CHAPTER 17

Modeling in 3D

AutoCAD has three different 3D modeling toolsets comprising surfaces, solids, and meshes reflecting the historical evolution of computer graphics. Each toolset was initially developed to suit specific industries: surfaces for industrial design, solids for engineering, and meshes for games and movies. Each toolset has particular strengths and limitations that become evident the more you use them. Yet AutoCAD allows you to pick the best tool for the job no matter what type of work you do, so you can find the best solutions for your drawings. We will explore these tools throughout this chapter, where you will learn how to create and edit surfaces and solid models, and how to smooth out geometry with mesh tools.

• Creating surface models