An introduction to AutoCAD 3D Tools

AutoCAD is widely known and utilised as a 2D drafting tool. However, its use for 3D modelling is not aspredominantly used. This blog introduces AutoCAD users to some of the 3D tools within AutoCAD, which can be covered within AutoCAD training courses. In this post we will be working towards creating the simple shape shown below.

Let us start by changing the workspace to “3D modeling” from the status bar at the bottom of the application. The ribbon will update to show 3D tools.

Then you can navigate to an isometric view by clicking on a corner of the view cube on the top right of model space. If you do not see the view cube, you can make it visible from the ‘View’ tab of the ribbon. Launch the 3DPOLY command to draw a closed 3D polyline in the front view (XZ plane). Starting on the origin and with ortho mode on (F8), start drawing as you would in a 2D view, keeping in mind that if you specify coordinates, you will need to provide them in all three axes.

Select the EXTRUDE command from the ‘Home’ tab of the AutoCAD ribbon, pick the 3D polyline from the previous step and then type 90 as the height of extrusion to create a 3D solid. You can control the visual style from the top left corner of model space.

Draw a triangle using a closed 3D polyline as shown below and extrude it to the back of the shape. You may find the ‘Extension’ object snap useful to find the vertices of the triangle.

At this point, we have two independent solids that intersect. Pick the UNION command and then select them both to combine them into a single object.

To finish the shape, draw a rectangle on the top face and extrude it to the base. Using the SUBTRACT tool, select the solid to subtract from first, press <Enter>, and then select the solid to subtract.

I hope you found this quick introduction to the 3D tools in AutoCAD useful.

If you wanted to develop your skills in this area,I recommend exploring AutoCAD training courses. The AutoCAD training course for 3D Drawing and Modelling course focuses specifically on 3D modelling. For more information on this course, visit our website here:

https://www.symetri.co.uk/training/training-courses/autocad-3d-modelling