Working with 3D Solids in AutoCAD 2005

[timothyjturner]

3D Solids in Acad 2005.....

Hello, I have not messed with 3d stuff very much and I'm having quite a time trying to get this drawing to look correctly. I'm basically just trying to show some conduit runs in 3d and show some equipment in place....

My biggest problem is that I can not get the orientation of my items correct. When I move stuff around in one view, it seems as if i have moved it to the correct location, but when I switch views, I notice that it is actually wrong. i.e. - I move it in SW iso and then i switch to another ISO view and maybe height is right but x,y is wrong.

When I move my cursor around in iso view, the x,y coords change but the z does not.


What is the trick to this?

[timothyjturner]

actually i think its coming back to me, i have to keep changing what ucs im working in right?....but i need to figure out how to get the x,y,z arrows on the bottom corner of my screen! argh!

[tedg]

actually i think its coming back to me, i have to keep changing what ucs im working in right?....but i need to figure out how to get the x,y,z arrows on the bottom corner of my screen! argh!

Have you tried using the "view" options? type "view" and under "Orthographic and Isometric views" you can set which ever one you want current and the ucs is associated with it.

This works with multiple vports as well.

[timothyjturner]

that does not help, my Z is still always at 0 no matter where i draw.

[timothyjturner]

I think i could probably figure this out if i could just figure out how to get my arrows back so i can see the current ucs.

[tedg]

that does not help, my Z is still always at 0 no matter where i draw.

If your trying to move something in the z axis you could do one of a couple of things:

1) command "change" "properties" "elevation" "<your desired z value>"

2) command "move" "0,0,0" "0,0,<your desired z value>"

Or rotate your ucs so "z" isn't facing you like
command "usc" "x" "-90" (this places z up and puts y pointing away from you)
This allows you to move things up the z value while you're looking at it.

good luck, I hope any of this helps

[tedg]

I think i could probably figure this out if i could just figure out how to get my arrows back so i can see the current ucs.

on the command line: "ucsicon" "on" and "uscicon" "noorigin" that turns it on if it isnt and takes it off 0,0,0 and just puts it at the lower left hand corner of you screen

[Opie]

In your Options Dialog under the Drafting tab, do you have the option checked for "Replace Z value with current elevation"? In other words, what is your OSNAPZ system variable set to?

[jaberwok]

Use the VIEW toolbar. The first 6 buttons set orthogonal views AND change the co-ordinate system to match so, in the front, back and side views, the original z direction is now y.
The other 4 buttons give isometric(ish) views but don't change the co-ordinate system.

[Mike.Perry]

In your Options Dialog under the Drafting tab, do you have the option checked for "Replace Z value with current elevation"? In other words, what is your OSNAPZ system variable set to?

Hi

Unfortunately OSnapZ is not an option in AutoCAD 2005.

OSnapZ first appeared in AutoCAD 2006.

Have a good one, Mike