Model it in 3D (Draw the parts of the object, bind them together) and then have Autocad generate the isometric views.

That is how I did it when I was had a draftsman gig (doing engineering drawings).

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- rabbit.joker [funny¿rabbit] | www.rabbitjoker.com |www.ddtt.org

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Last edited by rabbitjoker on May-25-2006 at 04:31

Oh LOL I should have added that I have NEVER used the program. Point me in the direction of a bloomberg terminal and I know it inside out.

Is there something simpler like a dummies version of modelling? I basically need to make a shoe with an adjustable heel at different heights

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Find yourself a copy of SolidWorks, it does 3D CAD about eighty bajillion times better than AutoCAD does.

AutoCAD rocks my socks for 2D drafting, but the new 3D feature set is absolute trash in my opinion.

We used to do what RJ did as well with 3D Studio Max, modelling it first in that and then projecting it into AutoCAD to make the working drawings.

quote:

Originally posted by riskytrader Oh LOL I should have added that I have NEVER used the program. Point me in the direction of a bloomberg terminal and I know it inside out. Is there something simpler like a dummies version of modelling? I basically need to make a shoe with an adjustable heel at different heights

There are icons to create objects (cubes, spheres, curves, planes, etc)...

Use those to create the various parts of the shoe. If you want to remove a corner of the cube, create a smaller cube/sphere/plane (the size that you want removed) and then bind the smaller piece inside the larger one and then delete (cut out) the smaller piece from the larger one (thus creating the indentation).

Keep doing that (creating, binding, cutting) until you have the 3d shape that you want. If you're a real keener - define the materials for the 3D render.

Then generate your isometric (top, bottom, left/right views) and add dimensions to the iso and you're done.

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- rabbit.joker [funny¿rabbit] | www.rabbitjoker.com |www.ddtt.org

Dark Dirty Tech Tribal. | Hands in air (trance) and feet on the floor (house).

PTC has a software called ProEngineer Wildfire.
Link

It's not as powerful as solidworks but it's something easy to pick up. It took me about 30 hrs to master it well so it's not as time consuming and doesn't require as much practice as solidworks or Autocad 3D. Autocad took about 60hrs of practice and I still hate it.

edit: ProE has alotta mechanical engineering applications besides just design including 3D digital stress analysis testing, fluidmechanical modeling and presentation rendering with full animations. The idea is ur buidling the 3D model and ProE does the 2D with a bit of work so it applies to alotta fields, not only engineering. U can use all three standard projections in terms of 2D drawings.. either isometric projection (mech eng standard), or the other two standards (diametric and trimetric) for civils and archies.

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Last edited by Rocco on May-25-2006 at 04:28

If you don't require a 3D render, then just do the isometrics which is even more straight forward. Iso generated via 3D just saves time if you require both.

Same process for isometric.

Draw the box, cut out the parts you don't need, project the shape onto the other planes.

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- rabbit.joker [funny¿rabbit] | www.rabbitjoker.com |www.ddtt.org

Dark Dirty Tech Tribal. | Hands in air (trance) and feet on the floor (house).

or u could try 3DS Max, its pretty simple to use. just have to go through a few tutorials (which don't take long at all) and you're set. easy to use, and will get the job done.

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what do u need to model? I can help you if it isn't too complex. I don't have much free time due to work.

quote:

Originally posted by VERTiG0 Find yourself a copy of SolidWorks, it does 3D CAD about eighty bajillion times better than AutoCAD does. AutoCAD rocks my socks for 2D drafting, but the new 3D feature set is absolute trash in my opinion. We used to do what RJ did as well with 3D Studio Max, modelling it first in that and then projecting it into AutoCAD to make the working drawings.

+1
Solidworks> Autocad

If you've never used CAD before, sketch up is the best program to start with. I've found it is the easiest program for beginnners in 3D modelling.

i used autocad back in highschool and i was awesome at it.
but when it comes to 3d stuff, ummm...i need to learn it first.

what are you trying to make?

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