Learning Outcomes

When you have completed this module, you will be able to: Apply the 3DARRAY and MIRROR3D commands to construct and modify 3D models.

Modifying 3D Objects

When constructing 3D models, the only time the 2D commands ARRAY and MIRROR can be used is if all the objects that are selected in the command lie on the 2D plane of the current UCS. To array or mirror objects in 3D space, the corresponding 3D commands must be used.

3D Array

A 3D array, using the 3DARRAY command, is very similar to a 2D array, using the ARRAY command, that was taught in the AutoCAD 2D book. A rectangular and a polar 3D array can be preformed.

Rectangular Array

A 2D rectangular array uses rows and columns. In 3D, the third dimension of the array is called a level. Rows are along the Y axis, columns are along the X axis and levels are along the Z axis. Distance between the rows, columns and levels can be positive or negative. See Figure 9-1.

Polar Array

A 2D polar array only requires a XY point to array around while a 3D polar array, two XYZ points, a line or an axis must be specified to array around. See Figure 9-2.

3D Mirroring

A 3D mirror, using the MIRROR3D command, is very similar to a 2D mirror, using the MIRROR command, that was taught in the AutoCAD 2D book. A 2D mirror requires two XY points or a line to mirror around while a 3D mirror requires three XYZ points or a plane to mirror around. See Figure 9-3.

AutoCAD Command: 3DARRAY

The 3DARRAY command is used to array an object(s) in 3D space. Shortcut: none

AutoCAD Command: MIRROR3D

The MIRROR3D command is used to mirror an object(s) in 3D space. Shortcut: none

WORK ALONG: Creating a 3D Rectangular Array

Step 1

Using the NEW command, start a new drawing using the template: 3D Layout English.

Step 2

Save and name the drawing: AutoCAD 3D Workalong 09-1.

Step 3

Set layer: Model as the current layer.

Step 4

Using the figures as a reference, draw the wireframe model. Note the location of the WCS. (Figure Step 4A and 4B)

Step 5

Using the figures as a reference, draw the circle and then copy it to create a hole through the Front view. (Figure Step 5A, 5B, and 5C)

MUST KNOW: When you use the 3DARRAY command, ensure that object snap is disabled as it may affect the array by snapping to an unwanted existing object.

Step 6

Study the figure. It shows the hole pattern that will be used in the 3D ARRAY command. (Figure step 6)

AUTHOR’S COMMENTS: Before you execute the 3DARRAY command, you must set the UCS to the correct orientation and location. In this case, you will be doing a rectangular array, therefore, you will want the columns to be along the X axis, the rows along the Y axis and the levels along the Z axis.

Step 7

Ensure that Osnap is disabled.

Step 8

Ensure that the current UCS is set to the Front and enter the 3DARRAY command, as shown below, to array the holes. Your finished drawing should appear as shown. (Figure Step 8A and 8B)

Command: 3DARRAY

Select objects:

Specify opposite corner: 2 found

(Select the two circles.)

Select objects:

Enter the type of array [Rectangular/Polar] <R>:

(Rectangular array)

Enter the number of rows (—) <1>: 2

Enter the number of columns (|||) <1>: 11

Enter the number of levels (…) <1>: 2

Specify the distance between rows (—): –0.75

(In the negative Y direction.)

Specify the distance between columns (|||): 1

(In the positive X direction.)

Specify the distance between levels (…): –7.5

(In the negative Z direction.)

Command:

WORK ALONG: Creating a 3D Polar Array

Step 1

Using the NEW command, start a new drawing using the template: 3D Layout English.

Step 2

Save and name the drawing: AutoCAD 3D Workalong 09-2.

Step 3

Draw all model objects on layer: Model and all construction objects on layer: Construction. (Figure Step 3A, 3B, and 3C)

Step 4

Set the current UCS to Front and change the current view to Front. Draw three circles and a construction line from the centre to the quad as shown in the figure. Take all of the sizes from the multiview drawing. (Figure Step 4)

Step 5

Using the ARRAY command, array the construction line 192 times around. Use the centre of the circle as the basepoint for the array. (Figure Step 5)

AUTHOR’S COMMENTS: Why was the line arrayed 192 times? If you count the gear teeth, you will find there are 32. Count the number of parts (angled lines) one gear tooth requires from the same point on one tooth to the same point on the next tooth. That equals six. Therefore, 6 times 32 equals 192.

Step 6

On layer: Model, draw two gear teeth by drawing lines from the intersection of the lines and the circles. (Figure Step 6)

Step 7

Turn layer: Construction off and your drawing should appear as shown in the figure. (Figure Step 7)

Step 8

Trim the two outer circles to form the repeat pattern of one gear tooth. (Figure Step 8)

AUTHOR’S COMMENTS: An array repeat pattern is the location from a specified location on one tooth to the same location on the next tooth.

