2. Computer Aided design¶
This week, we were taught the difference between raster and vector graphics, which helped us select the right software for designing 2D and 3D projects. The goal was to learn how to create machine-compatible files such as SVG and DXF for fabrication processes like laser cutting and CNC machining.
We also explored CAD (Computer-Aided Design) platforms like Cuttle.xyz, Fusion 360, and Tinkercad, giving us the freedom to experiment and identify the most suitable tools for our final projects. Fusion 360 stood out for its parametric design capabilities, making it ideal for precise 3D modeling, while Tinkercad was useful for quick prototyping.
Additionally, we were introduced to key design principles, such as layout, composition, and color theory. This foundation helped us make more informed design choices as we worked on our projects.
Overall, the week was focused on exploring design software, understanding core design principles, and experimenting with tools to determine which best suited our creative and technical needs for future fabrication projects.
Key Concepts and Terminology¶
What is Raster? Raster graphics are made up of individual pixels, each with its own color. These images are resolution-dependent and lose quality when resized. Common formats include JPEG and PNG. They are best for photographs and complex images where detail and color gradation matter.
What is Vector? Vector graphics are created using mathematical formulas—points, lines, curves, and shapes. They are resolution-independent and can be scaled infinitely without losing quality. Common formats include SVG, DXF, and PDF. Vectors are ideal for logos, illustrations, and designs that need to remain sharp at any size, such as for laser cutting or CNC machining.
Difference Between Raster and Vector
- Raster (JPG, PNG) is pixel-based, so resizing can cause pixelation.
- Vector (SVG, DXF) is resolution-independent and maintains clarity at any size.
Software Overview:¶
Cuttle.xyz (A Simplified 2D Design Tool for Makers and Creators):¶
Cuttle.xyz is an intuitive, web-based design tool that makes creating 2D vector designs accessible to anyone, regardless of experience. With its simple drag-and-drop interface, it’s ideal for users wanting to design for laser cutting, vinyl cutting, CNC machining, and more, without needing advanced design skills.
Key Features:¶
No design experience needed: Just drag and drop elements to create your design. Paths: Define areas for cutting or engraving, and use paths to remove forms or groups within your design. Units & Grids: Adjust units (inches, millimeters, etc.) and grids for precise alignment and measurements. DXF Files: Export designs as DXF files, which are more compatible with laser cutters and CNC machines than SVG files. Thickness: Material thickness is determined by the material used, not specified in the software (Cuttle.xyz is a 2D design tool).
Pros:¶
User-friendly: No prior design experience needed; simple drag-and-drop interface. Flexible: Offers path manipulation, customizable units, and grid settings for precise designs. DXF Export: More suitable for CNC and laser cutting than other file formats like SVG. Free Starter Option: Allows you to start creating with 5 free design slots.
Cons:¶
Limited Free Designs: Only 5 free designs available; additional designs require accessing the Components tab or unlocking paid features. No Thickness Specification: Thickness is determined by material choice, not adjustable within the software. Basic Functionality: Lacks more advanced design features compared to professional software tools.
How to Use Cuttle.xyz: Step-by-Step Guide¶
Step 1: Sign Up and Start a New Project¶
• Sign Up: Go to Cuttle.xyz and create an account or continue with google.
• New Project: Once logged in, you can start a new design by clicking on Create New. This will open up a blank workspace where you can begin your design.
Step 2: Get to Know Your Interface:¶
1.Workspace (Canvas):
This is the central area where you’ll create and modify your design. You can zoom, drag elements, and adjust the view. The grid helps with alignment and can be customized for spacing and units.
2.Project Name:
Add a project name to identify your design. This can be done in the top toolbar, allowing you to easily reference and organize your files.
3.Left Sidebar (Tool Panel):
Contains tools for adding shapes, paths, and text to your design. Drag these elements into the workspace to start building. It also has a search option, where you can type keywords (e.g., “cat”) to instantly generate emojis, symbols, or ready-made design elements, making it quick and easy to find what you need.
4.Right Sidebar (Properties Panel): The right sidebar displays the properties and settings for the currently selected object. Here you can:
Adjust Size: Modify the width, height, and position (X and Y coordinates) of selected shapes and paths.
Change Color: Set the fill color and stroke color of your objects.
Stroke Width & Style: Adjust the thickness and style (solid, dashed, etc.) of the outline.
Rotation & Opacity: Rotate objects to a specific angle and adjust the opacity for transparent effects.
