AutoCAD III: 3D Modeling and Design

Course Description

ETD1350C — AutoCAD III is a combined lecture/laboratory course (indicated by the "C" lab designator in the Florida SCNS) that continues the skill progression from AutoCAD I (ETD1320C) and AutoCAD II (ETD1340C). The course focuses on the construction, viewing, and plotting of three-dimensional drawings of objects, including mechanical, construction, and architectural applications. Students transition from 2D drafting proficiency into the full 3D modeling environment of AutoCAD, developing competency in wireframe, surface, and solid modeling techniques, as well as producing professional working drawings extracted from 3D models. This course is part of the Engineering Design Drafting taxonomy within the Florida Statewide Course Numbering System (SCNS) and is a core component of the AutoCAD Foundations College Credit Certificate (CCC) and the Computer-Aided Drafting and Design A.S. degree offered at Florida colleges.

Learning Outcomes

Required Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Configure and navigate the 3D modeling workspace in AutoCAD, including the 3D coordinate system, view presets, and the ViewCube/SteeringWheel navigation tools.
• Define and manipulate the User Coordinate System (UCS) to position geometry accurately in 3D space.
• Construct wireframe models using 3D polylines, splines, and planar 2D objects positioned in 3D space.
• Create solid primitive models (box, cylinder, cone, sphere, wedge, torus) and combine them using Boolean operations (union, subtract, intersect).
• Generate complex solid forms using extrude, revolve, sweep, and loft operations on 2D profiles.
• Apply and manage visual styles (wireframe, hidden, shaded, realistic) to communicate 3D design intent.
• Edit and modify solid models using solid editing tools including fillets, chamfers, shell, section, and slice commands.
• Create 2D working drawings from 3D models, including orthographic views and multiple viewports using SOLVIEW, SOLDRAW, or the VIEWBASE workflow.
• Set up and plot multi-viewport layouts with appropriate scale and annotation for professional presentation.
• Apply standard dimensioning and annotation to 3D-derived 2D drawings in accordance with drafting standards.

Optional Outcomes

Depending on the institution and available instructional time, students may also:

• Create and edit mesh models and convert between solid, surface, and mesh object types.
• Apply materials, lighting, and rendering techniques to produce photorealistic images of 3D models.
• Use parametric constraints (geometric and dimensional) within 3D drawing environments.
• Produce architectural 3D models including walls, openings, stairs, and roof surfaces from 2D floor plan data.
• Analyze solid models using MASSPROP to obtain mass properties such as volume, centroid, and moments of inertia.
• Export 3D models in STL and DXF formats for use in downstream processes such as 3D printing or data exchange.
• Introduce Building Information Modeling (BIM) concepts and the relationship between AutoCAD 3D workflows and Autodesk Revit.

Major Topics

Required Topics

The following content areas are covered at all Florida institutions offering ETD1350C:

• 3D Environment Setup: 3D workspace configuration, coordinate entry in 3D, World Coordinate System (WCS), User Coordinate System (UCS), right-hand rule, UCSICON settings.
• 3D Navigation and Viewing: Orbit commands (3DORBIT, 3DFORBIT, 3DCORBIT), view presets, ViewCube, SteeringWheel, perspective and parallel projection, camera setup, 3DCLIP.
• Visual Styles: Wireframe, Hidden, Conceptual, Shaded, Realistic; Visual Styles Manager; edge effects and face settings; adaptive degradation and performance tuning.
• Wireframe Modeling: Positioning 2D objects in 3D space, 3D polylines, splines, and construction of skeletal 3D geometry.
• Solid Primitive Modeling: Box, cylinder, cone, sphere, wedge, torus; Boolean operations (UNION, SUBTRACT, INTERSECT); composite solid construction.
• Creating Solids from 2D Profiles: EXTRUDE (with taper and path), REVOLVE, SWEEP, and LOFT commands; creating solids and surfaces from 2D source geometry.
• Advanced Solid Editing: FILLET and CHAMFER on solids; SHELL; editing faces and edges of solids; SOLIDEDIT command options; PRESSPULL.
• Section and Slice Tools: SECTION, SLICE, and SECTIONPLANE commands; generating 2D cross-sections from 3D models; section plane settings and live section display.
• 2D Working Drawings from 3D Models: SOLVIEW and SOLDRAW workflow; VIEWBASE and VIEWPROJ in model documentation; creating standard engineering views (front, top, side, isometric, auxiliary); multi-scale viewports in paper space.
• Plotting and Presentation: Multi-viewport layout setup; plot style tables; scale factor management; printing 3D model views and 2D extracted drawings to professional standards.

