November 3, 2016 by mikechristenson

Developing a Wall Section in AutoCAD and Illustrator

This tutorial begins with a line drawing extracted from a 3D model of a masonry building. The tutorial shows how the line drawing can be developed in AutoCAD and Illustrator into a presentation-quality drawing.

Step 1. Open a line drawing of a wall section. (In this tutorial, the original line drawing was extracted from a Rhino model. To see this process, refer to the tutorial titled Rhino to AutoCAD Workflow: Cutting a Section.)

Initially, the line drawing is undifferentiated with respect to lineweight, material notations, dimensions, and hatch patterns:

Step 2. In AutoCAD, define several new layers corresponding to a categorization scheme. For example, different layers could correspond to different materials, or different layers could correspond to different lineweights.

Once you have defined the new layers, assign each of the objects (lines) in the drawing to one of the layers. The image below shows one possible categorization scheme, where the layers represent different materials (e. g., brick and stone):

Step 3. Add detail lines to the drawing. The image below shows one step in this process, where detail lines are added to represent horizontal joints between successive brick courses.

Step 4. Continue the process of adding detail lines. In the image below, detail lines are drawn to show “elements beyond” the cutting plane – specifically, lines representing the window jambs and lines representing the bottom edges of floor joists.

Step 5. Add hatch patterns to materials as appropriate:

Step 6. Save the AutoCAD drawing in 2007 .dwg format and open it in Illustrator. (This will preserve the layer assignments.) In Illustrator, assign lineweights as appropriate for scale:

Step 7. Add notes and dimensions as appropriate for scale. (Alternatively, notes and dimensions can be added in AutoCAD and imported to Illustrator with the other information.)

October 31, 2016 by mikechristenson

Rhino to AutoCAD Workflow: Cutting a Section

This workflow is designed to generate a line-drawn building section from a Rhino model for use in AutoCAD. It begins with a complete Rhino model and concludes with the AutoCAD drawing.

Step 1. Open the Rhino model:

Step 2: Create a new layer. Give the layer a name like SECTION and a distinctive color. Make this new layer current.

Step 3: In the SECTION layer, draw a line as a guide for the section cut. This line represents the line along which the section will be cut:

Step 4: Type SECTION [enter]. When prompted to Select objects for sections, type ALL [enter]:

Step 5. When prompted to designate the Start of section, click on one endpoint of the guideline. When prompted to designate the End of section, move the mouse to the far side of the objects being cut. (Make sure ORTHO, F8, is turned on if you want to cut the section parallel with the relevant major axis.)

Step 6. Because SECTION is a drawing command, it generates new geometry. As soon as the SECTION command is complete, the newly drawn geometry is automatically highlighted:

Step 7. With the new geometry highlighted, choose File > Export Selected:

Step 8. Save the exported geometry in the AutoCAD (.dwg) format:

Step 9. Choose the 2004 Polylines option:

Step 10. Start AutoCAD and open the drawing exported from Rhino:

Step 11. If prompted with a warning dialog, choose Continue opening DWG file:

Step 12. When the file is opened, it will appear in a “top down” view, so the section will appear like a single line:

Step 13. Type 3DORBIT [enter] to orbit the model into a 3D view:

Step 14. The geometry needs to be rotated to sit “flat” on the x-y plane. Type ROTATE3D:

Step 15. When prompted to Select objects, type ALL [enter] to select all of the objects in the drawing:

Step 16. In order to rotate the geometry in three-dimensional space, a rotational axis with two endpoints must be defined. Click on a point within the drawing to define the first endpoint of this axis:

Step 17. With Ortho (F8) turned on, click on another point within the drawing to indicate the other endpoint of the rotational axis:

Step 18. When prompted to Specify rotation angle, type either 90 [enter] or -90 [enter] depending on whether the geometry needs to rotate clockwise or counterclockwise around the axis. (To correct a mistaken rotation, the command can be undone or repeated with a rotation angle of 180.)

Step 19. Type PLAN [enter]:

Step 20. When prompted, click [enter] to accept the Current coordinate system (i. e., the World coordinate system):

Step 21. It may be necessary to rotate the geometry again, but only in two-dimensional space. In the case shown here, the geometry needs to be rotated by 90 degrees. Type ROTATE [enter] and indicate the rotation angle:

Step 22. The section drawing is ready. It may also be necessary to use the FLATTEN command to project all geometry to the x-y plane:

April 21, 2015 by mikechristenson

3DS Max Design: Importing and Linking Models.

3DS Max Design, AutoCAD, Revit, Rhino, SketchUp
importing
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Linking from Revit. Linked Revit models are connected to their source file and will reflect updates made to that source. To import an existing Revit model into a 3DS scene:

Choose Application menu > Import > Link Revit. (The Application menu is in the far upper-left corner of the screen.)
Navigate to the Revit file, select it, and click Open.
In the Manage Links dialog box, click on the Presets tab. Select the appropriate Preset (e. g., combine by material or category).
Click on the Attach tab.
To set the initial view (optional), click Revit View.
Click Attach this file.
In the Daylight System Creation dialog box, click Yes if you wish to adjust the parameters for the Daylight System. Otherwise, click No. (You can return to this option later by choosing Create > Lights > Daylight System.)
Close the Manage Links dialog box. (You can return to the Manage Links dialog box at any time by choosing Application Menu > References > Manage Links.)

