Solid Editing in ACAD

[Jeff Mottle]

Hey guys,

 

I remember a while back that there was a program/ad-on for AutoCAD that allowed you to edit solid easier. (ie. Stretching, etc) Can anyone remember the name of that program and where I can find it?

 

Although I hate solids, I'm working with an existing model for a project and am using parts of that model. Some of it needs a bit of editing.

 

Jeff

[siliconbauhaus]

have you tried solidedit? you can move things around with that

[Chad Warner]

Which version of ACAD are you using? The newer versions have built in solids editing tools. Very nice to use.

 

-Chad

[garethace]

I would agree there, the solids editing commands in AutoCAD would not take long to learn/get used to for an experienced practicioner. They are very precise and accurate.

 

The main thing, is make SURE and install and use the latest Powerdraft AutoCAD display drivers for the modelling in AutoCAD. Otherwise, you will waste loads of time with drastically poorer regeneration times.

[Jeff Mottle]

I'm using 2002, but I have to admit I know vitually nothing about solids as I have for the past 7 years modelled with faces. I did not even know you could edit in ACAD now.

 

PowerDraft is only good if you have a Quaddro...I have a Ti4400.

[garethace]

PowerDraft is only good if you have a Quaddro...I have a Ti4400.

i really wouldn't want to attempt a project of any size, or length of time using AutoCAD modelling without Powerdraft and a Quadro, or soft-quadro cheat + Powerdraft driver. I advise beg, borrow or steal - if the project is very long/important. (Just a fools advice though)

 

 

BTW, a scsi system will be much more forgiving with a software like AutoCAD. Less cpu overhead, and more responsive/stable interfave, without a doubt. MAke absolutely sure if you are going to use ANY nVIDIA card with AutoCAD 3D, to load up the "AutoCAD certified" driver, downloadable from the nVidia website. You can experience a night and day difference that way too - in addition to the Powerdraft driver, or without it - either way install the AutoCAD certified driver, for the duration of your AutoCAD modelling project.

 

Afterwards, you can revert back to a MAX or VIZ optimised display driver.

[Jeff Mottle]

Ok so I have tried using the SOLIDEDIT, but I have yet to figure out how to do what I want...STRETCH or even use grips to pull verts...anyone know the secret to this?

[nuno]

hi jeff,

try the moveface tool, its a bit like stretch.

or you can slice the piece and then move one of the parts, then you can do some booleans.

 

best to you

nuno

[garethace]

Move face tool, select two faces first by clicking on a certain edge. Then remove one of the faces. (POS i know, but not too bad after a bit)

 

Now just move that face to whatever distance you want. This command is very accurate, and can be used to fine-tune thickness of walls, top faces of walls, widths of mullions, length/breath of openings in walls, etc.... you get the general notion.

 

The other tools like rotate face and so on, are entirely for the birds in my opinion. Copy faces or edges are not bad commands, since you can easily extrude (extrude tool) a copied face to make a new solid to work on. You can extrude along path also (option in extrude command) using the edge you extract from a geometry.

 

There is no such thing as a sub-object vertex in AutoCAD. It is just solids and that is it. What you can try doing though, is to colour certain faces in AutoCAD, and select them by mat ID, in the face sub-object pane in 3DSMAX. Separate or separate with copy, the coloured faces out from the meshed object in MAX, and work away on any vertices you need.

[nuno]

Move face tool, select two faces first by clicking on a certain edge. Then remove one of the faces. (POS i know, but not too bad after a bit)

... you can just pick directly on the face ... if you are in wireframe view and you want select a face behind some other faces or objects, then you do that (click on a certain edge).

 

best to you,

nuno

[garethace]

... you can just pick directly on the face ...

No kidding! Hey, i will try that. But still i suppose it is useful to know the 'r' (remove) - spacebar option, to remove faces from the selection using the move faces command.

[garethace]

Yeah, just attempted that and its 'a piece of cake'. I must say, i am surprised i never learned that until NOW! (Insert picture of me banging me head against a table)

 

Anyhow, i see what you mean, now also about being able to pick faces behind the object, and just removing the face in the foreground - by the pick edge method.

 

I guess, i am to used to form Z for my own good. Where, to pick a face, you pick two edges, and THEN it selects the actual face. Thanks again for a maissive tip, if i ever have to model in AutoCAD again now, at least i won't be so awkward about it.

 

I have tried modelling recently, without a good powerdraft driver installed too. It is not too bad with saved views, but still i think i greatly restricts the 'maneuverability' of modelling using AutoCAD solids.

[vizwhiz]

hi There

 

Jeff

 

glad to see you working with solids (maybe not)

 

here is some lisp routines that i use a LOT for solid editing/construction: my main modus operandy

 

you can replace the inital numerical command aliases with something more alphabetical if that works better for you:

 

solidedit "face" "move" = 3112:

 

select object: pick 1st point: pick 2nd point (to stretch solid to):

 

solidedit:

 

(defun c:3110 () (command "solidedit") (princ))

(defun c:3111 () (command "solidedit" "F" "e") (princ))

(defun c:3112 () (command "solidedit" "F" "m" pause "" pause pause "" "") (princ))

(defun c:3113 () (command "solidedit" "F" "r") (princ))

(defun c:3114 () (command "solidedit" "F" "o") (princ))

(defun c:3115 () (command "solidedit" "F" "t") (princ))

(defun c:3116 () (command "solidedit" "F" "d") (princ))

(defun c:3117 () (command "solidedit" "F" "c") (princ))

(defun c:3118 () (command "solidedit" "F" "L") (princ))

(defun c:3120 () (command "solidedit" "E" "C") (princ))

(defun c:3121 () (command "solidedit" "E" "L") (princ))

(defun c:3122 () (command "solidedit" "B" "i") (princ))

(defun c:3123 () (command "solidedit" "B" "p") (princ))

(defun c:3124 () (command "solidedit" "B" "s") (princ))

(defun c:3125 () (command "solidedit" "B" "L") (princ))

(defun c:3126 () (command "solidedit" "B" "c") (princ))

 

slice:

 

select object: pick point to slice at: pick point on side of object to keep:

 

u r done:

 

(defun c:341 () (command ".slice" pause "" "yz" pause "nea" pause))

(defun c:342 () (command ".slice" pause "" "zx" pause "nea" pause))

 

select object: pick point to slice at: this keeps both sides of object:

 

u r done:

 

(defun c:343 () (command ".slice" pause "" "zx" pause "b"))

 

i got a LOT of 3d solid #-ical aliases etc

 

****

 

say whatever happened to the online database idea of assembling resources? i got a lot of etc stuff already but willing to contribute to a greater 3d CG adventure

 

let me know

 

Thanks

 

Randy

[vizwhiz]

ok Jeff

 

here is an example of how i use the #-ical solidediting commands. 8.25 hours so far including setting up all of the xref(s):

 

 

later

 

Thanks

 

Randy

[garethace]

Fascinating. I notice the slice command, there even though i haven't a clue about lisp commands and application.

 

The slice command is very useful to cut out roof shapes etc. It is a solid editing command, i had nearly forgotten about now. Slice was always part of the R14 solids editing set. So i guess i need to get a larger monitor and open up even more AUtoCAD toolbars!!!

 

(The old and new ones)

 

There are a heck of alot of toolbars in that screen shot. But i guess, i am the same when it comes to using formZ toolbars.

[G]

I know its late but i love the move face command. As other before me, i cant beleive i havnt noticed this command before. And as a competent solid modeller, this command will ave me a heap of time.

 

G

 

P>S Keep up the good work, Jeff