2d Isometric Drawing In Autocad

[Nickie Koskinen]

AutoCADis significantly different from other computer-aided design (CAD) software such as SolidWorks, CATIA, SketchUp, Fusion 360, Inventor, Creo, and so on. This is because the latter group of applications is predominantly used to create 3D models. And while AutoCAD supports several types of 3D modeling, including wireframe modeling, mesh modeling, surface modeling, and solid modeling, it is primarily used to create 2D drawings and sketches.

The term isometric drawing is sometimes used synonymously with the term isometric projection. However, while both the isometric drawing and isometric projection represent 3D objects, which may perhaps be the source of the confusion, we want to point out that there is a significant difference between the two terms. The isometric drawing features the same (actual) dimensions as the 3D object it is representing. In contrast, the isometric projection features foreshortened dimensions by about 82%.

Isometric drawings are not a new concept in the design world. Before the advent and widespread adoption of CAD software, engineers, designers, and architects created these drawings using T-squares, protractors, triangles, and, in some cases, drafting arms. But the process was time-consuming.

Fast forward to the present. Most of the things are simplified. Virtually every design office and school lab is equipped with a computer, with the professionals and students using CAD software to create, among others, isometric drawings. AutoCAD is one such CAD software. And in this section, we will detail how to create isometric drawings in AutoCAD.

To create an isometric drawing in AutoCAD, you must toggle on the isometric drafting setting. By default, this setting is off, manifesting in an orthographic model space made up of perpendicular grid lines parallel to either the vertical or horizontal. It is this workspace that enables you to create 2D sketches and drawings. Unfortunately, it does apply to the creation of isometric drawings, which, by their very nature, are supposed to represent 3D objects.

Toggling on this setting instructs AutoCAD to tilt/rotate the horizontal grid lines by 30 in conformity with the principles of isometric drawings detailed above. You can turn on the isometric drafting (contracted as Isodraft) view/mode using the command line or the Isometric Drafting button. Below is a step-by-step breakdown of how to turn on isometric drawing mode using a button::

In either case, you will notice that the model space will automatically refresh, displaying a new non-perpendicular/angled layout of the gridlines. This signifies that you have entered the isometric drafting view/mode.

While you can still use the Circle tool to create a circle in AutoCAD, the resultant object will not be tilted, as is the case with other isometric drawings. Instead, it will be orthographically orientated, as shown in the diagrams below. To draw a circle in the isometric drafting view, follow the procedure below:

If you want to draw isometric arcs, circles, cylinders, and virtually any 3D shape, the isometric drafting mode in AutoCAD is an excellent place to start. And in this article, we have detailed how you can create each of these shapes. But before you can go about creating, it is vital to bear in mind that you need to activate the isometric drafting view using the ISODRAFT command or a button. You also have to choose the isoplane option that best works for you. And to help with this, we have included several tips and pointers. Happy drafting!

if you mean while using ISODRAFT command then you have to select the right angle mode to make mirror for your needed place . if this not your question please try to describe more your issue and make a screen shot for your drawing ?

I should mention: Depending on 'Graphics Performance' settings, the Iso block may suffer a graphics glitch. The drawing database remains intact i.e., The block will print and measure correctly, it will just look like crap.

The difficulty in this, in purely 2D isometric-mode drawing, is in dealing with different "faces" of the virtual "cube" that the different drawing planes represent, and the fact that AutoCAD doesn't know, for a given drawn object, on which "face" it lies. For example:

To Mirror the red Ellipse [an isocircle] to either yellow position is a basic 2D Mirror operation. But to "Mirror" [in double-quotes because a "virtual" kind of Mirroring, in isometric effect rather than in reality] the red Ellipse across the center of its cube face [the dashed blue center-axis line], to the green position, would actually require a Copy operation, rather than a Mirror operation, at an angle of 330 degrees for a distance of twice the distance from the center of the Ellipse to the Line, but not just the "raw" distance but at that same angle.

