Challenge

Project 2_Creating a 3D rendered model for a Residential Building in AutoCad

MMohit Kumar5 Apr 2023

Question :- Create A3 dimensional model of the residential building with a rendered view.

AIM: To create a 3D rendered model for a Residential Building in AutoCAD.

INTRODUCTION:

The main objective of this project is to understand about to create a Plan in 2D, then convert it into 3D using AutoCAD 3D, applying materials and rendering.

The main purpose of AutoCAD is to create 2D sketches. Although 3D objects can be made, AutoCAD is designed with a flat, sketch-based user interface. In AutoCAD, there are numerous pre-defined 3D objects available. These include spheres, cylinders, wedges, and a variety of other shapes. However, users go on to modify 2D objects using the appropriate 3D commands. Therefore, users employ AutoCAD 3D commands like Extrude, Sweep, Revolve, and Union.

Additionally, if a user is working with 3D models, they should be aware of how important the Viewport feature is. The viewport command enables the user to project multiple views of the model by dividing the drawing area into different windows. These include the object's top, front, left, and right views. This function serves the user well and enables them to view the model from various angles. The following list of 2D and 3D tools was used while working on this project:

2D tools:

Line: The line object is the most fundamental and typical object in all AutoCAD drawings. Each segment is a separate line object, allowing for the assignment of properties like layer, line type, and line weight.

Construction Lines: Construction lines, also referred to as xlines, are transient line work entities that can be used as references when constructing and positioning additional objects or line work. Construction lines are circular or perfectly straight lines that go on forever in both directions.

Polygon: Creates an equilateral closed polyline. We can specify the number of sides of the polygon and whether it is inscribed or circumscribed.

Rectangle: Absolute or relative coordinate values can be used to specify the rectangle's size when using the RECTANGLE command. It is preferable to create the rectangle's length and width using the actual dimension values. used command: REC

Circle: Created a circle Command used - CIRCLE or C

Erase: Objects can be deleted or removed from the drawing using the erase command. The keyboard's "Delete" button can also be used to eliminate the selected items. With the aid of the Erase command, we can also remove faces, vertices, and meshes from 3D objects.

Copy: Copies objects a specified distance in a specified direction. With the COPYMODE system variable, you can control whether multiple copies are created automatically.

Trim: Trims objects to meet the edges of other objects. Command used: TR

Layers: Use layers to manage object visibility and to assign attributes like color and line type. Typically, objects on a layer take on the characteristics of that layer. Every layer property of an object, however, can be overridden. For instance, if an object's color property is set to BYLAYER, it will show that layer's color. Regardless of the color assigned to that layer, if the object's color is set to red, it will always appear that way. used command: LAYER

Mirror: To make a mirror copy of the selected object in AutoCAD, use the mirror command. After mirroring the object, we can also remove the source object. To create the other half of an object, mirror images of the objects that represent the same as its half can be created.

Offset: Creates concentric circles, parallel lines, and parallel curves. Command used: OFFSET.

Extend: objects that extend to touch other objects' edges. Pick the boundaries first before extending any objects. Select the objects you want to extend, then press Enter. At the first Select Objects prompt, hit Enter to set all objects as boundaries. used command: EX

Array: Creates copies of objects arranged in a pattern. We can create copies of objects in a regularly spaced rectangular, polar, or path array.

Move: The move command in AutoCAD is used to move objects at a specified distance and direction.

To move the objects with precision, we can use object snaps, grid snaps, coordinates, etc.

Rotate: utilized to turn elements in our drawing around a predetermined base point. We can enter an angle value, drag with the mouse, or specify a reference angle to align to an absolute angle to find the rotation's angle. used a command ROTATE

Dimension: Creates multiple dimensions and types of dimensions with a single command. We can select objects or points on objects to dimension, and then click to place the dimension line. When we hover over an object, the DIM command automatically generates a preview of a suitable dimension type to use.