Linking from AutoCAD.

Choose Application menu > Import > Link AutoCAD. (The Application menu is in the far upper-left corner of the screen.)
Navigate to the AutoCAD file, select it, and click Open.
In the Manage Links dialog box, click on the Presets tab. Select the appropriate Preset (e. g., DWG File Saved from AutoCAD).
Click on the Attach tab.
If you wish to import only selected layers, click the Select Layers to include button and make selections.
Click Attach this file.
Close the Manage Links dialog box. (You can return to the Manage Links dialog box at any time by choosing Application Menu > References > Manage Links.)

Importing a Generic .dwg file.

Use this procedure when importing a .dwg file created by any application other than AutoCAD. (You can also use this procedure with AutoCAD-created .dwg files if you wish to exclude the possibility of linking your model.)

Choose Application menu > Import > Import. (The Application menu is in the far upper-left corner of the screen.)
Navigate to the .dwg file, select it, and click Open.
In the AutoCAD DWG/DXF Import Options dialog box, make any necessary changes to import options, or allow them to remain unchanged (default settings).
Click OK.

Importing from Rhino or Sketchup. 3DS Max cannot direclty import models in Rhino (.3dm) or Sketchup (.skp) formats. However, if you save your model as a .dwg file, it can be imported using the procedure described above.

April 14, 2015 by mikechristenson

AutoCAD: Working in 3D Space.

Visualizing 3D Space.

Use the View > Views panel to choose between one of several preset orthographic and isometric views of AutoCAD’s simulated three-dimensional space.

Use the VPORTS command to configure multiple model space viewports within model space. This feature lets you view your work from several different directions simultaneously. (Also View > Model Viewports > Viewport Configuration.) [Note: model space viewports operate differently than paper space viewports. Model space viewports are easily configurable to allow simultaneous, dynamic views of a model under construction; Layout space viewports are better suited to a composition of fixed views on a page.]

Use the 3DORBIT command to control the projection by mouse. While in the 3DORBIT interface, right-click to change the projection from parallel to perspective.

Basic 3D operations.

The commands which you have learned in 2D work will also work in 3D. Some of the commands (ROTATE, MIRROR, OFFSET) make reference to the current x-y plane. To change the x-y plane, use the UCS command (discussed below). Tip: Be careful when you use the TRIM, FILLET, and EXTEND commands in 3D. These may not always work the way you expect them to, because of the confusion resulting from representing a 3D space on a 2D screen, and also because they don’t operate on three-dimensional solids.

Building a box.

The BOX command is used to build cubical volumes representing beams, walls, floors, sills, building masses, etc. To build a box:

Type BOX at the Command prompt.
At the prompt Specify corner of box or [CEnter] <0,0,0>, point-click or enter coordinates to specify a corner of the box.
At the prompt Specify corner or [Cube/Length], point-click, enter coordinates, or select the C or L options to continue.
At the prompt Specify height, point-click or enter a number to specify the height.

Related commands: SPHERE; CYLINDER; WEDGE

The UCS command.

Use the UCS command to temporarily change the coordinate system (i. e., the axes along which AutoCAD measures x, y, and z coordinates). UCS is especially useful for 3D work, as planes of reference often change if objects are modeled at different angles or at multiple heights.

The three-point option: To invoke this command, type UCS and then 3. Click on three points in space to define the new axes.

The align to object option: Use the hidden OB option within the UCS command to align the UCS to any visible object.

To return to the normal axes: type UCS and then W.

To generate a plan view with respect to the current coordinate system: type PLAN at the command prompt.

Rotating objects around a point.

Use the ROTATE command as in 2D space. [NOTE: the ROTATE command rotates selected objects around a base point on the x-y plane. To change the current x-y plane, use the UCS command. Or, to rotate selected objects around a line, use the ROTATE3D command.]

Rotating objects around an axis.

To rotate an object around an axis:

Type ROTATE3D at the Command prompt.
Select the objects you wish to rotate.
At the prompt Specify first point on axis or define axis by [Object/Last/View/Xaxis/Yaxis/Zaxis/2points], click on a point on the intended base line (or use one of the other methods; see AutoCAD’s Help for additional information).

Creating a quick 3D drawing from existing 2D elevations.

View an elevation drawing in three-dimensional space.
Select the lines composing the elevation.
Use the ROTATE3D command to rotate these lines about the “base line” or “ground plane” in the elevation drawing: rotate them by either 90 or -90 degrees (if you choose the wrong one, rotate them again by 180 degrees).

Extruding.

Use the EXTRUDE command to “push/pull” closed polylines (e. g. rectangles) into three-dimensional space to a given height. Tip: EXTRUDE won’t work on blocks or hatches. Tip: Use the PEDIT command to join independent lines and arcs into closed polylines. Use the PEDIT Multiple option, with a fuzz distance set to a number greater than 0, to join lines which don’t meet into a closed polyline.

Slicing.

Use SLICE to cut objects along a plane. This is somewhat analogous to the TRIM command in two dimensions.

