The other day, I lost a job because I was an expert in AutoCAD and the Production Designer didn’t believe that AutoCAD could be used for computer modeling and pre-visualization for Set Design. Well, he was wrong. AutoCAD, especially when used with 3D Studio Viz or 3D Studio Max, is an excellent tool for computer modeling and pre-vis.

AutoCAD produces computer models in a variety of way and is more accurate than most other programs. Also, once the computer model is complete, you can more easily and accurately generate 2D construction drawings.

The simplest method for producing 3D drawings in AutoCAD is to draw a plan of a room or other item and change the thickness with the CHPROP command, giving a line a third, or z-axis, direction. A 2D solid can also be given thickness using the CHPROP command. Using this method, an ordinary 2D drawing can be given a 3D appearance in about 5 seconds. These models are somewhat crude and extra time must be spent adding headers and details.

The two methods I prefer involve surface meshes and solids. Each has advantages and disadvantages but generally produce better results than the first method. Each will be described in a moment.

A better way to use AutoCAD for 3D computer models is to upgrade to AutoCAD Architectural Desktop which automates many of the functions required to build accurate and detailed computer models.

Autodesk has not spent the development effort in the 3D portion of AutoCAD as it should, preferring to concentrate on it’s other products such as 3D Studio Max and 3D Studio Viz. Both of these programs are the equal to, or superior to, most other high-end modeling programs, including the ones I was asked to use. Using the 3D Studio product with or without AutoCAD, superior models can be built. AutoCAD and 3D studio are closely linked with back and forth editing capability. While AutoCAD by itself does not do animation, 3D studio does and by using the two together, an accurate model can be built in AutoCAD Architectural Desktop and materials added in 3D Studio and then add lights and animation.

Now let’s individually discuss the last four methods of using AutoCAD and 3D Studio to produce accurate and detailed computer models quickly.

I usually use surface meshes when I am using curves. Meshes are defined in terms of a matrix of M and N vertices. The density is controlled by use of SURFTAB1 and SURFTAB2. There are 4 commands to produce these. RULESURF produces polygons between two lines, curves or polyline. EDGESURF produces a mesh (or coon) between four lines, curves or polylines that have contiguous corners. A 3DFACE creates polygons between three or four points. REVSURF will lathe one curve or polyline around an axis line. There is also a collection of canned messes such ass hemispheres, geospheres, and others. I have created hundreds models using this method. When working for an architect designing a tent structure, the edgesuft produced the concave shape of the tent panels. I’ve used it for the nose of submarines and spacecraft and aircraft. Rulesuft and edgesuft are the tools I usually use for topo models. The 3Dface command works well for flat surfaces such

Mesh model of Shrek's Swamp. Sacramento Light Opera Association & Sacramento Theater Company.

In recent years, I have begun using 3D Solids more. Generally these are quicker for shapes other than compound curves. The density is controlled by the use of ISOLINES. Using boolean operations, holes for windows and door can be cut into the solids. I often use this method to trace 3D Solid walls over a 2D plan of my set. AutoCAD now provides a 3D Solid pull-down menu for solids which makes it a little easier. There are a few standard shapes, such as box and cylinder, from which to build the models or make your own profile and extrude the z axis. Unlike using CHPROP to change the thickness of a line as described above, a solid must be extruded from a closed polyline. A closed polyline or a circle can be extruded along a path which I find useful for making cables, mouldings, complex arches. REVOLVE is used to lathe a closed polyline around an axis to produce space station parts, accessories such as vases and tableware, spaceship details, and columns. I am currently working on a round house and will use the REVOLVE for the surface

Trade Show Display using AutoCAD Solids Sit-Com Set, computer massing model

Use the same commands to create plant-on pieces, details, and other parts. It is sometimes advantageous to use the UNION command to join two or more solids into a single object. Once joined, they can not be unjoined. I often will make copies of parts before doing a Union and save them on a parts layer which is frozen, just in case I later change my mind and need them as separate parts again.

Once you have created your basic shapes, use the same commands to create your negative spaces such as doors, windows, holes to pass pipes through, and flutes on a column. Use the SUBTRACT command to subtract the negative spaces from the main body. The intersection command is similar to subtract, except that instead of leaving a hole in a object behind, all that is left behind as the space common to both of the original solids. I don’t use this often but one example is the Acantha leaves on a Corinthian column where I use two perpendicular closed curved polyline to produce the leaf.

There are many advantages to solids and I am now building models mostly from solids, but I can still use surface messes when I need to.

I am one of the Set Designers who used AutoCAD Architectural Desktop. Unfortunately, some Set Designers have not made the switch and since I need to interface with them, I am usually requested not to use the excellent version of the venerable AutoCAD. To put it simply, AutoCAD Architectural Desktop works with intelligent 3D shapes, such as walls, as if they were simple lines. When you trim or extend a wall, it trims or extends just as a line would, only it’s the entire 3D wall which may already have door and windows in place. Even the corners heal.

The topo is a mesh, the rest of the model is AEC objects.

Since most Set Designers are not using this version of AutoCAD, I generally use AutoCAD Architectural Desktop for my Architectural and Interior Design work when I am not interfacing with a coworker at the next desk still using "Plain Jane" or "Vanilla" AutoCAD.

AutoCAD Architectural Desktop is designed to interface well with Autodesk's 3D Studio Max and 3D Studio Viz.

Several years ago, Autodesk advanced it’s original 3D Studio modeling and animation program into 3D Studio Max which was a powerful enhancement. A year of two later, it produced 3D Studio Viz which was like Max, with a few things removed and many items of particular interest to Architects added. The two versions seem to be converging again with Max being pre-eminent for Architects as well as game designers and Motion Picture Visual Effects. Where 3D Studio works for me is that it is tightly bound to AutoCAD which is my preferred 2D drafting program because of it’s power and accuracy. A computer

Click the image to download a Pre-Visualization animation.

The woman who called me about the job asked, “But can you do renderings with materials?” “Yes,” I answered. “I’ve done it many times.” Just like other rendering programs, AutoCAD supports materials and comes with a large library as well as allowing the user to create his own. This allows the rendering of signs and graphics. I have used Photoshop to create many materials. Does AutoCAD allow lighting. Of course. AutoCAD supports the usual point, distant, and spot. In fact, AutoCAD is the only program I know of that allow shadows in a point or distant light. Most programs only allow shadows with spot lights requiring work-arounds. AutoCAD does not support self illuminating materials, but 3D Studio does. And AutoCAD can render in three modes, Render, Photo-real, and ray-trace, not to mention shade, hidden line, and wireframe. AutoCAD outputs in a number of file formats including TIF and TGA. As stated elsewhere, AutoCAD does not do animation, but 3D Studio is a full animation package.

Rendered in AutoCAD © R12. Materials created in Photoshop 5. Early concept rendering for a feature.