Book Image

Autodesk AutoCAD 2013 Practical 3D Drafting and Design

By : JOAO ANTONIO C DOS SANTOS
Book Image

Autodesk AutoCAD 2013 Practical 3D Drafting and Design

By: JOAO ANTONIO C DOS SANTOS

Overview of this book

AutoCAD is a computer-aided design (CAD) and drafting software application. AutoCAD supports both 2D and 3D formats. AutoCAD is used in a range of industries and is utilized by architects, project managers, and engineers, among others."Autodesk AutoCAD 2013 Practical 3D Drafting and Design" will take you beyond the 2D frontier and help you create accurate 3D models that simulate reality. This book is crammed full of creative and practical tutorials which will help you master the third dimension. From exercises on coordinate systems to creating solids and surfaces from 2D, you will wonder how you ever designed without this resource by your side."Autodesk AutoCAD 2013 Practical 3D Drafting and Design" is full of hands-on studies and projects that will help develop your 3D skills. Starting from the assumption of only a very basic knowledge of AutoCAD, this book will help you master 3D visualization and coordinate systems, create 3D models from 2D drawings, and from basic shapes, measure volumes, and other information, obtain 2D construction drawings from 3D models as well as how to apply lights and materials to get photorealistic images.
Table of Contents (20 chapters)
Autodesk AutoCAD 2013 Practical 3D Drafting and Design
Credits
About the Author
About the Reviewers
www.PacktPub.com
Preface
Index

Chapter 1. Introduction to 3D Design

Welcome to the fantastic world of 3D! AutoCAD is an excellent software for creating 2D projects in all technical areas, but instead of 2D representation, isn't it much better if we could create accurate 3D models, view them from all perspectives (even from inside), and get 2D drawings easily? With AutoCAD we can!

The topics covered in this chapter are as follows:

  • The importance of the third coordinate

  • How to choose and manage 3D workspaces

  • Why object properties are fundamental in 3D

  • How auxiliary tools (osnap, ortho, and others) can ease the work in 3D

  • 2D commands in a 3D world

  • How to use linear 3D commands

  • How to create great 3D models