5.Top Toolbar: The top toolbar provides various controls and actions for project management and design refinement, including:
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| Modify Options | Provides advanced tools for adjusting object properties, such as mirror, repeat, weld, and intersect. |
| Edit Options | Allows you to group and ungroup objects for easier manipulation, as well as undo/redo actions and options to bring objects forward or send them back. |
| File Options | Includes options to export, import, and save your design, ensuring your work is securely stored and transferable. |
| View Options | Allows you to zoom in and out, helping you focus on details or get a broader view of your design. |
| Help Options | Provides access to tutorials for design guidance and the Discord chat room for community support. |
| Share Options | Lets you manage the privacy of your design by making it private, unlisted, or public. |
6.Object Selection and Manipulation:
When you click on an object, it will be selected and you’ll see handles appear around it. These handles allow you to:
Resize: Drag the corner or side handles to resize the object.
Rotate: Use the rotate handle to spin the object to a desired angle.
Move: Drag the object to reposition it within the workspace.
7.Components Tab:
The Components tab is a library of pre-made design elements that you can drag into your workspace to speed up the design process. This is useful if you want to add elements like bolts, gears, or other common parts quickly without having to design them from scratch. It features parametric functionality, allowing components to act as “live” objects. When you adjust any aspect of a component (such as size, color, or position), all instances of that component across the design automatically update. This ensures consistency and eliminates the need for manual edits to each copy. Additionally, you can customize parameters like dimensions, color, and stroke, and these changes will propagate to all instances of the component in the workspace, maintaining uniformity throughout the design.
Step 3: Set Up Your Workspace Units & Grids:¶
-You can customize your design’s units (inches, millimeters, etc.) by selecting the unit from the settings.
-Adjust the grid settings to match your design scale. Grids help with precise placement and alignment of elements, especially for fabrication purposes.
Step 4: Export Your Design¶
Export as DXF:
When your design is complete, you can export it as a DXF file, which is the preferred format for CNC and laser cutting machines.
-To export, click the Export button, select DXF, and download the file.
Tips and Tricks¶
1.Use Keyboard Shortcuts: To enhance your workflow and save time. Some essential shortcuts include: Ctrl + Z: Undo the most recent action. This allows you to quickly revert changes. Ctrl + Y: Redo the most recent undone action, helping you restore changes that were accidentally undone.
2.Snapping: Enable Snapping to align shapes precisely within your design. When snapping is enabled, you can drag objects so that their points automatically align with each other or connect them to the grid, ensuring that they are positioned accurately without having to manually adjust their placement.
3.Grouping: Group multiple objects together to easily move and scale them as a single unit. Once grouped, all the objects will maintain their relative positions, allowing you to manipulate them together, which is particularly useful when working with complex designs or components that need to stay organized.
4.Add parameters to easily adjust objects: use parameters to quickly adjust key objects in your design, such as joints, holes, or custom components. for example, if you’re designing a piece with multiple holes or connecting parts, add parameters for dimensions like hole diameter or joint width. by adjusting the parameter, you can update all related instances at once, ensuring consistency and saving time.
Follow these steps to add and use parameters in Cuttle.xyz:
-Select the Shape and Add Parameter: After organizing your shapes in the workspace, select the shape you want to add parameters to (e.g., “Rectangle 2”). In the Properties Panel, under the Component Tab, click on the plus sign (+) “Add Parameter” button. This allows you to create a custom parameter for the selected shape.
-Name and Set the Parameter value:
When the dialog appears, name the parameter (e.g., “Width”) and set its value (e.g., 20 for the width). This defines the size for the rectangle’s width and links it to the parameter.
-Apply the Parameter to Scale:
In the Scale property, change the Vec(xxx, xxx) field to Vec(Width, xxx). This links the rectangle’s width to the Width parameter, so adjusting the width will automatically update the shape.
-Set Parameters for Height:
Repeat the same steps to create a Height parameter and link it to the height property by modifying the Vec field to Vec(Width, Height).
-Bound the Shape by Parameters:
Now, the shape is bound by the parameters, meaning any changes to the parameter values (such as adjusting the Width or Height) will automatically alter all existing copies of that shape in the project. This ensures consistency across your design and makes global updates quick and easy.
Some of the “Modify Tab Functions”¶
1.Mirror repeat: Reflects the design along an axis, repeating it in a mirrored pattern.
2.Linear repeat: Repeats the design in a straight line, creating a series of identical copies along a defined path.
3.Rotational repeat:Repeats the design by rotating each copy around a central point, creating a circular pattern.
