How can I change 2D drawings to 3D? PS: I only know how to 'extrude' and 'hide'

AutoCAD 2007?  Your options are:1) Flatshot2) SolView/SolDraw (must be used in combination with each other)3) SolProf4) SectionPlaneIf the only two 3D commands you know are Extrude and Hide you have a lot more to learn about 3D modeling using AutoCAD.


John Connor2013-11-21 20:14:34

Options 2 and 3 previously listed are going to require you to know how to switch views (top, front, side, isometric, etc.), reorient your UCS, rotate 3D models in model space, be familiar with layouts and the use of viewports as well as be familiar with the Layer Properties Manager and freezing/thawing layers.  Do you have the necessary skills?

Here is a representative 3D solid model.  I'm going to next show you an image of three 2D views created of the model using the SolProf command.John Connor2013-11-21 18:32:54

Here you go.  Top, front and side view.  The solid and hidden lines are blocks on two different layers.  The blocks are situated in model space.  AutoCAD creates the two layers automatically but their default color and linetype can be changed in the Layer Properties Manager.  



John Connor2013-11-21 20:13:53

Option 1, Flatshot, may well be the easiest for you to do but the command in AutoCAD 2007 works on every solid object in model space so if you have three solid objects but you want to extract 2D views from only one of them you'll have to move the other two objects to a different layer then freeze it.  The Flatshot command is used in model space.  I'd create a layer called 2DObjects and make the layer current.  Then I would make a copy of the object for every view I needed (ex.-top, front, and side).  I'd rotate the objects so when looking at a top view you see them in their respective orientations.  Once you've done that then you can execute the Flatshot command.  Since you are using the command on all three objects at the same time you'll end up with a single block containing all three views.  This block can be edited using the Bedit command.
John Connor2013-11-21 18:53:56

I included both the 3D solid objects and the results of the Flatshot command in this one image.

>>
How can I change 2D drawings to 3D? PS: I only know how to 'extrude' and 'hide'>>
 
John Connor's replies seem to be about going in the other direction (3D to 2D).  To go from 2D to 3D, look into the other 3D-related commands in addition to Extrude: Union, Subtract, Intersect, Revolve, Slice, Solidedit, maybe a few more.  You can also apply some AutoCAD commands that are used in 2D work to 3D solids, such as Fillet to round edges.

Damn my dyslexia!  Kent, you are so right.  I totally got it backwards.  I'm such an idiot.  The shame, the shame, the shame.

Maybe I can redeem myself (I hope, I hope, I hope)?Besides the Extrude command I think 2012 will also have Sweep, PressPull (a really useful command as it works on combinations of lines, polylines and splines) as well as Polysolid (great for doing walls) and Loft (best for those HVAC transition pieces like cone-to-square).Keep in mind if you extrude a line or an arc you'll get a surface.  There is a difference between surfaces and solids.Oh man, I have a lot of ground to make up for my mega faux pas.  Got to get to work here to make amends.  Where's that head-banging-wall emoticon when you need it!  lol
John Connor2013-11-22 17:47:00

Caroline.  Is there something you want to share with us or has the cat got your tongue?