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You can start a command by using one of the following methods:
■ Click the command name on a menu, toolbar, status bar, or shortcut menu.
■ Enter the command name or command alias at the Command prompt and press ENTER
or SPACEBAR.
The acad.pgp file lists the command aliases. To access the acad.pgp, on the Tools menu, click
Customize ➤ Edit Program Parameters (acad.pgp).
In this Command Reference, near the beginning of each command description is a command
access section that lists the specific ways you can start that command.
1
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2
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3D Commands
3D
Quick Reference
See also:
■ Create Custom Mesh (Legacy)
Creates 3D polyface mesh objects in common geometric shapes that can be
hidden, shaded, or rendered.
List of Prompts
The following prompts are displayed.
1
[Box on page 3/Cone on page 6/DIsh on page 7/DOme on page 8/Mesh
on page 9/Pyramid on page 9/Sphere on page 11/Torus on page 12/Wedge
on page 13]:
Box
Creates a 3D box polyface mesh.
Corner Point Sets the first corner of the box.
Length Sets the first corner of the box.
3
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Width
Specifies the width of the box. Enter a distance or specify a point relative to
the corner point of the box.
Height Specifies the height of the box. Enter a distance or specify a point
relative to the corner point of the box.
Rotation Angle Rotates the box about the first corner specified. If you enter
0, the box remains orthogonal to the current X and Y axes.
Reference Aligns the box with other objects in the drawing or relative to an
angle you specify. The base point for the rotation is the first corner of the box.
■ Reference Angle:Defines a reference angle by specifying two points or an
angle from the X axis on the XY plane. For example, you can rotate the
4 | Chapter 1 3D Commands
Page 55
box to align two specified points on the box with a point on another object.
After defining a reference angle, specify a point for the reference angle to
align with. The box then rotates around the first corner relative to the
angle of rotation specified for the reference angle.
If you enter 0 as a reference angle, the new angle determines the rotation
of the box.
■ New Angle:
Specify a point relative to the base point. The base point for the rotation
is the first corner of the box. The box rotates by the angle between the
reference angle and the new angle. If you want to align the box with
another object, specify two points on the target object to define the new
angle of rotation for the box.
If the reference angle of rotation is 0, the box rotates the angular distance
entered relative to the first corner of the box.
Cube
Creates a cube using the length for the width and height of the box.
Center Point for Base
Radius for Base
Radius for Top
Specify rotation angle of box about the Z axis or [Reference]: Specify an angle
or enter r
Rotation Angle Rotates the cube about the first corner of the box. If you enter
0, the box remains orthogonal to the current X and Y axes.
Reference Aligns the box with other objects in the drawing or relative to an
angle you specify. The base point for the rotation is the first corner of the box.
Specify the reference angle <0>: Specify a point, enter an angle, or press Enter
You can define a reference angle by specifying two points or an angle from
the X axis on the XY plane. For example, you can rotate the box to align two
specified points on the box with a point on another object. After defining a
reference angle, specify a point for the reference angle to align with. The box
3D | 5
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then rotates around the first corner relative to the angle of rotation specified
for the reference angle.
If you enter 0 as a reference angle, the new angle alone determines the rotation
of the box.
Specify the new angle: Specify a point or enter an angle
To specify the new angle of rotation, specify a point relative to the base point.
The base point for the rotation is the first corner of the box. The box rotates
the angular distance between the reference angle and the new angle. If you
want to align the box with another object, specify two points on the target
object to define the new angle of rotation for the box.
If the reference angle of rotation is 0, the box rotates the angular distance
entered relative to the first corner point of the box.
Cone
Creates a cone-shaped polygon mesh.
Specify center point for base of cone: Specify a point (1)
Specify radius for base of cone or [Diameter]: Specify a distance or enter d
Radius for Base
Defines the base of the cone by its radius.
Specify radius for top of cone or [Diameter] <0>: Specify a distance, enter d, or
press Enter
Radius for Top Defines the top of the cone by its radius. A value of 0 produces
a cone. A value greater than 0 produces a truncated cone.
Specify height of cone: Specify a distance
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Enter number of segments for surface of cone <16>: Enter a value greater than
1 or press Enter
Diameter for Top Defines the top of the cone by its diameter. A value of 0
produces a cone. A value greater than 0 produces a truncated cone.
Specify diameter for top of cone <0>: Specify a distance or press Enter
Specify height of cone: Specify a distance
Enter number of segments for surface of cone <16>: Enter a value greater than1 or press Enter
Diameter for Base
Defines the base of the cone by its diameter.
Specify diameter for base of cone: Specify a distance
Specify radius for top of cone or [Diameter] <0>: Specify a distance, enter d, orpress Enter
Radius for Top Defines the top of the cone by its radius. A value of 0 produces
a cone. A value greater than 0 produces a truncated cone.
Specify height of cone: Specify a distance
Enter number of segments for surface of cone <16>: Enter a value greater than1 or press Enter
Diameter for Top Defines the top of the cone by its diameter. A value of 0
produces a cone. A value greater than 0 produces a truncated cone.
Specify diameter for top of cone <0>: Specify a distance
Specify height of cone: Specify a distance
Enter number of segments for surface of cone <16>: Enter a value greater than1 or press Enter
Dish
Creates the lower half of a spherical polygon mesh.
Specify center point of dish: Specify a point (1)
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Specify radius of dish or [Diameter]: Specify a distance or enter d
Radius Defines the dish by its radius.
Enter number of longitudinal segments for surface of dish <16>: Enter a valuegreater than 1 or press Enter
Enter number of latitudinal segments for surface of dish <8>: Enter a valuegreater than 1 or press Enter
Diameter Defines the dish by its diameter.
