STEM-TIS COGNATE 2 REVIEWER

WEEK 1
COMPLEX 3D Geometry
Rather than spending many hours creating objects with complex curves or intricate
shapes using primitives and Boolean operations, you can quickly create solid objects from 2D
objects. These objects, such as the plant stand and paper clip shown in Figure 1-1, can be created
from polylines, polygons, circles, ellipses, splines, and bounded areas.

You can create complex 3D geometry using one of four primary commands: Extrude,
Resolve, Sweep, and Loft. In each case, you can create a solid or a surface depending on the type
of defining geometry you use. These commands use profiles and paths. A profile is a 2D object
that defines the cross-section shape of a 3D object. If the profile is closed, the result is solid, and

if the profile is open, the result is a surface, as shown in Figure 1-2.

- A path is the guide that the profile follows as the solid or surface is created.
- Paths can be 2D or 3D objects
- By default, profiles and paths are only deleted when a solid is created, not a surface. This
can be modified in the Options dialog in the 3D Modeling tab, in the 3D object area, by
selecting an option in the Deletion control while creating the 3D objects drop-down list.

EXTRUDED SOLIDS AND SURFACES

 The Extrude command creates a solid or surface or object that has a constant cross-
section shape, as shown in Figure 1-3. Many different objects can be created with extrusions,
from simple gears and plates to building concepts based on complex floor plants.
- The Extruded solid or surface is created on the current layer.

How to Extrude an Object

1. In the Home tab>Modeling Panel, click Extrude.
- Alternatively, you can access the command on the Solid tab>Solid panel or type extrude
at the command line.
2. Select the object(s) to be extruded and press <Enter>
3. Specify the height of the extrusion by selecting a point in space or typing a distance.
- A line can be extruded to create a flat surface. An arc can be extruded to create a curved
surface. Open 2D polylines or 2D splines become surfaces, while close polylines, splines,
and circles become solids.
- You can select an edge or face of an exiting 3D object to use as the profile or curve of the
extrusion. Hold <Ctrl> to select the edge or face.
- You can extrude multiple objects in different direction and can also extrude non-planar
profiles, such as splines.
- Use the Mode option to set the extrusion to be created as a surface or solid.

PRESSPULL
 The Presspull command extrudes a shape bases on a bounded area resulting in a single
solid object. If you push the shape into a solid, it creates a void in the solid. If you pull the shape
away from a solid, it adds the extruded shape to the solid. In both cases, the object remains a
single solid object. For example, draw a rectangle on a face, start the PressPull command, move
the cursor over the bounded area, and push the bounded are away from the solid, as shown in
Figure 1-4.
How to Use the Presspull Command

1. On the Home tab>Modeling panel, click Presspull.

Alternatively, you can access the command in any of the following ways:
- On the solid tab>Solid panel.
- Type prespull at the command line.
- Press <Ctrl>+<Shift>+E.
2. Move the cursor inside a closed bounded area. The potential boundaries are highlighted
as you move the cursor around. The objects do not need to be closed, but the boundary
must be closes.
3. Click and pull the object up or press the object down to create the extruded solid.
4. The AutoCAD software automatically extrudes the bounded area to the specified
distance.
5. Continue to select other boundaries to extrude or press <Enter> to end the command.
- You can select 2D and 3D curves to create extrusions using the Presspull command.
- You cane extrude a planer face and have it follow the angle of the adjacent sides as
shown in Figure 1-5. To do so, hold <Ctrl> when selecting the planer face.
MULTIPLE
 You can press or pull multiple objects at the same time, as show in Figure 1-6. Press
<Shift> while selecting multiple objects or select the Multiple option in the command, to
press or pull multiple objects at the same time. Press <Enter> when finished selecting
objects.

Move the cursor in the direction in which you want to press or pull the objects and either pick
the location or type the distance value, as shown in Figure 1-7.

When working with extruded solids or surfaces, you can manipulate the vertices of the
profile and change the height of the extrusion with the arrow grip. It does not matter if the
profile object is open (surface) or closed (solid) for the modification process. The height and
taper angle can also be modified in Properties, as shown in Figure 1-8.