4.Boolean union (weld): Combines multiple shapes into one by merging them together, removing internal boundaries.
5.Boolean difference: Subtracts one shape from another, leaving the remaining portion of the first shape.
6.Boolean intersects: Keeps only the overlapping section of two or more shapes, removing everything outside of the intersection.
Tutorial: Creating a Simple Pattern in Cuttle.xyz¶
Pattern Result:
Click here to download the pattern
1.Drag and Select the Desired Shapes:
Start by dragging and selecting the shapes you want to use for your pattern. This could be a simple object like a rectangle, circle, or custom shape, depending on your design.
2.Apply the Modify Functions: Use the Modify Tab Functions to transform the selected shapes and create the desired pattern.
First, use “Boolean Difference”, which will subtract one shape from another.
You will end up with this shape, and you can see in the Property Panel that the shapes have been placed in a group, and a button indicates that the command has been applied.
3.Add Circles Around Each Edge:
Now, add circles around each edge of the shape. You’ll need 8 circles to complete this step.
4.Apply Boolean Difference Again:
Select all the shapes again by left-clicking and dragging a box around them. Then, open the Modify Tool and press “Boolean Difference” once again.
You will end up with this new shape.
5.Add Rectangles to the Inside of the Shape:
Now, drag rectangles from the side toolbar to form a new shape inside the one you just created.
6.Apply Boolean Difference to the Inner Rectangles:
Select the square shapes that you placed in the middle and go to the Modify Tab. Choose “Boolean Difference” again.
You will now have the final shape that forms part of your pattern.
7.Group All the Shapes Together:
Group all the shapes once again by left-clicking and choosing the Group option from the menu.
8.Apply Tile Repeat to Create the Pattern:
To get the final pattern result, select the shape and go to the Modify Tab. Choose “Tile Repeat”. This will repeat the design in a grid, creating a tiling effect where each element is arranged next to one another.
9.Adjust Tile Repeat Properties: After adding the Tile Repeat modifier, go to the Properties Panel, Component B, and adjust the Tile Repeat properties. Change the values of Repetition1 (rows) and Repetition2 (columns) to 3.
This will complete the pattern, and you’ll have a perfectly repeated design across your workspace.
Principles of Design¶
The principles of design serve as fundamental guidelines that assist artists and designers in crafting visually compelling and functional compositions. A solid understanding of these principles can significantly improve the clarity, impact, and overall aesthetic quality of any design project. There are 17 key principles of design, each playing a unique role in creating balanced, harmonious, and engaging visual experiences.
Task01 Apply Principles of design in Cuttle.xyz
Fusion 360¶
Fusion 360 is a cloud-based 3D CAD, CAM, and CAE software developed by Autodesk. It combines design, engineering, and manufacturing tools into a single platform, allowing users to create, simulate, and fabricate products from start to finish. Fusion 360 is known for its flexibility, offering features for 3D modeling, parametric design, simulation, and CNC machining. It is widely used by engineers, designers, and manufacturers across various industries for product design, prototyping, and production. Its cloud-based nature facilitates collaboration, making it ideal for teams working remotely or across different locations.
Steps to download Fusion 360:¶
1.Create an Autodesk account
Go to the official Autodesk website: https://www.autodesk.com.
If you don’t have an account, click on Sign In at the top right and then select Create Account. Fill in your details and complete the registration process.
2.Go to the Autodesk product Page
After logging in, visit the Autodesk Product Page: https://manage.autodesk.com/products.Search for Fusion on the Autodesk Product Page, search for Fusion program then press download.
3.Install Fusion 360 After downloading the installer (a .exe file for Windows or a .dmg file for macOS), double-click it to start the installation process.Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
4.Sign in and Start Using Fusion 360
Once installed, open Fusion 360 and sign in with your Autodesk account to activate the software.
Getting started with Fusion 360:¶
Step 1: Launch Fusion 360¶
Open Fusion 360 on your computer after installation.
Step 2: Save & Name Your Project¶
Save Your Project: When you start a new design, save your work to avoid losing progress.
How to Save: Click File > Save in the top left, or press Ctrl+S (Windows).
Name Your Project: When prompted, enter a name for your project.
Save Location: Choose a folder in your Projects tab in Fusion 360 or create a new folder.
Step 3: Explore the User Interface¶
1.Toolbar The Toolbar is located at the top of the Fusion 360 interface and contains essential tools for creating and modifying your designs. It includes Create tools for tasks like sketches, bodies, and components, Modify tools for actions such as extrude, scale, and fillet, and View tools for adjusting the view, including zoom, pan, and rotate. These tools help streamline the design process and allow for easy manipulation of your models.
