2013

Table Of Contents
Tips for Working with Wireframe Models
Creating 3D wireframe models can be more difficult and time-consuming
than creating their 2D views. Here are some tips that will help you work more
effectively:
Plan and organize your model so that you can turn off layers to reduce the
visual complexity of the model. Color can help you differentiate between
objects in various views.
Create construction geometry to define the basic envelope of the model.
Use multiple views, especially isometric views, to make visualizing the
model and selecting objects easier.
Become adept at manipulating the UCS in 3D. The XY plane of the current
UCS operates as a work plane to orient planar objects such as circles and
arcs. The UCS also determines the plane of operation for trimming and
extending, offsetting, and rotating objects.
Use object snaps and grid snap carefully to ensure the precision of your
model.
Use coordinate filters to drop perpendiculars and easily locate points in
3D based on the location of points on other objects.
Add 3D Thickness to Objects
Use the thickness property to give objects a 3D appearance.
The 3D thickness of an object is the distance that object is extended, or
thickened, above or below its location in space. Positive thickness extrudes
upward in the positive Z direction; negative thickness extrudes downward
(negative Z). Zero (0) thickness means that there is no 3D thickening of the
object.
406 | Chapter 8 Work with 3D Models