Text: We can use single-line text to create one or more lines of text, where each text line is an independent object that you can move, format, or otherwise modify. Right-click in the text box to select options on the shortcut menu.

Fillet: The fillet tool helps form round corners between any two entities that form a sharp vertex. Command used: FILLETEtc.

3D tools:

Revolve

Draw> Modelling> Revolve

Extrude

Draw > Modeling > Extrude

This AutoCAD 3D Extrude command allows the user to create a 3D object by extruding a 2D face along a line or path. For example, A cylinder can be created by selecting a 2D circle and extruding it along with a path.

Sweep

Draw > Modeling > Sweep

This command helps the user to extrude the 2D objects without the 2D face being orthogonal to the beginning of the path.

Union

Modify > Solids Editing > Union

This AutoCAD 3D command allows the user to combine two objects converting them into one single object.

Subtract

Modify > Solids Editing > Subtract

This command is opposite to the union command; this command works when there is a common area in both the objects. Then this command subtracts the object A from the object B.

Intersect

Modify > Solid Editing > Intersect

With this AutoCAD 3D command, the user is left with the area that is common to both the objects.

RENDERING :Rendering is the process of creating a raster image based on the 3D objects in a scene. A renderer is used to calculate the appearance of the materials attached to the objects in a scene, and how lighting and shadows are calculated based on the lights placed in a scene. Environmental and exposure settings of the renderer can be adjusted to control the final rendered image.

APPLYING MATERIALS

Click Visualize tab Materials panel Materials Browser. Find
Select the objects which you want to assign the material.
In the Materials Browser, right-click the material to assign and choose Assign to Selection.

The material is assigned to the objects.

Applying a material using the tool Palettes

Click View tab Palettes panel Tool Palettes. Find
On the Tool Palettes window, click a tab to set the tool palette current.
Drag a material tool from the tool palette onto the object.

Applying a material by layer

Click Visualize tab Materials panel (expanded) Attach by Layer. Find

In the Material Attachment Options dialog box, drag a material from the Materials list onto a layer in the Layers list.

The material is assigned to all objects on the layer whose Material property is set to ByLayer. (ByLayer is the default for the Material property when you create an object.)

To remove applied materials

Click Visualize tab Materials panel (expanded) Remove Materials.
Select an object whose material you want to remove.

The material is removed from the object and replaced by the ByLayer material.

Etc.

OBJECTIVE:

The main objective of this project is to review and refresh almost most of the tools which will be used by a Professional engineer while drafting a 3D drawing. This will start from the initial drafting in 2D using lines and rectangles to rendering in 3D. The entire project can be completed in 14 steps and are as follows.

To draw the plan using AutoCAD 2D.
To project walls to convert the plan from AutoCAD 2d to AutoCAD 3D.
To design the staircase
Designing and placing of 3D doors, swinging louver,sliding window, normal window and glass grill.
Adding lights and colouring of walls
Adding chajja and 3D mirroring of the flat.
Adding lift and roof.
Designing and placement of staircase rails.
Adding mumty, parapet wall and copying floors
Rendering.

PROCEDURE:

Step 1: To draw the plan using AutoCAD 2D.

Type UN and press enter Under Drawing Units, select Architectural (feet and inches) Now the lower limit is set to 0', 0' and upper limit to 100', 100' Type Z enter to zoom and A enter to all. Default layers for materials like walls, windows, grills, steps and stairs, dimensions and text was made and was assigned with a colour.
Using the line, rectangle, construction lines the plan layout of a single residential building was prepared as shown. Doors and windows was provided at places necessary as shown in plan. By providing a suitable style all the required texts was also made
Using the DIMLIM command the dimensioning was completed.
The staircase and steps, Common corridor was made next. Using the mirror command, the plan prepared was mirrored to obtain the ground floor of residential flat as shown. The residential flat has the same plan throughout 4 floors. As plan layout is same throughout the entire designing will be carried out in the single residential building than the entire floor. In order to do that a copy of the single residential flat was made and all the works was carried on it.

