topic Converting lines into a 3D solid/surface in AutoCAD in AutoCAD Forum

Converting lines into a 3D solid/surface in AutoCAD

lbellino4 — Tue, 18 Jul 2017 13:50:22 GMT

Hello. I have a similar issue, but would like some help.

I'm using an existing 3D piece that was drawn by someone else and needed to explode it to update the size of the piece. Note: Not sure how the original piece was created, so that's the reason for this inquiry.

I tried your EDGESURF command and it did a portion of it like the original piece and I've tried the LOFT command, which did some of it, as well, but there is one section that I'm unable to do with either of these commands (unless I'm not doing something correctly.) In the drawing attached, the image on the right is the original piece, the image on the left is the piece I'm working with at the size I need it at. Any suggestions on how I can fix the bottom part of the left image to look like the one on the right? I've clouded the area in question in the drawing. Thanks for the help.

Re: Converting lines into a 3D solid/surface in AutoCAD

JDMather — Tue, 18 Jul 2017 13:51:27 GMT

@lbellino4

You have posted your question in a thread that has been marked Solved.

You should have started a new thread and provide link to this thread as reference information.

Exploding geometry is almost always the incorrect method of editing.

Explosion of anything should only be done by trained and certified professionals - or at least ask questions before doing the explosion.

Are you familiar with the differences between solid bodies and surface bodies?

Did you observe how your actions converted the partial torus portion of the geometry from smooth curve into planar facets?

Is your design intent to shorten by 1.125 inches?

Re: Converting lines into a 3D solid/surface in AutoCAD

lbellino4 — Tue, 18 Jul 2017 13:51:46 GMT

Yes, I needed to shorten the piece. Was there a better way to do that to the original piece without exploding it? Then please show. I typically don't explode something unless necessary. I believe the difference is that surface bodies don't have depth, while the solid does, but I'm new to 3-D modeling so I could be wrong.

As for the drawing example, did you use the LOFT command to create the surface off your lines? I don't want to take what you did and place in my drawing, but would rather learn the process to create this. Please explain. Thanks.

I will definitely post as new for next time.

Re: Converting lines into a 3D solid/surface in AutoCAD

JDMather — Tue, 18 Jul 2017 13:52:09 GMT

Since it was a surface body rather than a solid body - and simple geometry at that - the easiest way for me was to simply grab a few edges, move the top down to shorten, joint it up and Revolve.

You should be able to follow the sequence from left to right in the file that I attached.

Re: Converting lines into a 3D solid/surface in AutoCAD

lbellino4 — Tue, 18 Jul 2017 14:40:01 GMT

Thanks. I see what you did now and thanks for the advice on grabbing the edges. I didn't try that since when I try to do that with solids it doesn't allow me to do that...it would only move the item, if I grabbed the grips to it. Good to know.

Re: Converting lines into a 3D solid/surface in AutoCAD

JDMather — Tue, 18 Jul 2017 14:55:45 GMT

"Grab" might is not exactly the term I should have used.

Re: Converting lines into a 3D solid/surface in AutoCAD

Anonymous — Tue, 18 Jul 2017 15:31:02 GMT

If it was a solid, use SOLIDEDIT FACE MOVE or the SLICE command to edit. No need to explode.