To figure out how to get AutoLisp to decide what "face" an object is on [which should be possible for an isocircle, but not necessarily for most other things], and whether you want to "Mirror" it on the same face or onto a different one, and therefore whether Mirror is even appropriate rather than Copy [or sometimes maybe something else], and in which direction to Copy if that's what's needed, is all a very daunting prospect. A 2D-vertical Line like that blue dashed one could represent a vertical line on either the left or right "face" of the "cube," or a 45-degree-diagonal line on the top, and similar ambiguities exist for Lines running in other isometric-axis directions, as well as for other kinds of objects.

And it gets wilder even for simple Lines if they don't run in isometric-axis directions. In the case of the non-isometric-axis-direction angled edges of the parts in @j.palmeL29YX's image attached to Message 3, other alterations beyond just Mirroring vs. Copying would be required. Some of the things in the lower-right part there don't even exist in the upper-left part to be Mirrored or Copied.

If it's at all possible to automate this kind of thing, I suspect it would require asking the User not only for a selection and a Mirror [or "Mirror"] axis, but also for at least some kind of indication of isometric plane, if not for additional input(s).

Look at the file I included in my first post, and examine the relationship between the Block Inserts ProfileOrtho and ProfileIso - insert each individually and Explode to examine the base parts. Then notice the non uniform scaling of the isometric appearing ProfileIso insert.

- I inserted the block b-ortho with an angle 44.99999999. Theoretical it should be 45, but in this case you get problems with arcs and circles (as @SEANT61 mentioned above. See here). I don't know why AutoCAD doesn't work correctly with 45 and it took me a long time to find out how to avoid this behavior. You can also "repair" the demo-block of @SEANT61 : BEDIT the ProfileIso block, rotate it around the base point 0.00000001 (or whatever a small value you want) and save this modification - all arcs are correct now.

I would like to create an isometric drawing for a small drawing using P3D 2012. However creating this using version 2012 will separating the drawing into few sheets. Is there any other way to make the drawing come out in one sheet?

I also can not do isometric to a single file, even with all parts connected is divided into several, and even with the option "Force iso onto one sheet" checked. There should be an option for the same total isometric with text overlaid.

I have this problem too. In a Project with 16 lines, lines was split into 140 sheets! Regardless of sheet size A3, A2 or A1. I want components with same line number in one sheet. This make me and our installation workers crazy!

You can make your own SKEY and Iso Blocks. I'm about to do a walk-through on it, but you can make your own SKEY entries in the catalog, which can be any combination of letters. From here, you make your own block representations, or use the existing ones, and make sure the mappings are ok in the Iso SKEY mapping file.

Firstly, I like to say thank you for you quick response, I put that reply in to get someone from Autodesk to reply, and it worked. The most annoying thing about Plant 3d is, that I think it is a great program, but it has a few small problems that need to be sorted out. So now we have your attention, can we have some answers to our questions?

I have flange adaptors and pipe coupling, which are push fit, so for the flange adaptor I copied and renamed a block in the IsoSymbolStyles.dwg to FlangePF, which worked fine. It is the connections, I cannot get my head round; in the ISO drawing, which is produced, a weld dot is put on the fitting.

2. In the Project Manager, right click on the Project, go to Properties, and then scroll down the bottom to the Isometrics Section. Expand it, and go to the last section marked "Title Block and Display". On that dialog, there is a section marked "Display" and then a large button marked "Edit Isometric Symbols". Use this block editor to edit/make new symbols for your Isometrics. You draw them in 'flat' 2D mode, and then Isometrics will skew them for you

3. I wouldn't rename blocks, you should perhaps start with a block already made, then save it as a new block name. Once that is done, then edit the mapping file, and add the new SKEY and Blockname to that mapping xml file, for example:

That should be it for now. From one of the other threads, if you don't have an SKEY in the catalog (be it from a parametric part, or a custom part) then Isometrics won't draw it, and depending on where it is, it will split it in two. It might help to also have a 'tinker' project that you can test out your theories without damaging a production project.

I am designing a new piping system for one of our plants. There are three units, two are similar and one his opposite hand. I created a model of one of the units, copied it, and mirrored it. Everything seemed to be hunky-dory until a came to the isometrics. With much pulling of hair and gnashing of teeth I was able to reduce the number of drawings to two for the non-mirrored model, but the mirrored model requires four drawings. It makes no difference which isometric view I choose it still makes the same four drawings. What am I doing wrong?

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