AutoCAD: Advanced 3D Modeling

Course details

You can model almost any form imaginable with the AutoCAD 3D toolsets. In this project-based course, Scott Onstott teaches you the techniques required to solve complex modeling challenges in AutoCAD, while focusing on an innovative ebike design. Learn how to create each 3D component of the bicycle model, including its frame, belt-tensioner mechanism, drivetrain, power components, brakes, wheels, axels, hubs, spokes, handlebars, and even the bicycle seat. The techniques (which can be applied to other mechanical models) cover extruding profiles, lofting 2D cross sections, revolving profiles around an axis, filleting edges, smoothing mesh objects, sculpting complex NURBS surfaces, and much more.

Learning objectives
Establishing a layer convention and property filters
Extracting isolines
Trimming and extruding surfaces
Lofting cross sections
Sculpting watertight surfaces into solids
Sweeping and sculpting
Revolving boundaries to create surfaces
Welding objects together with Fillet Edge
Rebuilding NURBS surfaces
Offsetting a surface

Concepts

0. Introduction

01 - Design surface model with AutoCAD
02 - What you should know

1. Get Set Up

03 - Navigate in 3D space
04 - Configure 3D workspaces
05 - Configure options
06 - Create layer and property filters for 3D modeling

2. Model the Bicycle Frame

07 - Extrude and patch a surface
08 - Manipulate the user coordinate system
09 - Use Offset and regions to generate surfaces
10 - Sweep a profile along a curved path
11 - Extrude and trim surfaces
12 - Revolve profiles
13 - Extrude a profile along a curved path
14 - Draft multiple cross sections
15 - Loft surfaces from cross sections
16 - Draw cross sections along a spline
17 - Loft with the Path option

3. Create the Belt-Tensioning Mechanism

18 - Adjust a lofted object's 3D form
19 - Sculpt a solid out of watertight surfaces
20 - Use Boolean operations on solid objects
21 - Model a dropout to be sandwiched between plates
22 - Model fasteners
23 - Adjust and trim the bottom triangle
24 - Mirror the frame and belt-tensioning components

4. Build the Drivetrain Components

25 - Position cross-sectional drawings relative to a model
26 - Remove unwanted volume with Subtract
27 - Combine surface and solid modeling
28 - Configure sketches of sprockets
29 - Fillet edges and array sprocket components
30 - Create the drive belt as a solid object
31 - Duplicate and 3D rotate the sprocket
32 - Revolve, extrude, and subtract objects

5. Model the Rear Brakes

33 - Subobject editing and filleting edges
34 - Use region editing techniques
35 - Model fasteners that hold the rotor on the hub
36 - Use Boundary to generate a profile
37 - Create disk brake calipers welded onto the frame

6. Create the Rear Wheel

38 - Revolve profiles and manipulate layers
39 - Sweep a spoke along a 3D path
40 - Use Array and Mirror to fill the rim with spokes

7. Make the Power Components

41 - Build the drive unit using Extrude and Loft
42 - Model the cranks using the solid tools and point filters
43 - Smooth a mesh object
44 - Tilt up and assemble extruded objects
45 - Use 3D Align to align a pedal with crank

8. Model the Front End

46 - Loft cross sections to create a complex form
47 - Clean up 2D entities in preparation for 3D modeling
48 - Revolve boundaries to create surfaces
49 - Copy components from the rear to front axle
50 - Model the front hub
51 - Sweep spokes along 3D paths
52 - Adjust the front axle, acorn nuts, and spacer
53 - Copy and reposition the front brake calipers
54 - Copy the rim and tire to the front

9. Create the Handlebars

55 - Weld objects together with Fillet Edge
56 - Extract isolines from surfaces to loft new surfaces

10. Form the Battery Compartment

57 - Sculpt a NURBS surface using its CVs
58 - Loft between NURBS surfaces

11. Make the Seat

59 - Extrude and subtract regions
60 - Loft and revolve profiles
61 - Create a 3D path from the intersection of two extrusions
62 - Rebuild NURBS surface to optimize its control vertices
63 - Move CVs in multiple viewports
64 - Offset a surface and round its hard edges
65 - Clean up and visualize the entire bicycle

Conclusion

66 - Next steps