About Viewing 3D Objects

You can specify a fixed or an interactive view of your drawing in the current viewport.

Using the 3D viewing and navigation tools, you can navigate through a drawing, set up a camera for a specific view, and create animations to share your design with others. You can orbit, swivel, walk, and fly around a 3D model, set up a camera, create a preview animation, and record motion path animations that you can distribute to others to visually convey the intent of your design.

Using the 3D viewing and navigation tools, you can navigate through a drawing. You can orbit, zoom, and swivel around a 3D model.

• Rather than using the 2D Wireframe visual style, choose the Wireframe, Realistic, or Shaded visual style for better 3D performance.
• 3D models can be opened in AutoCAD LT. However, 3D view and navigation tools are not available.

Methods for Specifying Views of 3D Models

For interactive 3D viewing, use the 3DORBIT command. In the shortcut menu, standard views are accessible from the Present Views submenu. (This feature is not available in AutoCAD LT.)

Other options include the following:

• For precise control in setting up a 3D view, including specifying the Camera and Target points, use the DVIEW or CAMERA commands.
• For a perspective view with a specified lens length, use the PERSPECTIVE and LENSLENGTH system variables.

You can also display standard views for 3D models using the following command inputs:

• Isometric view: -VPOINT 1,-1,1
• Top view: -VPOINT 0,0,1 or PLAN
• Front view: -VPOINT 0,-1,0
• Right side view: 1,0,0

Important: AutoCAD uses the architectural convention for view definition: the XY plane of the UCS is the top or plan view.