Inside AutoCAD® 2002

Chapter 27. Introduction to 3D

Up to this point in this book you have been learning about drawing 2D representations of real-world 3D objects. This method of designing and drafting is limited because a 2D drawing must be visualized as a 3D real-world object. Drawing 3D objects as 3D objects largely eliminates the need to mentally visualize because the 3D information is included in the design drawing. Drawing and designing in 3D offers other advantages as well. For example, the viewpoint can be changed to help define the form of the object. In addition, shaded and rendered presentations—and even animations—are possible (see Figure 27.1). And ...