Rotating in 3D

AutoCAD has individual 2D and 3D rotate commands. The 2D rotate command is ROTATE and in 3D, it is ROTATE3D. In this module, using the ROTATE3D command will be taught. It is used to rotate the model in 3D space. The main difference between the two commands is that the ROTATE command uses a XY point to rotate around and the ROTATE3D command uses two XYZ points or an axis to rotated around. The ROTATE command can be used while 3D modeling as long as all of the objects being rotated are 2D objects and located on the current UCS. If 3D objects are going to be rotated in 3D space, the ROTATE3D command must be used. See Figure 8-1.

WORK ALONG: Rotating Wireframe Models in 3D Space

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 08-1.

Step 3

On layer: Model, draw a wireframe model of the object shown in the multiview drawing. (Figure Step 3A and 3B)

Step 4

Enter the commands, as shown below, to set the TRIM and EXTEND commands while working in 3D.

Command: TRIM

Current settings: Projection=None, Edge=No Extend

(Note how in this case, the Projection is set to None and Edge to No Extend. Your computer might be different.)

Select cutting edges … (Select an object, any object)

Select objects or <select all>: (Press Enter)

Select object to trim or shift-select to extend or [Fence/Crossing/Project/Edge/eRase/Undo]: P

Enter a projection option [None/Ucs/View] <None>: U

(Enter U for Ucs.)

[Fence/Crossing/Project/Edge/eRase/Undo]: E

Enter an implied edge extension mode [Extend/No extend] <No Extend>: E

(Enter E for Edge and then another for Extend. That means that the intersection of the two objects that you are trimming or extending do not have to physically intersect. AutoCAD will extend them to find the apparent intersection for you.)

Command: EXTEND

Current settings: Projection=Ucs, Edge=Extend

Select cutting edges …

Select objects or <select all>:

(By entering the EXTEND command, you will now see the settings are set for this command as well.)

Command:

Step 5

Enter the TRIM command as shown below. The Current settings: should be set as shown. If not, go back and redo Step 4. If they match, abort the command.

Command: TRIM

Current settings: Projection=UCS, Edge=Extend

Select boundary edges …

Step 6

Enter the ROTATE3D, as shown below, to rotate the model 90 degrees counterclockwise around the X axis. (Figure Step 6)

Command: ROTATE3D

Current positive angle: ANGDIR=counterclockwise ANGBASE=0

Select objects:

Specify opposite corner: 22 found

(Using a window, select all the objects)

Select objects:

Specify first point on axis or define axis by [Object/Last/View/Xaxis/Yaxis/Zaxis/2points]: X

(Rotate around the X axis.)

Specify a point on the X axis <0,0,0>:

(Press Enter to select 0,0,0 as the base point of the rotation.)

Specify rotation angle or [Reference]: 90

(The angle is positive since looking along the X axis towards 0,0,0, counterclockwise is the direction you want to rotate.)

Command:

Step 7

Using what you learned in Step 6, rotate the model 90 degrees around the Y axis. This rotation will have be negative 90 degrees since the rotation is clockwise. (Figure Step 7)

Step 8

Change the UCS to the front and locate it at the centre of the circle. (Figure Step 8)

Step 9

On layer: Construction, draw a line from 0,0,0 at any angle and any length. The line you draw does not have to match the figure exactly. Draw it by eye. (Figure step 9)

Step 10

Change to the Front view to ensure that the line was drawn correctly. (Figure Step 10)

Step 11

Change the current view to SE Isometric and enter the ROTATE3D command, as shown below, to rotate the model using the Reference option. (Figure Step 11)

Command: ROTATE3D

Current positive angle: ANGDIR=counterclockwise ANGBASE=0

Select objects:

(Select all of the model objects in a window. Do not include the reference line that you just drew in the selection.)

Specify opposite corner: 22 found

Select objects:

Specify first point on axis or define axis by

[Object/Last/View/Xaxis/Yaxis/Zaxis/2points]: Z

(Rotating around the Z axis.)

Specify a point on the Z axis <0,0,0>:

Specify rotation angle or [Reference]: R

Specify the reference angle <0>: (cen) P1

Specify second point: (cen) P2

Specify the new angle: (cen) P1

(Note that you have to select the P1 location twice.)

Specify second point: (end) P3

Command:

Step 12

The wireframe model should now appear as shown in Figure Step 12A. Change the current view to Front to ensure that the model was rotated correctly. (Figure Step 12A and 12B)

Step 13

Save and close the drawing.

Key Principles

Lab Exercise 8-1

Time allowed: 60 minutes.

Step 1

Draw all construction objects on layer: Construction and all model objects on layer: Model.

Step 2

Draw a wireframe model of the object shown in the figure. (Figure Step 2A, 2B, 2C,and 2D)

Step 3

When complete, freeze layer: Construction.

Step 4

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

Step 5

Ensure that the USC is set to World and the current view is SE Isometric. (Figure Step 5)

Step 6

Rotate the model 90 degrees around the X axis. (Figure Step 6)

Step 7

Rotate the model 90 degrees around the Y axis. (Figure Step 7)

Step 8

Rotate the model 90 degrees around the X axis. (Figure Step 8)

Step 9

Rotate the model 90 degrees around the Z axis. (Figure Step 9)

Step 10

Save and close the drawing.

Lab Exercise 8-2

Time allowed: 40 minutes.

Step 1

Draw all construction objects on layer: Construction and all model objects on layer: Model.

Step 2

Draw a wireframe model of the object shown in the figure. (Figure Step 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D)

Step 3

When complete, freeze layer: Construction.

Step 4

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

Step 5

Save and close the drawing.