STEP 2: To project walls to convert the plan from AutoCAD 2d to AutoCAD 3D.
Now in settings select 3D Modelling and visual style control to 2D wireframe to move to AutoCAD 3D. A copy of the residential flat was made to work with. View use is south west isometric view. Turn off all layers except the wall layer. Select the entire drawing and type J to join the entire drawing. Now click on Extrude command in the home tab and press enter, move mouse in upward direction and specify height as 9’6” and press enter. Now the 3D wall is formed.
Door Cut-outs: Using the REC command draw a rectangle connecting the top of all door openings. After drawing all the rectangles select the Extrude command in the home tab and press enter, move mouse in downward direction and specify height as 2’6” and press enter. Now the door cut-outs of 7’ is formed. Also it means that the lintel beam will be at a height of 7’ from the plinth level.
Now using the Union option in solid editing panel select the complete drawing to union all the elements in the drawing. Window cut-outs Now turn off the wall layer and turn on the window layer. Using the REC command rectangle was drawn across all the window portion at the plinth level. Select all the rectangles just formed and move rectangle upwards by 7’. All the main windows was extruded by 4’ and the small toilet windows was extruded by 2’ downward. Using the subtract option in solid editing panel the window rectangles was subtracted from the wall and thus the window cut-outs was made.
Turn off the window layer and turn on the grill layer. In the same way windows was made rectangles was drawn at plinth level at the grills in the balcony. They are then moved upwards by 2’6”. Select all the rectangles and extrude them by 6’ in upward direction. Using the subtract option in solid editing panel the grill cuboids was subtracted from the wall and thus the balcony portion was made.
Floor Level: Using the polyline draw lines connecting the outer wall of the building at the top. Now Using the Move command, move the polyline made downwards to the plinth level. Using the extrude command extrude the polyline by 2’ hence forming the floor.
Common Corridor and plinth From the 2D plan created, using the polyline draw lines connecting the staircase, common corridor and lift room. Then with copy command copy the polyline and place it in 3D plan using the end points selected. Now extrude the polyline downwards by 2’ to obtain the common corridor. Also draw polylines at the plinth level throughout and using offset command offset it outward by 6”. Join all the polylines just created using the joint command and then extrude the polyline by 2’ upwards to create the plinth

STEP 3: To design the staircase
STAIRCASE In the layer panel turn on the staircase layer. Now using the press pull option in home tab press pull each step by 6” (6”, 12”, 18” etc.) that is in every successive step the extrusion height will be increased by 6”. Using the union option in solid editing panel union all the steps to become a single unit.
By drawing a line with the line command as necessary using the press pull command in the solid editing panel, pull the bottom part of the staircase. To remove all of the below portions and finish the loop, it must be done three times.
Using the move command the staircase was selected and moved to the exact position in the 3D drawing using the end points.
STEPS: Turn off staircase layer and turn on the steps layer. Rectangle was made first as per the 2d dimension and then the 3 steps was extruded by Height of 6”, 12” and 18”. Use union command to join the steps.
Using the move command the steps was selected and moved to the exact position in the 3D drawing using the end points. Now with 3dmirror command mirror the steps with respect to a plane parallel to YZ plane that is we have to specify the planes by clicking on 3 points and step will be formed it at the other end of the corridor.
STEP 4:Designing and placing of 3D doors, swinging louver,sliding window, normal window and glass grill.
The 3D doors, swinging louver,sliding window, normal window and glass grill was designed using the tools polyline, sweep, extrude, union, 3D rotate, subtract command etc.
Applying materials: On the visualize tab click on material library and apply suitable materials for 3D doors, swinging louver,sliding window, normal window and glass grill as shown. We can apply materials by just dragging the materials from the library to the object which is to be materialized.
All of the materials were copied as many times as necessary, rotated in the desired direction with the 3D rotate command, and then placed in the appropriate locations as shown.

