2. Week 2: Computer Aided Design¶
The main learning outcomes for this week were to learn how to use 2 different 2D and 3D design softwares.
Important Definitions¶
Raster¶
Raster is a technique that use a grid of pixels to illustrate the image.
Vector¶
Vector is a technique that constructs images using geometric shapes illustrated on a cartesian plane such as lines, curves, points and polygons.
Raster Vs Vector¶
| Raster Graphics | Vector Graphics |
|---|---|
| They are composed of pixels. | They are composed of paths. |
| In Raster Graphics, refresh process is independent of the complexity of the image. | Vector displays flicker when the number of primitives in the image become too large. |
| Graphic primitives are specifies in terms of end points and must be scan converted into corresponding pixels. | Scan conversion is not required. |
| Raster graphics can draw mathematical curves, polygons and boundaries of curved primitives only by pixel approximation. | Vector graphics draw continuous and smooth lines. |
| Raster graphics cost less. | Vector graphics cost more. |
| They occupy more space which depends on image quality. | They occupy less space. |
| File extensions: >BMP, .TIF, .GIF, .JPG | File extensions: .SVG, .EPS, .PDF, .AI, .DXF |
Cuttle¶
Cuttle is a web-based design tool for laser cutting. You can use it to create 2D objects such as personalized ornaments, cake toppers, keychains, boxes, jewelry, connected text, and more.
Using Cuttle for 2D modelling¶
To use Cuttle to create a 2D object such as a key chain, first you must make an account and log in with it. Then, go to the home page and select new blank project.
After creating the new project, select the units & setting tab to choose the correct unit.
From the unit tab, select millimeter.
After selecting the correct unit, you can start creating any 2D object you want. To create my own keychain, I start by drawing a circle. I did that by dragging a circle from the shapes tab.
Then, I enlarged the diameter of the circle by changing it to 40 mm.
To add text to the keychain, I went to the browse all shapes tab, scrolled down and selected text along path.
Then, I added my first name and adjusted the size of the text.
To add my last name to the keychain, I repeated the same steps however, I used to rotate feature to rotate the text by 180 degrees.
To add icons to my keychain, I went to the search tab, searched for an Icon I liked and dragged it the work area.
To center the icon in the circle, I selected both of the elements and used the centering buttons to center the icon both horizontally and vertically.
Then, I added extra icons.
After that, I sketched another circle and used the rotational repeat feature to create multiple repetitions of the circle in a circular path.
To merge the circular shapes together and remove any extra line, I used the boolean union (weld) function.
Then, I sketched two circle and used the boolean union (weld) to merge the shapes together and to create a hole for a chain to go in.
After that, I changed the font of the text by selecting it and going to the font tab and searching for arabic fonts from the list.
Finally, to export the drawing, I went to the file tab and selected export SVG.
Final product
Click here to download my keychain file
SolidWorks¶
SolidWorks is a powerful computer-aided design (CAD) software used in various industries to create 3D models, simulate designs, and generate engineering drawings. It provides intuitive tools for designing parts and assemblies, performing simulations, and creating detailed documentation, helping streamline the product development process.
Using SolidWorks for 2D modelling¶
To start creating a 2D drawing, first I pressed the part button to create a new part file.
To start sketching, I selected the right plane, clicked the right mouse button and selected the sketch button.
Since I wanted to sketch a house, I selected the center rectangle button to create a rectangle.
After that, I used the smart dimension feature to give the shape dimensions the dimensions for the shape. This was done by selecting the smart dimension button, selecting the lines and writing the desired dimension.
I created a center line for construction in the square by drawing a line and going to the line properties, options and selecting for construction.
Then, I created two lines and connected them to the construction line to create the roof.
Furthermore, I gave the roof dimensions by using the smart dimension feature.
To create a door, I drew a rectangle and added dimension to it.
To center the door, I selected both vertical members of the door and the center construction line and used the symmetric relation feature.
I added a circular window in the roof by drawing a circle, placing it on the construction line and adding the relevant dimensions to position it where I want. To place the circle on the construction line, you can either drag the center of the circle to the line or select both of the and create a coincident relation between them.
After that, I wanted to add a rectangular window so, I drew a rectangle, added vertical and horizontal lines to it and used the smart dimension feature to add dimensions to it.
To create a window on the right side of the house, I used the Mirror Entities feature. After selecting the feature, I selected the entities I wanted to mirror (the window) and the axis I want the mirroring to happen at (the vertical axis).