2.Drawing Area The Drawing Area is located in the main center of the window and serves as the workspace where you build your 3D models. In this area, you can sketch 2D profiles, create 3D bodies and assemblies, and view and manipulate your designs from different angles. It’s the central hub for creating and visualizing your design.
3.Browser The Browser is located on the left side of the screen and displays all components, bodies, and sketches related to your project. It shows a hierarchical structure of your design, including sketches, bodies, and assemblies, and allows you to hide or show components, adjust visibility, and manage different parts of your design.
4.Timeline The Timeline is located at the bottom of the screen and tracks your design history, enabling you to step back and edit previous actions. You can right-click on steps to modify, delete, or suppress them, helping you understand the order of operations applied to your design.
Fusion 360 Tutorial: Modeling a Table¶
Result
Step01:
Start a New Sketch:Click on the “Create Sketch” button in the toolbar and Choose a Plane. As you will be prompted to select a plane or face to start your sketch.
Step02: Draw the Table legs
-Draw a Rectangle for the Leg: Select the Rectangle Tool from the toolbar and draw a rectangle with a width of 60mm and a height of 100mm. This rectangle will represent the basic profile of one of the table legs.
-Add 3 Lines to the Leg:
To define the internal geometry of the leg, select the Line Tool from the toolbar. Draw 3 lines within the rectangle to create the necessary details, such as sections or cuts that will shape the leg’s structure.Once you are done press Finish Sketh.
-Extrude the Legs:
Add Thickness to the Leg Shape, select the profile (rectangle you created for the leg) in the sketch. Press “E” to enter Extrude Mode. In the extrude dialog box, enter 12mm to give the leg thickness similar to the material thickness.Click OK to apply the extrusion, which will create a 3D leg shape with the specified thickness.
Step03:Creating Connection for the Table legs:
-Select the top face and add center line:
Press the top face of the leg you just extruded (the flat surface on top of the 12mm thick leg). press add sketch then select the Line Tool and draw a center line from the middle of the top face to the left edge. Ensure the center line measures 6mm, which is half of the 12mm width of the leg.
-Draw a Center Rectangle:
Under the Create menu, select Rectangle > Center Rectangle. Click on the center point (the middle of the top face you just selected). Draw the rectangle with a width of 12mm. The other dimension will depend on your design needs (for the leg placement or other connections).
-Extrude the New Rectangle:
Once the center rectangle is created, press “E” again to enter Extrude Mode. Set the extrusion value to 12mm to give the rectangle the same thickness as the legs. Click OK to complete the extrusion and create a 3D connection piece.
Step04: Clone the Chair Legs:
Under the “Manage” tab, select “Move” from the toolbar, choose the leg shape you created, then ensure the “Bodies” option is selected. Check the “Create a Copy” box, and move the copied leg by 70mm (or the desired distance) to the new position.
Step04: Create the Tabletop:
-Create the Tabletop:
Click on the top surface of the connection piece, then press “Create Sketch” to enter the 2D interface. Use the Rectangle Tool to draw a rectangle with dimensions of 100mm x 80mm for the tabletop. Next, use the Triangle Tool to draw a triangle on the opposite connection side, then subtract this area to create a hollowed section where the legs connect.
-Extrude the Tabletop:
Once the rectangle is drawn, press “E” to enter Extrude Mode, select the surface you created, and pull it down to the desired thickness. Change the extrusion option to New Body and set the extrusion value to -12mm to cut the material from the top face.
Step05: Soften the Corners:
To soften the corners of the tabletop, use the Fillet Tool, select the corners of the rectangle, set the desired radius (e.g., 5mm), and press Enter to apply the softening.
Step06: Add material:
To add material to your design, go to the “Modify” menu and select “Physical Materials”. In the materials library, choose the appropriate material for your tabletop (e.g., wood, metal, etc.), then drag and drop it onto the surface of your model. This will assign the chosen material properties, such as texture and appearance, to your design.
Step07: Save Your Project: Before exporting, ensure you have saved your project. Click File in the top-left corner, then select Save. Name your file and choose a location on your computer or cloud storage. Export the Model:
-To export your model, click on File again and select Export.
In the Export dialog box, choose the file format “.STL” for 3D printing, select a location to save the file, and click Save to complete the export.
Step 08: Exporting 2D Model and Saving for Fusion 360
-2D Export:
1.Move and Rotate Parts:
Move parts apart and rotate them to lie flat on the same surface (e.g., XY plane).
