How To Get Isometric View In AutoCAD 2018?

Steps to Create an Isometric View in AutoCAD 2018

Creating an isometric view in AutoCAD is essential for rendering 3D objects on a 2D screen. The isometric view allows accurate representation of an object’s dimensions and proportions. Follow these detailed steps to set up your workspace for isometric drawing:

Configure Drafting Settings

1. Access Drafting Settings:

   • Open AutoCAD and navigate to the Tools menu.
   • Select Drafting Settings from the dropdown.
2. Adjust Snap Type:
   • In the Drafting Settings dialog, switch to the Snap and Grid tab.
   • Look for the Snap Type section and select Isometric Snap.
   • Confirm your selection by clicking OK.

Begin Drawing

1. Select the Ellipse Tool:

   • Go to the Drafting tab on the ribbon.
   • Click on the Draw panel, and find the Ellipse dropdown menu.

2. Choose Isocircle:

   • Type i for Isocircle when prompted in the command line.

3. Specify Center:

   • Click on your workspace to define the center point for the isocircle.
4. Define the Size:
   • Enter the desired radius or diameter to complete the isocircle.

Enable and Use Isoplane

1. Switch Isoplanes:

   • To activate isometric planes, press the F5 key. This allows you to cycle through three available isoplanes: top, right, and left.
2. Start Drawing Lines:
   • Once an isoplane is active, use the Line command. Click in the drawing area to start creating your lines in isometric format.

Exit Isometric Mode

1. Disable Isometric Drafting:
   • To return to standard drafting mode, use the Ctrl + E shortcut or press F5 again. This will offer the option to exit isometric settings.

Understanding Isometric View

Basic Requirements

An isometric view is a unique representation of 3D objects, where all three axes are equally represented, typically at a 120-degree angle to each other. Unlike true perspective drawings, isometric views maintain parallel lines and equal scaling across dimensions.

Techniques to Create Isometric Drawings

When drawing freehand, use a ruler to begin with a vertical line. Mark three evenly spaced points along this line and draw a horizontal line through the lowest point. Using a protractor, mark off 30-degree angles from this horizontal line to ensure accurate representation of isometric angles.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the difference between isometric view and isometric projection?
Isometric views maintain true length measurements across all three dimensions evenly, while isometric projections typically compress the length of axes to around 82% of their actual dimensions.

2. Can I use isometric drawing in AutoCAD 2025?
Yes, many of the same principles apply to AutoCAD 2025. While the interface may have updates, the fundamental steps for enabling isometric drawing remain similar.

3. What applications benefit from using isometric views?
Isometric views are widely used in technical drawings for architectural designs, mechanical items, and various engineering applications where spatial understanding is crucial.