© 2011 Autodesk

AC5089: Mesh Modeling in AutoCAD®

Dave YoungApplication Engineer – Repro Products

© 2011 Autodesk

Class Summary

Although AutoCAD ® has very powerful 3D modeling capabilities, most people use it for modeling geometric shapes or extruding a closed figure, resulting in angular-looking models. The recent introduction of mesh modeling now allows for more free-form organic shapes. Traditionally, Autodesk products have been separated into distinct categories: AutoCAD for lines and arcs, Autodesk® Inventor® for parts and machines. Neither of these methods handle non-prismatic shapes very well. This class will explore the use of mesh modeling tools and techniques for creating organic shapes in AutoCAD for manufacture.

The last class of the last day of AU 2011.

© 2011 Autodesk

Learning Objectives

At the end of this class, you will be able to: Create 3D mesh objects Modify 3D mesh objects Convert from mesh to solid objects Use solid object modeling tools for creating molds, then exporting for use in other

programs or computer numerical control (CNC) machines

© 2011 Autodesk

AU Classes on Mesh Modeling

Session ID Title Speaker Date/Time

AC4686-P 3D Design from Concept to Completion in AutoCAD® David CohnTuesday1:15 pm

AC5678-LMeshing Around with AutoCAD® 2012:Compelling Mesh Modeling Techniques

J.C. MalitzkeThursday8:15 am

AC5089 Mesh Modeling in AutoCAD® Dave YoungThursday5:15 pm

© 2011 Autodesk

Creating Organic Shapes

From Square Block to Chicken Tender in 132 Easy PowerPoint Slides

© 2011 Autodesk

The Process

1. Create a Mesh Primitive

2. Push and pull the mesh faces, lines and vertexes

3. Get the desired size, shape and volume

4. Convert the Mesh to a Solid

5. Create mold by subtraction

6. Export

© 2011 Autodesk

Types of Modeling in AutoCAD Solid Model

A solid model is an enclosed 3D body that has properties such as mass, volume, center of gravity, and moments of inertia.

Surface ModelA surface model is a thin shell that does not have mass or volume. AutoCAD offers two types of surfaces: procedural and NURBS. Use prodecural surfaces to take advantage of associative modling, and use NURBS surfaces to take advantage of sculpting with control vertices.

Mesh ModelA mesh model consists of vertices, edges, and faces that use polygonal representation (including triangles and quads) to define a 3D shape.

© 2011 Autodesk

Things to Consider

1. Graphics Performance Complexity * Visual Display Style = Slow

2. Tessellation Divisions More division means more detail and complexity See #1

3. Initial Mesh Primitive or Revolved Mesh placement Parting Plane on XY plane (if working with molds)

4. Draft angles Needs to come out of a mold

© 2011 Autodesk

How it’s done

Enough with the PowerPoint

Let’s get to the AutoCAD…

© 2011 Autodesk

Autodesk, AutoCAD* [*if/when mentioned in the pertinent material, followed by an alphabetical list of all other trademarks mentioned in the material] are registered trademarks or trademarks of Autodesk, Inc., and/or its subsidiaries and/or affiliates in the USA and/or other countries. All other brand names, product names, or trademarks belong to their respective holders. Autodesk reserves the right to alter product and services offerings, and specifications and pricing at any time without notice, and is not responsible for typographical or graphical errors that may appear in this document. © 2011 Autodesk, Inc. All rights reserved.