Example use of the SLICE command:

Construct a simple rectangular box (e. g. with the BOX command).
Type SLICE at the Command prompt.
Select the box.
Click on three non-colinear points to define a slicing plane: for example, the midpoints of existing sides of the box, or the endpoints of temporary location lines.
Click on a point on the side of the slicing plane corresponding to the portion of the object you wish to keep.

Joining 3D Objects.

The UNION command is used to join two or more 3D objects together in a single object. Together with COPY, it can be used as a three-dimensional equivalent to the EXTEND command: For example, copy a 9-inch-high cube from 0, 0, 0 to 0, 0, 3; UNION the two objects; the result is a new object, 12 inches high.

Cutting Plans and Sections.

The SECTION command generates a special kind of AutoCAD object called a region. Regions are similar to closed, filled polylines; they can be extruded into solids or exploded into lines. Type SECTION at the command prompt; the command operates similarly to SLICE, except that it doesn’t require you to designate a point on the “desired side” of the plane. Also, if you want to cut a section or plan at a specific point, it may help to draw a temporary object such as a box to facilitate defining a cutting plane (per step 4 in the procedure below).

Set the current layer to receive newly drawn section information.
Type SECTION at the Command prompt.
Select the objects to cut. (For example, draw a window around the entire model.)
Click on three non-colinear points to define a slicing plane in plan or section. (For example, points on the surface of a box.)
The current layer receives new objects (regions). Turn off all other layers to see these new objects. The objects can be exploded (using the EXPLODE command) to turn them into simple lines.

April 9, 2015 by mikechristenson

AutoCAD: Plot Style Tables.

A plot style is a set of instructions telling AutoCAD how to print objects. Plot styles can override object settings: for example, a plot style might instruct AutoCAD to print all objects in a drawing using black ink, rather than object/layer colors. A plot style table is a set of plot styles. Plot style tables are assigned to layouts; each layout can have a different plot style table (or no plot style table at all, meaning that no special instructions are used to print the drawing).

Types of plot style tables.

Plot style tables are of two types: color-dependent and named. Color-dependent plot style tables instruct AutoCAD to assign plotting properties based solely on object color. For example, a color-dependent plot style table might instruct AutoCAD to assign every red object in a printout a given line width. Named plot style tables instruct AutoCAD to assign plotting properties to objects independent of their color.

Color-dependent.

Color-dependent plot style tables are primarily useful for one reason: they can be used to assign printed line weights on the basis of color. This is typically how professional offices set up plot style tables, because it is equivalent to the Pen Assignments feature in older versions of AutoCAD.

Named.

Named plot styles allow a greater degree of freedom than color-dependent plot style tables, in the sense that printing properties may be assigned separately from object color. Under this scheme, plot style is an object property, like color or lineweight.

Creating a plot style table.

To create a color-dependent plot style table:

Choose [Application Menu] > Print > Manage Plot Styles.
Double-click on the Add-A-Plot Style Table Wizard icon.
In the introductory dialog box, click Next.
In the “Begin” dialog box, select “Start from scratch” and click Next.
In the “Pick Plot Style Table” dialog box, select “Color-Dependent Plot Style Table” and click Next.
In the “File name” dialog box, enter a name for your plot style (for example, “Style-1”) and click Next.
In the “Add Plot Style Table – Finish” dialog box, click “Finish”. (The next section discusses the detail of editing plot style tables.)

[Note: Plot style tables are stored on the local hard drive and are NOT retained together with your AutoCAD drawing, should you move to a different computer. If you wish to save a plot style table together with your drawing, choose [Application Menu] > Print > Manage Plot Styles; then hold down the Shift key as you drag-and-drop the desired table to an external drive. Invert this process on the second computer. (You are copying a .ctb file between two computers.)]

Editing a plot style table.

To edit a plot style table:

Choose [Application Menu] > Print > Manage Plot Styles.
Double-click on the name of the plot style table you wish to edit.
In the Plot Style Table Editor, you can view information about your table in three separate tabs. To continue with our example, choose the Form View tab. This will display information about your table as a form.
Specify the colors for which you wish to designate printing attributes. (To select every color in the list simultaneously, hold down the SHIFT key as you click on the first and last colors in the list.)
Specify attributes. (For example, under Properties / Color, choose Black.)
Click Save & Close.

Assigning a plot style table to a layout.

Assigning a plot style table to a layout forces AutoCAD to follow the instructions in the table. To assign a plot style table to a layout:

Click on the layout tab to which you wish to assign a specific plot style table.
Type PAGESETUP.
Click Modify.
Under Plot Style Table tab, choose the plot style table you wish to assign to the layout.
Click on the Display plot styles check box.
Click OK.

April 9, 2015 by mikechristenson

AutoCAD: The XREF command.

Use the XREF (eXternal Reference) command to reference one drawing into another. The referenced drawing is often called a base drawing or simply an XREF. The concept is essential when you’re organizing a large set of drawings consisting (for example) of floor plans, ceiling plans, sections, title borders, etc.

A typical application.

A typical application of the XREF command involves the creation of “plot sheets.” Plot sheets are AutoCAD drawings which contain an XREF’d base drawing, such as a floor plan, which is viewed through a layout space viewport. Plot sheets also usually contain an XREF of the architect’s title border.

