Click this command, and then click a shape in your 2-D model that you want to convert to a cylinder or other round form. Use the 'Extrude' command on the remaining parts of the 2-D model that you want to expand into blocks.Ĭlick the 'Surface' tab and go to the 'Create' panel to find the 'Revolve' command, which makes cylindrical, spherical and other round forms from 2-D shapes. Drag the cursor until the box reaches the height you want, and then click the mouse to end the extrusion. Press 'Enter.' The shape you selected will expand into 3-D space and the top of the box formed from the shape will stick to your cursor.

Click the 'Home' tab to access the 'Modeling' panel, which displays the 'Extrude' tool for converting rectangular 2-D shapes into block-like 3-D forms.Ĭlick the 'Extrude' button then click a shape of your 2-D model that you want to turn into a block form, as opposed to a cylindrical or spherical form. This changes the viewpoint from 2-D to 3-D, allowing you to see the three-dimensionality of the 3-D form that you'll create from the 2-D model.Ĭlick the drop-down list at the top of the application window, then click the '3-D modeling' item to change the workspace to one that displays tools for creating and editing 3-D objects. This option is more realistic than parallel projection.Ĭlick the “cube” icon at the top right of the canvas and then drag the mouse until the top, right and front sides of the cube are visible. Type 'Perspective 1' to indicate that you want to view your design with perspective, which means that parallel lines will appear to converge as they do in the physical world. AutoCAD will load the file for you to convert. Navigate to an AutoCAD file with a 2-D model that you want to convert to 3-D and double-click on it.

After converting your 2-D design to 3-D, display it with realistic lighting and shadows using the 'Render' command on the Render tab.Ĭlick the 'File' menu and select the 'Open' command from the context menu. It then makes a copy of the 2-D shapes you are expanding at a higher location on the axis, while keeping the original shapes at the base of the axis.

AutoCAD performs this expansion by first extending a new axis at right angles to the 2-D axes on which your 2-D design sits. 'Extrude' is how 3-D modelers to refer to the technique of stretching a 2-D shape into 3-D space. Use AutoCAD's 'Extrude' and 'Revolve' commands to turn 2-D designs into 3-D models. How to Convert a 2D Model to 3D Using AutoCAD Learn how to take 2D drawing designs and ideas and turn them into 3D objects. I suggest you to watch these videos first:

Autocad 2d to 3d conversion worksheet