We can create our own materials in Autocad 3D by importing a JPEG into the Materials Browser. We show you how in our Autocad 3d training courses.
To test this process first of all we need to create some objects, for example a thin box. Then in the Material editor create a New material. Name it Pattern 01, for example. Then go to Maps and click on the Diffuse map button to choose a Texture map.
This allows us to select an image – browse to an image which you’ve previously saved on your hard drive, for example the Islamic pattern illustrated here. This was a JPG image. Apply this new material to the box and hit the Render button. If it does not map onto every plane, go to the Material Mapping drop-down list and choose Box. Hit the Render icon again. Note that if there is no change it can sometimes be a low RAM issue on your computer – simply restart the program in this case.
You can further adjust the pattern mapping as follows. Go to the Scaling tab and choose Units: Metres. Change the Width and Height to 60, for example. You can also offset the pattern. Hit Preview to view it. Adjust the size and render again.
The 3d interface in Autocad is user-friendly and easy to learn, and we take time to teach a broad range of applications in our classes including modeling, materials, lighting and animation. See many examples of our clients’ work on our Facebook page. For more information there are lots of resources on the web, but try the Autodesk site to begin with: www.autodesk.com. Support options and user forums are also available from the home page.
Other related Autocad 3d Blog Posts:

• Autocad 3d introduction
• Autocad 3d modeling
• Autocad 3d blocks
• Autocad 3d commands
• Autocad 3d basics