Specify diameter of dish: Specify a distance
Enter number of longitudinal segments for surface of dish <16>: Enter a valuegreater than 1 or press Enter
Enter number of latitudinal segments for surface of dish <8>: Enter a valuegreater than 1 or press Enter
Dome
Creates the upper half of a spherical polygon mesh.
Specify center point of dome: Specify a point (1)
Specify radius of dome or [Diameter]: Specify a distance or enter d
Radius Defines the dome by its radius.
Enter number of longitudinal segments for surface of dome: Enter a value greaterthan 1 or press Enter
Enter number of latitudinal segments for surface of dome <8>: Enter a valuegreater than 1 or press Enter
Diameter Defines the dome by its diameter.
Specify diameter of dome: Specify a distance
Enter number of longitudinal segments for surface of dome <16>: Enter a valuegreater than 1 or press Enter
Enter number of latitudinal segments for surface of dome <8>: Enter a valuegreater than 1 or press Enter
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Mesh
Creates a planar mesh whose M and N sizes determine the number of lines
drawn in each direction along the mesh. The M and N directions are similar
to the X and Y axes of an XY plane.
Specify first corner point of mesh: Specify a point (1)
Specify second corner point of mesh: Specify a point (2)
Specify third corner point of mesh: Specify a point (3)
Specify fourth corner point of mesh: Specify a point (4)
Enter mesh size in the M direction: Enter a value between 2 and 256
Enter mesh size in the N direction: Enter a value between 2 and 256
Pyramid
Creates a pyramid or a tetrahedron.
Specify first corner point for base of pyramid: Specify a point (1)
Specify second corner point for base of pyramid: Specify a point (2)
Specify third corner point for base of pyramid: Specify a point (3)
Specify fourth corner point for base of pyramid or [Tetrahedron]: Specify a
point (4) or enter t
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Fourth Corner Point
Defines the fourth corner point of the base of a pyramid.
Specify apex point of pyramid or [Ridge/Top]: Specify a point (5) or enter an
option
The Z value of the point specified determines the height for the pyramid's
apex, top, or ridge line.
Apex Point Defines the top of the pyramid as a point (apex).
Ridge Defines the top of the pyramid as a ridge line. The two endpoints must
lie in the same direction as the base points to prevent a self-intersecting
wireframe.
Specify first ridge end point of pyramid: Specify a point (1)
Specify second ridge end point of pyramid: Specify a point (2)
Top Defines the top of the pyramid as a rectangle. If the top points cross, they
create a self-intersecting polygon mesh.
Specify first corner point for top of pyramid: Specify a point
Specify second corner point for top of pyramid: Specify a point
Specify third corner point for top of pyramid: Specify a point
Specify fourth corner point for top of pyramid: Specify a point
10 | Chapter 1 3D Commands
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Tetrahedron
Creates a tetrahedral polygon mesh.
Specify apex point of tetrahedron or [Top]: Specify a point or enter t
Apex Point Defines the top of the tetrahedron as a point (apex).
Top Defines the top of the tetrahedron as a triangle. If the top points cross,
they create a self-intersecting polygon mesh.
Specify first corner point for top of tetrahedron: Specify a point (1)
Specify second corner point for top of tetrahedron: Specify a point (2)
Specify third corner point for top of tetrahedron: Specify a point (3)
Sphere
Creates a spherical polygon mesh.
Specify center point of sphere: Specify a point (1)
Specify radius of sphere or [Diameter]: Specify a distance or enter d
Radius Defines the sphere by its radius.
Enter number of longitudinal segments for surface of sphere <16>: Enter a valuegreater than 1 or press Enter
Enter number of latitudinal segments for surface of sphere <16>: Enter a valuegreater than 1 or press Enter
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Diameter Defines the sphere by its diameter.
Specify diameter of sphere: Specify a distance
Enter number of longitudinal segments for surface of sphere <16>: Enter a valuegreater than 1 or press Enter
Enter number of latitudinal segments for surface of sphere <16>: Enter a valuegreater than 1 or press Enter
Torus
Creates a toroidal polygon mesh that is parallel to the XY plane of the current
UCS.
Specify center point of torus: Specify a point (1)
Specify radius of torus or [Diameter]: Specify a distance or enter d
The radius of the torus is measured from its center point to its outside edge,
not to the center of the tube.
Radius of Torus
Radius Defines the torus by its radius.
12 | Chapter 1 3D Commands
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Specify radius of tube or [Diameter]: Specify a distance or enter d
Diameter of Torus
Defines the torus by its diameter.
Specify diameter of torus: Specify a distance
Specify radius of tube or [Diameter]: Specify a distance or enter d
Radius of Tube
Defines the tube by its radius.
Enter number of segments around tube circumference <16>: Enter a value greaterthan 1 or press Enter
Enter number of segments around torus circumference <16>: Enter a valuegreater than 1 or press Enter
The radius of the tube of the torus is measured from the center of the tube to
the outside edge of the tube.
Diameter of Tube
Defines the tube by its diameter.
Specify diameter of tube: Specify a distance
Enter number of segments around tube circumference <16>: Enter a value greaterthan 1 or press Enter
Enter number of segments around torus circumference <16>: Enter a valuegreater than 1 or press Enter
Wedge
Creates a right-angle, wedge-shaped polygon mesh with a sloped face tapering
along the X axis.
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Specify corner point of wedge: Specify a point (1)
Specify length of wedge: Specify a distance
Specify width of wedge: Specify a distance
Specify height of wedge: Specify a distance
Specify rotation angle of wedge about the Z axis: Specify an angle
The base point for the rotation is the corner point of the wedge. If you enter
0, the wedge remains orthogonal to the current UCS plane.
