CAD (Computer-Aided Design)
The use of a computer to assist in the design process.
Chamfer
A small angled surface formed between two surfaces.
Design
An iterative decision-making process that produces plans by which resources are converted into products or systems that solve problems or meet human needs or desires.
Horizontal
Parallel to the X axis.
Model
A visual, mathematical, or three-dimensional representation in detail of an object or design, often smaller than the original. A model is often used to test ideas, make changes to a design, and to learn more about what would happen to a similar, real object.
Polygon
A closed plane figure bounded by three or more line segments. Polygons are classified by the number of sides they have, such as a triangle has three sides, a quadrilateral has four sides, and a pentagon has five sides.
Vertical
Parallel to the Y axis.
Depth
The distance from front to back.
Diameter
A straight line passing from side to side through the center of a circle or sphere.
Dimension
A measurable extent, such as the three principal dimensions of an object of width, height, and depth.
Orthographic Projection
A method of representing three-dimensional objects on a plane having only length and breadth.
Plane
A flat surface on which a straight line joining any two points would wholly lie.
Radius
A straight line from the center to the circumference of a circle or sphere.
Three Dimensional (3D)
Having the dimensions of height, width, and depth.
Two Dimensional (2D)
Having the dimensions of height and width, height and depth, or width and depth only.
Views
Shorthand for Multiview projection, which is a system used to view an object. The six mutually perpendicular directions any object may be viewed are top, front, right-side, rear, left-side, and bottom. Top, front, and right-side views are also referred to as the three regular views because they are the three views most frequently used.
3D GUI (Graphical User Interface) All of the menus, commands and the workspace that is visible when you open a program or application.
Viewports The areas in the Graphical User Interface where you can view and manipulate objects created with a 3d modeling program.
Perspective view
A view of a scene or object that calculates the effect of perspective – similar to human vision.
Axis (pl. Axes)
One of three imaginary lines perpendicular to each other that reference location and direction in 3D space.
Origin or origin point
Intersection of XYZ axes. Co-ordinates (0,0,0)
Modeling
The creation and modification of objects or scenes in a 3D computer environment using a variety of techniques.
Primitives (primitive objects, primitive models, modeling primitive)
A pre-made basic geometric form.
Face
A subdivision of a 2D or 3D form or mesh, the smallest of which is a triangular surface defined by 3 vertices.
Normal
The side of a face that is visible.
Object transformations
Positioning, rotating or scaling of objects in reference to the x, y and z co-ordinates.
Parametric object
An object that conforms to changes in its parameters.
Spline
A line constructed with and modified by control points facilitating smooth curves.
Bezier spline
A type of spline that has control points away from the line itself, enabling creation of complex smooth curves.
Sub Objects
The parts of objects that can be selected for manipulation or modification. i.e.: Vertices, Polygons, and Edges.
Modifiers
Commands that can be applied to sub objects to change or distort the parameters i.e.: Extrude, Twist and Tessellate.
Gizmo
A non-rendered object used to control a function that alters the appearance or parameters of an attached
rendered parametric object.
Compound objects
The manipulation or interaction of 2D shapes and 3D objects to create other objects.
Boolean operations
The relations created between 2 objects: Addition, Subtraction and Intersection.
Lofting
Creation of a 3D object by moving a 2D object along a pre-defined path (line.)
Lathing
The process of spinning a shape around an axis to create a 3D object.
Cloning
One of a group of similar commands that replicate existing objects and their characteristics.
Mirrored objects
A command that replicates an existing object’s geometry and surface characteristics along the x, y or z axis.
Instances
Copies of objects that derive all of their attributes from the original. All instances change if the original is modified.
Importing geometry
Importing objects, models, scenes in various formats into a 3D program for further manipulation or for Incorporation into an existing scene.
Material Editor
The interface in which you define, create, and apply materials
Computer graphics lighting
Simulation of light in a computer generated environment
Cameras
Viewing tools in 3D visualization.
Computer animation
The process used for generating the perception of objects moving by using computer graphics.
Rendering
The process of generating a 2D image or an animation from a model by means of computer software.
3D Printing
Creation of an actual 3d object that conforms to the parameters of a computer model of the object
Parameters
The size, shape and other properties of an object
Cartesian
The coordinate system that describes the location of points in space
Hide
The command to not display a certain object.
Grid
The intersecting lines in the viewports to help with creating objects
Zoom
To view an object or scene from an incrementally closer distance
Pan
To view an object or scene from side to side or from a higher or lower perspective
Arc Rotate
To view an object or scene as the viewer travels around it.
Wireframe
A view of an object that shows only the edges and subdivisions of the object as linear outlines.
World coordinate system
The x-y-z axis of the entire 3D space provided by the modeling program.
Local coordinate system
The xyz coordinates of a particular object which can change position within the World coordinate system.
NURBS
(non-uniform rational b-spline) are used to create smoothly curved objects
Vertex
A point that can be manipulated in 3D space (Plural of vertex: vertices).
Extrude
One of the primary ways of creating additional geometry – pulling a shape from a selected face of an existing object.
Pivot Point
The moveable point on a 3D object where any rotation, scale, or movement originates.
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