AutoCAD 3D Commands

Working in 3D Autocad is similar to working in the 2D drafting space. We first access the Autocad 3D commands by opening up the 3D workspace. Open the Workspace Shifter pop-up menu on the bottom right of the screen and choose 3D Modeling. Wait a few seconds whereupon the 3D creation, modify and navigation tools appear as tabs on the top Ribbon panel. To create a new file go to the top left Application button and choose New followed by the 3D dwt template file. We are now in the 3D workspace.

There are several ways to issue commands in Autocad 3D, the most obvious being the tools on the top Ribbon. An example of this is the creation of a box by clicking on the Box tool. We now observe the bottom Command line which is waiting for the user to add further information. In the case of the box tool it's asking you to specify the adjacent corners of the box base followed by the height of the box. To utilize Autocad's accuracy and precision, we would now punch in the numerical values of those box edges.

Another, equally valid, method of entering commands is through the use of keyboard shortcuts like L for Line, or C to create a circle. A full list of such shortcuts may be found at AutoDesk's users' guide website. The crucial point is to always observe the Command line to see what information Autocad's asking for. The program being very procedural, a function will fail to work, usually due to the user missing a step or omitting some required information.

By right-clicking anywhere on the screen context-sensitive commands appear in a list - this is the third method of entering commands.

Once we have grasped the methods of creating basic objects, we can use these steps to create 3D blocks. This will greatly increase the user's efficiency and workflow. Such blocks operate in the same way that blocks are used in Autocad's 2D drafting process. For repeated elements such as nuts, bolts, doors, windows, and fasteners we can save time by can creating them as blocks, to be simply inserted into the model at various points. We may also want to use these features in later drawings.

After it's been created a 3D block may be inserted into our model many times, each time being inserted at a different point, scaling and rotation, if required. Any part of a 3D model may be converted into a block, and saved within the drawing. 3D Blocks, like their 2D counterparts, can also be dismantled using the Explode tool where they become objects made up of their primitive elements again. We can then edit and resave these as our own versions of the block.

It's a good idea to create a block on Layer 0, which will allow the block to adopt the colour and linetype of the active layer. To create a block once the object is complete, select the Create Block icon on the Draw toolbar, or (in the Macintosh version of Autocad) select from the top drop-down menus Draw, Block and Make. A dialog box appears: name the block, select an Insertion point and click the Select Objects button to select the components which make up the block. Then press Enter and OK. Upon saving the drawing the Block will be saved within the drawing itself; there are no external libraries of blocks as such.

The block may be inserted into a drawing via the Insert dropdown list and choose Block, or by clicking the Insert Block button on the Draw toolbar. We then click the Browse button on the dialog box to navigate to a drawing where a block is saved. There are millions of free 3D blocks on the Internet which can be inserted into your drawing and modified. Manufacturing companies often list blocks on their websites, encouraging you to buy their products.


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Tom Gillan has been training Autocad 3D to corporate clients in Sydney for seven years. If you like to know more about Autocad 3D, visit http://www.designworkshopsydney.com.au/autocad-3d-courses/ for more information.