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New to 3D? Maybe one of the first questions that come to mind is, "Can I convert my 2D into a 3D Model?" The answer is "Yes." Before we start learning this conversion, let's learn 3D visualization first.

In 2D drafting, all views, VIZ. Plan, Elevation, Side Views and Sections are drawn on the same plane [XY Plane]. If Plan is placed on XY plane, the Left View is placed on ZX plane and Front View is placed on YZ plane. Without actual 3D creation, one can visualize the shape of the would-be model. Follow my simple steps below.

Placing 2D Views on 3D Planes

Step A
The drafting community understands well the views represented as 2D diagrams, shown below.

Draw I-Section (Blue) as shown in figure. Draw Steel Plate (Magenta) attached to I-Section. The PLAN – useful for deciding X-distance and Y-distance of objects. The FRONT & RIGHT VIEW – useful for deciding Z-distance of objects. That means you have the raw material ready, spanning in all three dimensions, which is required for creating the 3D Model. Other views, if available, would be useful for deciding PLACE of object in this assembly.

Step B

Let's try to place each view at the appropriate plane to visualize 3D Model creation. The PLAN in the figure above is parallel to XY plane of Default UCS, which we will keep as is. The Front View must be rotated at 90 degrees, in such a way that entire view looks like a line in plan view. After rotation, the FRONT VIEW will be parallel to the ZX plane. Rotate the Right Side View at 90 degrees to make it parallel to the ZX plane and then rotate it again at 90 degrees to make it finally parallel to YZ plane.

Rotate3d is the name of the command for rotating objects across the planes. Note: The Rotate command only rotates objects in the XY plane. Now do as described below.

Command: rotate3d
Current positive angle: ANGDIR=counterclockwise ANGBASE=0d0'0.00">br> Select Objects: Select only Front View including text written as FRONT VIEW
Select Objects: Press Enter
Specify first point on axis or define axis by [Object/Last/View/Xaxis/Yaxis/Zaxis/2points]: Select END point at A and B as shown in figure above>
Specify rotation angle or [Reference]: 90

The resulting figure is shown below.

Step C

Now use the Rotate3D command in a similar manner to rotate the RIGHT SIDE VIEW. The result is shown below. Please remember that you are still working in default World UCS.

Now we will use the Rotate command to rotate the RIGHT SIDE VIEW (C-D in figure above) at -90 degrees to make it parallel to the YZ plane.

Command: rotate
Current positive angle in UCS: ANGDIR=counterclockwise ANGBASE=0d0'0.00"
Select objects: Select RIGHT SIDE VIEW (visible as line C - D in above figure)
Select objects: Press Enter
Specify base point: Select point near D
Specify rotation angle or [Reference]: -90

The resulting figure is shown below.

Step D

Now we will view all VIEWS in 3D view.

Command: VPOINT
Current view direction: VIEWDIR=0.0000,0.0000,1.0000
Specify a view point or [Rotate] <display compass and tripod>: Select point in quadrant iii, between North Pole and Equator
Regenerating model

The resulting figure is shown below. After Moving FRONT VIEW and RIGHT SIDE VIEW at the appropriate location, objects are ready for 3D visualization.

Placing 2D views on 3D planes gives you a good idea of 3D visualization without creating actual 3D. This technique of representation will create the base for your future learning. It is also useful for taking a first-hand look on any 3D project.

Ready for actual 3D Solid Model creation from 2D View? Explore BPOLY or BOUNDARY, REGION and EXTRUDE command.

BPOLY or BOUNDARY: These commands allow you to create LWPOLYLINE by detecting an island among 2D objects. BPOLY/BOUNDARY command will open a dialog box as shown below.

Click Pick Point and select point within the island of objects to create a new object

Command: bpoly Select internal point: Select at point A Selecting everything... Selecting everything visible... Analyzing the selected data... Analyzing internal islands... Select internal point: Press Enter BOUNDARY created 1 polyline As per setting of current color (GREEN in this case), one BOUNDARY will be created, which is a separate LWPOLYLINE object. The enlarged BOUNDARY is shown in another figure.

Good news! BOUNDARY can be extruded in Z direction.

REGION: Regions are 2D enclosed areas created from combinations of objects that form closed loops. The prime condition for forming a region is end point connectivity of all objects you wish to convert in Region.

As Pline, Line, Arc are connected to form a closed loop, Region can be created from these objects. Even BOUNDARY can be created by detecting island IN THE object.

Command: region
Select objects: Select objects by Window or another suitable method 10 found
Select objects: Press Enter
1 loop extracted
1 Region created

Good news! REGION can be extruded in Z direction.

EXTRUDE: This command converts objects created with BOUNDARY and REGION into 3D Solids. BOUNDARY or REGION are spanning in XY plane only; with extrude you can add extrusion to it in Z direction.

Command: extrude Current wire frame density: ISOLINES=4 Select objects: Select green object already Created with BPOLY command Select objects: Press Enter Specify height of extrusion or [Path]: 300 Specify angle of taper for extrusion <0>: 0 Now view object using Vpoint command. The result is shown below.

While extruding the object, you can provide positive angle for IN taper and negative angle for OUT taper. The 10 and -10 degree taper extrusion is shown in the figures below.