Example use of the XREF command.

Draw a floor plan using standard AutoCAD drawing commands. Save the drawing in an accessible location (e. g., a shared drive). Close the floor plan.
In a second drawing, type XREF. Right-click in the empty area of the panel to reference (“Attach”) the floor plan drawing into the model space of the plot sheet.
In the layout space of the plot sheet, create a scaled viewport through which you can see the floor plan. Use the viewport to manage layers.
Use the XREF command to reference a copy of the architect’s title border into the layout space. (A title border is an AutoCAD drawing containing project-specific information.) Title borders typically contain space for sheet-specific information such as a sheet number and name.

Note: Plot sheets can be composed to show multiple XREFs at multiple scales.

Overlay or Attach?

Every XREF is classified either as being attached or overlaid. Attached XREFs will “nest” into successive XREFs: You can XREF a drawing containing another overlaid XREF. Overlaid XREFs do not nest: if, in a new drawing, you attach an XREF containing an overlaid XREF, the overlaid XREF won’t appear in the new drawing. In the XREF dialog box, double-click on the word Attach (or Overlay) next to the XREF drawing name to change its status.

Common base point.

If you create a series of drawings such as floor plans, elevations, and sections, describing a single building, consider drawing each drawing such that the point (0, 0, 0) represents the same point in space in each drawing. This allows easy cross-checking of (for example) plans to sections by XREFing one into the other at (0, 0). Such cross-checking also works between floor plans – allowing easy verification of whether, for example, elevators, mechanical shafts, and exterior walls align between drawings.

Multiple users.

By default, AutoCAD will prevent other people on a network from opening a drawing if that drawing is XREFerenced into your drawing. If you wish to disable this feature, and allow other users to edit the XREFs, type OP; click on the Open and Save tab; under External References, set Demand Load to “Enabled with copy.”

Binding XREFs.

To “break the link” between an XREF and its host drawing, and to permanently insert the XREF within the host: in the XREF Manager dialog box, highlight an XREF and click Bind. Choosing Insert is equivalent to using the Insert command to copy an external .dwg file into the host drawing. Choosing Bind inserts the XREF into special new layers, intentionally keeping the XREF layers separate from the host drawing layers.

April 9, 2015August 6, 2015 by mikechristenson

AutoCAD: Layouts and Viewports.

Each AutoCAD drawing contains at least one layout space. A layout space differs fundamentally from the (singular) model space, in that every layout space has edges corresponding to a specific paper size.

Model space and layout space.

Each AutoCAD drawing contains only one model space; however, a model space is practically infinite in extent (no edges). Drawings are usually created in model space, and layout space (also called paper space) is used to format views of those drawings on paper.

Initial activation.

When a layout space is initially activated (the first time the corresponding Layout tab is clicked), AutoCAD displays a default page size with a single viewport (see below). Type PAGESETUP to bring up the Page Setup dialog box, prompting you to define a printer and paper size. Each layout space in a drawing may be formatted for a unique printer and/or a unique paper size.

Viewports.

When a layout space is initially activated, AutoCAD automatically creates a viewport. So-called paper space viewports are analogous to windows or holes in a piece of paper through which a drawing can be viewed at a particular scale. Using viewports, multiple views of a single drawing, or of multiple drawings, may be formatted on a single layout (i. e. a piece of paper). Each viewport may be configured with its own settings for scale and layer visibility.

Basic viewport operations.

To delete an existing viewport: type PS [enter], then type E [enter], select the viewport (click on its edge), [enter].

To make a new viewport: type PS [enter], then type MV [enter], then click on two points (a corner and an opposite corner) to define a rectangle.

To resize an existing viewport: type PS [enter], then click on the existing viewport, and drag its corners to new locations.

To copy an existing viewport: type PS [enter], then type COPY [enter], click on the existing viewport, [enter], and indicate base and displacement points.

To move an existing viewport: type PS [enter], then type MOVE [enter], click on the existing viewport, [enter], and indicate base and displacement points.

To make the frame around a viewport disappear: type PS [enter], then click on the boundary of the viewport, and use the layer pulldown palette to assign the viewport to a new layer. Turn this layer off, or freeze the layer.

Viewports and scale.

By definition, when a model space drawing is viewed through a paper space viewport, the drawing is seen at scale. The ratio between the actual size of the drawing and its printed size is called the scale factor.

Changing viewport scale. To change the apparent size (i. e. the scale) of a drawing within a viewport: type PS [enter], then click on the edge of the viewport, then click on “Standard Scale” and select a scale from the list.

OR… Type MS [enter], click inside the viewport, type Z [enter] (for ZOOM), and then type 1/nXP (where n equals the desired scale factor, such as 1/96 for 1/8” = 1’-0”).

April 9, 2015April 9, 2015 by mikechristenson

AutoCAD: Applying Dimensions.

To apply dimensions in paper space:

Click on a layout tab. Create a viewport and set its scale as desired. View all or part of the drawing through the viewport.
Use the MV command to lock the viewport. This prevents zooming and panning within the viewport; zooming changes the scale, which throws off the consistent scale of dimensions applied through the viewport.
Apply dimensions using any of the methods described below.

Dimensioning Using the DIM Command.

