Non-uniformly scaled block - 3D resize help needed - slice a block

[Anonymous]

Hello,

So. One way people use SCALE command along one axis 3D Objects in AutoCAD is to convert them to blocks - and then to resize them using not really the SCALE command but modifying scale parameters in the object properties.

1) Is that way of editing scale on the properties wrong or is there a better way? I know for a 3DSCALE command, but I don't know to use it for example: to scale a block by one axis for 400 units?

I scaled the object by editing scale parameters in the properties. However, the problem was set when I needed to explode my block reference. I was reading a lot throughout forums and AutoCAD seems not to support exploding uniformly scaled blocks. 

I need to slice this object, but I can't cause it isn't really an object but a block. I can't explode it because of the reasons mentioned above.  2) I can only convert it to a mass element. 3) And I can convert it to a 3D solids somehow - I did - but, it did not show on my drawing. I was able to select it, but not able to see it.

I posted a file, but without that 3D solids, I created. I undoped those operations.

Refedit, bedit, doesn't work. My block is set to allow exploding. But it doesn't work.

Many problems.

I hope you can help.

Best regards and thanks sincerely in advance

[Alfred.NESWADBA · Accepted solution]

Hi,

working with scaling settings for a block can be used, but it has to be clear that this block is then not usable for production or details (in most cases). In your sample drawing ... scaling the block means that also the hand grips, the panels are scaled too. So the hand grips are then not in a size you can buy, the horizontal panels do not have standard widths any more.

Fusion 360 or Inventor might be the better product here as they can work with 3D parametric (you can defined which objects are moved, which ones are scaled when giving your item a different height).

Alternative would be to create your part for the different sizes that exist and make a block for each size (maybe a dynamic block, but for that type of object I would suggest to simply use blocks without dynamic content).

HTH, - alfred -

[Anonymous]

Thank you very much on the answer.

Yes, these scaling objects are very complicated when it comes to things I want to do, so I'll listen to your advice.

However, I somehow did manage to turn that bathroom sink into a 3D Solid - then to slice it and get what I needed. But, I needed to rescale it along a separate axis, so I needed to convert it again (already sliced) to a block and now it's the same story. 🙂

Best regards! 

[Alfred.NESWADBA]

Hi,

>> I somehow did manage to turn that bathroom sink into

>> a 3D Solid - then to slice it and get what I needed. But,

>> I needed to rescale it along a separate axis, so I needed

>> to convert it again

Scaling a block (in just one of the axis) with the 3D-Solid inside means the wall width is not constant for all sides of the object. This is ok for visualization, but not for production.

So this is the major question, do you need it for manufacturing (then you need to construct the object for each size) or visualization (so only the outer surface can be seen, but not the wall).

It depends on your needs 😉

- alfred -

[Anonymous]

Hello,

thank you very much again on a quick answer and help. 🙂 

I just need it for visualization, production is not important in this project. I'm trying to learn interior design and I'm combining project created in Autocad Architecture with 3Ds Max. Student, 2020, versios, both. Now, Everything is ok , I'm just stuck on materials/textures/rendering in 3Ds Max so I might get back to Autocad Architecture to try to render there. Student problems. 🙂 

[Alfred.NESWADBA · Accepted solution]

Hi,

>> I'm just stuck on materials/textures/rendering in 3Ds Max

Just my 2c ... if I have both products available, AutoCAD and 3DS-Max, I would never use AutoCAD for rendering.

Better look into the issues you have with 3DS-Max materials, learn that and then you are much faster in creating good renderings than you can be with AutoCAD.

Of course, you can create good renderings with AutoCAD, but every modification (light, material, especially textures,...) are much slower done in AutoCAD compared to 3DS-Max.

For 3DS-Max questions ... here's the forum >>>click<<<

- alfred -

[Anonymous]

Yes, thank you very much. I've seen already that people don't use AutoCAD for rendering. However, I am new to this and I find AutoCAD much easier to use than 3Ds Max (now I'm saying, we ll see 🙂 ).

Thanks. I might post right now cause after all that googling, I need help with display/render/viewport configuration in 3Ds Max.

Best regards