How to Create 3D Boxes, Spheres, Cylinders, and More 3D Objects in ZWCAD Flex

ZWCAD Flex enables you to create a variety of 3D objects with simple geometric inputs. In this guide, you'll learn how to build basic 3D shapes such as boxes, spheres, cones, cylinders, and more using easy steps. 

Creating Boxes

Execute the BOX command to create a box. A box is a 3D shape with a rectangular base. 

When you create a box, you need to set two corner points and the height, and there are two ways to create it: 

· If the two points lie on the same XY plane, the height must be specified

· If the two corner points are the diagonal points of box, you don't need to specify the height of box.

The length, width, and height of a box corresponds to the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis.

When entering a value:

· Positive: draw in positive axis direction

· Negative: draw in negative axis direction

Creating Spheres

Execute the SPHERE command to create a sphere. A sphere is a perfect round 3D object. The elements for drawing a sphere include the center and radius (diameter).

You can draw a sphere in multiple ways:

· Create a sphere by specifying the center (sphere center) and radius.

· Create a sphere by specifying the center (sphere center) and diameter.

· Create a sphere by specifying three points on the surface of sphere.

· Create a sphere by specifying the two endpoints of diameter.

· Create a sphere by specifying two tangent objects and a radius.

Creating Cylinders

Execute the CYLINDER command to create a cylinder. 

You can create a cylinder by drawing a base circle and setting the height of cylinder. The height usually extends in the Z-axis direction, but you can change it with the Axis endpoint option. 

Creating Elliptical Cylinders

Creating an elliptical cylinder is roughly the same as a regular one. The elliptical cylinder requires a base ellipse.

If the ellipse's axes are equal, a regular cylinder will be created.

Creating Cones

Execute the CONE command to create a cone. A cone has a circular (or elliptical) base and narrows to a point at the top. 

You can create a cone by drawing a base circle and setting the height of the cone. You can control the direction of cone through the Axis endpoint option.

Creating Elliptical Cones

To create an elliptical cone, draw a base ellipse instead of a base circle.

Creating Cones Frustums

You need to set the top radius in addition to the base and height to create a frustum of a cone. 

Creating Wedges

Execute the WEDGE command to create a wedge. A wedge is a triangular prism. The top and bottom are right angled triangles, and the sides are rectangles.

To create a wedge, specify two corner points and a height. If two points are not in the same XY plane, the wedge's height will be automatically defined. 

In the following figure, the two specified corner points are respectively shown in the same XY plane and in different XY planes.

Creating Tori

Execute the TORUS command to create a torus. A torus looks like a donut — it's a circle rotated around an outer point. Its constituent elements include center point, the radius of the torus, and the radius of the circle.

To create a torus, draw a center circle that determines the center of rotation and radius of rotation. 

Creating Helixes

Execute the HELIX command to create a helix, a spiral-shaped object. The top and bottom radius of a helix determine its shape, and cylindrical or conical helixes can be created by setting the top and bottom radius of the helix.

You can control the shape of a helix through the following settings: 

· Number of turns: more turns → denser spiral

· Circle height: greater circle height  → looser spiral

· Twist direction: clockwise or counterclockwise