3DALIGN
Quick Reference
See also:
■ Align Objects
Aligns objects with other objects in 2D and 3D.
Access Methods
Button
Ribbon: Home tab ➤ Modify panel ➤ 3D Align
Menu: Modify ➤ 3D Operations ➤ 3D Align
Toolbar: Modeling
14 | Chapter 1 3D Commands
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Summary
You can specify one, two, or three points for the source object. Then, you can
specify one, two, or three points for the destination.
List of Prompts
The following prompts are displayed.
Select objects: Select the objects to align and press Enter
Specify source plane and orientation . . .
The selected object is moved and rotated so that the base points, and the X
and Y axes of the source and destination align in 3D space. 3DALIGN works
with dynamic UCS (DUCS), so you can dynamically drag the selected objects
and align them with the face of a solid object.
Specify base point or [Copy]: Specify a point or enter c to create a copy
The base point of the source object will be moved to the base point of the
destination.
Specify second point or [Continue] <C>: Specify a point on the object’s X axis, or
press Enter to skip forward to specifying destination points
The second point specifies a new X axis direction within a plane parallel to
the XY plane of the current UCS. If you press Enter instead of specifying a
second point, the X and Y axes are assumed to be parallel with the X and Y
axes of the current UCS.
3DALIGN | 15
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Specify third point or [Continue] <C>: Specify a point on the object’s positive XY
plane, or press Enter to skip forward to specifying destination points
The third point fully specifies the orientation of the X and Y axes of the source
object that will be aligned with the destination plane.
Specify destination plane and orientation . . .
Specify first destination point: Specify a point
This point defines the destination of the base point of the source object.
Specify second source point or [eXit] <X>: Specify a point for the X axis of thedestination or press Enter
The second point specifies a new X axis direction for the destination within
a plane parallel to the XY plane of the current UCS. If you press Enter instead
of specifying a second point, the X and Y axes of the destination are assumed
to be parallel with the X and Y axes of the current UCS.
Specify third destination point or [eXit] <X>: Specify a point for the destination’spositive XY plane, or press Enter
The third point fully specifies the orientation of the X and Y axes of the
destination plane.
NOTE If the destination is a plane on an existing solid object, you can define the
destination plane with a single point by turning on dynamic UCS.
3DARRAY
Quick Reference
See also:
■ Create an Array of Objects
Creates a 3D matrix of objects in a rectangular or polar arrangement.
Access Methods
Button
16 | Chapter 1 3D Commands
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Ribbon: Home tab ➤ Modify panel ➤ 3D Array.
Menu: Modify ➤ 3D Operations ➤ 3D Array
Toolbar: Modeling
Summary
For 3D rectangular arrays, in addition to columns and rows, you also specify
the number of levels in the Z direction. For 3D polar arrays, you specify the
axis of rotation with any two points in space.
The entire selection set is treated as a single element in the array.
List of Prompts
The following prompts are displayed.
Enter type of array [Rectangular/Polar] <R>: Enter an option or press Enter
3DARRAY | 17
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Rectangular Array
Copies objects in a matrix of rows (X axis), columns (Y axis), and levels (Z
axis). An array must have at least two rows or two columns or two levels.
Specifying one row requires that more than one column be specified, and vice
versa. Specifying one level creates a two-dimensional array.
Positive values generate the array along the positive X, Y, and Z axes. Negative
values generate the array along the negative X, Y, and Z axes.
Polar Array
Copies objects about an axis of rotation.
The specified angle determines how far the objects are arrayed about the axis
of rotation. A positive number produces a counterclockwise array rotation. A
negative number produces a clockwise array rotation.
Entering y or pressing Enter rotates each array element.
3DCLIP
Quick Reference
See also:
■ Create a 3D Dynamic View (DVIEW)
18 | Chapter 1 3D Commands
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Starts an interactive 3D view and opens the Adjust Clipping Planes window.
Summary
The Adjust Clipping Planes window is displayed.
Adjust Clipping Planes Window
Quick Reference
See also:
■ Create a 3D Dynamic View (DVIEW)
Sets clipping planes for the display in 3D Orbit view.
Access Methods
Command entry: 3dclip
Summary
Use the Adjust Clipping Planes toolbar, or right-click in the Adjust Clipping
Planes window and select an option from the shortcut menu.
Click the Close button in the upper-right corner of the window to see the
effect of the clipping planes. As you rotate the view, different portions of the
objects are clipped as they pass in and out of the clipping planes.
To turn clipping planes off, right-click in the drawing area or the Adjust
Clipping Planes window, and check or clear Front Clipping On and Back
Clipping On.
Adjust Clipping Planes Shortcut Menu
To choose any of the following options, right-click in the Adjust Clipping
Planes window.
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Adjust Front Clipping Adjusts only the front clipping plane. The line near
the bottom of the window adjusts the front clipping plane. If a check mark
is displayed next to Front Clipping On, you can see the clipping in the 3D
Orbit view as you move the line up or down.
Adjust Back Clipping Adjusts only the back clipping plane. The line near the
top of the window adjusts the back clipping plane. If a check mark is displayed
next to Back Clipping On, you can see the clipping in the 3D Orbit view as
you move the line up or down.
Create Slice Causes the back and front clipping planes to move together,
which shows you a “slice” of the objects in the 3D Orbit view. Adjust the front
and back clipping planes, and then choose Create Slice. You can then move
the front and back clipping planes as one unit.
Pan Displays the pan cursor, a hand cursor that you can use to pan the clipping
plane. Hold down the pick button and drag the cursor in any direction. The
pan cursor stays active until you click another button.
