About Adding 3D Thickness to 2D Objects

About Adding 3D Thickness to 2D Objects

Use the thickness property to give objects a 3D appearance. 

The 3D thickness of an object is the distance that the object is extended above or below its location in 3D. Positive thickness extends upward in the positive Z direction; negative thickness extends downward (negative Z). 

The orientation of the UCS when the object was created determines the Z direction. Objects with a non-zero thickness can be shaded and can hide other objects behind them. 

The thickness property changes the appearance of the following types of objects: 
  1. 2D Solids
  2. Arcs
  3. Circles
  4. Lines
  5. Polylines (including spline-fit polylines, rectangles, polygons, boundaries, and donuts)
  6. Text (only if created as a single-line text object using an SHX text font)
  7. Points
Rectangles and single-line text do not use the default value of the 3D thickness property. You can  change their thickness using the Properties palette. 

A single object cannot simultaneously have different thicknesses. 

Changing the 3D thickness property does not affect the appearance of other types of objects. 

You can set the default thickness property for new objects you create by setting the THICKNESS system variable. For existing objects, change the thickness property on the Properties palette. 

You might need to change the 3D viewpoint to see the effect of thickness on an object. 
Although the thickness property adds a 3D visual appearance to 2D object, those objects continue to be 2D objects. 
Powered by  AutoCAD ®

    • Related Articles

    • EXTRUDE Command

      Creates a 3D solid from an object that encloses an area, or a 3D surface from an object with open ends.  Objects can be extruded orthogonally from the plane of the source object, in a specified direction, or along a selected path. You can also ...

    • AutoCAD Keyboard Commands

      Learning how to use AutoCAD keyboard commands can help you work faster and improve your efficiency. This article lists the abbreviated commands that can be used in AutoCAD (Toolbox). Toggle General Features Ctrl+G Toggle Grid Ctrl+E Cycle isometric ...

    • About Modeling 3D Objects

      3D modeling in AutoCAD includes 3D solids, surfaces, meshes, and wireframe objects.  Types of 3D Models Several types of 3D modeling are available in AutoCAD. Each of these 3D modeling technologies offer a different set of capabilities.  Wireframe ...

    • Exploding Objects

      You can convert a compound object, such as a polyline, dimension, hatch, or block reference, into individual elements. You can explode a compound object, such as a polyline, dimension, hatch, or block reference, to convert it into individual ...

    • Microvellum Commands vs AutoCAD Commands

      Toolbox, as an OEM based on AutoCAD, possesses the full range of AutoCAD commands for use in accessing AutoCAD functions, such as drawing shapes, opening menus, altering the dimensions of polylines, etc. However, it should be noted that when working ...

    • Recent Articles

    • Toolbox Release Notes | Build 24.1.1206.641

      The following release notes apply to Toolbox build 24.1.1206.641 MV Server Nesting Fix There was a reported issue occurring when users attempted to remotely process work orders using a nesting station on MV Server. When attempting to process the work ...

    • Microvellum Foundation Library Release Notes | Build 24.1127

      The following release notes apply to Microvellum Foundation Library build 24.1127. Additions Added a new Soffit product to the Upper Cabinet Accessories category. Added the Top Filler (Ceiling Scribe) option to Upper and Tall cabinets. (Corner ...

    • Toolbox Release Notes | Build 24.1.1125.641

      The following release notes apply to Toolbox build 24.1.1125.641. IRIB Setmill Location Fix Fig. 1: Setmill being moved to the start of the route (top) rather than at the center of a straight line, as intended (bottom). There was an issue reportedly ...

    • Toolbox Release Notes | Build 24.1.1105.641

      The following release notes apply to Toolbox build 24.1.1105.641 Nesting Fix Fig. 1: The fatal error that would occur during processing. There was reportedly an issue that occurred when clients attempted to process a work order using the nesting ...

    • Microvellum Foundation Library Release Notes | Build 24.1025

      The following release notes apply to Microvellum Foundation Library build 24.1025. Additions Added new global variable “Remove Stop Dado On Bottom Edge” for wood drawer boxes. Check this option to run the dado through at the bottom of the sub front ...