Type DIM at the command prompt; this invokes a special dimensioning prompt which responds to special commands including HOR (horizontal), VER (vertical), ALIGNED (diagonal), or ORDINATE (i. e., datum level). Generally, these commands apply dimensions by asking you to specify two “extension line origin” points (i. e., the points you are measuring between) and a “dimension line location.” ORDINATE asks for a “feature location” and a “leader endpoint.”

Linear dimensions.

Use the Annotate > Dimension > Linear command (or DIMLINEAR at the command prompt) to apply automatic linear dimension strings to a drawing.

Ordinate dimensions.

Use the Annotate > Dimension > Ordinate command to apply automatic datum elevations to an elevation or section drawing. (Note: To change the datum point, use the UCS command to define a temporary origin point for the coordinate system.)

“Quick Dimensioning” (QDIM and QLEADER).

Use QDIM to quickly apply a series of dimensions to selected objects. Use QLEADER to apply and control settings for leader (arrow) lines.

See also:

AutoCAD: Using Dimensions.

AutoCAD Tutorial: Dimensions. http://www.cadtutor.net/tutorials/autocad/dimensioning.php

April 9, 2015April 9, 2015 by mikechristenson

AutoCAD: Using Dimensions.

Introduction.

Dimensions are annotations which communicate information about sizes and locations of items within assemblies and structures.

A dimension in AutoCAD is an object consisting of, at a minimum, two points in space and a number indicating the length between these points. The number is created automatically by AutoCAD: a dimension can be thought of as combining the functions of the DIST (distance) command and the TEXT command.

A typical application of dimensions in an AutoCAD drawing is consistent with the following:

1. Dimensions are assigned to a unique layer.

2. Dimensions are formatted to produce uniform text and arrow sizes across multiple drawing scales.

Dimension styles.

Every dimension added to an AutoCAD drawing is subject to the settings of a dimension style. Every drawing has a minimum of one dimension style called Standard. This style can be modified or renamed, but not deleted entirely.

To modify an existing dimension style, type DIMSTYLE (or expand the Annotate> Dimensions panel) to bring up the Dimension Style Manager dialog box. Click on the Modify button. (See comments on style settings below.)

To add a new dimension style, type DIMSTYLE (or expand the Annotate> Dimensions panel) to bring up the Dimension Style Manager dialog box. Click on the New button. Every new style is necessarily based on the settings for an existing style, although these can be modified.

To change drawn dimensions from one style to another style, use either the MA command or the CH command.

Dimension Style Settings.

Use the Modify button in the Dimension Style Manager box to change dimension style settings.

In the Modify Dimension Style dialog box, tabs organize the settings into seven categories:

Lines. These settings control the appearance of the lines which compose dimension strings: for example, are the extension lines offset from object corners, and to what amount?

Symbols and Arrows. Arrowheads are chosen from a preset list or are assigned a block from the drawing. To produce consistent results, arrow sizes should be set according to their intended printed size. An arrow size no greater than 1/4” is typical.

Text. These settings control the appearance of text in dimension strings. Text settings are subject to the settings of the current text style (separately controlled with the STYLE command). For predictable results, text height should be set in a text style as 0 (zero) and in a dimension style according to its intended printed size. Dimension text height no greater than 1/4” is typical.

Fit. The settings on the Fit tab control (a) the automatic placement of text around dimension strings and (b) the overall scale of dimension features. For ease of use, the dimension features should be set to scale to paper space (but more on this later).

Primary Units. These settings control the type and format of units in dimension strings. Note that these settings are independent of the settings in the UNITS command.

Alternate Units. These settings allow simultaneous display of (for example) English and Metric units.

Tolerances. Used primarily in engineering drawings.

Dimensioning in Paper Space.

Consistency of appearance is important for dimensions. The easiest way to produce consistent results is to apply dimensions to your drawing while viewing your work through a paper space viewport. The advantages of this method are:

1. Dimensions are automatically scaled to the viewport scale.

2. The appearance of all dimensions, regardless of their size and scale, is controlled by a single dimension style.

Note: It is also possible, though procedurally more difficult if consistent results are desired, to apply dimensions directly in the model space. This method requires that the dimension features be manually scaled to correspond with the intended printing scale of the drawing (or portion of the drawing): use the overall scale feature on the Fit tab to do this.

See also:

AutoCAD: Applying Dimensions.

AutoCAD Tutorial: Dimensions. http://www.cadtutor.net/tutorials/autocad/dimensioning.php

January 20, 2015 by mikechristenson

Step-by-Step: AutoCAD Tutorial / Shipping Container

THIS TUTORIAL is a brief introduction to basic modeling tools in AutoCAD. It leads to the creation of a simplified model of a shipping container.

1 SET UP YOUR PROJECT:

1.1 Open AutoCAD and begin a New Project.

Under the [Application Menu] (upper left hand corner of the screen), choose New Drawing; use the acad.dwt template.

1.2 Turn off the background grid.

Type GRID at the Command prompt, then type OFF. The background grid is a legacy feature from old versions of AutoCAD. Its spacing can be changed by typing GRID. The SNAP command is related although SNAP can be set to snap to off-grid points.