If the extrusion uses a path, you can modify the profile and the path with grips.
- For an extrusion, you can use grips to change the profile, height, and taper. The tapered
angle can also be modified in Properties.
- If the extrusion was created using the Direction option, only the height and profile can be
modified, not the direction.
- Solids created with Prespull are considered extrusions. However, you cannot modify the
vertices of the profile because they are created from abounded area.
- If you do not know which type of solid or surface you are working with, select it and loot
in Properties. This type is listed in the geometry area.
WEEK 2-3
How to Sweep Objects along a Path
1. Draw the profile object.
2. Draw the path on which to sweep the object.
3. In the Home tab>Modeling panel, click (Sweep).
4. Select the profile object(s) to be swept and press <Enter> to accept the selection set.
5. Select the path object.
- The AutoCAD software displays an alert in the Command Line if the software cannot
create the sweep.
Sweep Options
Alignment Aligns the object with the path before sweeping,
as shown below. The default is Yes. If you select No,
you can still create the sweep, but it is not aligned
with the path.
Base Point Changes the location of the base point of the
sweep.
Scale Changes the size of the profile as it moves along the
path. For example, a scale of 0.5 displays the start
profile at full size and the end profile at half size. The
size changes equally along the path.
Twist/Bank Specifies a twist angle or enables banking for a
non-planer sweep path, such as a 3D polyline, 3D
spline, or helix.
- Objects that can be profiled are lines, arcs, and elliptical arcs, circles and ellipses, open or
closed 2D polylines and splines, planar (flat) 2D faces, 2D solids, traces, regions, planar
surfaces, and faces of solids.
- Objects that can be paths are arcs and elliptical arcs, circles and ellipses, open or closed
2D polylines and splines, 3D splines or polylines, helixes, and edges of surfaces or solids.

MODIFYING SWEEPS
You can modify the profile and path of a sweep using grips or Properties. If the profile is
aligned along the path, modify the profile in the path location.
- You can change the Profile rotation, Twist along the path, and The Scale along with path
options in Properties.
- Modifying the profile changes it along the full path of the sweep.
- Polysolids are a type of sweep. Therefore, their profiles and paths can also be modified.
3D PATHS
 Several object types can be used as 3D paths, including 3D Polylines, Splines, and
Helixes.

3D POLYLINE
When using the Polyline command, you are restricted to the current XY plane. You can
draw 2D polylines on various UCSs, but all points in the polyline must have the same Z-
coordinate. A special command, 3D Polyline (3Dpoly), enables you to construct polylines using
various X, Y, and Z coordinates for each point.
- A 3D polyline is similar to regular polylines, except that it does not have arc or width
options. In the Home tab>Draw the panel, click (3D Polyline). You can edit 3D polylines
with the Polyline Edit (Pedit) command.
- Spline objects in the AutoCAD software can be drawn in 2D or 3D space. Therefore, the
points on the spline can have different Z-coordinates.
HELIX
A helix is a complex 3D geometric object that spirals. It can be used as the basis of many
different types of objects, such as the coils of a spring, a spiral staircase, or screw threads.
How to create a Helix
1. In the Home tab>expanded Draw panel, click (Helix).
2. Specify a center point for the base.
3. Specify a radius for the base or select Diameter to specify the diameter.
4. Specify a top radius or diameter. A 2D spiral displays when you move the cursor.
5. Specify a height for the helix or select one of the options.
Helix Options
Axis Enables you to select a point for the top of the
endpoint helix. It can be at an angle from the original
center point
Turns Sets the number of turns. You are prompted for
the overall height. This selection also modifies the
Turn Height
Turn Height Specifies the distance between the turns. You are
prompted for the overall height. This selection
also modifies the number of Turns
Twist Sets the direction of the turn to be clockwise or
counterclockwise

REVOLVED SOLIDS AND SURFACES

 The Revolve command creates a solid or surface by revolving a profile around an axis.
This command is useful for creating many cylindrical objects and for complex objects.