Optional Topics

Topics covered at some institutions depending on program emphasis and available contact hours:

• Surface Modeling: NURBS surfaces, PLANESURF, LOFTSURF, RULEDSURF; converting between surfaces and solids; surface editing tools.
• Mesh Modeling: Creating mesh primitives; smoothing levels; converting mesh objects to solids or surfaces; mesh editing tools (MESHCREASE, MESHSPLIT).
• Rendering and Visualization: Assigning materials and textures; point lights, spotlights, and distant lights; background environments; rendering output settings; photorealistic rendering with mental ray or similar engine.
• Parametric 3D Drawing: Applying geometric and dimensional constraints in the 3D context; user-defined parameters; dynamic blocks with 3D behavior.
• Architectural 3D Applications: Extruding floor plans into massed forms; modeling walls, openings, stairs, and roofs; site modeling with 3D terrain contours.
• Solid Analysis: MASSPROP command; mass properties report (volume, surface area, centroid, moments of inertia); application to engineering calculations.
• File Exchange and 3D Output: Exporting STL files for 3D printing; DXF/DWG exchange; ACISOUT/ACISIN; SAT file format; import/export of DGN and other CAD formats.
• Introduction to BIM/Revit: Overview of Building Information Modeling; comparison of AutoCAD 3D vs. Revit workflows; transition concepts for students continuing to ETD-level BIM coursework.

Resources & Tools

• Software: Autodesk AutoCAD (current release) — available through the Autodesk Education Community at no cost to enrolled students; institutions provide licensed workstations in dedicated CAD computer labs.
• Hardware: CAD workstations with graphics-capable displays, pointing devices (mouse or stylus), and large-format plotters or printers for output.
• Autodesk Learning Resources: Autodesk Knowledge Network (knowledge.autodesk.com); Autodesk University session materials; official AutoCAD product documentation and in-application help system.
• Textbooks (commonly adopted): AutoCAD and Its Applications — Advanced (Goodheart-Willcox); publisher-aligned workbooks with 3D projects and exercises; institution-provided supplemental project packets.
• Florida College Library Databases: Florida Virtual Campus (FLVC) digital resources; lynda.com / LinkedIn Learning (available through many Florida college subscriptions) for supplemental AutoCAD video instruction.
• Standards References: ANSI/ASME Y14.5 (Dimensioning and Tolerancing); ANSI/ASME Y14.3 (Orthographic and Pictorial Views) for working drawing standards.

Career Pathways

Successful completion of ETD1350C supports entry into or advancement within the following occupational areas:

• Drafter / CAD Technician — mechanical, civil, structural, and architectural drafting firms; approximately one-third of drafters work in engineering and architectural services, one-third in manufacturing, and the remainder in construction-related industries.
• Mechanical Design Drafter — translating engineering specifications into detailed part and assembly drawings using 3D CAD modeling.
• Architectural Drafter — producing 3D massing models, construction documents, and presentation drawings for residential and commercial projects.
• CAD/BIM Technician — supporting BIM workflows in construction and facilities management; gateway skill set for transition to Autodesk Revit-based roles.
• Manufacturing / Product Design Support — creating 3D solid models for prototyping, CNC machining, and 3D printing workflows.
• Engineering Technician — entry-level support role in civil, mechanical, or electrical engineering firms requiring 3D CAD proficiency.

This course also provides a pathway toward the Autodesk Certified Professional (ACP) — AutoCAD credential, which is recognized by employers in design, engineering, and construction industries nationwide.

Special Information

Certification Preparation: The skills and knowledge developed in ETD1350C directly align with the objectives of the Autodesk Certified User (ACU) — AutoCAD and Autodesk Certified Professional (ACP) — AutoCAD industry examinations. Students are encouraged to pursue these credentials upon course completion to enhance employment competitiveness. Exam preparation materials are available through the Autodesk Certification Center.

Lab Component: The "C" suffix in ETD1350C designates a combined lecture/laboratory course under the Florida SCNS. Students should expect significant hands-on time at CAD workstations each class meeting. Coursework requires practice outside of scheduled class time to develop modeling proficiency.

Program Articulation: Credits earned in ETD1350C may be applied toward the Computer-Aided Drafting and Design A.S. degree and fulfill requirements of the AutoCAD Foundations College Credit Certificate (CCC) at participating Florida institutions. Course credit transfers between participating SCNS institutions when equivalent course criteria are met, per Florida Statute 1007.24(7).