2. Computer Aided design¶
This week instructors introduced us to different softwares so we have many options to implement our assignment projects using ones that goes smoothely with us, don’t close this page and keep reading to know softwares for prototyping
OpenSCAD¶
OpenSCAD is a software for creating solid 3D CAD objects. It is useful for creating 3D models of machine parts where you yourself specify parameters. As the cofounder of Fab Lab Salman Mohammed when he was introducing us to this software said “I love this software and I will defend this software with fight ! “
OpenSCAD cheatsheet¶
OpenSCAD cheetsheet is very very useful to start creating stuff followed by some tutorials form youtube. It is an interesting software I really like it because I love dealing with parameters when it comes to creating 3D things
Quickstart¶
quickstart examples for OpenSCAD.
The circled things for example I want to create a cube so I will follow some code format to specify the parameters of cube
If you follow the cheatsheet you’ll see that ‘Translate’ goes under Transformation tools. It moves its child elements along the specified vector.
following the cheatsheet , I created a cube with sizes of its width, depth and height. You have the option to specify it to be at the center
Transformation tool¶
The translate function lets you ove one object from one Cartesian point to another.
Here, this function lets you rotate the body around its origin axis or particular point.
iteration to do iteration we use for loop by specifying the starting point “10” and iterate 100 with “10” steps. for(i=[10:10:100]) and inside it will make iterate cylinder moving using translate function
to create any object you would like you follow the cheatsheet for example sphere() parameter is specifying the radius or diameter (d= ) as shown.
Source code¶
//Cube
cube([10,10,10]);
//Sphere
sphere(10);
//Translate
#translate([10,10,10])
cube([10,10,10]);
//Rotate
rotate(a=90, v=[1,0,0])
cylinder(r1=5, r2=5, h=20);
//Loop
for(i=[10:10:100]){
translate([20,i,0])
cylinder(r1=5,r2=1,h=10);
}
openSCAD design file openSCAD ad STL file
Vectr¶
Vectr is a free graphics software used to create vector graphics in easy and accessible way. It’s simple you do not need to download it through executable file just login and use it freely.
Here I tried to make a design and from the first try it is drag and drop thing and it’s so useful for beginners to try their first design with it
first, I started to drop a rectangle and add orange color as gradient
same for triangle
GIMP¶
Once you download it choose a size for your design and from file tab choose any photos you want to combine to build a poster design for example. Let me show you mine
GIMP is free source open application means you could download it for free, if you expreinced before with Adobe Photoshop you may find this easy for you. I found it as image editor and combining images. It has image editing tools if you see at the right of photo shown above. A great start to run your designs files with GIMP.
FreeCAD¶
FreeCad is an open-source parametric 3D modeler made primarily to design real-life objects of any size. My background is Electrical Enginnering but I crave designing mechanical stuff. I thinl FreeCad is great fit for enginners !
Sketchup¶
Sketchup is 3D design software mainly used to visulaize buildings. Great fit for Architects
Inkscape¶
Inkscape is vector graphics editor I see it as alternative to Adobe Illustrator. I highly recommend it. It’s easy to build your design with it as a beginner. Let me introduce you “Shelley”, a new character I created on Inkscape
Cuttle.xyz¶
Cuttle.xyz is another drag and drop to make designs that is mainly for digital cutting machines.
Fusion360¶
Fusion360 is a hero software, if you love engineering design you’ll absolutly love it or anything related to project development. It is 3D and 2D modeling software you can animate your designs, render objects, simulate loads, and even prepare models to do wood cutting controlled by computer.
I started the design by creating a rectangle and used fillet to round the edges.
As shown I used extrude tool to extrude out the rectangle
To put the text you have to create a rectangle to place a text
To place a text in click create and find for text. Then place it in rectangle you created.
For my design I wrote “Computer Aided Design”
To extrude text you have to just specify it. Don’t miss up with rectangle and combine it to extrude it will not work.
Tdaa!
It was intresting to design such thing after reading my documentation do not forget to try it believe me you will will love it
Fusion design as .f3d Fusion design as .stl
TinkerCAD¶
TinkerCAD is an online 3D modeling program that runs in a web browser from Autodesk that enable complete beginners to create 3D models. This CAD software is based on constructive objects where you drag and drop objects to combine them and make a model.
As shown at the right there are multiple objects to combine them in a simpler smoothely way.
Blender¶
Download Link Blender is a free and open-source 3D computer graphics software tool set used for creating animated films, visual effects, art, 3D-printed models, motion graphics, interactive 3D applications, virtual reality, and, formerly, video games.