AutoCAD Insider

The Apocalypse Trigger: Mission 5

In Mission 5 of the Apocalypse Trigger you’ll use Autodesk Showcase to visualize an AutoCAD model of an ancient artifact.

You begin by sending the model from AutoCAD to Showcase using the Suite Workflows.

After familiarizing yourself with some simple display and navigation tools in Showcase, you use the Organizer to view and modify properties of the model objects.

Next, you experiment with different lighting environments and backgrounds as you easily change model environment from a grassy field to a dry lake bed. Because Showcase provides an immersive visualization environment, the background isn’t just a static image. It’s a 3D environment that offers dynamic realism, complete with lighting effects, even as you orbit around your model.

You’ll explore different visual styles such as Flat Color and Tech before ultimately choosing a more realistic one that supports materials and shadows.

Taking advantage of the extensive materials library, you’ll apply realistic materials to different parts of the model.

To better view and communicate your design, you create animated shots of the model. You can easily select and replay any of the shots at any time.

To view and share design choices, you’ll create alternate lineups with different materials and positions as well as cross-sections.

Finally, you’ll create a storyboard using a combination of the shots and alternate lineups you created and then publish your project to your Autodesk 360 account.

The Apocalypse Trigger: Mission 4

In Mission 4 of the Apocalypse Trigger you use parametric constraints in AutoCAD 2013 to accurately and efficiently create the doors and windows for an elevation of a bell tower. 

After creating a vertical line down the center of the tower, you begin applying geometric constraints to the doorway geometry. Using coincident, equal, symmetric, and other geometric constraints, you clean up what was originally a rough (sloppy) sketch to ensure proper relationships between geometry. The AutoConstrain tool gives you a head start by applying many of the constraints automatically.

You’ll continue to apply geometric constraints to the windows in the upper floors and you’ll use the Infer Constraints tool to automatically apply relevant geometric constraints to newly created geometry.

After applying geometric constraints, you continue defining the shape of the geometry by applying dimensional constraints. You give meaningful names to the dimensional constraints and, where appropriate, you use the same name for multiple dimensions. 

After applying dimensional constraints to all the door and window geometry in the bell tower, you change the constraint form of some of the dimensional constraints to annotational. Those annotational constraints not only drive the geometry but they can be displayed and plotted similar to traditional dimensions.

Finally, to experience the ultimate power of parametric constraints, you edit parametric dimension values in the Parameters Manager and watch as the drawing geometry dynamically updates while maintaining all the geometric and dimensional relationships that you applied.

The Apocalypse Trigger: Mission 3

In Mission 3 of the Apocalypse Trigger you’ll use Raster tools to convert data from an old map of Fort Laramie to real AutoCAD objects.

The first step is to convert the color map to a bitonal image using the Histogram tool. The image will be displayed as white pixels on a black background so you’ll use the Invert tool to change it to black pixels on a white background.

 
Since the imagewas originally scanned from an old map, it has a lot of extra pixels and smudges. You’ll use the Despeckel and Touchup tools to clean it up and then use the OCR (Optical Character Recognition) tool to convert some of the raster text to AutoCAD text, taking advantage of the ability to recognize different languages.

Some of the text is in Spanish. To help translate, you’ll install a free translation app that you can install and use directly from within AutoCAD 2013.

Finally, you’ll convert raster geometry representing one of the buildings to AutoCAD geometry. With the necessary geometry converted, you use it to create a 3D model of the building.

A variety of 3D solid modeling tools enable you to create the main building model. To add more detail, and save time, you’ll install the free SketchUp import app. You can search the SketchUp warehouse for free models that you download and insert directly into your AutoCAD model. You’ll insert a column for the porch and then use the associative array functionality in AutoCAD 2013 to create two levels of columns.

 

The Apocalypse Trigger: Mission 2

In Mission 2 of the Apocalypse Trigger, you begin with a 3D model of a simple wood platform for the mission bell and two polylines that were drawn on the XY plane.

Using 3D gizmos and tracking you reorient the polylines and begin creating the mission bell using powerful associative modeling tools in AutoCAD 2013.

Most of the tools you need are available on the Surface ribbon tab when the 3D Modeling workspace is active. You’ll create a combination of  sweeps, revolves, patches, extrudes and more!

Because the surfaces are associated with each other and with the defining path and profile geometry, the model dynamically updates as you make changes to the design.

 
After modeling the bell using 3D associative surfaces, you’ll insert a 3D block of the bell wheel. If you have some extra time, take a closer look at the bell wheel. It was created with a combination of 2D parametric constraints and 3D surfaces. That’s why the entire wheel model updates when you change a few values in the Parameters Manager.

 
After modeling the bell and inserting the bell wheel, you’ll visualize them in the Mission Espada façade by applying realistic materials.

