AutoCAD 3D Modeling Essentials 2026/2027

Explore solid modeling primitives in AutoCAD 3D modeling essentials, including box, cylinder, cone, sphere, pyramid, wedge, and torus, and learn to control dimensions, top radius, and UCS orientation.

Explore how the extrude command converts 2D objects to 3D solids, set heights, and extrude along a path: polyline, arc, or zipline, while adjusting visual styles and grid display.

Convert 2D shapes into 3D using the press pull tool, which works on bounded areas to add or subtract volume, including holes and cylinders from circles.

Explore how the revolve command converts 2D shapes into 3D models by revolving around a chosen axis, creating solids or surfaces with adjustable angles and axis positions.

Explore how the loft tool turns 2d shapes into 3d solids or surfaces via cross sections, paths, and guides, with adjustable display modes.

Use sweep command to create 3D solids or surfaces by sweeping 2D shapes along a path, such as a zipline or polyline. Adjust alignment, twist, and scale to vary results.

Learn to create and sweep cross-sections using 2D polylines and 3D polylines in AutoCAD 3D modeling essentials, including building from scratch, isolating components, and viewing the sweep results.

Create a helix path for sweep in AutoCAD 3d modeling essentials, defining radius, top radius, height, and turns, then sweep a cross-section along the helix with circle, rectangle, or polygon.

Open the hands-on project folder and convert 2d shapes into 3d objects using press pull, sweep, and revolve. View in isometric and shaded styles, then orbit to inspect.

Loft between two circles to form the table base, then use press pull to heighten the top, following ortho and polar tracking. Color by layer and union parts to finalize.

complete the first assignment by using loft and press pull to form a table from polylines and circles, then refine with move and 2d frame style.

Edit solid primitives in AutoCAD 3D modeling essentials by adjusting grips, dimensions, and geometry; use the tab key to switch between add and total values, and access 2D wireframe grips.

Master union, subtract, and intersect in AutoCAD 3D modeling essentials to combine, subtract, and intersect 3d solids or 2d regions, resulting in unified or cut shapes.

Move, rotate, and scale objects in AutoCAD 3D using the gizmo, with axis handles, base points, and mode switching.

Learn to modify 3D faces in Autodesk AutoCAD by moving, copying, offsetting, extruding, tapering, and coloring faces to edit solid models.

Learn to apply fillet and chamfer edges in AutoCAD by setting edge radius and chamfer distance on selected edges. Use loop selections and press enter twice to finalize.

Explore offset edges in AutoCAD by selecting a face, setting distance, and choosing inside or outside offsets, with 2D wireframe tips for cylinders.

Learn how to use the 3D mirror command in AutoCAD to create mirrored copies across a chosen plane, including XY, YZ, XZ, or three-point planes, with optional erase.

Create a 24 by 12 tray in AutoCAD 3D modeling essentials, offset edges, press pull to hollow by 1, add handles with 3d polyline and sweep, then mirror and union.

Model a 3d bookshelf in AutoCAD by drawing a profile, forming four shelves with 10-unit spacing via a rectangular array, then extruding, filleting edges, and uniting.

Learn to extract edges, imprint 2d geometry on a 3d solid, color and copy edges, and use selection cycling and loft tools in AutoCAD.

Learn to create 3D arrays in AutoCAD with rectangular, polar, and path patterns, control levels and distances, manage associative arrays, and explode when needed, using proper UCS planes.

Master the slice command in AutoCAD to split 3d solids and surfaces, choose keep both or one, and apply XY, ZX, and YZ plane cuts.

Master the shell command in AutoCAD 3D modeling essentials to hollow a 3D solid by removing faces and applying a 0.25 thickness.

Explore the section plane tool in AutoCAD to cut through 3D models, reveal interior geometry, and adjust boundary, color, and live section settings with grips for precise visualization.

learn to build the helix core in AutoCAD 3d modeling essentials by using the top UCS, helix arc, polar arrays, 3d mirror, and subtraction to finalize the model.

Apply 3D modeling techniques by building a kitchen faucet profile using circles, polylines, polygons, then loft, sweep, press pull, and union the parts into a complete faucet.

Explore AutoCAD 3D surfaces by using planar and network commands to convert lines, polylines, circles, and ziplines into planar surfaces, and create complex 3D forms with surface network.

Trim, untrim, and extend surfaces in AutoCAD 3D modeling essentials, exploring surface associativity on or off, untrim operations, and edge extension using stretch or extend modes with merge or append.

Explore surface tools in AutoCAD 3D modeling essentials, including patch to close edges, fillet with a 0.1 radius, and sculpt to trim and union surfaces.