Ready for actual 3D Solid Model creation from 2D View? Let's do it with the same objects we have used for 3D visualization.

Drawing facts from the above figure:

• Size & shape/profile of I-Section is as visible in PLAN - X and Y dimensions are available here.
• Height of I-Section cannot be displayed in PLAN; it is available from FRONT or RIGHT view—it is 1262mm (Extrusion in Z direction will be equivalent to Height).
• All three dimensions required (spanning in X, Y, and Z directions) for creating 3D are available.
• Size and shape/profile of Magenta plate is NOT visible in PLAN—X and Y dimensions are NOT available here.
• Size and shape/profile of Magenta plate is NOT visible in FRONT VIEW—X and Y dimensions are NOT available here.
• Size and shape/profile of Magenta plate is visible in RIGHT SIDE VIEW—X and Y dimensions are available here.
• Thickness of plate 12mm is visible in PLAN—Extrusion in Z direction will be equivalent to Plate Thickness.
• All three dimensions required (spanning in X, Y, and Z directions) for creating 3D are available.

From the above facts, it is clear that while extruding object from 2D to 3D, UCS icon XY plane MUST be parallel to Shape/Profile of 2D.

I-Section in above example shape/profile of I-Section is parallel to World UCS.

We will use the view shown below for creating 3D. If you recall, this view was created earlier using three 2D views.

Step 1

Use PLAN command to return to World UCS. The display is shown below.

As I-Section is in 2D format, first convert it into LWPOLYLINE or REGION. Use Bpoly command. Command: bpoly Select internal point: Select Point at A Selecting everything visible... Analyzing the selected data... Analyzing internal islands... Select internal point: BOUNDARY created 1 polyline Step-2 Now use Extrude command to extrude the Object created with Step 1

Command: extrude

Current wire frame density: ISOLINES=4
Select objects: L
Select objects: Press Enter

Specify height of extrusion or [Path]: 1262
Specify angle of taper for extrusion <0>: Press Enter

I-Section is extruded in Z direction equivalent to 1262. BUT it is not visible at this moment. Use Vpoint command to observe result in 3D.

Step 3

Command: vpoint

Current view direction: VIEWDIR=0.0000,0.0000,1.0000
Specify a view point or [Rotate] <display compass and tripod>: -1,-1,1
Regenerating model

In this view you can clearly observe the ACTUAL looking I-Section extruded in Z direction. Please pay attention on UCSICON, which shows X,Y and Z all three direction clearly.

How to go back to original World View? Use command called PLAN. Command: plan Enter an option [Current ucs/Ucs/World] : w Regenerating model W indicates World UCS

With these three simple steps, 3D of I-Section is ready. For returning back to World UCS you can use PLAN command. How to create 3D for magenta color Plate Size and shape/profile of Magenta plate is NOT visible in World UCS PLAN - X and Y dimensions are NOT available here. Hence Plate can not be extruded from World UCS Plan. RIGHT SIDE VIEW - clearly shows shape/profile of Plate and hence it is suitable for converting plate shape into BOUNDARY or REGION.

FOR CREATING REGION OF PLATE 2D, CHANGE IN UCS IS REQUIRED.

Command: UCS

Current ucs name: *WORLD*
Enter an option [New/Move/orthoGraphic/Prev/Restore/Save/Del/Apply/?/World] <World>: G
Enter an option [Top/Bottom/Front/BAck/Left/Right]<Top>: R

By using above command, we are making XY plane parallel to Right Side and that is what we want for plate 3D extrusion. Please note change in UCS in figure below.

Use Vpoint command to view it in 3D view. Please note that XY is now parallel to Plate.

The Move sub option of the UCS command is useful for shifting the UCS icon from its original 0,0,0 location to the corner of the plate.

Command: ucs

Current ucs name: *RIGHT*
Enter an option [New/Move/orthoGraphic/Prev/Restore/Save/Del/Apply/?/World] <World>: m
Specify new origin point or [Zdepth]<0,0,0>: Select corner of plate as shown in figure below.

NOW, use PLAN command and get ready for a surprise.

Command: Plan Enter an option [Current ucs/Ucs/World]<Current>: Press Enter to select Current UCS Regenerating model This is different than original World UCS Plan. UCS Icon is the mechanism Autodesk has designed to shift your working plane where ever you wish and at whatever angle you wish. Make UCS your friend and remember: A Friend in need is a friend indeed

Convert plate 2D lines to REGION and use the EXTRUDE command to extrude plate equivalent to 12 mm. Use Vpoint to observe 3D.

Command: region Select objects: Select Objects by window as shown above : 8 found Select objects: Press Enter 1 loop extracted 1 Region created REGION of plate is created	Command: extrude Current wire frame density: ISOLINES=4 Select objects: Select Last Created Region Select objects: Press Enter Specify height of extrusion or [Path]: 12 Specify angle of taper for extrusion <0>: Press Enter Use Vpoint to observe extruded thickness. Plate is extruded in Z direction for 12mm

Images: Top, far right: HIDE view from fourth quadrant
Bottom, far right: SHADE view from fourth quadrant

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Submitted by Mohmed Zuber Shaikh. Mohmed is employed by Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Limited, Gandhinagar, and can be contacted via email at mzyshaikh1@yahoo.co.in.