Towards integration: draughting and 3-D modelling

In Chapters 5 to 7 we have considered in some depth 2-D draughting using just PC-based CAD systems. In Chapter 8 we have seen for the first time how the 2-D draughting approach can be extended into 3-D wire-frame modelling. This model can be used to create pictorial views of the object and, as the examples created with AutoShade illustrate, provide colour shaded images of the 3-D model using a facetted surface representation. In this way, it is hoped that we have demonstrated adequately the capabilities of the PC-based CAD systems. In this chapter, we will begin to look at draughting and 3-D modelling using a minicomputer-based CAD system.