2. Computer Aided design¶

2D Software’s¶

Vectr¶

Vectr is free, simple and most intuitive vector graphics editing software.

It was a simple 2D website which I used first to how far could I go with 2D softwares. I learn basic things like how to draw shapes and to draw with a pen.

I tried to make a sketch for a maze by tracing on an image I upload, and this is what I got:

Click here to see the sketch over the image of the maze.

Inkscape¶

Inkscape is a free and open-source vector graphics editor used to create vector images, primarily in Scalable Vector Graphics format.

I used Inkscape to make the plate of the stamp I did with Fusion 360 (look below to see the stamp).

I learned the basic things from Inkscape Tutorials provided by Inkscape main page.

This is my work on Inkscape, see how did I do this:

Draw a circle, which you would copy the shape along it:
Select the circle and your shape, then go to Extension, then Generate from path, select scatter:
Choose Strech spaces, and enter the spaces between copies, if you want to how is it before doing it, select live preview:
It is done now!
Delete the circle if you don’t want it. Add some colors:

Click here to see Inkscape work.

3d Software’s¶

OpensCAD¶

OpenSCAD is a free software application for creating solid 3D CAD objects. It is a script-only based modeller that uses its own description language; parts can be previewed, but cannot be interactively selected or modified by mouse in the 3D view.

My breakthrough into openSCAD:¶

First of all, thanks to this cheat sheet, it helps me a lot, because openSCAD isn’t interactive 3D software but coding one.

What can I do?¶

Draw a sphere, cylinder and cube.

cube([7,5,6],center=true);
sphere($fn=100,r=2);
cylinder($fn=100,h=10,r=0.5);

Rotate, translate and color objects.

rotate(0,[1,0,0])
translate([0,0,10])
color("#FFFFFF")

Rotate, translate and color are treated in openSCAD to objects as adjectives to nouns in English. Objects in openSCAD ends with semicolon (;) while the description of these objects comes before without a semicolon (;).

Union, difference and group.

union(){    }
difference(){   }
group(){    }

These are used to combine more than one object to apply a certain function among them like to group them together.

What did I do?¶

Atomic Molecules.

Molecules by kumail.aziz on Sketchfab

A Sphericon.

Sphericon by kumail.aziz on Sketchfab

color("#ADD8E6")
group(){
  difference(){
    union(){
      cylinder($fn=100,h=5,r1=5,r2=0);
      translate([0,0,-5])
      cylinder($fn=100,h=5,r1=0,r2=5);
    }
      translate([0,-6,-6])
      cube([6,12,12]);
  }

  rotate(180,[0,0,1])
  rotate(90,[1,0,0])
  translate([0,0,0])
  difference(){
    union(){
        cylinder($fn=100,h=5,r1=5,r2=0);
        translate([0,0,-5])
        cylinder($fn=100,h=5,r1=0,r2=5);
    }
        translate([0,-6,-6])
        cube([6,12,12]);
    }
}

How to design the sphericon? 1. First, make a cone with base equals its height:

Make another cone on:
Cut these two cones:
Now copy this shape and rotate it 90 degrees:
Add some colors:

Fusion 360¶

Fusion 360 is a cloud-based 3D modeling, CAD, CAM, CAE, and PCB software platform for product design and manufacturing.

To get started with Fusion 360 I watch this YouTube tutorial to make a stamp. I followed the same steps as in the tutorial, and this is my results: * The handle:

Body1 by kumail.aziz on Sketchfab

The plate:

Plate by kumail.aziz on Sketchfab

The stamp works by assembling the handle and the plate together.

Steps of making the stamp and handle: 1. Create a new component for the stamp, and draw a sketch and extrude it:

Open a sketch and draw my name on it. Then extrude it up:
Stamp is finished, now we’ll work on handle. Open a sketch and draw it on the middle plane of the stamp, then extrude it:
Draw a circle on the back of the handle, then extrude it with angle:
Make it smoother by adding some filet.

Fusion files: Stamp and handle

My opinion about openSCAD & Fusion 360¶

Personally, I found openSCAD interesting to use and fun to learn, because I’m kind of familiar with codes and programming languages. But for Fusion 360, It was a little hard for me without a step-by-step tutorial, it’s the first time for me to deal with interactive 3D software. I’m sure that practice makes perfect, I believe that if I learn how to use Fusion 360, then it would be more easier deal with instead of openSCAD since the last one makes you write every single details in codes.

Last update: January 18, 2022