I am using Autocad Architecture and am attempting to use 3-D for the first time. The program opens and runs fine, and it allows me to create objects with no issue. However, when I try to apply materials to an object, the materials do not show up. The materials/textures tab is turned on, I can see the loaded materials, and the style is set to realistic. Even when I choose the material option "select objects with this material", it selects them as if the material is applied. The material does not show up either on screen or when rendered. Any solutions/help to this matter would be greatly appreciated.
Solved! Go to Solution.
Solved by KathyMoffa. Go to Solution.
Materials are not applied directly to AEC objects, and instead are set in the Materials tab in the object's Style. The easiest way to start is to use the AEC objects provided on the tool palettes and in the Content Browser that already have materials applied, along with the AEC Material tools in the Visualization catalog. To see what materials are already in your drawing, right click an object, for example, a door, select Edit Door Style, select the Materials Tab, click the Material name and you will get a drop-down list of all AEC materials that are currently in your drawing. To bring a new AEC material into your drawing, simply drag it from the Content Browser, click in your drawing and press escape. The material is now in your drawing available for use. With AEC objects, you have the option to edit the style or edit only the object display. Change the style when you want it to appear everywhere, i.e., all doors. Change the object if you only want to see the material on a single object, i.e., one single door. You can also add existing materials from the Materials Browser, or create new ones in the Material Browser. In this case, you are required to export the material to an active tool palette before bringing it into your drawing. It is more difficult to work with non-AEC materials as the display configurations won't be as expected, so it's best to study the existing AEC materials first, and create new ones by duplicating the existing one that's closest to what you want.
The example in the video is using AutoCAD solids, not AutoCAD Architecture AEC objects. With AutoCAD Architecture, you have both plain AutoCAD and also the Architecture AEC objects. If you enter the command, BOX, or select the Box from the Solids tab on the ribbon, you will get an AutoCAD solid. If you enter the command, MASSELEMENTADD, or select the box from the Masses tool palette in the Design tool, you will get an AEC object. With the Solids box, you can apply materials directly to the entire box or to individual faces. With the Masses box, you have to add and change materials by its Style, and you cannot select a specific face.
Masses do not have components; however, with other AEC objects as Walls, you can apply different materials to each component of the wall, so that you can have a wall that is brick on the exterior and drywall on the interior. Doors, windows, walls, slabs, roofs, etc. are all AutoCAD Architecture objects. Solids and surfaces are vanilla AutoCAD.