1.3 Turn off the Dynamic User Coordinate System.

Click repeatedly on the DUCS button below the Command prompt until you see the indication “<Dynamic UCS off>.” The Dynamic User Coordinate System is a feature which dynamically adjusts the XYZ coordinate system while you draw. However, its results are often unpredictable.

1.4 Set the drawing units to feet and inches.

Type UNITS at the Command prompt, then set the Length type to Architectural. Click OK. This setting changes how AutoCAD interprets the numbers and dimensions you enter. “Architectural” units mean feet and inches.

1.5 Set up the drawing layers.

Type LAYER at the Command prompt. This opens the Layer Properties Manager panel. Using this panel, click the New Layer button to create layers named GRID, WALLS, FLOOR, ROOF, and DOOR. Set each layer to a unique color. These layers will store the objects you build. Layer names and colors are arbitrary. In particular, colors should not be expected to bear any relationship to the material being represented. It is conventional to choose distinct colors to make it easy to visually discern objects in different layers.

1.6 Set the GRID layer as the current layer.

Type -LA at the Command prompt, then type S, then type GRID, then click Enter twice. The current layer will receive any newly created objects.

1.7 Turn on the ORTHO function.

Click the [F8] key repeatedly until you see the note “<Ortho On>” at the Command prompt. The ORTHO function is an on-off switch, constraining many of the drawing and editing tools to moving along the X-Y axes.

1.8 Turn on the OSNAP function.

Click the [F3] key repeatedly until you see the note “<Osnap On>” at the Command prompt. The OSNAP function is an on-off switch, constraining many of the drawing and editing tools to “lock” to predefined points in the model.

1.9 Set the object snaps.

Type OS at the Command prompt. Make sure that the snaps for Intersection, Endpoint, and Midpoint are highlighted. Press OK. Object snaps are user-determined.

1.10 Draw a base rectangle.

Type REC at the Command prompt. When prompted, enter 0,0 as the start point. For the second point, enter 38’4,7’5. This base rectangle does not represent a built component. Instead, it measures the distance between alignment holes in the shipping container.

1.11 Zoom out.

Type Z at the Command prompt, then type E. At this point, the model should look like the diagram below. This keyboard command quickly zooms to show the entire model.

2 CONSTRUCT CORNER BLOCKS:

2.1 Navigate into 3D modeling space.

Type 3DO (3D-Orbit). Use the left mouse button to pan and rotate the view in 3D space. Up until this point, you have been working in 3D space but viewing it in a 2D view (plan view). The 3DO tool allows you to navigate in 3D space.

2.2 Set FLOOR as the current layer.

Type -LA at the Command prompt, then type S, then type FLOOR, then click Enter twice. The current layer will receive any newly created objects.

2.3 Zoom in on the lower right-hand corner of the base rectangle.

Spin the center wheel on the mouse, or type Z at the Command prompt and click two points to define a zoom window. Zooming in gives you the ability to work with greater precision.

2.4 Begin to build a box at the intersection of the gridlines.

Type BOX. Hover the mouse over the corner of the rectangle until the Intersection indicator appears. Click the mouse button. The BOX command builds solid rectangular boxes.

2.5 Complete the box.

To complete the base of the box, type @7,-6.5. For the height, type 4.5. At this point, the model should look like the diagram below (zoomed-in view): The @ symbol tells AutoCAD to use “relative coordinates” for the base of the box.

2.6 Move the box into the correct position.

Type M at the Command prompt. Select the box by clicking on its edge. Click [Enter] to complete the selection process. When prompted for a base point, click anywhere in the drawing window. Move the mouse in the positive Y-direction and type 3. Click [Enter]. Repeat this procedure, moving the box 2.5 inches in the negative X-direction. This step shows that it is sometimes much easier to construct AutoCAD objects in a temporary, incorrect position, and then to move the objects into their permanent, correct position.

2.7 Zoom out.

Type Z at the Command prompt, then type E. This causes AutoCAD to display the entire model.

2.8 Mirror the box to the opposite side of the rectangle.

Type MI at the Command prompt. Click on the box to select it. Press [Enter] to complete the selection process. When prompted to select the first point of the mirror line, hover the mouse near the midpoint of one of the sides of the base rectangle. Click on a midpoint of the side. For the second point, move the mouse and AutoCAD will preview the mirrored location of the corner box. Click to complete the command. When prompted to erase the source objects, type N. The MIRROR command reflects objects through a line.

2.9 Mirror two boxes to the opposite side of the rectangle.

Repeat the previous command, but select both corner boxes this time.

3 CONSTRUCT THE FLOOR:

3.1 Build the floor.

Type BOX. The base of the box should coincide with the outside, top corners of the corner boxes; its height is 2”.

4 CONSTRUCT CORNER POSTS:

4.1 Set the Visual Style to Conceptual.

Type VISUALSTYLES. In the resulting panel, double-click on the Conceptual preview. Visual Styles control how AutoCAD displays objects.

4.2 Set WALLS as the current layer.

Type -LA at the Command prompt, then type S, then type WALLS, then click Enter twice. The current layer will receive any newly created objects.

4.3 Zoom in on the lower right-hand corner of the base.

Spin the center wheel on the mouse, or type Z at the Command prompt and click two points to define a zoom window.