Step 9

Change the current view to SE Isometric. (Figure Step 9)

Step 10

Copy all objects 0.5 inches in the -Z direction. 0.5 is the thickness of the gear. (Figure Step 10)

Step 11

Add lines to complete the gear tooth. (Figure Step 11)

Step 12

Enter the 3DARRAY command, as shown below, to complete the wireframe model of the gear. (Figure Step 12A and 12B)

Command: 3DARRAY

Select objects:

Specify opposite corner: 12 found

(Select the lines that make one gear tooth in a window.)

Select objects:

Enter the type of array [Rectangular/Polar] <R>:P

(Polar array.)

Enter the number of items in the array: 32

Specify the angle to fill (+=ccw, -=cw) <360>:

(Accept the default.)

Rotate arrayed objects? [Yes/No] <Y>:

(Accept the default.)

Specify centre point of array: (cen) P1

Specify second point on axis of rotation: (cen) P2

(From centre to centre of the circles defines the endpoints of a line to be used as the axis of the array.)

Command:

Step 13

Save and close the drawing.

WORK ALONG: Creating a 3D Mirror

Step 1

Open the drawing: AutoCAD 3D Workalong 09-1. The drawing should appear as shown in the figure. (Figure Step 1)

Step 2

Using the SAVEAS command, save the drawing with the name: AutoCAD 3D Workalong 09-3.

Step 3

Enter the MIRROR3D command, as shown below, to mirror the model. (Figure Step 3)

Command: MIRROR3D

Select objects:

Specify opposite corner: 124 found

(Select all object in the model in a window.)

Select objects:

Specify first point of mirror plane or [Object/Last/Zaxis/View/XY/YZ/ZX/3points] <3points>: (end) P1

Specify second point on mirror plane: (end) P2

Specify third point on mirror plane: (end) P3

Delete source objects? [Yes/No] <N>:

(Accept the default.)

Command:

AUTHOR’S COMMENTS: If you join the three points with an imaginary line, they form a plane which is used by the MIRROR3D command to mirror the model around. Figure 9-4 shows the plane.

Step 4

The completed mirrored model is shown in the figure. (Figure Step 4A and 4B)

Step 5

Save and close the drawing.

Drafting Lesson: Break Lines

To simplify or speed up drawing orthographic views of a model, sometimes views are only partially drawn. In these cases, the cut off portion of the view is not required for the reader to visualize or construct the model. See the figures for examples of short and long break lines.

Key Principles

Key Principles in Module 9

The third dimension of a 3D array is called a level. When rotating in 3D, you must rotate around two XYZ points or a line. When mirroring in 3D, you must mirror around a three XYZ points or a plane. Always disable object snap when executing a 3D array.

Lab Exercise 9-1

Time allowed: 50 minutes.

Drawing Name	Template	Units
AutoCAD 3D Lab 09-1	3D Layout Metric	Millimeters

Step 1

Draw all construction objects on layer: Construction.

Step 2

Draw all model objects on layer: Model.

Step 3

Draw a wireframe model of the object shown in the figure. (Figure Step 3A and 3B)

Step 4

Using the figure as a reference, anywhere in model space, draw a wireframe model of one nut and one bolt. (Figure Step 4A and 4B)

AUTHOR’S COMMENTS: Note how the bolt is drawn with the head down and thread up.

Step 5

Move one bolt and one nut to the bottom outside bolt location as shown in the figure. The bolt comes up from the bottom and nut is on top of the plane. (Figure Step 5A, 5B, 5C, and 5D)

Step 6

Array the nut and bolt to match the figure. (Figure Step 6)

Step 7

Mirror the completed model. (Figure Step 7)

Step 8

Enter the UNITS command. In the Units dialogue box, set the Insertion Units to Millimeters.

Step 9

Change the current UCS to World and check the model with the key.

Step 10

Save and close the drawing.

Lab Exercise 9-2

Time allowed: 50 minutes.

Drawing Name	Template	Units
AutoCAD 3D Lab 09-2	3D Layout English	Inches

Step 1

Draw a wireframe model of the centre octagon and one arm as shown in the figures. Details of the arm are in Figure Step 1D Detail B and Figure Step 1E Detail A. (Figure Step 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, and 1E)

Step 2

Array the arm as shown in the figure. (Figure Step 2)

Step 3

Enter the UNITS command. In the Units dialogue box, set the Insertion Units to Inches.

Step 4

Change the current UCS to World and check the model with the key.

Step 5

Save and close the drawing.

Lab Exercise 9-3

Time allowed: 50 minutes.

Drawing Name	Template	Units
AutoCAD 3D Lab 09-3	3D Layout English	Inches

Step 1

On layer: Model, draw a wireframe model as shown in the figure. See the multiview drawing in Figure 1 Step B. (Figure Step 1A and 1B)

Step 2

Mirror the wireframe drawn in Step 1. Erase the extra lines and clean up the model to create one model. (Figure Step 2)

Step 3

Enter the UNITS command. In the Units dialogue box, set the Insertion Units to Inches. Change the current UCS to World and check the model with the key.

Step 4

Turn layer: Key off.

Step 5

Note the location of the UCS and rotate the model. (Figure Step 5)

Step 6

Note the location of the UCS and rotate the model. (Figure Step 6)

Step 7

Save and close the drawing.