To learn more about associative surfaces, parametric drawing, and materials, search for them in the AutoCAD 2013 Help page.

The Apocalypse Trigger: Mission 1

In Mission 1 of the Apocalypse Trigger, you use AutoCAD 2013 to create model documentation. Begin with an existing drawing that has a 3D model of the temple in model space. On a layout tab, you create a traditional layout viewport to display a 3D view of the model. Controls in the upper left corner of the viewport enable you to set the view (SE Isometric) and visual style (Realistic).

You’ll create the rest of the views using Drawing Views (also known as Model Documentation).

Drawing Views are 2D representations of a 3D model. The tools to create them are available on the Create View panel of the Layout ribbon tab. You’ll create base, projected, section, and detail views.

During this mission you’ll modify the display and location of the drawing views, modify the appearance of the section and detail view styles, add dimensions, and even add constraints to ensure section and detail symbols maintain an accurate relationship with the model. Not only can you begin saving the world, but you can begin saving time creating 2D documentation for your 3D models. You can even use these tools to document Inventor models in AutoCAD!

Visit the AutoCAD 2013 Help page to learn more about Drawing Views and Model Documentation in AutoCAD 2013.

The Apocalypse Trigger

You still have time to save the world and take home the prize. Download the free trial of AutoCAD Design Suite, play and learn with the Apocalypse Trigger… before it’s too late!

The Apocalypse Trigger includes a series of 6 missions for you to find and solve the mystery of missing gems using AutoCAD and the AutoCAD Design Suite.

Mission 1

In Mission 1 you will use AutoCAD 2013 to produce a layout of a temple in Tikal. A 3D model of the temple is provided for you. You then create 2D base, projected, section and detail views with dimensions.

Mission 2

In Mission 2 you use AutoCAD 2013 to create a 3D model of mission bell at Mission Espada in Texas. Starting with nothing more than the façade, a platform and a few simple profiles, you’ll create a bell with associative surfaces that can be easily modified to meet your design needs. Materials add the finishing touch!

Mission 3

In Mission 3 you move north to Wyoming where you use AutoCAD Raster Design within AutoCAD 2013 to convert data from an old map to real AutoCAD geometry to use as a starting point for your model. From there, a combination of solid modeling tools, a SketchUp Import app, and associative arrays help you recreate an historic building from the Wild West.

Mission 4

Mission 4 takes you from the United States to Brazil where you use parametric constraints in AutoCAD 2013 to reconstruct an elevation of the Church de São Francisco. Apply geometric and dimensional constraints to AutoCAD geometry. As you discover new information about the project, easily update the design while automatically maintaining geometric relationships.

Mission 5

In Mission 5 your journey continues with a trip to Mexico and taste of Autodesk Showcase. Starting with an AutoCAD model of an ancient artifact from Xochicalco, you export it to Autodesk Showcase for immersive visualization. You’ll experiment with different environments, visual styles, materials, and shots.

Mission 6

Your quest to save the world is nearly complete! Follow through and enter for your chance to win the AutoCAD Dream Setup (limited to residents of the United States and Canada, excluding Quebec). Whether or not you take home the AutoCAD Dream Setup, you’re still a winner with more knowledge and increased productivity!

A New Way to Learn: AutoCAD Design Suite

The holidays are over and it's 2013. For many of us, a new year means a number of new resolutions for the year ahead. For some of us, we choose to focus on how we can be more productive at work.

As an AutoCAD user, improving workflows and becoming more productive may mean learning how to use new software. To help with this process, we've launched a game called the Apocalypse Trigger enabling you to learn the suite of software included in the AutoCAD Design Suite. Watch this short video about the game!

 

Once you have downloaded the AutoCAD Design Suite (see full details here: http://www.autodesk.com/apocalypsetrigger), you must find the gems, replace them in the B’Alam Stone and return them to the temple before it’s too late. In your race to find the gems, you’ll travel to different locations across the Americas, solving clues, racking up points and ultimately accomplishing your mission to save the planet.

All along the way you will learn how to use AutoCAD^®, AutoCAD^® Raster Design, Autodesk^® Sketchbook^® Designer, Autodesk^® Showcase^® and Autodesk^® Mudbox^®— to create and sketch extraordinary designs, capture design information from almost any source, connect and collaborate, and showcase your finished work.

And last but not least for those of your that are residents of the United States and Canada (excluding Quebec), you are eligible for a chance to win the AutoCAD Dream Setup which includes a standalone license** to AutoCAD Design Suite Standard 2013, a Lenovo S30 workstation and an iPad^® worth over $6,500+.

Over the next couple of weeks stay tuned to the AutoCADInsider blog for more tips and tricks about how to accomplish each of the Apocalypse Trigger missions!

*And don't miss even more about the game in Shaan Hurley's recent blog post!