dimensioning a 3d model 1

[alanled9999]

Hi, Im using ACAD 2008, is there a quick and easy way of creating first or third angle projections of my 3d solid model so I can dimension them up in paper space. I know I can use viewports to create the views but they all seem to be displayed in different scales so I then have to individually position and zoom in/out to get them all looking the same.

A Ledson.CSWP (when it was hard!)

 

[IFRs]

There is no "easy way". Change the scale of the viewports in the properties of the viewport. Then lock the viewport. You can do this will all viewports at once. Then resize the viewports. Then move them. Then freeze the layer the viewports are on. Then use regular Dim commands in paper space, snapping to the objects inside the viewports.

 

[hemis]

Have you tried the annotation scale features of Autocad. You need to draw the dimensions in model-space but set the annotation scale to the require 1:50 (say). Remember to set the ucs origin to the first extension-point for each dimension and rotate x,y,z to have the dimension snap to the next co-ord. No matter what scale the viewport is at, the text will be at the required scale. Hope that helps.

 

[stanislaus]

I agree with IFRS, I guess there's no short cut to this. I have done projects involving such the hard way. Good luck

 

[cfee]

2 EASY ways to do it.

1. DIMENSIONING THE MODEL IN MODEL SPACE: Dimension the 3D model directly by deciding which 3rd angle face you want any particular dimension in (Front, Side, Top (plan) etc). Make a UCS parallel to that face. Put the origin of the ucs at some feature (I use OSNAPS and attach it to something on the front of each face) where you want the dimensions in that view to be, around the model. Make discrete layers for your dimensions, starting with a unique layer for each face UCS. Dimension to features of the model as you would any 2D feature, because you're selecting 3D features using OSNAP and working in the 2D UCS as usual. Then make a window in your model space TAB, scale it any way you want, zooming, etc. Tip: for 2D displays of that face (Front Side, Top, etc, go into the M-Space window by double-clicking, set yourself to the UCS of your dimensions, and enter the PLAN command with 2 returns. Now re-zoom as you wish. Then go to the viewport you want for your 3D view, rotate the view into position, and zoom it like you want. LOCK the viewport. Hide other Dimensioning layers in each viewport you don't want showing up there. Learn about plotting HIDDEN views of your model. Its in the PLOT window. Plotting after running a simple HIDE command in a viewport, will not work.

Simple rough but surprisingly useful.

Alternatevely: set your DIMASSOC variable to "2" and place the dimensions in PAPERSPACE on the face of your drawing, around each ORTHO viewport of the model you got by using PLAN of each UCS & viewport you're using. They will be scaled to your DRAWING SHEET SIZE, but will match the true sized dimensions of your 3D model as long as you OSNAP to Model features. This is one HUGE advantage to mastering P-Space TABS.

Method 1. is for if you haven't yet experimented very much with P-Space/M-Space.

2. DIMENSIONING THE MODEL IN PAPER SPACE (Prefered):
Complete your 3D model, create your desired views in your paperspace tab of your DRAWING using the "SOLVIEW" Icon in the Solids Toolbar. Its the ICON that looks like a blue box in front of 3d viewports in model space (don't ask ME why !) Its the SOLVIEW command. FOLLOW THE PROMPTS. You can either use the UCS's you set up in the previous instruction (prefered method) or always use WORLD and zoom/rotate the view into position. Either way. Scale the viewport appropriately and LOCK THE VIEWPORT. Repeat for all 2D vports and the 3D vport for the ISO view in your drawing. Arrange the model JUST SO in each viewport, and lock the viewport. NOW here's the interesting part- enter PSLTSCALE in EACH vport. I know, someone's going to comE along and say differently. Try it this way before experimenting. Earlier versions of ACAD seemed to trip at this step, I think its been fixed by now. You'll discover. Anyway its PSLTSCALE. Use "1". Go to PS and enter LTSCALE. I use ".5" Now enter DIMASSOC. Set it to "2". Now you can go to THE P-Space TAB and dimension using OSNAPs and attach dimensions to your model. IF YOU WANT 2DVIEWS of your model views in those vports (to dimension to and to be the views in your drawing)pick the SOLDRAW Icon on the Solids menu. Its right next to the SOLVIEW Icon. Pick the VIEWPORT border. It'll automatically draw the 2D view of that face of the 3D model. You can dimension right to it like I mentioned earlier. You can make any change to the model. Just go back to the paperspace tab and re-run the SOLDRAW command. It'll automatically update the view to reflect the changes!

Conclusion: Seems like alot, but its not really so much. Lots of tricks associated with this method tho- lots to discover !

For instance, in BOTH method 1 & 2 above, go to the LAYER dialog box, find the layer for VPorts, and click the PRINTER icon to put a red-mark thru it. The Vports will show in the face of your drawing, but THEY WILL NOT PLOT! NO NEED to put them on DEFPOINTS layer to keep them from plotting! I like setting the VPorts layer to color #9. They still show up, but they're relatively faint. See- here are your 1st 2 "tricks" !

I use method # 1 above whenever I can, if the model and the needs are basic enough, because the effort to maintain the layers and the changes sometimes gets a bit much, but what do you expect- this is AutoCAD ! Both methods work well, and there's enough information HERE to do either way, so print this out and work from it. Grab your manual or your ACAD Book. You'll want it handy. MUCH More to learn tho, once you've mastered the basics !

Good luck, and post back with your success, and any further questions. You'll have them. This should get you your 1st drawings completed, tho.

Good Luck !

C. Fee

PS- If you want an "Isometric" style "HIDE" when you run that command, set DISPSILH to 1. It gets rid of the tesselation lines intended to show "Shape" and gives uou a publishable line-type "ISOMETRIC" style 3D view of your part, extreemely useful in many other ways...