4.4 Build the front corner post.

Type BOX. For the first corner, click on the corner of the floor. Type @-9.5,2. For the height, type 7’7” (seven feet, seven inches).

4.5 Zoom out.

Type Z at the Command prompt, then type E.

4.6 Zoom in on the lower left-hand corner of the base.

Spin the center wheel on the mouse, or type Z at the Command prompt and click two points to define a zoom window.

4.7 Draw the outline of the rear corner post.

Type PLINE. Click on the corner of the floor to begin drawing an outline of the corner post. Refer to the diagram below for dimensions. For each new point, move the mouse in the direction you want to draw, and type the distance. Press [Enter] to complete the outline. The PLINE command creates a “polyline” (a single object consisting of multiple straight or curved segments). In AutoCAD (as distinct from Rhino), a PLINE must be on a single plane. A closed polyline can be used as the base for a solid extrusion, as shown in the next step.

4.8 Extrude the outline vertically to create the post.

Type EXTRUDE. Click on the outline of the corner post to select it. Click [Enter] to complete the selection process. For the height, type 7’7” (seven feet, seven inches).

5 CONSTRUCT THE SIDE WALL:

5.1 Set a plan view.

Type PLAN. Press [Enter[ to select the Current option. The PLAN command will show a plan according to the currently defined coordinate system (“UCS”) – by default, showing a plan view of the xy plane.

5.2 Begin the centerline of a wall panel.

Type PLINE.

5.3 Complete the centerline.

Click on a point away from the shipping container to begin drawing an outline of the wall panel (we will move the panel into position later). Refer to the diagram below for dimensions. For the first segment, begin at the left, move the mouse to the right, and type 1.5. For the second segment, type @3<330. For the third and final segment, move the mouse to the right, and type 1.5. Again, in this step, we are creating an object in a temporary, incorrect position, so that we can move it into its permanent, correct position later.

5.4 Offset the centerline to create the edges of the wall panel.

Type OF. Type 1/16 to set the offset distance. Click on the polyline you just drew, and then click once above it. Repeat the OF (OFFSET) command, but this time click below the line. The OFFSET command creates a copy of the original object, “offset” by a specified distance.

5.5 Erase the original polyline.

Type E. Click on the original polyline to select it. Press [Enter] to complete the selection process.

5.6 Join the edges of the wall panel.

Type L. Draw a line at each end of the panel outline to “cap” it.

5.7 Combine the segments into a single polyline.

Type PE. Then type M for Multiple. Draw a selection window around the entire outline of the wall panel. Press [Enter] to complete the selection process. When prompted, type Y to convert the selection to polylines. Finally, type J to join the segments into a single polyline. The “fuzz distance” is 0’-0”. Press [Enter] or [Esc] to complete the command. The PE command (Polyline Edit) has several options, including the option to join previously unconnected segments into a single polyline. However, the unconnected segments must have aligned endpoints.

5.8 Navigate into 3D modeling space.

Type 3DO. Use the left mouse button to pan and rotate the view in 3D space. 3DO (three-dimensional orbit) is a fundamental command for navigating three-dimensional space in AutoCAD.

5.9 Zoom out.

Type Z at the Command prompt, then type E.

5.10 Extrude the outline vertically to create the wall panel.

Type EXTRUDE. Click on the outline of the wall panel to select it. Click [Enter] to complete the selection process. For the height, type 7’7” (seven feet, seven inches).

5.11 Move the wall panel into position.

Type MOVE. Click on the wall panel to select it. For the base point, click the back corner of the panel. For the second point, click the corner of the corner post. Refer to the diagram below to see the correct position.

5.12 Mirror the panel.

Type MI. Select the wall panel. For the first point, click a point on the end of the wall panel. For the second point, move the mouse and AutoCAD will preview the mirrored location of the wall panel. Click to complete the command. When prompted to erase the source objects, type N.

5.13 Array the panel.

Type -AR. (Note the dash before the AR.) Select the two wall panels and press [Enter]. For the type of array, type R. For the number of rows, type 1. For the number of columns, type 40. For the distance between columns, click on points A and B in the diagram above. The -AR (Array) command is used to make multiple copies of a single object, according to defined rules.

5.14 Zoom out.

Type Z at the Command prompt, then type E.

5.15 Zoom in on the lower right-hand corner of the container.

Spin the center wheel on the mouse, or type Z at the Command prompt and click two points to define a zoom window.

5.16 Fill the gap in the wall.

Use the BOX command to build a box filling the gap between the final wall panel and the corner post.

6 CONSTRUCT OBJECTS AT TOP OF WALL:

6.1 Zoom out.

Type Z at the Command prompt, then type E.

6.2 Copy the corner blocks to the top of the wall.

Type COPY. Select the corner blocks (from the FLOOR layer). Copy them vertically so that they are set on top of the corner posts.

6.3 Change the layer of the copied corner blocks.

Type -CH (Note the dash before the CH). Select the two corner blocks you just copied. Type P for Properties, then LA for layer. Type WALLS to assign these objects to the WALLS layer. Finally, press [Enter] to complete the command. The -CH (Change) command enables you to change properties of an object, such as its layer, color, linetype, lineweight, and so on. (Keep in mind, however, that properties such as color and linetype are usually set as BYLAYER so that they can be controlled on a global level.)

