groups and discover how to add annotations and plot like professionals. The book delves into 3D modeling and helps you convert your 2D drawings into 3D models and shapes. As you progress, you’ll cover advanced tools and features such as isometric drawings, drawing utilities for managing and recovering complex files, quantity surveying, and multidisciplinary drawing files using xRefs, and you'll learn how to implement them with the help of practical exercises at the end of each chapter. Finally, you’ll get to grips with rendering and visualizing your designs in AutoCAD. By the end of the book, you’ll have developed a solid understanding of CAD principles and be able to work with AutoCAD software confidently to build impressive 2D and 3D drawings.
Table of Contents (17 chapters)

Using the Extrude command

Extrude is the first of the group of commands that are used to convert 2D to 3D objects, and it is a mandatory operation for any 3D modeling software, as many 3D bodies can simply be created by drawing a 2D base then extruding it. To start the Extrude command, you can type the command name EXTRUDE, or just type EXT then press Enter. Alternatively, you can click on the Extrude button found in the Create panel in the 3D Basics workspace, and if you are using the 3D Modeling workspace, you will find the Extrude button in the Modeling panel under the Home tab, or in the Solid panel under the Solid tab as shown here:

Figure 12.1: Alternative methods of starting the Extrude command

Depending on the selected object, the Extrude command will create a 3D solid or a surface. Generally, if you select a surface or a 2D closed shape (such as a circle, a polygon,...