autocad axis help

[BrokenBiker]

whilst drawing in autoCAD, any 3d object that I try to draw such as a cylinder is always laid out in the 'z' axis, and I am unable to draw anything in the 'x' or 'y' axis without first drawing support geometry.

anyone know how to alter this so I can draw in any axis?

 

[rockweasel]

It's been a few years since I've used AutoCAD, but try changing the UCS (user coordinate system).

 

[BrokenBiker]

cheers rockweasel will give it a try when I get some time later

 

[BrokenBiker]

well, UCS didn't offer anything, although I did find out how do some other stuff ive been trying to do.

I have solved (kind of) the axis problem though.

once an object has been selected, click the base point, then move in x and y axis to set width and height, left click to select which will then allow you to set length (initially in z axis), at this point right click and select axis endpoint. this will allow you to free rotate the object in any axis and point it where you want

only problem doing it this way is the base grid intersects the drawing through the centre line, but this isn't much of an issue for what I am doing

 

[Lawnmowerboy]

I found if the drawing isn't fully constrained then you can't select the option to flip axis it's called.

 

[BrokenBiker]

to be hones the things I draw up I don't need that many constraints, the method I am using at the moment is fine for me, I simply remove the grid to get around that problem, and I only use the 3d modelling as I find it a lot easier to work in 3d, then simply select a side view, move to drafting and print

the one thing I am really struggling with now that I have sorted the axis issue out is drawing 3d threaded sections. I need to be able to do both internal and external metric and imperial threads.

I have tried as autoCAD suggests using the helix tool but to no avail, I just get a cylinder object with a spiral around it

 

[Lawnmowerboy]

There's a proper option to put threads in you chose your thread the Depth and the pitch. There's a proper option for it.

 

[BrokenBiker]

how do access this option?

I saw a YT vid that said about viewstd but that only allows me to select first or third angle.

the only way I can do it so far is using helix on a cylinder, draw the profile of the thread as a triangle, sweep the triangle around the helix then remove it from the cylinder, but this leaves a rather unfinished look.

I have tried searching thread depth and so on in the search bar at the top of the ribbon but it comes back with nothing

 

[Lawnmowerboy]

It's on the main toolbar when in 3rd sketch across the top. I'll take a pic tomorrow when I get into work.

 

[BrokenBiker]

cheers LMB that would be great.

I have looked everywhere for what I think it should look like, have tried changing from 1st to 3rd, 3d modelling, drafting, paperspace and model and so on and cant find anything lol.

on totalCAD it was a small icon of a gear and it dealt with everything to do with thread pitch, depth, angle and also gears and sprockets

 

[Lawnmowerboy]

3rd? I meant 3d! Bloody auto correct

 

[BrokenBiker]

lol I thought you did. still haven't been able to find it though lol im sure ive been through every single button on there now lol.

what section is it in?

 

[BrokenBiker]

this is what my screen looks like in 3d modelling. apart form that I have 3d basic, drafting and annotation and autoCAD classic

 

[Lawnmowerboy]

Hmm. You're using a different version of autocad to us. There's less tiles at the top but you flick through 3 different screens. Haven't have a chance to take a pic yet.

 

[Tengtooltom]

Here ya are:
Not very simple, is it?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DEN1lU8Kjfk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMmyAyKyKQg
http://autocadvideotutorials.caddsoftsolutions.com/2011/12/autocad-3d-bolt-with-threads-tutorial.html

Much easier in Autodesk Inventor: just click on Thread, select pitch etc and press return

 

[BrokenBiker]

Here ya are:
Not very simple, is it?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DEN1lU8Kjfk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMmyAyKyKQg
http://autocadvideotutorials.caddsoftsolutions.com/2011/12/autocad-3d-bolt-with-threads-tutorial.html

Much easier in Autodesk Inventor: just click on Thread, select pitch etc and press return

when you say auto desk inventor do you mean inventor fusion? I have that program as part of the package I have but haven't even thought of opening it.

im assuming I could import from inventor into autoCAD as they are both .dwg files?

 

[BrokenBiker]

Hmm. You're using a different version of autocad to us. There's less tiles at the top but you flick through 3 different screens. Haven't have a chance to take a pic yet.

this is the only screen I can use. I can cycle though modelling modes but that doesn't really affect anything except slightly different geometry settings and one is in 2d only.

 

[Tengtooltom]

when you say auto desk inventor do you mean inventor fusion? I have that program as part of the package I have but haven't even thought of opening it.

im assuming I could import from inventor into autoCAD as they are both .dwg files?

No, fusion does not have any thread button in there. I have only had a quick look at it just now. Its a very stripped out package, from what I can see.
Inventor Pro is very similar to Solidworks - so much so thay you can do both exams, if you can use either one.
In Inventor Pro you have .ipt (part) .iam(assembly) .ipn(presentation) and .idw(drawing) which can be converted/saved as .dwg and even .pdf. When you open to do a new whatever, you can select inch or mm.
Sorry thats no help to you.

 

[BrokenBiker]

I have just had a rummage in fusion and I already know I don't like it...

the one problem I am having with threads now is that after watching one video that shows how to make genuine metric threads by using a profile of the thread to sweep around the helix, I can never get my thread profile to line up in the right axis to sweep properly.

it just ends up either unable to sweep, or a square section thread that's only a few microns deep. for instance, 10mm metric coarse thread ends up with a pitch of 1.5 (correct) but a depth of 0.14mm instead of 0.9202mm and the 60* angle ends up as a square section looking more like a crap acme than a proper metric thread

 

[BrokenBiker]

managed to get somewhere close to what I want. got a thread of sorts, had to use a round profile in order to get it as it is the only profile I could get to line up properly, still working on the metric threads, but my head hurts now so im putting it down lol