STEP 6: Adding lights and colouring of walls
Wall colouring: Click on colour face tool in the solid editing panel to apply colours to each room faces as shown. Select the faces carefully and after selecting faces press enter and select the colour of our choice and click ok. Keep repeating this process until completion. Using the materials library in visualization tab the flooring was also applied. Also the plinth level was also assigned to stone materials. In the similar manner the corridor, steps and staircase was also applied with materials.
Adding lights: In order to apply lights a diagonal line was drawn in each room using the line command. In visualization tab select the create light option ,turn off the default lighting and then place the lights at the centre of diagonal, click on intensity factor click on 20 and click enter twice. Repeat this process and do it for other rooms as well.
Now select all the diagonal lines created and delete them.
Select all the lights created and move them downwards by 2’.

STEP 7: Adding chajja and 3D mirroring of the flat.
The chajja/ sunshades was made next using the polyline and have to make sure to turn on the dynamic UCS. The sunshades was made by extruding the lines drawn using polylines by 18’
MIRRORING OF THE FLAT: Now with 3dmirror command mirror the FLAT with respect to a plane parallel to YZ plane that is we have to specify the planes by clicking on 3 points and the flat will be formed it at the other end. Now using the union command join the two plinth. Repeat the union command and join the walls as well.
The two flat are to be mirrored again to finish the floor. Now with 3dmirror command mirror the FLAT with respect to a plane parallel to YZ plane that is we have to specify the planes by clicking on 3 points and the flat will be formed it at the other end. Thus the four flats are now created as shown. The staircase portion was not selected while mirroring, as I decided to provide a lift room there

STEP 8: Adding lift room and roof
LIFTROOM: Lifts was made next using the rectangle, extrusion, union, slice and materials was applied from the materials browser in the visualization tab. Lighting was also applied as done above.
ROOFING In 2d wireframe draw a polyline across the plinth. Using the move command move it upwards by 9’6” Using the extrude tool extrude it upwards by 6”.
Staircase and lift projection upwards: Now draw a rectangle along the outer boundary of staircase room and lift room. Select the rectangles and extrude it upwards by any height. Using the subtract tool subtract the lift room and staircase room from the roof to make space for them.

STEP 8: Designing and placement of staircase rails
The railing of staircase was drawn next. Copy the stair from the building to outside so that we can work on it. Click on cylinder in the modify panel and create a cylinder of radius 1” and height as 2’6”. Copy this cylinder and place it on each steps as shown.
Using the polyline draw a line such that it connects all the cylinders just made at the centre and at the top portion. A circle of radius .5” was drawn. Using the sweep tool, the circle was selected and applied it to the polyline created. Now using the copy tool copy the polyline by 6”, 12” and 18” and place it 3 times at the distances mentioned.
Now materials was applied from the materials library in visualization tab. The handrail and steps was assigned with materials of our choice.
The handrails was then moved and placed in the correct position as shown.
STEP 13: Adding mumty, parapet wall and copying floors
In the 2D wireframe visualization with front view select the complete building, deselect the lifts from top to bottom till the plinth level and copy and place it at a distance of 10’ in upward direction.
Now isolate the roof of the 1^st floor After that guard wall was built on both sides of corridor in the 1^st floor using polyline, extrude and turning on dynamic UCS
Now unhide the roof as shown.
Select the roof and copy it to a height of about 20’ from 1^st floor. Select the complete first floor now and copy it and place at 10’ and 20’ from top. After that the mumty was created at the top using the rectangle, offset, extrude, subtract, and move commands. The door cut-out was made and a door was placed at the top
Now using a polyline a line was drawn across the roof completely and offset it by 6” to the inwards and again by 3” Now delete the outer polyline. Now using the extrude command extrude it by 2’6” upwards to make the parapet wall

STEP 14: Rendering
Rendering at eagle’s eye was done here. The camera was placed at necessary places around the whole building at some height. Grass Site work was applied at floor from materials library in visualisation tab. Rendering was done and the resultant images from different camera position is as shown.