How to Revolve Objects around an Axis.

1. In the Home tab>Modeling panel, click (Revolve).
2. Select the objects to revolve and press <Enter>.
3. Specify the axis using one of the options.
4. Specify the angle of rotation.
- You can select existing edges or faces as the profiles or curves to be revolved.
- You can revolve non-planar profiles.
Revolve Options
Object Enables you to select an open object or edge
to be
revolved around the axis of revolution
Mode Enables you to select whether the revolve is
created
as a solid or surface
X/Y/Z Axis Rotates around the positive X-, Y-, or Z-axis
Axis Start Enables you to select a point to specify as the
Point start
point of the axis of revolution
Axis End Enables you to select a point to specify as the
Point end
point of the axis of revolution
Start Angle Enables you to specify the start angle for the
revolution
Angle of Enables you to specify the angle of revolution
Revolution
Reverse Enables you to reverse the direction of the
revolve
Expression Enables you to use an expression or formula
to control the revolve angle

You can use grips to modify the profile and location of a revolved solid’s path in relation
to its profile. You can change the Angle of revolution and the Axis position in Properties.
LOFTED SOLIDS AND SURFACES
Lofts create a smooth curved surface between two or more profiles in 3D space. Lofts can
be created from profiles (cross-sections) alone, or you can use guides or a path to further define
them.
The profiles can be open or closed but must all be one or the other. Open profiles create
surfaces, and closed profiles create solids.
 - You can select existing edges or faces to use as profiles or curves when creating lofts.
How to Create a Loft
1. Create the cross-sections and then create the path or guides as required.
2. In the Home tab>Modeling panel, click (Loft).
3. Select the cross-section profiles and press <Enter>. The order in which you select the
cross-sections is important.
4. Select the option you want to use. The default is Cross-sections only.
5. If you select Guides or Path, select the curves to be used to create the loft. The loft is
created when you press <Enter>.
6. If you select Settings, the Loft Settings dialog box opens.
7. In the Surface control at cross-sections area, set the options for controlling a loft created
with cross-sections only.
8. Click OK to close the Loft Settings dialog box and create the loft.
- If you select Ruled or Smooth Fit, you can also select the Close surface or solid option.
This closes the surface between the first and last cross-section. If the cross-sections are
closed objects, a thin solid shell is created.
- Another option for changing the Loft Settings is by using the heads-up display
- While selecting the cross-section profiles, you can see a preview of the resulting loft.
MODIFYING LOFTS
Loft objects can be modified with grips at each cross-section. If the loft was created with a
path or guides, you could also modify those objects. In Properties, you can only modify the
Surface Normal. If it is set to Use draft angles, you can also modify the draft angles and
magnitudes.
NURBS SURFACES
NURBS (Non-Uniform Rational B-Splines) surfaces are another type of surface you can
create. These types of surfaces are based on Bezier curves or splines and therefore use similar
settings, such as fit points and control vertices. Creating a NURBS surface is similar to creating
any other procedural surface, using the same commands. However, there are specific editing
tools and methods for NURBS surfaces.

CREATINF NURBS SURFACES

All of the commands and methods used to create procedural surfaces (including Extrude,
Loft, and Sweep), apply when creating NURBS surfaces. The only difference is the setting of a
specific system variable during its creation. To create a NURBS surface, in the Surface
tab>Create panel, click (NURBS Creation).
- When (NURBS Creation) is toggled on in the ribbon, (surfacemodelingmode = 1), any of
the surface creation commands create a NURBS surface.
 - When toggled off (surfacemodelingmode = 0), the surface creation commands create
general procedural surfaces.
- Besides creating a NURBS surface from scratch, you can also convert a procedural
surface into a NURBS surface.
- 3D solids can also be converted into NURBS surfaces. Each face of the 3D solid becomes
a separate NURBS surface.