6.4 Zoom in on the top of the left end of the wall.

Spin the center wheel on the mouse, or type Z at the Command prompt and click two points to define a zoom window.

6.5 Draw a rectangle on top of the corner post.

Type REC. Refer to the diagram below to locate the rectangle correctly. (Click on the corner points marked A and B.) This rectangle will be used in the next step as a base for the top rail.

6.6 Build a rail along the top of the wall.

Type BOX. Begin the box by clicking on the corner point marked C in the diagram above. For the second point, zoom in on the other end of the wall, and click on the point marked D in the diagram below. For the height, type 4.5.

7 MIRROR OBJECTS:

7.1 Zoom out.

Type Z at the Command prompt, then type E.

7.2 Draw a temporary mirror line.

Type L. Draw a line from the midpoint of one of the short sides of the floor, away from the shipping container. (We will erase this line later.)

7.3 Isolate the WALLS layer.

Type -LA. Then type OF. Then type * (asterisk). When prompted to turn off the current layer, type N. Press [Enter] to complete the command. Isolating a layer sometimes makes it easier to work.

7.4 Mirror the objects in the WALLS layer.

Type MI. Draw a window around all of the objects in the WALLS layer. For the first point, click a point on the end of the temporary line you just drew. For the second point, move the mouse and AutoCAD will preview the mirrored location of the objects. Click to complete the command. When prompted to erase the source objects, type N.

7.5 Restore the previous layer settings.

Type LAYERP. LAYERP (Layer Previous) restores the previous layer settings.

7.6 Erase the temporary mirror line.

Type E to erase the temporary mirror line.

8 CONSTRUCT THE REAR WALL:

8.1 Zoom in on the left side of the shipping container.

Spin the center wheel on the mouse, or type Z at the Command prompt and click two points to define a zoom window.

8.2 Rotate the view so you are looking at the back of the container.

(Refer to the picture below.) Type 3DO. Use the left mouse button to pan and rotate the view in 3D space.

8.3 Build a rear wall.

Type BOX. For the first corner, click on a point away from the shipping container (we will move the box into its correct position later). For the other corner of the box base, type @1,-6’6. For the height, type 7’7.

8.4 Move the wall into its correct position.

Type M. Select the rear wall and set it in place, so that its outer face aligns with the midpoint of the corner post as shown in the figure below.

8.5 Zoom in on the top of the rear wall.

(See the diagram below.) Spin the center wheel on the mouse, or type Z at the Command prompt and click two points to define a zoom window.

8.6 Draw a rectangle on top of the corner post.

(See the diagram above.) Type REC. Refer to the diagram above to locate the rectangle correctly. (Click on the corner points marked A and This rectangle will be used in the next step as a base for the top rail.

8.7 Build a rail along the top of the rear wall.

9 CONSTRUCT THE ROOF:

9.1 Zoom out.

Type Z at the Command prompt, then type E.

9.2 Zoom in on the right side (the front) of the shipping container.

Spin the center wheel on the mouse, or type Z at the Command prompt and click two points to define a zoom window.

9.3 Build a rail across the top of the door opening.

Type BOX. Use the points on the corner boxes to set the dimensions of the box base. If you use the points at the top of the corner boxes, you can set the height as -4.5 (negative 4.5) and the box will fit between the corner boxes as shown in the diagram below.

9.4 Set ROOF as the current layer.

Type -LA, then type S, then type ROOF, then click Enter twice. The current layer will receive any newly created objects.

9.5 Zoom out.

Type Z at the Command prompt, then type E.

9.6 Outline the roof.

Type PL. Trace the outline of the roof opening between the top rails on all four walls. Press [Enter] to complete the outline.

9.7 Isolate the ROOF layer.

Type -LA. Then type OF. Then type * (asterisk). When prompted to turn off the current layer, type N. Press [Enter] to complete the command.

9.8 Extrude the roof.

Type EXTRUDE. Select the outline you just drew and use -1 (negative 1) as the height.

10 CONSTRUCT THE DOOR:

10.1 Restore the previous layer settings.

Type LAYERP.

10.2 Set DOOR as the current layer.

Type -LA, then type S, then type DOOR, then click Enter twice. The current layer will receive any newly created objects.

10.3 Rotate the view so you are looking at the front of the container.

(Refer to the picture below.) Type 3DO. Use the left mouse button to pan and rotate the view in 3D space.

10.4 Build the first door.

10.5 Move the door into its correct position.

Type M. Select the door and set it in place, so that its inner face aligns with the point marked A in the figure below.

10.6 Mirror the door.

Type MI. Select the door and mirror it around the midpoint of the shipping container floor. The model is complete.

Architectural Software

Category / AutoCAD

Developing a Wall Section in AutoCAD and Illustrator

Rhino to AutoCAD Workflow: Cutting a Section

3DS Max Design: Importing and Linking Models.

AutoCAD: Working in 3D Space.

AutoCAD: Plot Style Tables.

AutoCAD: The XREF command.

AutoCAD: Layouts and Viewports.

AutoCAD: Applying Dimensions.

AutoCAD: Using Dimensions.

Step-by-Step: AutoCAD Tutorial / Shipping Container