Creating 3D Faces

The Face command creates three- or four-sided surfaces in space. The difference between 2D and 3D surfaces is that 3D surfaces are shown as wireframe models, not solid areas.

The 3D Face's definition points are determined in a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction so that one edge of a 3D surface is used as the base line for the next 3D surface.

You can also draw invisible Lines to increase the clarity of complicated 3D structures. This feature is useful when dealing with complex drawings containing a large number of 3D surfaces. Hidden Lines make the drawing more understandable.

To create rectangular 3D Faces:

1. Click Draw > Mesh > 3D Face (or type Face).
2. (Optional) Specify the Invisible option to draw hidden Lines. You must activate this option each time before you specify the start coordinate of the Line.
3. Click in the graphics area or type the coordinates for each corner point.
   
   After you specify the fourth point, the last coordinate joins to the origin to create a four-sided object.
   
   You are prompted to define further points. The next 3D surface to be defined will use the last drawn Line as the start point or base line.
4. Press Enter.

To create triangular 3D Faces:

1. Click Draw > Mesh > 3D Face (or type Face).
2. Click in the graphics area or type the coordinates for the first three corner points.
3. Press Enter.
   
   The last defined coordinate joins to the first coordinate location to create a triangle.

Access

Command: Face

Menu: Draw > Mesh > 3D Face