Zoom Displays the zoom cursor, a magnifying-glass cursor that you can use
to enlarge or reduce the clipping plane. To enlarge the image, hold down the
pick button and drag the cursor toward the top of Adjust Clipping Planes
window. To reduce the image, hold down the pick button and drag the cursor
toward the bottom of the window.
Front Clipping On Turns the front clipping plane on or off. A check mark
indicates that the front clipping plane is on, and you can see the results of
moving the line that adjusts the front clipping plane. Choose this option
again to turn the front clipping plane off and remove the check mark.
20 | Chapter 1 3D Commands
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Back Clipping On Turns the back clipping plane on or off. A check mark
indicates that the back clipping plane is on, and you can see the results of
moving the line that adjusts the back clipping plane. Choose this option again
to turn the back clipping plane off and remove the check mark.
Reset Resets the window and clipping plane to the extents of the drawing.
3DCONFIG
Quick Reference
See also:
■ Control Performance
Sets options that affect 3D display performance.
Summary
Displays the Adaptive Degradation and Performance Tuning dialog box.
If you enter -3dconfig at the Command prompt, options are displayed.
Adaptive Degradation and Performance Tuning Dialog Box
Quick Reference
See also:
■ Control Performance
Controls 3D display performance.
3DCONFIG | 21
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Summary
This dialog box can also be accessed from the Performance Settings button
on the System tab of the Options dialog box.
List of Options
The following options are displayed.
Controls whether adaptive degradation is on or off. With adaptive degradation
on, if performance goes below the specified level, effects are disabled or reduced
in a certain order until performance returns to an acceptable level.
Degrade When FPS Is Below
Sets the level at which adaptive degradation begins in frames per second (FPS).
The default speed is 5 FPS. Enter a number or choose a number from the list.
Degradation Order
Specifies the order in which effects are degraded. Items at the top are degraded
first. Items that are not checked are not degraded. Click Move Up or Move
Down to move a selected item up or down in the chain.
Move Up Moves the selected item up in the chain.
Move Down Moves the selected item down in the chain.
22 | Chapter 1 3D Commands
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Hardware and Performance Tuning
Specifies hardware settings and performance tuning. The performance tuner
reads your system and decides whether to use software or hardware
implementation for features that support both. Features that work with your
system are turned on, and features that cannot work with your system are
turned off. A log file displays the results. You can make manual changes.
View Tune Log
Displays the Performance Tuner log.
Manual Tune
Displays the Manual Performance Tuning dialog box.
Check for Updates
Checks for updated versions of the graphics card and driver database that is
used for performance tuning.
Get Download Info This button is displayed after you have checked for
updates and when a new driver is available and recommended.
Displays a Web page that describes the certification program for graphics cards
and display drivers. You can download the latest list of certified cards and
drivers at any time.
Graphics hardware certification indicates which graphics card and driver
combinations that Autodesk has tested to ensure that it supports real-time 3D
shading, shadows, smooth-line display, and texture compression features of
AutoCAD LT 2007 (and later) based products. Autodesk certified graphics
hardware is better suited for the 3D display features of AutoCAD LT 2007 and
later releases, and non-certified graphics hardware may not support these
features or may cause problems during use.
Graphics card information for the current system is available in the
Performance Tuner Log, which you can view by clicking the View Tune Log
button in this dialog box.
Remind Me When a New Driver Is Available
Specifies that a notification bubble is displayed when a new driver is available.
Adaptive Degradation and Performance Tuning Dialog Box | 23
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Performance Tuner Log
Quick Reference
See also:
■ Control Performance
Lists the features that have been disabled, if any.
Access Methods
Button
Menu: Tools ➤ Options (Options dialog box, System tab)
24 | Chapter 1 3D Commands
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Summary
Information includes the system configuration, 3D graphics device, driver,
and if any features have been disabled. If your 3D device shows as certified,
Autodesk tested AutoCAD LT with this specific hardware.
List of Options
The following options are displayed.
Save Log As
Displays a standard file selection dialog box.
-3DCONFIG
Quick Reference
See also:
■ Control Performance
Controls 3D display performance in the command line.
Command entry: options
List of Prompts
The following prompts are displayed.
Enter option: [Adaptive degradation/Dynamic tessellation/General
Turns off or minimizes display effects when performance drops below the
minimum you specify.
Dynamic Tessellation
Sets the options that determine the smoothness of the objects in a drawing.
Objects are drawn using many short lines (or triangles when drawing spheres).
These lines are called tessellation lines. Objects in your drawing appear smoother
when you use more tessellation lines.
Surface Tessellation Determines the amount of detail for surfaces in your
drawing. A higher setting provides more detail but uses more tessellation lines
and more memory.
-3DCONFIG | 25
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Curve Tessellation Determines the amount of detail for curves in your
drawing. A higher setting provides more detail but uses more tessellation lines
and more memory.
Number of Tessellations to Cache Configures your system according to
memory and performance requirements. The 3D cache always stores at least
one tessellation. When this option is set to 1, the tessellation for all viewports
is the same; some objects in the drawing may be regenerated as you zoom in
and out. Setting this option to 2 or more is useful when you have more than
one viewport with different views. Increasing the number requires more
memory.
General Options
Sets performance-related options that are not hardware dependent.
Discard Back Faces Discards back faces when drawing objects. You cannot
see the effect of discarding back faces on some objects, such as spheres, because
you cannot see the back face even when it is present. The effect of discarding
back faces is visible on objects such as those that don't have a top. Discarding
back faces enhances performance.