Then, I created a door knob by drawing a circle and centering it by selecting the middle of the circle and vertical door line and creating a horizontal relation.
This is the final house 2D model created using SolidWorks.
Click here to download my 2D House file
Using SolidWorks for 3D modelling¶
After finishing my 2D drawing, I decided to transform it into a 3D object. I started by using the offset entities feature to create boarders for the doors and windows.
I created a roof sketch by using the mirror feature.
Then, I extruded the house by going to the features tab and selecting the extrude boss/base. I selected the contours I wanted to extrude, the extrusion length, the start location of the extrusion and the extrusion direction.
After that, I extruded the roof of the house.
To extrude the windows and door boarders, I selected the front face of the house as thw starting point of the extrusion, set the extrusion distance and selected the desired contours.
Then, I sketched extra window frames and a door knob and I extruded the frames.
To create the door knob, I used the revolve feature.
After that, I create a sketch on the side face of the house to create a window.
I used the mirror feature to create the window on the other side of the house.
Then, I proceeded to sketch and extrude a rear window for the house.
After that, I mirrored the circular window to the rear of the house.
Then, I create roof shingles by sketching a shape and using the linear sketch pattern feature to create several identical shapes inline with each other.
I used the mirror feature to mirror the roof shingles on the other side of the roof.
To add apperances to the house I went to edit appearance -> selected the faces I wanted to give appearances to -> selected the appearance, scene and decals tabs -> selected the desired appearance (in this case it was glass).
after adding all of the appearances to the house
To save the file in an stl format, I selected the save as button.
Then, I selected the file type as .stl and saved it.
This is the final house 3D model created using SolidWorks.
Click here to download my 3D house model file
Fusion 360¶
Autodesk Fusion combines CAD, CAM, CAE, and PCB into a single, integrated cloud software platform. It includes all the tools that you need to go from design to manufacturing, seamlessly.
Using Fusion 360 for 3D modelling¶
I used Fusion to create a 3D vase by following the tutorial below.
To start creating the vase, I started by selecting the create sketch button and selecting a plane to start the sketch on.
To create the side profile of the vase, I sketch lines using the line tool and gave them dimensions using the smart dimension tool. Alternatively you can press “D” to use the dimensioning tool and “l” to create lines.
Then, I used the fit point spline tool to create the curvature of the vase.
After create the profile, I used the revolve tool to create the 3D model of the vase. While using the revolve tool, I selected the profile I sketch and the y axis as the revolve axis.
To create the further details on the surface of the vase, I created a new sketch, made the first sketch visible, selected the profile feature and the first sketch created so I can project it on the new sketch.
Then, I used the offset tool to create an offset sketch of the profile and I created a point on the offset at approximately in the middle of it.
After that, I created a new sketch in the top plane, selected the 3D sketch option to be able to create the three circle on the previously created offset sketch.
Then, I used the loft feature to cut groves on the vase.
I used the circular pattern feature to create multiple instances of the groove on the vase.
After that, I used the fillet feature to create fillets on the grooves to make them smoother.
Then, I used the circular pattern to duplicate the fillets all over the vase.
To hollow out the vase, I create a new sketch, project the profile of the vase, created an offset sketch and used the revolve feature.
Then, I smoothed the top and bottom of the vase by creating fillets.
To only show the visible edges of the vase, I went to visual style and selected shaded.
I changed the color of the vase by selecting the appearance feature and choosing the appearance I liked.
Final 3D model of the vase created using Fusion 360.
Click here to download my 3D vase file
Software Review¶
After using all 3 CAD softwares to create 2D and 3D models, I concluded that I enjoy using SolidWorks the most because I have been using it for the past two years. Furthermore, I feel like it is intuitive to use unlike Fusion 360 which to me feels a bit more complicated to use. THis is most likely due to the fact that I got used to the user interface of SolidWorks. In terms of Cuttle, It is an easy software to learn and it is good for people who are beginners at CAD due to it having many emojis and shapes that you can drag and drop to create objects such as keychains. However, similar to Fusion, it is an online software thus, it can only be used if an internet connect is avaliable. Furthermore, Cuttle allows you to create a limited number of free file exports which is a big disadvantage. If I will create any 2D and 3D model, I will most likely only use SolidWorks because I already know where most of the features are located and how to use them, unlike Fusion and Cuttle.