Search

3D Modelling

The only 9 commands you need to get started with 3D CAD

By Joachim Corijn 7 min 6 tháng 5, 2020
The only 9 commands you need to get started with 3D CAD

When you're just getting started with 3D CAD, sometimes, knowing what to learn first can feel a little overwhelming. But really, there are only nine commands you need to get started with 3D CAD straight away. You might even know some if you are familiar with 2D CAD!

  1. Extrude
  2. Mirror
  3. Copy
  4. Rotate
  5. Move
  6. Connect to Nearest
  7. PushPull
  8. Array
  9. Subtract

For this 3D CAD essentials guide, it's important to have already a good understanding of selection methods and the BricsCAD Shape User interface.


1 Extrude

null

Start simple and start easy. If you draw out a 2D entity (object), such as a spline or polyline, the next thing you'll want to do is make it 3D. That's where Extrude comes in!

Begin by selecting your entity or region and launch the Extrude command. Then, drag the mouse and click or manually type in the distance.


2 Mirror

null

Nine times out of 10, when you're modeling in CAD, your designs will have some symmetry. Don't waste time modeling it again; just Mirror it!

Begin by selecting the entity/entities and launching the Mirror command. Then, use the mouse to draw the mirror line in the workspace.


3 Copy

null

If you've already created an object and you like the way it looks, you can simply Copy it. Type "Copy" into the Command Line.

When you launch Copy, the Command line will ask you for a "base point" and "second point.” Think about this: the base point is the starting point, and the second is where you want the first point to move.

You can see a preview of each point when you hover the cursor (it's the small red square). These are snap markers.

The usual Ctrl+C and Ctrl+V button shortcuts also work fine, although they behave slightly differently under the hood. For example, you can use these shortcuts to copy entities between drawings.


4 Rotate

null

Now that you've moved that object, you might want to Rotate it.

Select the entity/entities you want to rotate and launch the Rotate command. Move the cursor around a bit, and a curved, yellow arrow will appear to illustrate the rotation direction. The blue line indicates the rotational axis.

Move the cursor around some more, and you will see that it snaps to entities within the drawing (e.g., a solid edge).

Once you have chosen your rotation axis and direction, click the mouse, release, drag the cursor to the required angle and click again. Alternatively, type the rise in manually and hit Enter.


5 Move

null

Here, the X-ray visual style allows you to see where the object will finish up more clearly.

No list of essential CAD commands would be complete without the Move command! It's handy to move an object into position without redrawing it!

Launch the Move command. It works exactly like the Copy command but does not duplicate the object!

When you launch Move, the command line will ask you for a "base point" and "second point.” Think about this: the base point is the starting point, and the second is where you want the first point to move.

Hint: sometimes it's easier to see where your object is going if you change the visual style to X-ray.


6 Connect to Nearest

null

If your entity is a different size, you don't need to redraw it. Use the Connect to Nearest command to connect your entities perfectly with the nearest entity/entities.

First, select the face, then launch the Connect to Nearest Command. BricsCAD will automatically calculate the rest.

It even works at angles and multiple faces!


7 PushPull

null

Another way to resize and reshape an entity is to use the PushPull (DmPushPull) command. Select the face(s) you wish to move and launch the PushPull command. Then, drag the mouse to the required position and click. Alternatively, type the distance in manually and hit __Enter__to complete the command. Simple!


8 Array

null

If you enjoy the Copy command, you'll love the Array command. It allows you to copy a repeated set of objects in a set pattern; a rectangular grid (rectangle), circular pattern (polar), or along a path (path).

To begin, select the entity/entities to array and launch the Array command. Choose the array type and follow the instruction on the Command line. The best way to learn is to experiment with the options and see how it works for you.

This command is so diverse that I couldn't cover all the information here. You can learn about creating and editing arrays in My Journey.


9 Subtract

null

The idea behind Subtract is simple: if two entities occupy the same space in BricsCAD, you can use one entity as a template to remove material from the other.

Begin by launching the Subtract command. Select the entity that you wish to subtract the material from. Then, select the entity that intersects the first entity, and voilà! It's that simple. You can also use Subtract on multiple entities at the same time.

Did You Know?

The BricsCAD Manipulator allows you to mirror, move, rotate, copy, scale and manipulate the faces of entities, all in one handy tool? To launch it, hover over a commodity and hold the left mouse button slightly longer than normal. Now you have everything you need, all at the click of a mouse!

Interested in learning more about 3D CAD?

Check out My BricsCAD Shape Journey, where I guide you through BricsCAD Shape step by step, or jump straight in with the Lazy Man's Guide to BricsCAD Shape.


Explore BricsCAD

Download BricsCAD Free Trial | Sign Up For News & Updates | Shop Online For BricsCAD Desktop Software

Permanent or subscription licenses that work in all languages in all regions.


More Tuesday Tips:

Joachim Corijn

by Joachim Corijn - Global Marketing Operations Manager at Bricsys®

Global Marketing Operations Manager at Bricsys® at Bricsys and an absolute CAD newbie (but having fun). Fan of hiking & cycling. Into the wild, avoid tourist traps.

17 tháng 9, 2024 3 min

Customizing Line Types in BricsCAD

Creating custom line types in BricsCAD can significantly enhance the detail and clarity of your drawings. Whether you’re working on complex engineering plans or simple layout designs, understanding how to create your own line types can give your projects a professional edge. Follow this step-by-step guide to learn how to create both simple and complex line types in BricsCAD.

10 tháng 9, 2024 3 min

BricsCAD Partner Apps for Civil and Survey Workflows

At Bricsys, we provide a solid foundation for our specialist survey and civil app developers to create specialist civil and survey tools that deliver robust and efficient workflows for BricsCAD users. Let’s see what updates and improvements our various developer partners have made to complement BricsCAD V24's civil and survey workflows.

These civil and survey applications are among multiple third-party applications supported by BricsCAD, with our developers working to improve their functionality and remain on pace with our new features introduced with every release.

9 tháng 9, 2024 4 min

Embracing Digital Transformation in the Construction Industry with Bricsys 24/7®

The construction industry continually evolves, and digital transformation is reshaping how teams manage projects, communicate, and handle project documentation. When embracing digital solutions for construction projects, a common data environment (CDE) like Bricsys 24/7 is an excellent place to start. With a significant variance in the level of digital adoption across the industry, embracing and leveraging digital tools can help firms differentiate themselves by elevating operational efficiency and improving project outcomes.

Follow us on social media