Transparency Quality Adjusts the transparency quality. At the Low setting,
a screen-door effect achieves transparency without sacrificing speed. At the
Medium setting, the default in software mode, blending improves image
quality. The High setting, the default in hardware mode, produces an image
free of visual artifacts at the cost of drawing speed. Materials must also be
turned on for transparency to be visible.
The General Options prompt is redisplayed.
Acceleration
Specifies whether to use software or hardware acceleration in 3D.
If you select Hardware, you can also specify whether geometry acceleration
are turned on or off.
Hardware Specifies hardware acceleration. The hardware graphics card
performs most of the drawing tasks in 3D to increase performance.
The available drivers are AcadDM10.hdi and direct3d10.hdi.
When you select Hardware, the default driver is set to the AcadDM10.hdi driver
that is included with the program.
■ Driver Name. You can select a driver from a list of available
hardware-accelerated drivers found in the Drv directory. If you want to use
a hardware driver from another vendor, it must be supported by the Heidi
Graphics System.
26 | Chapter 1 3D Commands
®
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For more information, see Hardware Acceleration Troubleshooting in the
Driver and Peripheral Guide.
■ Enhanced 3D Performance on page 853
■ Global Smooth Display on page 854
■ Advanced Material Effects on page 854
■ Gooch Hardware Shader on page 854
■ Per-pixel Lighting on page 854
■ Full Shadow Display on page 854
■ Texture Compression on page 854
■ Enhanced 2D Performance on page 854
Software Specifies software acceleration. The software graphics system performs
all of the drawing tasks in 3D.
Texture Compression Enables the use of texture compression to reduce the
amount of video memory required to open and display a drawing that contains
materials with images or has attached images.
NOTE With this option on, the time it takes to load the images may increase the
first time that they are accessed and there is a reduction in the quality of the images
when they are displayed in the viewport or plotted.
Plot Emulation
Turns on or off the use of software emulation for unsupported hardware effects
during the plotting of a drawing with shaded viewports. The use of software
emulation happens when it is turned on, and hardware acceleration is disabled
or is enabled, but does not support Shadows.
3DCORBIT
Quick Reference
See also:
■ Use 3D Navigation Tools
Rotates the view in 3D space with continuous motion.
Menu: View ➤ Orbit ➤ Continuous Orbit
Toolbar: 3D Navigation
Shortcut menu: Start any 3D navigation command, right-click in the drawing
area, and click Other Navigation Modes ➤ Continuous Orbit (3).
Summary
You can view your entire drawing or select one or more objects before starting
the command.
Selecting one of more objects before starting this command limits the display
to those objects only.
While the command is active, right-click to display additional options from
a shortcut menu.
Click in a drawing area and drag the pointing device in any direction to start
the objects moving in the direction that you're dragging. Release the button
on the pointing device and the objects continue their orbit in the direction
that you specified. The speed set for the cursor movement determines the
speed at which the objects spin.
You can change the direction of the continuous orbit by clicking and dragging
again. You can also change the display of the continuous orbit by right-clicking
in the drawing area and choosing an option from the shortcut menu. For
example, you can choose Visual Aids ➤ Grid to add a grid to the view without
exiting Continuous Orbit.
3DDISTANCE
Quick Reference
See also:
■ Use 3D Navigation Tools
28 | Chapter 1 3D Commands
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3DDWF
Starts the interactive 3D view and makes objects appear closer or farther away.
Access Methods
Button
Menu: View ➤ Camera ➤ Adjust Distance
Toolbar: 3D Navigation
Shortcut menu: Start any 3D navigation command, right-click in the drawing
area, and click Other Navigation Modes ➤ Adjust Distance (4).
Summary
3DDISTANCE changes the cursor to a line with one arrow pointing up and
one pointing down. Click and drag the cursor vertically toward the top of the
screen to move the camera closer to the objects, making them appear larger.
Click and drag the cursor vertically toward the bottom of the screen to move
the camera away from the objects, making them appear smaller.
Quick Reference
See also:
■ Publish 3D DWF Files
Creates a 3D DWF or 3D DWFx file of your 3D model and displays it in the
DWF Viewer.
Access Methods
Button
Ribbon: Output tab ➤ Export to DWF/PDF panel ➤ 3D DWF
3DDWF | 29
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Toolbar: Standard
Summary
The Export 3D DWF dialog box (a standard file selection dialog box) is
displayed. After you enter a file name and click Save, the DWF file viewer is
launched and your DWF file is displayed.
You can also change publishing settings from the 3D DWF Publish dialog box.
NOTE The File Type control on the Export 3D DWF dialog box lists 3D DWF (*.dwf)
and 3D DWFx (*.dwfx) when you use the 3DDWF command.
3D DWF Publish Dialog Box
Quick Reference
See also:
■ Publish 3D DWF Files
Access Methods
Toolbar: Standard
Shortcut menu: Issue the 3DDWF command and click Tools ➤ Options
from the Export 3D DWF dialog box.
Command entry: 3ddwf
Summary
Allows you to publish a three-dimensional model as a DWF or DWFx file. 3D
DWF Publishing, a technology preview in AutoCAD® 2006, is now a standard
AutoCAD feature.
List of Options
The following options are displayed.
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Objects to Publish
Specifies whether all model space objects or selected model space objects are
published to the DWF file.
All Model Space Objects All model space objects are published to the 3D
DWF or 3D DWFx file.
Selected Model Space Objects Allows you to create a selection set of model
space objects, including external references, which are published to the 3D
DWF or 3D DWFx file after you click OK.
Select Objects Active only when Select Model Space Objects is enabled.
Clicking this button minimizes the dialog boxes and lets you select objects in
the drawing workspace. When object selection is completed, press Enter and
the 3D DWF or 3D DWFx Publish dialog box reappears reporting the number
of objects selected for publishing.
