How do I put surfaces on a wireframe model?

[cuica]

Hi all,

 

I'm very new to AutoCAD (3 days) and I'm struggling to understand how to put surfaces onto a wireframe model to turn it into a 3D object.

 

I've drawn a wireframe of my object (a surfboard) with lines, 3DPolylines and splines, then converted the splines to polylines and exploded these.

 

So I'm left with a wireframe made up of lines, and I want to add surfaces.

 

I know I can use EDGESURF, but that would involve repeating the command for each part of the wireframe I think, which would be incredibly slow...

 

Is there a fater way?

 

Many Thanks!

[ReMark]

Why wouldn't you construct the surfboard in the form of a solid?

 

Would loft work in this situation?

 

Another option, although I hesitate to suggest it, would be to create the object as a solid and then explode it. It becomes a surface.

 

I admit that I do not work with surfaces much if at all. I tend to think of surfaces as really, really "thin" maybe along the lines of a fabric covering or sheet metal for instance. To me, a surfboard would apt to be more of a "solid". Just my messed up way of thinking I guess.

[cuica]

Hi ReMark,

 

Thanks for your reply. I don't know how to create something as a solid (I'm very new to this - only on my third day).

 

Do you know of a tutorial where I can read how to do it?

 

I used a table of offsets exported from a hull modelling application to create the wireframe, but maybe I can use the same data to create the solid?

[stevsmith]

Can you upload the file, to give us a better idea of what you are trying to achieve?

[ReMark]

A solid can be created in a variety of ways. Your AutoCAD Help file will cover the basics, there are tutorials here at CT (and elsewhere) that can show you how to work with (make and edit) solids and any good after-market AutoCAD book would probably touch on the subject as well.

[JD Mather]

I don't know how to create something as a solid (I'm very new to this - only on my third day).

 

See the tutorials in my signature. They were written for the Dashboard interface, just look for the same stuff in the Ribbon interface.

[cuica]

Thanks for all your helpful replies! What a great forum this is...

 

I have progressed a little and I'm uploading a file with what I have so far.

 

The wireframe is rather crude and I would like to smooth the model, but when I do the shapes change too much from the original lines. I imagine that if I redraw it with a lot more lines I will get a better result.

 

Any suggestions very much appreciated!

Surfboard2.dwg

[ReMark]

cuica:

 

To get the most "eyeballs" on your drawing it is always best to save down a couple of releases. You saved the drawing in 2010 file format. Try using 2004 file format as not everyone is up-to-date with the latest release. Another option is to post a jpg file. At least everyone can see it here in the forum.

[stevsmith]

I've changed it to 2000 format.

Surfboard2000.dwg

[iskalipsi]

Thanks for the change steve.

 

cuica: not bad for a third day user, keep it up.

I don't surf but i think the nose part of your board is tilting too much.