How to convert an object into a NURBS Surface

1. In the Surface tab>Control Vertices panel, click (Convert to NURBS).
2. Select a 3D solid or surface to convert.
3. Continue to select solid or surface objects to convert.
4. Press <Enter> to convert and exit the command.
- A procedural surface can be converted to a NURBS surface but a NURBS surface cannot
be converted to a procedural surface.
EDIT NURBS SURFACES
At first glance, a NURBS surface looks similar to a procedural surface. They both include
and display their U and V isolines (the gridlines on a surface) when you select them. However,
because a NURBS surface is sculpted from control vertices, you can also display the control
vertices of the surface.
A NURBS surface can have its control vertices displayed or hidden, regardless of
whether it is selected. A selected NURBS surface with its control vertices displayed.

How To: Show the Control Vertices of a NURBS Surface

1. In the Surface tab>Control Vertices panel, click (Show Control Vertices).
2. Select a NURBS surface.
3. Continue to select NURBS surfaces.
4. Press <Enter> to display the control vertices.
- (Hide Control Vertices) hides all of the control vertices for every NURBS surface in the
drawing.
EDIT CONTROL VERTICE POINTS
When a NURBS surface has its control vertices displayed and the NURBS surface is also
selected, both the U and V isolines display and the control vertices points become blue grips.
Each of the control vertices can individually be selected and moved to modify the shape
of the NURBS surface. Dragging and editing control vertices give you the freedom to reshape
the NURBS surface in free form.
How to Edit a NURBS Surface Via a Control Vertice Point Grip
 1. In the Surface tab>Control Vertices panel, click (Show Control Vertices) and select the
NURBS surface.
2. Press <Enter>.
3. Select the NURBS surface to make the control vertices turn into grips.
4. Select a control vertice point grip.
5. Move the cursor and select a new location to adjust the position of the control vertice
point, thus modifying the shape of the NURBS surface.
- Hover the cursor over a control vertice point grip until the UCS icon and its origin
display at the control vertice point. Then you can use the UCS icon to adjust the location
of the control vertice point.
- Press and hold <Shift> to select multiple control vertices points.
ADD CONTROL VERTICES
If you need to adjust a NURBS surface more precisely, you can add additional control
vertices in the U- or V-directions. You can add control vertices anywhere along the NURBS
surface.
How To: Add Additional Control Vertices to a NURBS Surface
1. In the Surface tab>Control Vertices panel, click (Add Control Vertice).
2. Select a NURBS surface.
3. Select a point on the surface to add the control vertice in the U-direction.
- (Optional) Select Direction to add the control vertice in the V-direction.
- You can edit the added control vertices as you would any other control vertices.
- You can add as many additional control vertices as required.
- A control vertice point is added at each intersecting (U or V) control vertice.
REMOVE CONTROL VERTICES
You can also remove control vertices in the U- or V-direction if it becomes too
congested. This command removes the entire row (or column) of points along with the specific
control vertice set.
How to Remove Control Vertices from a NURBS Surface
1. In the Surface tab>Control Vertices panel, click (Remove Control Vertice).
2. Select a NURBS surface.
3. Select a point on the NURBS surface to specify which set of control vertices in the U-
direction to remove. The nearest set of control vertices to be removed highlights in red.
- (Optional) Select Direction to remove a control vertice in the V-direction.

CONTROL VERTICE EDIT BAR

 When you want to modify the magnitude or direction of tangency at a specific point on a
NURBS surface, you can use the CV Edit Bar command. It enables you to adjust a specific point
on a NURBS surface rather than adjusting a control vertice point of a NURBS surface.
How to Modify a Point on a NURBS Surface
1. In the Surface tab>Control Vertices panel, click (CV Edit Bar).
2. Select a NURBS surface.
3. Select a point on the NURBS surface.
4. Select a grip on the edit bar and modify the surface.
5. Press <Enter> to exit the command.
- The triangle grip enables you to switch between the options to move the point or adjust
the tangent direction at the point.
- The square grip at the origin of the temporary UCS icon adjusts either the location of the
point or the tangent direction at the point.
- The tangent arrow grip adjusts the magnitude of the tangency at the point.