3D DWF Organization
Specifies how to group objects in the DWF or DWFx file for viewing in
Autodesk® DWF™ Viewer.
Group by Xref Hierarchy Arrange objects by xref hierarchy in the viewer. If
unchecked, externally referenced files are listed in the viewer like any other
objects.
Options
These options let you specify if materials are published in the DWF file.
Publish with Materials Most materials that you have assigned to your model
will not be published to the 3D DWF or 3D DWFx file. Materials with
procedural maps and some material properties will not export to the 3D DWF
or 3D DWFx file. If your material contains texture mapping, only the Diffuse
Map gets published along with its scale and orientation data. Including
materials will not significantly affect the size of your 3D DWF or 3D DWFx
files. Default=active.
NOTE Materials that are not supported in 3D DWF or 3D DWFx include Bump,
Opacity, and Reflection mapping, as well as all forms of procedural materials,
which include Checker, Marble, Noise, Speckle, Tile, Waves and Wood.
3D DWF Publish Dialog Box | 31
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3DEDITBAR
Quick Reference
See also:
■ Use the CV Edit Bar
Reshapes, scales, and edits the tangency of NURBS surfaces.
Access Methods
Ribbon: Surface tab ➤ Control Vertices panel ➤ CV Edit Bar
Summary
The 3D Edit Bar allows you to reshape NURBS surfaces and to change the
tangency at specific points in the U and V directions. The ability to specify
precise coordinates allows you to edit a surface with surgical precision.
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Understand the 3D Edit Bar Grips
The 3D Edit Bar has three grips:
■ The expander grip (triangular grip)
■ The magnitude handle (circular grip)
3DEDITBAR | 33
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■ The move gizmo (square grip)
34 | Chapter 1 3D Commands
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List of Prompts
The following prompts are displayed.
Select a NURBS surface or curve Selects the 3D objects you want to edit.
When you have selected the objects, press Enter.
Base point Specifies the next edit point.
Displacement Specifies a relative distance and direction for the placement of
the CV using coordinate values that you enter at the command prompt.
Undo Cancels the action without exiting the CV Edit Bar.
Exit Cancels the prompt and returns you to the CV edit bar to continue adding
and editing CVs.
3D Edit Bar Shortcut Menu
Quick Reference
See also:
■ Use the CV Edit Bar
Displays options to set the tangency and location of a control vertex and move
or align the edit bar.
Access Methods
Shortcut menu: Right-click the Expander grip.
Summary
When you right-click the triangular tangency grip a shortcut menu appears.
3D Edit Bar Shortcut Menu | 35
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The shorcut menu has options that allow you to:
■ Reshape the curve (Move Point Location)
■ Edit the tangent scale (Move Tangent Direction)
■ Move the base point to edit a different part of the surface (Relocate Base
Point)
■ Realign the gizmo (the edit bar).
■ Whether to reshape the curve (Move Point Location) or the tangency (Move
Tangent Direction).
Different options appear depending on what option you select.
List of Options
The following options are displayed.
Move Point Location When selected, moving the base point reshapes the
NURBS surface (and not the tangency).
Move Tangent Direction When selected, moving the base point changes the
tangency (and not the shape of the NURBS surface). This image shows the
36 | Chapter 1 3D Commands
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edit bar moving in the U direction on the left, and the V direction on the
right.
U Tangent Direction Moves the edit bar to the U axis to constrain the
tangency edit to that direction. In the image above, the image on the left
shows the edit bar moving in the U direction.
V Tangent Direction Moves the edit bar to the V axis to constrain the
tangency edit to that direction. In the image above, the image on the right
shows the edit bar moving in the V direction.
Normal Tangent Direction Moves the edit bar to edit the tangency of the
curve normal to the current UCS.
Set Constraint Sets whether the change in tangency or point location is
constrained to a specific axis.
■ X, Y or Z. Restricts the change to the designated axis.
■ XY, YX, or ZX. Restricts the change to a plane that is defined by the selected
axes.
Relocate Base Point Moves to a new location and add a new control vertex.
Align Gizmo With Sets the alignment for the change. Choices include
■ World UCS (default)
■ Current UCS
3DFACE
■ Face
Quick Reference
See also:
■ Create Custom Mesh (Legacy)
Creates a three-sided or four-sided surface in 3D space.
3DFACE | 37
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Access Methods
Button
Menu: Draw ➤ Modeling ➤ Meshes ➤ 3D Face
Summary
List of Prompts
The following prompts are displayed.
Specify first point or [Invisible]: Specify a point (1) or enter iFirst Point Defines the start point for the 3D surface. After entering the first
point, enter the remaining points in a natural clockwise or counterclockwise
order to create a normal 3D face. If you locate all four points on the same
plane, a planar face is created that is similar to a region object. When you
shade or render the object, planar faces are filled.
Invisible Controls which edges of a 3D face are visible, allowing for accurate
modeling of objects with holes. Entering i or invisible before the first point of
an edge makes the edge invisible.
The invisible specification must precede any object snap modes, XYZ filters,
or coordinate input for that edge. You can create a 3D face in which all edges
are invisible. Such a face is a phantom; it does not appear in wireframe
presentations but can hide material in line drawings. 3D faces do appear in
shaded renderings.
You can combine 3D faces to model complex 3D surfaces.
Specify second point or [Invisible]: Specify a point (2) or enter i
Specify third point or [Invisible] <exit>: Specify a point (3), enter i, or press Enter
38 | Chapter 1 3D Commands
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3DFLY
Specify fourth point or [Invisible] <create three-sided face>: Specify a point (4),
enter i, or press Enter
The Third Point and Fourth Point prompts are repeated until you press Enter.
