AutoCAD Tutorial 7: Materials

So far we have only been working with a plain colored blocks, we will change that now. This tutorial will be the start of the creation of visually appealing objects using materials.

In this example, I have a block:

This is what it looks like in render mode in medium quality (Yes, you can change the quality of the render):

It looks a bit plain doesn't it? To change that, we need to open the materials panel. To open it, if it isn't already active, activate the tools, panel (Or press control + 3):

From there, a new panel will appear (if it isn't already there), right click at top of it and select materials:

This is the materials panel, it already has preset materials/textures for you to use:

To change an object's materials click on the desire material in the materials panel and click on the object. Here I have used the “Concrete, Precast structural” materials:

Now it looks much better and more visually appealing in render mode:

Here's Another Example Of Which You Can Try:

1. Make a 3D rectangle that looks like this, doesn't matter about the height/width:
   
   
2. Make another rectangle, except smaller and intersecting the bigger rectangle at about the middle:
   
   
3. Use the subtraction tool and subtract the smaller rectangle away from the bigger rectangle so it looks like a doorway, (I've explained how to use it in the 4th AutoCAD tutorial):
   
   
4. Now create 2 more rectangles, one on either side of the doorway rectangle. They should be about the same height as the doorway rectangle (use snaps), I will tell you how to do this the easy way.
5. Select the 3D rectangle tool and click at the bottom left corner of the doorway rectangle (there should be a red box around the corner):
   
   
6. Now move your mouse to the opposite corner, another red box should appear:
   
   
7. Move your mouse to form a rectangle and there should be a red plus sign. Click at your desired length. This “plus” assists you in making the rectangle equal with the object that you are working from (I've circled the plus sign with a red circle):
   
   
8. To finish off the rectangle, move your mouse over to the lower corner of the rectangle and click (once again, there should be a red box):
   
   
9. And now you've done one side, finish the other side on your own. Oh, did I forget to mention about views? You can change the view of the project by pressing any of these buttons:
   
   
   

Pan just moves the screen. Zoom zooms in/out of your project (obviously). Orbit(s) are used for when moving around the object to get a better view. Swivel is used for adjusting eye level (looking up/ looking down etc.) Walk is like literally taking a walk in the model, using the keyboard you can control camera and move it etc. There are also preset views available (top, bottom etc).

Note: Under orbits, swivel and walk there are more view options available by clicking on the icon and holding the mouse down.

1. Back on task, this is what our doorway should look so far:
   
   
2. It looks a bit plain, so let's add a few triangle prisms in. I will again tell you how to do it in detail. Here I have adjusted the view to make things easier. First select the wedge tool and click on the bottom left corner (in my view) of the doorway rectangle:
   
   
3. Move your mouse and place it over the corner to the right of the corner you first clicked on:
   
   
4. Move your mouse forward as if you're creating a rectangle in front of the doorway and you will see our little “plus” friend is helping out again:
   
   
5. Click at your wanted length and move your mouse up to the top left corner of the hole in the rectangle and a red box should appear around that corner:
   
   
6. Now click and the object should automatically snap to it:
   
   
7. Do the same to the other side (sorry if my rectangles are uneven, it doesn't matter):
   
   
8. Now let's do some decorating! For the 3 walls give it a concrete pre-cast structural fill:
   
   
9. For the 2 wedges, we want something lighter so give it a Concrete “Cast-in-place, flat grey”:
   
   
10. Now your little project should look like this:
    
    
11. Lets look at it in render mode (I've switched the view of it):
    
    
12. Looks like an entrance of a stone temple doesn't it? You may ask the question, “The materials of the 3 walls and the wedges are the same”. Good question, but that will become clear when we switch the view and render it again:
    
    

Awesome isn't it? In some future tutorial I will be teaching you lighting and other great things.