How do I decrease length, add colors, etc?

[SFG13]

Hi,

 

In class today I learned how to create a skateboard using cylinders for the two wheels, a wedge in-between each wheel,and a long thin cylinder within all parts. My professor showed us to create the board using the spline tool, but the TA helped me with an easier way by making two circles, then added a line down the center of each, and drew lines from the outside of one circle to the other. Some trims and shades were done. Since the length of the completed wheels/axels is too long, how can I decrease it? Do I use extrude?

 

Also my professor showed us how to add colors to specific spots/areas on the board, for example just the bottom side. Do I use the slice tool? I forgot.

[rkent]

Hi,

 

In class today I learned how to create a skateboard using cylinders for the two wheels, a wedge in-between each wheel,and a long thin cylinder within all parts. My professor showed us to create the board using the spline tool, but the TA helped me with an easier way by making two circles, then added a line down the center of each, and drew lines from the outside of one circle to the other. Some trims and shades were done. Since the length of the completed wheels/axels is too long, how can I decrease it? Do I use extrude?

 

Also my professor showed us how to add colors to specific spots/areas on the board, for example just the bottom side. Do I use the slice tool? I forgot.

 

You can use SOLIDEDIT, Face, Extrude, pick an edge, you may need to hold down shift and pick an edge to remove a face from the selection set, finally type in a negative or positive value, finally you have to hit enter about 4 times to get out of the command.

 

Add colors with the same command, SOLIDEDIT, Face, Color, ...

[SFG13]

I'm using 09', do I just type in SOLIDEDIT at the command?

[rkent]

I'm using 09', do I just type in SOLIDEDIT at the command?

 

There is a tool palette for solidedit, makes it a lot easier, but yes you can type it. If you type just type SOLI and start hitting tab key, but palette is easiest.

 

Right click over an existing palette, pick Autocad, find and click Solidedit, the palette will be on your screen somewhere.

[SFG13]

Okay I'll try it and see. Thanks rkent!

[ReMark]

SFG13:

 

Looking at a top down view of the underside of your skateboard it appears the wheels are misaligned with the axle on one side. Why is that?

 

If you find that an object is too long (or too short) like an axle for example the Move Faces command can be used to correct the length. Since it is a 3D solid the Stretch command won't work.

[ReMark]

Your email to me said you were still having trouble with adding color to a face. I reread what rkent said and it seems pretty clear. However, at the risk of repeating what rkent said (no slight intended) I might say it differently.

 

Your want to go to your Solids Editting toolbar and find the one for Color Faces. AutoCAD will prompt you to Select faces or [undo/Remove]. Select the top edge of the side of the skateboard you're working on. If all goes well AutoCAD will dash just the top face but it may detect/select more than one face and that is where the Remove option comes in handy. So let's say two faces were selected and we want to remove one. Type R for Remove press Enter and go remove the face you don't want. When done hit Enter again. A Select Color window will appear onscreen. Select the color you wish to use on the face. The color is applied to the face. Look good? Fine. Type X to eXit the command. If you did this in 2Dwireframe (as I do) switch to a conceptual visual style to see and review the results. How do the results look to you? Did the face get colored and the remainder of the board stay as it was originally?

[ReMark]

Here is an example.

 

The original object in red is on the left. The middle object has color applied to the top face. The left hand object has color applied to the top face and one edge (facing us). Clear now?