Specify points 5 and 6 at these repeating prompts. When you finish entering
points, press Enter.
Quick Reference
See also:
■ Walk and Fly Through a Drawing
Changes the 3D view in a drawing interactively to create the appearance of
flying through the model.
Access Methods
Button
Toolbar: 3D Navigation
Menu: View ➤ Walk & Fly ➤ Fly
Shortcut menu: Start any 3D navigation command, right-click in the drawing
area, and click Other Navigations Modes ➤ Fly (7).
3DFLY | 39
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Summary
3DFLY activates a fly mode in the current viewport. You can leave the XY
plane as though you're flying through or around the model. On the keyboard,
use the four arrow keys, the W (forward), A (left), S (back), and D (right) keys,
and the mouse to determine the direction of your fly. For more information,
see Walk and Fly Navigation Mappings Balloon on page 77.
By default, the Position Locator window opens and displays your position in
the drawing from a top view.
To control walk and fly settings, use the Walk and Fly Settings dialog box. To
specify settings for animating a 3D walk or fly, see Animation Settings Dialog
Box on page 75.
3DFORBIT
Quick Reference
See also:
■ Use 3D Navigation Tools
Rotates the view in 3D space without constraining roll.
Pointing device: Press Shift+Ctrl and click the mouse wheel to temporarily
enter 3DFORBIT mode.
Shortcut menu: Start any 3D navigation command, right-click in the drawing
area, and click Other Navigations Modes » Free Orbit (2).
40 | Chapter 1 3D Commands
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Summary
Selecting one of more objects before starting this command limits the display
to those objects only.
While the command is active, right-click to display additional options from
a shortcut menu.
3DFORBIT activates a 3D Free Orbit view in the current viewport. If the user
coordinate system (UCS) icon is on, a shaded 3D UCS icon representing the
current UCS appears in the 3D Orbit view. You can view your entire drawing
or select one or more objects before starting the command.
The 3D Free Orbit view displays an arcball, which is a circle divided into four
quadrants by smaller circles. When the Enable Orbit Auto Target option is
deselected in the shortcut menu, the target of the view stays stationary. The
camera location, or point of view, moves around the target. The center of the
arcball, not the center of the objects you’re viewing, is the target point. Unlike
3DORBIT, 3DFORBIT does not constrain the change in view to prevent roll,
the rotation of the view about an axis orthogonal to the plane of your screen.
NOTE You cannot edit objects while the 3DFORBIT command is active.
Moving your cursor over different parts of the arcball changes the cursor icon,
indicating the direction in which the view rotates. See 3D Free Orbit Cursor
Icons on page 41.
While the command is active, you can access additional 3DORBIT options
from a shortcut menu by right-clicking in the drawing area, or choosing
buttons on the 3D Navigation toolbar. See 3D Orbit Shortcut Menu on page
50.
TIP While in 3D Orbit mode, you can temporarily enter 3D Free Orbit mode by
pressing and holding the Shift key.
3D Free Orbit Cursor Icons
Quick Reference
See also:
■ Use 3D Navigation Tools
3D Free Orbit Cursor Icons | 41
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View rotation is determined by the placement and appearance of the cursor
as follows:
Sphere Encircled by Two Lines When you move the cursor inside the arcball,
it changes to a small sphere encircled by two lines. If you click and drag in
the drawing area you can move freely around the objects. It works as if your
cursor is grabbing a sphere surrounding the objects and dragging it around
the target point. You can drag horizontally, vertically, and diagonally using
this method.
Circular Arrow When you move the cursor outside the arcball, it becomes a
circular arrow. Clicking outside the arcball and dragging the cursor around
the arcball causes the view to move around an axis that extends through the
center of the arcball, perpendicular to the screen. This is called a roll.
Horizontal Ellipse When you move the cursor over one of the small circles
on the left or right side of the arcball, it becomes a horizontal ellipse. Clicking
and dragging from either of these points rotates the view around the vertical
or Y axis through the middle of the arcball.
Vertical Ellipse When you move the cursor over one of the small circles on
the top or bottom of the arcball, it becomes a vertical ellipse. Clicking and
dragging from either of these points rotates the view around the horizontal
or X axis through the middle of the arcball.
42 | Chapter 1 3D Commands
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3DMESH
Quick Reference
See also:
■ Create Custom Mesh (Legacy)
Creates a free-form polygon mesh.
Summary
The mesh density controls the number of facets, and is defined in terms of a
matrix of M and N vertices, similar to a grid consisting of columns and rows.
3DMESH is a legacy method for creating mesh, designed primarily for operation
under program control rather than by manual entry.
To take advantage of smoothing, creasing, and refinement capabilities, use
the MESH command.
List of Prompts
The following prompts are displayed.
Size of mesh in M direction Sets the M direction value. Enter a value between
2 and 256.
Size of mesh in N direction Sets the N direction value. Enter a value between
2 and 256.
M times N equals the number of vertices that you must specify.
3DMESH | 43
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Location for vertex (0, 0) Sets the coordinate location of the vertex. Enter a
2D or 3D coordinate.
The location of each vertex in the mesh is defined by m and n, the row and
column indices of the vertex. Defining vertices begins with vertex (0,0). You
must supply the coordinate locations for each vertex in row m before specifying
vertices in row m + 1.
Vertices may be any distance from each other. The M and N orientation of a
mesh depends on the position of its vertices.
3DMESH polygon meshes are always open in both M and N directions. You
can close a mesh with PEDIT.
3DMOVE
Quick Reference
See also:
■ Move 3D Objects
In a 3D view, displays the 3D Move gizmo to aid in moving 3D objects a
specified distance in a specified direction.
