Modifying solids

[Jack]

I'm a cabinet builder and am very new to ACAD(only 2 mths) and totally self taught. I have been drawing some in-depth cabinet boxes as solids, various standards dims ,and in depth, such as 3 drawer bases, uppers, door/drawers, ect... I have drawn them at 10" widths and saved them as block files, to be inserted later into various project drawings. However I have run into the problem of modifying them. After insertion of the blocks, I am able to xplode them to solids and then regions and stretch 'em to the proper size needed, but am unable to convert them back into solids. I am seriously beginning to wonder if 2k4 can do this. It's important to me , as I can then send the various parts out as DXF files to our CNC. I can do all of this in ISO, but I really want the ability to view the boxes in 3D. I have thought about saving them as a DXB plot,and going (Importing) to a new 2D drawing but wouldn't that just give me an ISO view? Any advice would be greatly appreciated

[gcp310]

Sounds like you need CABNET WARE. You can try to scale to the x or y axis when you insert the block into the drawing,before you explode it.

other than that, its all manual handling unfortunately.

There are however LISP routines that some people write to automate modeling in autocad, Example, to draw a base cupboard, you type in base, then pick two points, and it fills the area with a base cupboard.
Do a google search for lisp routines, there are a million out there.
Or ask Fuccaro Really nicely, he may help you out.

G

[Mr T]

However I have run into the problem of modifying them. After insertion of the blocks, I am able to xplode them to solids and then regions and stretch 'em to the proper size needed, but am unable to convert them back into solids.

Explore the SOLIDEDIT command.

You can probably extrude alot of those drawer profiles using the command EXTRUDE.

Good Luck

Nick

[Jack]

Many thanks for the replys, I do have CabnetWare available, but what with the dongle thing I can't use it on my laptop, which I carry to the jobsite with me. My boss would like for me to be able to do the drawings right on the site for customers, makes for a good impression, how many crusty old carpenters do you see whippin' a keyboard out of their tool chests!

SolidEdit will extrude the faces no problem, when I've created the boxes with no contours or features, ie a simple box with no drawer or door, but when I add those items, which have all the detail such as profiles, contours of the raised panels, ect.. and attempt to use it on them, I get some weird effects, the beaded edges get displaced, scrambled up or stay where they are and the outline of the solid extrudes. I have tried every trick I can think of an each time I come up with a similar but yet different result. I'm now starting to think my engineering of the blocks may be bad. I don't know the proper terminology to use here, but I didn't draw any of the objects following a given pattern/direction/rotation, some were created in SW ISO, TOP, ect.. I also was rotating my UCS around alot, just in general not using good sense when I originally made them. I think I'll re-create the models, draw 'em all from a given view and direction, top to bottom, front to back, and have another go at it. What the heck I absolutely love this program, more like fun than work to me.

Thanks for the advice

Jack

[gcp310]

Good to hear from a fellow joinery person.
I was in exhibition design and event planning but have now taken position with a joinery company fitting out high rise appartment blocks here in australia.
I have just started using cabinetware, its very frustrating but from what i have seen, theres no quicker way to draw kitchens.

A tradesperson is very reliant on his tools of trade. hit your boss up for a new laptop and take the hardware lock with you, problem solved.

Let us know how you go

G

[Flores]

Good to hear from a fellow joinery person.
I was in exhibition design and event planning...

G

Finally, someone else who doesn't (or didn't) fall into the architectual/mechanical/civil disciplines!

Exhibition design and event planning...
http://www.southwestdisplays.com

Flores

[Mr T]

Any profile that is going to 'routered' caould be drawn as an 'EXTRUDE along a profile'. Also extruding along a profile is very powerful for joinery work.

Nick

Woodwork/Metalwork/Computer Graphics
Teacher

(another non-arch user)