3D Visualization and Solid Primitive Conceptual Design in AutoCAD

3D Visualization and Solid Primitive Conceptual Modeling in AutoCAD®Constructing Solid PrimitivesAs mentioned in the opening paragraph, a primitive is a basic building block. The eightsolid primitives in AutoCAD are a box, wedge, pyramid, cylinder, cone, sphere, torus, andpolysolid. These primitives can also be used as building blocks for complex solid models. Thissection provides detailed information on drawing all of the solid primitives. All of the 3Dmodeling primitive commands can be accessed using the 3D Make control panel in theDashboard, the Modeling toolbar, the Draw pull-down menu, or by typing the name of the 3Dmodeling primitive. See Figure 14.The information required to drawa solid primitive depends on the typeof primitive being drawn. For example,to draw a solid cylinder you mustprovide a center point for the base, aradius or diameter of the base, andFigure 14. 3D Make Control Panelthe height of the cylinder. A variety ofcommand options are available when creating primitives, but each primitive is constructed usingjust a few basic dimensions.Certain familiar editing commands can be used on solid primitives. For example, you canfillet or chamfer the edges of a solid primitive. In addition, there are other editing commands thatare specifically for use on solids. You can also perform Boolean operations on solids. Theseoperations allow you to add one solid to another, subtract one solid from another, or create anew solid based on how two solids overlap.Using Dynamic Input and Dynamic FeedbackDynamic input enables you to construct models in a “heads up” fashion with minimal eyemovement around the screen. When a command is initiated, the command prompts are thendisplayed in the dynamic input area, which is at the lower-right corner of the crosshairs. As thepointer is moved, the dynamic input area follows it. The dynamic input area displays values ofthe cursor location, dimensions, command prompts, and command options (in a drop-down list).Coordinates and dimensions are displayed in boxes called input fields. When command optionsare available, a drop-down list arrow appears. Press the down arrow key on the keyboard todisplay the list. You can use your pointer to select the option, or press the down arrow key until17