Converting from 2D to 3D

[cssltd]

I have a pump system drawn in 2D (using autocad 2006) from front/back and sides. However now I have to try and produce a 3D drawing of this and have no experience of doing 3D work.
I have been trying to produce this drawing with information from books but I am still have difficulty on actually using this information in my own drawings.
Do I have to start the drawing again or is there some way that I can use my 2D drawing and convert it to 3D?
Any help would be great!

[ReMark]

Your 2D drawing can be used to construct your 3D model. What is your pump system comprised of parts-wise? Is piping involved or is it just the pump itself? What type of pump?

Some of the 3D commands you would be using are extrude, union, subtract, as well as slice, separate, and move faces. Do you anticipate the use of any surfaces? If so, commands such as revsurf or edgesurf would come in handy.

You'll also have to become acquainted with some of the settings that affect 3D display. There is a lot to learn. Don't dispare however. There are plenty of knowledgeable and helpful people here at CT to assist.

[cssltd]

It is acutally two ebara pumps that have piping, non-return valves, valves and couplings on the pipework.
I would probably be using surfaces once I have the 3D model up to scratch as this would look better to the customer.
I have got as far as working off two vertical viewports in 3D but it is still confusing me as to how to plot my drawing for it to work in 3D!

[ReMark]

At the moment plotting your drawing should be the least of your concerns.

[cssltd]

thats why i want to get the 3d drawing upto scratch before thinking about using the surfaces

[Ritch7]

cssltd then use the 2-D as your base, start from there, post what you are working on.

[czc]

How much do you understand about cad 3d. Do you have the basics of the ucs down?

I recently had to convert a centrifuge into 3d from a 2d drawing. Which was a bit difficult since the views did not match up exactly.

What I did was put each view where it comes from. ie Put the top view on top and the front view in front. and then project the common elements ( this is where I found the problems) and revolve or extrude depending on what was needed.

[cssltd]

Hey Thanks for the advice, sorry for late reply.
I do have some of the ucs basics well at least I thought I did but it is still confusing me.
As for using the 2D as a base I have tried that but I still seem to be messing it up! I will keep doing it and see if I get it eventually, there is just so much detail in the drawing and so many things to remember with cad!

[ReMark]

"As for using the 2D as a base I have tried that but I still seem to be messing it up!"

What seems to be the problem? Is it that the object you have drawn in 2D does not extrude?

Start simple. Draw a circle and extrude it. Next draw a box and extrude that as well. Now draw an object with a combination of lines and maybe a couple of arcs and extrude that. Report back here on your success or lack thereof.

[ReMark]

The circle and rectangle are self explanatory. The third object was made using the first two objects and then extruded.

Simple Extrusions 2.jpg

Obviously we could construct much more complex objects but it is always best to start simple when first exploring the many wonders of working in 3D. These, by the way, are considered to be solids. Surfaces can also be constructed using a variety of other commands.

Once you have used the Extrude command you will want to naturally move on to Union, Subtract and Intersect. After experimenting with those commands concentrate on learning the Solids Editting commands such as Move Faces.

Now...go forth and 3D!