Mastering 3D Nuts & Bolts in AutoCAD with Command-Line Magic

As a seasoned AutoCAD user, you might be familiar with the robust graphical user interface (GUI) that allows you to create and manipulate 3D models with ease. However, did you know that you can also leverage the power of AutoCAD's command-line interface (CLI) to achieve similar results, even for complex 3D models? In this blog post, we'll dive into the process of creating a simple nut and bolt using the command-line interface, demonstrating the versatility and efficiency of this approach.

Let's get started!

Step 1: Creating the Bolt To create the bolt, we'll use the CYLINDER command to generate the cylinder for the bolt shaft and the bolt head. First, we'll create the shaft:

CYLINDER 0 0 0, 0 0 5, 0.5

This command creates a cylinder with a base at the origin (0, 0, 0) and a height of 5 units, with a radius of 0.5 units.

Next, we'll create the bolt head:

CYLINDER 0 0 5, 0 0 6, 1

This command creates a cylinder with a base at (0, 0, 5) and a height of 1 unit, with a radius of 1 unit.

Finally, we'll use the UNION command to combine the two cylinders into a single bolt object:

UNION

Step 2: Creating the Nut To create the nut, we'll first use the CYLINDER command to generate the cylinder for the nut:

CYLINDER 0 0 5, 0 0 6, 1.5

This command creates a cylinder with a base at (0, 0, 5) and a height of 1 unit, with a radius of 1.5 units.

Next, we'll use the EXTRUDE command to create the hexagonal shape for the nut:

EXTRUDE 0 0 5, 0 0 6, 1.5, 6

This command extrudes the cylinder created in the previous step, with a height of 1 unit and 6 sides, resulting in a hexagonal nut.

Step 3: Aligning the Nut and Bolt To position the nut and bolt, we'll use the MOVE command:

MOVE 0 0 5, 0 0 5, 2 0 0

This command moves the nut and bolt so that their bases are aligned at (0, 0, 5), and the nut is positioned 2 units away from the bolt in the x-direction.

And there you have it! You've successfully created a nut and bolt using the AutoCAD command-line interface. While this approach may initially seem more complex than using the graphical user interface, it offers several benefits, such as the ability to automate repetitive tasks, integrate AutoCAD with other applications, and create scripts and macros to streamline your workflow.

Remember, the command-line interface is a powerful tool in the hands of experienced AutoCAD users. By mastering this technique, you can unlock new levels of efficiency and creativity in your 3D modeling endeavors.

Happy modeling!