7/2/2014 Free CAD Tutorial 3-2 Isometric Drawing - AutoCAD 2008

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3.2 - ISOMETRIC DRAWING 2D TO LOOK LIKE 3D

LESSON 3-1 INTRODUCTION TO 3-D LESSON 3-9 ADDING MATERIALS

LESSON 3-2 ISOMETRIC DRAWING LESSON 3-10 PRIMITIVE SOLIDS

LESSON 3-3WORKING IN 3

DIMENSIONS LESSON 3-11 BOOLEAN OPERATIONS

LESSON 3-4 VIEWING 3-D OBJECTS LESSON 3-12CHANGING FROM THE WCS TO

THE UCS

LESSON 3-5BASIC WIREFRAME

MODELS LESSON 3-13 MAPPING MATERIALS

LESSON 3-6 LINE THICKNESS LESSON 3-14 CREATING NEW MATERIALS

LESSON 3-7 REGIONS AND 3-D FACES LESSON 3-15EXTRA PROJECTS AND A

TUTORIAL

LESSON 3-7aMORE ABOUT EXTRUDING

& LOFTING LESSON 3-16PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER -

MODEL A BUILDING

LESSON 3-8 REVOLVED OBJECTS LESSON 3-17INTRODUCTION TO RENDERING

AND LIGHTING

For an updated 2012 tutorial, please click here.Topics covered in this Lesson:

Isometric drawing proceduresLESSON 3-2 - ISOMETRIC DRAWING

Using Isometric commands is one of the simplest ways to give a 3-D representation while using only 2-D commands. This has been the usual way of doing things before CAD allowed true 3-D work to bedone. Many times an isometric drawing is used to compliment a 3 view orthographic drawing. See thesample below.

7/2/2014 Free CAD Tutorial 3-2 Isometric Drawing - AutoCAD 2008

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You can see that it is a very simple drawing. This basic isometric drawing of the object gives a verygood idea of what it looks like. If this is all that is needed then isometric works well. Unfortunately, assoon as you change anything, like the block's height, you'll need to redraw all four views.

AutoCAD has a command called ISOPLANE which allows you to easily draw at a 30 degree angle as

needed for an isometric drawing. You can switch between the three 'isoplanes' (top, right, left) by usingthis command or by pressing the F5 key.

Command: ISOPLANE <ENTER> Current isoplane: RightEnter isometric plane setting [Left/Top/Right] <Left>: T<ENTER>Current isoplane: Top

By invoking this command, AutoCAD is now set to draw on the top isoplane. Your other choices wouldbe Left or Right. Your first exercise will be to draw the object shown above using isometric methods.

Exercise 1 - ISOMETRIC DRAWING

Begin a new drawing using the acad.dwt template

Create a layer called OBJECT and give it a green color. Make this your current layer.

7/2/2014 Free CAD Tutorial 3-2 Isometric Drawing - AutoCAD 2008

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Type in DDRMODES to bring up the Drawing Aids dialog box. Make your settings the same as what

you see below (just turn on Isometric Snap).

Press OK and you'll see that the grid is set up for isometric drawing for the left isoplane in 1/2"increments. Your crosshairs are now angled to show you which isoplane you are currently on and theGrid is laid out differently from what you may be used to..

Begin by drawing the left side of the box (shown at the top of the lesson) using the line command.

Ignore the hole at this point. You will want to use the Direct Distance Entry System for this exerciseand make sure that you have Ortho (F8)and Osnaps (F3) turned on.

Switch to your right isoplane (F5) and draw the right side.

Switch to your top isoplane (F5) and draw the top view.

7/2/2014 Free CAD Tutorial 3-2 Isometric Drawing - AutoCAD 2008

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Create the angle lines to add the angled surface.

Switch back to the left isoplane and start the ellipse command. At the command prompt, press Ifor isocircle. This will allow you to create an ellipse at the correct angle based on the radius of the circlein the orthographic drawing. Use the Osnap to pick the correct center point.

Save your drawing in your CAD folder.

To dimension an isometric drawing, you have to do a few things first. Create a text style called Left, and

give it a 30o obliquing angle, then create another called right with a -30o obliquing angle. Then create anew dimension style that has the text aligned with the dimension line. After you have placed adimension, use the DIMEDIT command to change the obliquing angle of the dimension + or - 30

degrees. You may also need to use the properties to change the text in the dimension to left or rightdepending upon the orientation of the dimension.

Keep in mind that this is still only 2D. Remember that in some instances, it may be quicker and easierto use this method rather than the more complex 3-D methods you'll be learning in the followinglessons.

View the video about Isometric Drawing.

Extra Practice: Copy this drawing using isometric drawing methods.

Extra Practice: Copy this drawing using isometric drawing methods. If you want to add the hiddenlines, jump ahead to Lesson 4-3 to learn about linetypes.

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