Expert: Bob - 11/28/2007

Question
I am an interior design student and I am taking an AutoCAD class with the 2007 version. I should first state that this is the one and only AutoCAD class I will have in my four year program.  I understand all the 2D aspects of the program, however, it is the 3D modeling I am having major issues with. We were given a brief 2 hour lecture of 3D modeling. The lecture included modeling a basic circular table and chair. I am now attempting a final project where I need to model my floor plan with furniture in extreme detail. I don't even know where to begin.I feel I have exhausted my teacher with questions to the point where she is ignoring me!Is there any helpful resources such as websites or books that you know of that may provide an easier understanding (or at least a little help) in the area of 3D modeling geared towards interiors?

Answer
HI -- AS SOMEONE WHO WAS A STUDENT 5 YEARS AGO (2ND CAREER)
MY BEST ADVICE -- dont be like all the students who struggle with the technique, use up the time, and cant complete a good design because they were busy trying to learn software.

D0
NOT
BITE
OFF
MORE
THAN
YOU
CAN
CHEW WITHIN THE CLASS PERIOD

3D modeling a few rooms of furniture is cool, once you know how to do it, and you have a week, providing your computer is terrific (the drawing will get very unwieldy on a mediocre machine)
To learn, there are books at Borders, etc -- but I have never seen a book on modelling furniture, you have to be clever. Even after a good teacher, it should take months to learn to model intricate details.
You are getting the big shaft if they have only one AutoCAD class -- buy the book and learn by doing your projects.
But I suggest, for now, to meet the deadline (if the project is not in the AutoCAD class) that you print your drawings of the rooms and draw in the furniture by hand.

Of course, you COULD put AutoCAD 3D tutorial into Google-- surprised you didnt think of it -- but the 3D for 2007 and 2008 is all new, the old is like horse and buggy, so you wont get much from old ones.

Good Luck

BOB