2D to 3D - How can I do it?

[paisis123]

Hello CADtutor!

 

It is me asking another ridiculously awesome question. Anyway, Im working on a private project to design a melee weapon for my Fanfiction. (which just hit 35K words)

 

I have the design here Astral Axe V-002.dwg and the color scheme here

 

Its called the Astral Axe. My question to you guys is: What is the best way to make this into a high quality 3D drawing? What is the best approach to this? And is there a way to render it and edit the final rendering with Photoshop when completed into 3D? Should I use GoogleSketchup? (Is there a way to transfer the 2D and extrude the 3D?

 

Sorry for the boat load of questions. Its just I want to do so much and I have NO idea where to start.

[tzframpton]

First off, nice design.

 

And you can stay in AutoCAD to create a 3D model from this but it will take some practice to get it they way you want it. 3D modeling is a never ending task it seems. After looking at your 2D linework, I would start to separate the objects as joined polylines. Then you can use the PRESSPULL or EXTRUDE commands to give each geometric piece some three dimensional depth. If the handle is meant to be round, then try using the CYLINDER command to achieve this. You will want to get familiar with great your primitives first, which give the object a shape, then further mold other parts.

 

Here's some reading material to get you started:

http://exchange.autodesk.com/autocad/enu/online-help/search#WSfacf1429558a55de1a7524c1004e616f8b-2cc6.htm

[paisis123]

Sweetness! Thanks for the sound advice. I will give it a quick read and see what I can do. I Have limited experience with AutoCad 3d, even though I have been using Autocad since Junior year of high school so this is a little intimidating for me to start.

[tzframpton]

Best thing to do is change the Workspace to the 3D Workspace. This gives you a lot of tools and options right at your fingertips. Do you know how to change this?

[paisis123]

Yes I do. The problem is that Im usually at work (bored out of my mind, and as long as Im working on AutoCad my boss doesn't Mind.) and that Im using someone else's Work space which has ALOT of tool-bars and custom settings. Im worried that If I revert to 3D mode, I wont be able to revert back to the Custom 2D setup.

[tzframpton]

Ah, I see. Well the trick is this: Save the current Workspace and nobody will ever know.

 

If you click the Workspace Icon (it looks like a Gear), select "Save Current As" and just overwrite the name, saving a "snapshot" of the workspace. Now you can freely switch Workspaces and when you're done, simply change it back. For safe keeps, do a Print Screen and save the image somewhere in case something every goes haywire but I'll assure you it won't. But, you never know. Either way, you won't screw anything up and we'll be able to get you back to normal just in case.

 

[paisis123]

(boss walked by and gave me a thumbs up)

 

Will do! I will make a backup real quick and switch to 3D and switch back. If all goes all well then I can start work on it right away. But alas, I have never used 3d in AutoCad even though I use it so much. (Im scared)

[tzframpton]

Don't be scared. It's fun trust me. Just click the link in my signature regarding the fender guitar project I'm working on. Lots of fun ways to use AutoCAD in 3D.

 

[paisis123]

Omg, your getting me excited. Excellent work! All that was in AutoCAD 2012?! Dude, your the reason I have the rest of the day to work on 3D now, as my normal workflow for today is nonexistent. Im gonna see what I can do. I usually learn by experimenting. And I think this project will give me all the knowledge I need.

 

Any more Advice on 3d autocad itself will be great, but I will check the tutorials on this website first before anything, so I can at least hit the ground running, so to speak.

[tzframpton]

Thanks for the compliments. I also posted a really quick tutorial back in 2009 and it still holds true today:

http://www.cadtutor.net/forum/showthread.php?35688-3D-AutoCAD-Render-Tip-Quick-settings-with-great-results

 

This will help you with actually "rendering" your models with good quick results. When you actually get to render scenes is when the excitement really comes into play.

[Ski_Me]

You do realize that this will not be a true 3D model. Your are creating planes and faces and not a real solid. This may make your rendering look more like a laid on bit map than a real photo quality image.