Autodesk AutoCAD 2013 Practical 3D Drafting and Design

Take your AuotoCAD design skills to the next dimension by creating powerful 3D models
Overview

• Obtain 2D drawings from 3D models
• Master AutoCAD’s third dimension.
• Full of practical tips and examples to help take your skills to the next dimension.

In Detail

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.

What you will learn from this book

• Learn how to create basic 3D shapes and models.
• View and navigate 3D models.
• Apply user coordinate systems to define workplanes.
• Create 3D models from 2D drawings.
• Apply 3D basic shapes and modify 3D models.
• Master AutoCAD Lighting and materials effects.
• Obtain information from 3D models, like volumes and inertias.
• Create photorealistic images of your 3D models.

Approach

This book is written in a practical and friendly style with practical tutorials, exercises, and detailed images which will help you master the third dimension.

Who this book is written for

This book is intended for everyone who wants to create accurate 3D models in AutoCAD, like architecture, engineering, or design professionals, and students. Only basic understanding of 2D AutoCAD is needed..

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Introduction to 3D Design
Chapter 2: Visualizing 3D Models
Chapter 3: Coordinate Systems
Chapter 4: Creating Solids and Surfaces from 2D
Chapter 5: 3D Primitives and Conversions
Chapter 6: Editing in 3D
Chapter 7: Editing Solids and Surfaces
Chapter 8: Inquiring the 3D model
Chapter 9: Documenting a 3D Model
Chapter 10: Rendering and Illumination
Chapter 11: Materials and Effects
Chapter 12: Meshes and Surfaces
Appendix: Final Considerations