44 | Chapter 1 3D Commands
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Access Methods
Button
Ribbon: Home tab ➤ Modify panel ➤ 3D Move
Menu: Modify ➤ 3D Operations ➤ 3D Move
Toolbar: Modeling
Summary
With the 3D Move gizmo, you can move selected objects and subobjects freely
or constrain the movement to an axis or plane.
If the default gizmo (DEFAULTGIZMO) is 3D Move, the 3D Move gizmo is
displayed whenever you select an object in a view with a 3D visual style. If
you are working in a viewport with 2D Wireframe set as the visual style,
3DMOVE temporarily changes the visual style to 3D Wireframe for the duration
of the command.
The 3D Move gizmo is displayed at the center of the selected 3D object or
objects by default. You can use the shortcut menu to change its location.
3DMOVE | 45
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You can also align the 3D Move gizmo with the plane of a face or object by
using the Align Gizmo With ➤ Face option on the shortcut menu. The
direction of the move operation is then constrained relative to this workplane.
When the 3D Move gizmo is displayed, the 3D Move Gizmo shortcut menu
offers options for aligning, moving, or changing to another gizmo.
List of Prompts
The following prompts are displayed.
Select objects Selects the 3D objects you want to move. When you have
selected the objects, press Enter.
When you have selected an object, the gizmo is displayed. You can constrain
the movement by clicking one of the following locations on the gizmo:
■ Move along an axis. Click an axis to constrain the movement to that axis.
■ Move along a plane. Click the area between the axes to constrain the
movement to that plane.
46 | Chapter 1 3D Commands
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Stretch point When you are specifying the move using the gizmo, sets the
new location of the selected objects. Drag and click to move the objects
dynamically.
Copy When you are specifying the move using the gizmo, creates a copy of
the selected objects instead of moving them. You can make multiple copies
by continuing to specify locations.
Base point Specifies the base point of the 3D objects you want to move.
■ Second point. Specifies where the 3D object or objects will be dragged.
You can also move the cursor to indicate a direction and then enter a
distance.
Displacement Specifies a relative distance and direction for the placement of
the selected 3D objects using coordinate values that you enter at the command
prompt.
3D Move Gizmo Shortcut Menu
Quick Reference
See also:
■ Move 3D Objects
Displays options to set the constraint of a 3D object, switch gizmos, and move
or align the gizmo.
3D Move Gizmo Shortcut Menu | 47
Page 98
Access Methods
Shortcut menu: Right-click the 3D Move gizmo
List of Options
The following options are displayed.
Move Activates the 3D Move gizmo.
Rotate Activates the 3D Rotate gizmo.
Scale Activates the 3D Scale gizmo.
Set Constraint Sets whether the change is constrained to a specific axis.
■ X, Y or Z. Restricts the change to the designated axis.
■ XY, YX, or ZX. Restricts the change to a plane that is defined by the selected
axes.
Relocate Gizmo Moves the gizmo to the point you specify.
Align Gizmo With Sets the alignment for the change. Choices include
■ World UCS (default)
■ Current UCS
■ Face
Custom Gizmo Allows you to define the current gizmo by specifying one,
two, or three points, or an object.
Respect Dynamic UCS When relocating the gizmo, as you move the cursor,
temporarily aligns the XY plane of the UCS with the faces or edges.
48 | Chapter 1 3D Commands
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3DORBIT
Quick Reference
See also:
■ Use 3D Navigation Tools
Rotates the view in 3D space, but constrained to horizontal and vertical orbit
only.
Pointing device: Press Shift and click the mouse wheel to temporarily enter
3D Orbit mode.
Shortcut menu: Start any 3D navigation command, right-click in the drawing
area, and click Other Navigations Modes » Constrained Orbit (1).
Summary
Selecting one of more objects before starting this command limits the display
to those objects only.
While the command is active, right-click to display additional options from
a shortcut menu.
3DORBIT activates a 3D Orbit view in the current viewport. You can view
your entire drawing or select one or more objects before starting the command.
When 3DORBIT is active, the target of the view stays stationary and the camera
location, or point of view, moves around the target. However, it appears as if
the 3D model is turning as the mouse cursor is dragged In this way, you can
specify any view of the model.
3DORBIT | 49
Page 100
The 3D Orbit cursor icon appears. If you drag the cursor horizontally, the
camera moves parallel to the XY plane of the world coordinate system (WCS).
If you drag the cursor vertically, the camera moves along the Z axis.
NOTE You cannot edit objects while the 3DORBIT command is active.
While the command is active, you can access additional 3DORBIT options
and modes from a shortcut menu by right-clicking in the drawing area, or
choosing buttons on the 3D Navigation toolbar. See 3D Orbit Shortcut Menu
on page 50.
3D Orbit Shortcut Menu
Quick Reference
See also:
■ Use 3D Navigation Tools
When the 3DORBIT command (or any 3D navigation command or mode) is
active, you can access the options on the 3D Orbit shortcut menu. To access
the 3D Orbit shortcut menu, right-click in the 3D Orbit view.
Current Mode: Current
Displays the current mode.
Other Navigation Modes
Choose one of the following 3D navigation modes:
■ Constrained Orbit (1). Constrains orbiting to the XY plane or the Z
direction.
■ Free Orbit (2). Allows orbiting in any direction, without being constrained
to the XY plane or the Z direction. See 3DFORBIT.
■ Continuous Orbit (3). Changes the cursor to a sphere with two continuous
lines encircling it and enables you to set the objects into continuous
motion. See 3DCORBIT.
■ Adjust Distance (4). Simulates moving the camera closer to the object or
farther away. See 3DDISTANCE.
50 | Chapter 1 3D Commands
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