AutoCAD: 3D Modeling for Mechanical Designs

Learn how to utilize the 3D capabilities of AutoCAD to model and share your mechanical designs.

Introduction

• AutoCAD 3D modeling in mechanical design
• What you should know
• Using the exercise files
• The New AutoCAD Interface

1. The AutoCAD 3D Interface

• Working in the AutoCAD 3D environment: Using the 3D Modeling workspace
• Applying perspective to 3D views
• Working with tiled viewports and visual styles in the Model tab
• Creating named views

2. Creating Your Design In 3D

• Using the ELEVATION command to alter the drawing plane
• Working with absolute and relative 3D coordinates
• Altering the UCS manually and dynamically in 3D AutoCAD
• Using the AutoCAD 3D gizmos and 3D object snaps (3DOSNAP)
• Working with object selection in 3D AutoCAD
• Using Boolean functions in 3D AutoCAD

3. A Simple 3D Project: Metal Plate

• Creating the plate outline in 2D AutoCAD using circles and polylines
• Converting the 2D AutoCAD objects to AutoCAD regions, with Boolean functions
• Using EXTRUDE and PRESSPULL to convert the region to a 3D solid, with extra elements and holes
• Using AutoCAD's editing tools to enhance your 3D design
• Adding materials to the 3D solid to give it a real-world look

4. Setting up Drawing Views from 3D Models

• Using drafting standards in AutoCAD
• Setting up your drawing with your projection style
• Adding section views
• Adding detail views

5. Developing Your 3D Design

• Generating your views in a layout from 3D models in AutoCAD and Inventor
• Setting the scale for each view
• Configuring your views
• Creating new drawing views
• Updating drawing views

6. Communicating Your Design Intent

• Adding drawing views to a simple title block
• Working with text styles in the title block
• Adding fields for drawing views scales in the layout tab

7. Annotating Your Drawing Views

• Setting up a suitable dimension style and layer naming philosophy
• Working with dimension annotation and annotative scaling
• Alternative dimensioning methods
• Updating viewport scales and annotative dimensions

8. Plotting and Publishing Your Designs

• Setting up and applying a suitable Page Setup for your drawings
• Plotting and previewing your design
• Batch plotting more than one drawing with the PUBLISH command
• Exporting to other file formats

9. Working with Third-Party Viewers

• Working with third-party viewers to distribute and collaborate on your 3D designs
• Using the Shared Views palette
• Opening the design in the Autodesk Viewer
• Using Autodesk Viewer tools to collaborate

10. Using Actify SpinFire Ultimate

• Importing the AutoCAD 3D model
• Measuring in Actify SpinFire
• Marking up in Actify SpinFire

Conclusion

• The final design