Introduction to 3-D

Introduction - Why 3-D?

You may have already found out why CAD has many advantages over manual drafting. One big advantage is that once you've drawn something, you shouldn't have to draw it again. If you manually drew a house plan, you would have to draw a front elevation, side elevations, and possibly a perspective view. With one 3-D CAD model, you can generate views from any angle either inside or outside the house. Afterwards, if your client needs something changed, you can then make the changes once. If you're drawing mechanical parts, you can generate virtual prototypes or even create rapid prototypes. In this manner Boeing was able to design and prototype the 777 jetliner. This level of engineering would be impossible without CAD.

You'll be learning the 3-D concepts in the following order:

• Isometric Drawings (not true 3D) • Wire-frame • Surfaces / Regions • Solid Objects

Start the Boundary Hatch by typing H . When you start the command, you will this dialog box appear:

You will have a chance to draw the same object different ways to see the differences between the various methods.

Before entering the exciting world of 3-D, you'll have to learn some more CAD terminology