7/2/2014 Free CAD Tutorial 3-2 Isometric Drawing - AutoCAD 2008

http://www.we-r-here.com/cad_08/tutorials/level_3/3-2.htm 1/5

Home Tutorials Guestbook Links Videos Disclaimer Forum
3.2 - ISOMETRIC DRAWING 2D TO LOOK LIKE 3D
LESSON 3-1
INTRODUCTION TO 3-D
LESSON 3-9
ADDING MATERIALS
LESSON 3-2
ISOMETRIC DRAWING
LESSON 3-10
PRIMITIVE SOLIDS
LESSON 3-3
WORKING IN 3
DIMENSIONS
LESSON 3-11
BOOLEAN OPERATIONS
LESSON 3-4
VIEWING 3-D OBJECTS
LESSON 3-12
CHANGING FROM THE WCS TO
THE UCS
LESSON 3-5
BASIC WIREFRAME
MODELS
LESSON 3-13
MAPPING MATERIALS
LESSON 3-6
LINE THICKNESS
LESSON 3-14
CREATING NEW MATERIALS
LESSON 3-7
REGIONS AND 3-D FACES
LESSON 3-15
EXTRA PROJECTS AND A
TUTORIAL
LESSON 3-7a
MORE ABOUT EXTRUDING
& LOFTING
LESSON 3-16
PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER -
MODEL A BUILDING
LESSON 3-8
REVOLVED OBJECTS
LESSON 3-17
INTRODUCTION TO RENDERING
AND LIGHTING
For an updated 2012 tutorial, please click here.
Topics covered in this Lesson:
Isometric drawing procedures
LESSON 3-2 - ISOMETRIC DRAWING
Using Isometric commands is one of the simplest ways to give a 3-D representation while using only 2-
D commands. This has been the usual way of doing things before CAD allowed true 3-D work to be
done. Many times an isometric drawing is used to compliment a 3 view orthographic drawing. See the
sample below.
7/2/2014 Free CAD Tutorial 3-2 Isometric Drawing - AutoCAD 2008
http://www.we-r-here.com/cad_08/tutorials/level_3/3-2.htm 2/5
You can see that it is a very simple drawing. This basic isometric drawing of the object gives a very
good idea of what it looks like. If this is all that is needed then isometric works well. Unfortunately, as
soon as you change anything, like the block's height, you'll need to redraw all four views.
AutoCAD has a command called ISOPLANE which allows you to easily draw at a 30 degree angle as
needed for an isometric drawing. You can switch between the three 'isoplanes' (top, right, left) by using
this command or by pressing the F5 key.
Command: ISOPLANE <ENTER>
Current isoplane: Right
Enter isometric plane setting [Left/Top/Right] <Left>: T
<ENTER>
Current isoplane: Top
By invoking this command, AutoCAD is now set to draw on the top isoplane. Your other choices would
be Left or Right. Your first exercise will be to draw the object shown above using isometric methods.
Exercise 1 - ISOMETRIC DRAWING
Begin a new drawing using the acad.dwt template
Create a layer called OBJECT and give it a green color. Make this your current layer.
7/2/2014 Free CAD Tutorial 3-2 Isometric Drawing - AutoCAD 2008
http://www.we-r-here.com/cad_08/tutorials/level_3/3-2.htm 3/5
Type in DDRMODES to bring up the Drawing Aids dialog box. Make your settings the same as what
you see below (just turn on Isometric Snap).
Press OK and you'll see that the grid is set up for isometric drawing for the left isoplane in 1/2"
increments. Your crosshairs are now angled to show you which isoplane you are currently on and the
Grid is laid out differently from what you may be used to..
Begin by drawing the left side of the box (shown at the top of the lesson) using the line command.
Ignore the hole at this point. You will want to use the Direct Distance Entry System for this exercise
and make sure that you have Ortho (F8)and Osnaps (F3) turned on.
Switch to your right isoplane (F5) and draw the right side.
Switch to your top isoplane (F5) and draw the top view.
7/2/2014 Free CAD Tutorial 3-2 Isometric Drawing - AutoCAD 2008
http://www.we-r-here.com/cad_08/tutorials/level_3/3-2.htm 4/5
Create the angle lines to add the angled surface.
Switch back to the left isoplane and start the ellipse command. At the command prompt, press I
for isocircle. This will allow you to create an ellipse at the correct angle based on the radius of the circle
in the orthographic drawing. Use the Osnap to pick the correct center point.
Save your drawing in your CAD folder.
To dimension an isometric drawing, you have to do a few things first. Create a text style called Left, and
give it a 30
o
obliquing angle, then create another called right with a -30
o
obliquing angle. Then create a
new dimension style that has the text aligned with the dimension line. After you have placed a
dimension, use the DIMEDIT command to change the obliquing angle of the dimension + or - 30
degrees. You may also need to use the properties to change the text in the dimension to left or right
depending upon the orientation of the dimension.
Keep in mind that this is still only 2D. Remember that in some instances, it may be quicker and easier
to use this method rather than the more complex 3-D methods you'll be learning in the following
lessons.
View the video about Isometric Drawing.
Extra Practice: Copy this drawing using isometric drawing methods.
Extra Practice: Copy this drawing using isometric drawing methods. If you want to add the hidden
lines, jump ahead to Lesson 4-3 to learn about linetypes.
RETURN TO THE TOP OF THE LESSON | RETURN TO THE TABLE OF CONTENTS
CONTINUE TO THE NEXT LESSON - 3-3 >
Take the quiz for this lesson
Owned and operated by Art Whitton, Chester, NE
This web site is protected by Copyright 1999-2008
Last Update: 04/11/2014 21:10:29
7/2/2014 Free CAD Tutorial 3-2 Isometric Drawing - AutoCAD 2008
http://www.we-r-here.com/cad_08/tutorials/level_3/3-2.htm 5/5
Please visit my other sites: www.myARTdepartment.com | www.TheCenterofCreativity.com
| Ipod skins | ChesterNE.com |