convert 2d drawing to 3d model autocad

Create a 3D Site Programme Using CADMapper and AutoCAD

Need to quickly create a 3D site program in AutoCAD?

Hither'southward how to do it.

This tutorial covers the post-obit data:

1. Setting up a 3D site in CADMapper

2. Converting Units: Metric to Imperial

3. External References: Separating Layers into Drawings

Disclosure:

CADMapper is a website that can salve architects, designers, and planners tons of time by automatically generating 3-Dimensional information for over 200 cities effectually the world. CADMapper generates 3D models that tin can be used with AutoCAD, Sketchup, Rhinoceros, and Illustrator. To generate data for topography, buildings, and streets, CADMapper pulls data from OpenStreetMap.

I should start by saying that my design work primarily involves the schematic blueprint stage of architectural design. I understand that site information should be field-verified by professionals in surveying, civil engineering, etc. to ensure accuracy. The intention of this tutorial is to utilise CADMapper to create a ground for architectural schematic designs.

Setting upward a 3D site in CADMapper

Footstep one: Find your site - Outset with Google Maps.

I like to start by finding my site in Google Maps. Ofttimes, there is piddling data given that specifies coordinates or a concrete accost of a site. Searching for the site in Google Maps gives me a improve understanding of what my site looks like from an aerial perspective.

Once you find your site in Google Maps, head over to CADMapper.com and type in the approximate accost - or 2 intersecting streets.

CADMapper only provides vector line information, then it might be cumbersome to try to search for your site starting in CADMapper. Look between Google Maps and CADMapper to hone in on your site, and create a box in CADMapper that captures the information you need from your site. CADMapper is free, but upward to 1km of information.

Always try to capture more information than yous think you need. You never know when you might need the information in the future. It's better to have it and not need it, than to demand it and not have information technology - I've had to stitch multiple CADMapper files together before because I left out some of import information when I created my initial file, and information technology's a real hurting to go through that process.

Pace 2: Turn on 3D Buildings

If you want building acme information, check the box for 3D Buildings. If building information is available (which information technology frequently is in large cities), CADMapper volition create mesh geometry of buildings in the CAD file. Y'all can specify "False Summit Data", in which CADMapper will generate buildings without top information to a value that yous specify. Non a necessary step, but information technology can y'all save cartoon time.

Step 3: Select 3D Topography, topography contours spaced at 4 meters.

It'southward good practice to just collect as much information as we tin can get, early in a project. The lowest spacing that CADMapper volition generate for contour lines is 4 meters, which should exist plenty of information to get you started in your design.

Pace 4: Route Geometry, Select "Outlines"

CADMapper provides options for generating route graphics. Roads tin be depicted every bit single heart-lines, outlines, or mesh surfaces. If you intend on using this site file for fabrication, such every bit 3D printing or light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation-cutting, I would advise choosing an choice that best suits your needs. For this tutorial, selecting "Outlines" will provide graphic separation between types of roads, and allow easy scaling of the drawing in AutoCAD. Additionally, "Outlines" is a skillful option to cull for laser-cut site models.

Change the road dimensions to specific dimensions: I recommend the post-obit:

• Highways: 10 meters

• Major Roads: 8 meters

• Small-scale Roads: 6 meters

• Paths: 4 meters

Step 5: Generate the CADMapper File

If everything is set to your liking, click on "Create File". It will take a moment to generate the file.

In one case the file is generated, yous can examine the map in 3 views:

• 3D Axonometric View

• second View

• Topography

At this signal, select download. The file will download as a single .zip, containing ane .dxf file that you tin can open with AutoCAD.

Converting Units - Metric to Regal

By default, CADMapper exports units in meters. For our purposes, nosotros need to convert meters to feet.'

Footstep one: In the "Units" Carte, Change 'Decimal' to 'Architectural'

Blazon in command, "United nations" to open the Units menu. Change 'Decimal' to 'Architectural', and 'Millimeters' to 'Inches', respectively. Annotation that simply changing the units will not change the scale the drawing. For example, 2 meters will exist converted to 2 feet, which is incorrect.

So, we'll need to scale the cartoon subsequently changing the units from metric to imperial.

Step 2: Verify the Altitude of a Road

Use the command "DIST" to measure the distance of 1 of the roads generated by the CADMapper file. It should read as i of the measurements that was specified on the CADMapper website. For this case, the road is 6 meters.

Step iii: Calibration the Cartoon

If the road altitude is 6 meters, it will need to be scaled to 19.685 feet (because one meter = 3.28084 anxiety) after changing the Units from metric to purple.

Draw a polyline (command "PL") off to the side of your drawing in model space somewhere. Below that 6 meter line, draw a line of altitude, 19.685.

Use command "AL" for 'Marshal', and select EVERYTHING in model space. Deselect the (19.685) line. We want to scale everything in the cartoon except that line.

Select the showtime point of the (6 units) line, and the start betoken of the (19.685 units) line. And then, select the second point of the (6 units) line, and the 2d bespeak of the (19.685 units) line.

When prompted to 'Scale', select Yeah.

If washed correctly, all of the elements in the cartoon volition have scaled with the (6 units) line, which now matches the altitude of 19.685. And then at present, when the Units are prepare to "Architectural" and "Inches", all of the roads should read as the equivalent majestic measurement.

External References: Separating Layers into Drawings

CADMapper conveniently sorts drawings elements into separate layers. This is useful in terms of organisation, withal, we should gear up upwardly our drawings in a mode that allows multiple people to piece of work on them. This may not exist necessary for your item project, but it's good practise to larn the conventions of creating external references to keep file systems organized, and to let the potential for multiple people to work on a single project.

Streamlined file systems = saved time on drafting work. And saving drafting time volition open up time for more than of import stuff, similar designing!

Hither'south how to quickly create external references from layers:

Footstep 1: Open the Layer Menu

Type "LA" to open the Layer Card. Freeze all layers, then unfreeze the start layer that you want to convert into an external reference. In this case, we'll start the the layer called "buildings".

Next, type "Select" and "All" to select everything on that layer.

"Re-create Base" with, CRTL+SHIFT+C, then specify the origin point as 0,0,0 (x,y,z, respectively).

This is important, because copying the information with the origin indicate will allow you to bring all of the drawings into the new "Master Drawing" at the same point. This will ensure that the drawings are lined upwards correctly, maintaining accurateness in the information.

Step 2: Create the "Master Drawing"

Open a new drawing. This volition become the "Main Cartoon", which will hold all of the xrefs that nosotros will be creating for each layer. The "Main Drawing" will look exactly like the original file containing all of the individual layer information. The benefit of setting up a chief drawing this mode, is that multiple people can work on individual files inside one project.

For example, one person can piece of work on the "Buildings" layer. Another person tin piece of work on the "Roads" layer, and and then on.

This is not merely convenient for group drafting projects, merely it will assistance you build a consequent file organization that can be applied to a number of different programs outside of AutoCAD. Information technology's but a system of file linkage, and these types of systems offer the virtually flexibility for system, and drafting workflows.

One concluding annotation: the "Principal Cartoon" should serve as a file for reference, and should not be drawn on or referenced to other drawings. Changes made on all of the other external references volition reverberate on the Main Drawing, however, changes made on the Master Drawing will non reverberate on the linked external references. It'southward a one-style street, and maintaining this organization will ensure that your project is clean and organized.

Good luck!

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Source: https://rascoh.studio/blog/3d-site-plan-cadmapper-autocad-tutorial