Convert 3D solids like box, sphere, and torus to surfaces in AutoCAD using the convert to surface command; the surfaces have zero thickness and are hollow, shown in section view.

Learn to convert surfaces to solids in AutoCAD with the thicken command, adjusting thickness to create solid or hollow forms. Experiment with thickness values to see firm solid results.

Apply knowledge in a hands-on AutoCAD project to create a 3d sink, using extrude, patch, trim, thickness, and fillet for a solid model.

Explore AutoCAD 3D mesh primitives, including box, cone, wedge, cylinder, sphere, and more, using vertex, edge, and face filters plus Smooth More to sculpt complex shapes.

Explore mesh primitive options in the mesh tab, adjust the number of faces for various primitives, and preview changes for new objects as you refine axis, base, and height.

Explore AutoCAD mesh tools for smoothing and creasing, with levels from none to four, smooth more/less, refine mesh, and add or remove crease on selected faces.

Learn how to edit mesh faces in AutoCAD 3D modeling by splitting, merging, and extruding faces, using culling off to select back faces accurately.

Convert meshes to surfaces and solids using the mesh tools, including revolved, tabulated, and edge surfaces, and explore convert to solid and convert to surface options.

Build a 3d mesh lounge chair by using mesh cone and cylinder tools, extruding faces, smoothing, converting to a solid, and unioning components.

Apply AutoCAD 3D tools to convert a cuboid into a smooth mesh bowl by switching to surface, converting to mesh, extruding the middle, and adding crease.

Generate 2D views from a 3D AutoCAD model in layout, including front, top, side, and isometric. Manage auto update, scale, and parent alignment for accurate projections.

Learn to create detail and section views in AutoCAD 3D modeling essentials, using layout and base from model with scales. Explore circular and rectangular details, section styles, and editing options.

Learn to dimension 2D views from 3D models in AutoCAD using a dedicated dimension layer, annotate tools, and linear or angular dimensions, with true size in orthographic views.

Generate 2D views from your 3D AutoCAD model by creating front, top, left, right, isometric, and section views, applying first-angle and third-angle standards, and adding details with scales and hatch.

Practice adding dimensions to generated 2D views using the annotate tab in layout 1, adjusting dim style, precision, and text size for visualization.

Configure AutoCAD layouts and page setups to prepare viewports for printing, choosing paper sizes, printers, and a plot style, and apply consistent settings across multiple layouts.

Plot single sheets and batch plot to DWG to PDF in AutoCAD, using layout-based page setup, printer options, and precise scaling for multi-sheet outputs.

Open the hands-on project and set up a layout with multiple 3d viewports, rename 2d views and iso sections, apply page setups, and practice batch plot.

Create a layout with four viewports showing top, side, bottom, and isometric views; set scales, lock viewports, and print to pdf via the page setup manager.

Apply materials to 3d models via the materials browser, by layer or by face with drag and drop, choose wood or metal, and save or duplicate libraries before edits.

Explore editing materials in AutoCAD by applying images, adjusting brightness, position, rotation, and scale, converting to regions, and applying glass with the Autodesk library for realistic frames.

Learn to place point and spot lights in AutoCAD 3D models, adjust intensity and color, modify properties, and control sun shadows using Bing Maps for realistic lighting.

Learn to animate 3D models in AutoCAD 3D with show motion, orbit views, and shot timing to clearly communicate design intent.

Create motion path animations to drive the camera around a 3d model, linking to polylines at different elevations, choosing look-at points, and exporting a wmv video.

Learn how to create and position cameras, set targets, and save multiple views for rendering; adjust visual styles, lighting, sun status, geolocation, and scene details to capture precise shots.

Master rendering essentials in AutoCAD by configuring views, backgrounds, and presets from low to overnight. Apply lighting, sun and sky, image-based lighting, exposure, and location settings to create realistic renders.

Apply materials to a 3d model with material browser and Autodesk library, assign glass, wood, and flooring by layer, and create or use libraries to adjust color, scale, and environment.

Place lights in corners and position a camera to create a simple scene, using wireframe and visualize to adjust lighting, intensity, and render at different qualities.

Create a 3D decorative lamp in AutoCAD by modeling a cylinder base, arranging spheres with rectangular and polar arrays, subtracting to hollow, shelling, applying glass material, and lighting for rendering.

Create a hollow double-eye mechanical link in AutoCAD using 2D and 3D tools—circle, line, fillet, mirror, trim, join, extrude, and subtract—using isometric views and object snap for precise intersections.

Create a 3D model of the mounted parts feature and generate 2D views and sections in AutoCAD, using polyline, offset, circle, press pull, and detail views.

Create a wheel cover detail in AutoCAD by drawing top view circles and slots, extruding to 3D, and generating 2D views and layouts with sections for documentation.