Create a New Sketch Layer:
2.Select one surface, press P to project, and select other surfaces. Press Enter to create a new sketch.
3.Save as DXF:Right-click the new sketch and select Save as DXF to export for CNC or laser cutting.
-Save as F3D:
Go to File > Save As and save the model as a .F3D file to share and edit in Fusion 360.
Autocad¶
AutoCAD is a computer-aided design (CAD) software developed by Autodesk. It is widely used by professionals in various industries, including architecture, engineering, construction, and product design, to create precise 2D and 3D drawings and models. AutoCAD allows users to draft, design, and visualize objects in both two-dimensional and three-dimensional formats, providing a digital space to create detailed plans, schematics, and prototypes.
AutoCAD Guide:¶
Step 1: Install AutoCAD¶
-Download AutoCAD: Visit the AutoCAD website and download a version that suits your needs (AutoCAD offers a free trial, student version, or paid subscription). -Install AutoCAD: Follow the installation steps to install the software on your computer.
Step 2: Understand the Interface¶
1.Command Line: Located at the bottom, where you can type commands.
2.Ribbon: The toolbar at the top containing tabs (Home, Insert, Modify, etc.) with various tools grouped by function.
3.Drawing Area: The main workspace where you will create and modify your drawing.
4.Model and Layout Tabs: Model Tab is used for 3D modeling and drawing, while layout Tab is used for setting up drawing sheets for printing.
Step 3: Create a New Drawing 1.Create a New Drawing: -Open AutoCAD and select New to start a new drawing. -You can choose a template (e.g., ANSI or ISO) based on your project needs.
2.Set Units: -Type UNITS in the command line and press Enter. -Choose the desired units (e.g., inches, millimeters, etc.).
Step 3: Drawing Basic Shapes¶
1.Draw a Line: -Type LINE in the command line and press Enter then click to set the starting point, move the mouse to the endpoint, and click again.
2.Draw a Rectangle: -Type RECTANGLE in the command line and press Enter, Click to set the first corner and drag to the opposite corner to define the rectangle.
Step 5: Modify Objects¶
1.Move: -Type MOVE in the command line, select the object(s) you want to move, press Enter, and then select the base point and drag to the new location.
2.Copy: -Type COPY in the command line, select the object(s), press Enter, select the base point, and drag to create copies.
3.Rotate: o Type ROTATE in the command line, select the object(s), press Enter, choose the base point, and then specify the rotation angle.
4.Scale: o Type SCALE in the command line, select the object(s), press Enter, pick the base point, and scale it by a factor.
Step 6: Using Layers¶
1.Create a New Layer: -Type LAYER in the command line and press Enter. -Click the New Layer button in the Layer Properties Manager, then name your layer and set properties like color and line type.
2.Assign Objects to Layers: -Select an object, then type CHPROP and assign it to a specific layer from the Layer dropdown.
Step 7: Dimensioning and Annotation¶
1.Dimensioning: -Type DIMLINEAR in the command line to add linear dimensions,select the points to dimension and place the dimension text.
2.Text: -Type TEXT in the command line to create single-line text,specify the location and size of the text, then type the content.
Step 8: 3D Modeling (Optional)¶
1.Switch to 3D View: -To work in 3D, change the view to a 3D workspace (e.g., Isometric View). -Click on the View tab, and select 3D View.
2.Create a 3D Object: -Use the Extrude command for turning 2D shapes into 3D objects. -Type EXTRUDE in the command line, select the shape, and specify the extrusion height.
Step 9: Exporting Your Drawing¶
1.Save Your Work: -Export to diffrent formats: Use File > Export to export your drawing to other formats, such as .DXF for interoperability with other CAD software.
Step 10: Printing¶
- Set Up for Printing: -Type PLOT in the command line or go to File > Plot. -Select the printer, paper size, and other print settings. -Preview and click OK to print your drawing.
Autocad Tutorial: Modeling 2D Chair for CNC¶
Skethup¶
SketchUp is a 3D modeling software primarily used for creating architectural, interior design, engineering, and construction models. It’s known for its ease of use, making it an ideal tool for beginners as well as professionals. SketchUp allows users to create detailed 3D models of buildings, landscapes, furniture, and other objects, and visualize them in a realistic way. The software is popular in industries like architecture, urban planning, interior design, and woodworking, as well as for personal and hobbyist use.
SketchUp Guide:¶
Step 1: Install SketchUp¶
1.Download SketchUp: -Visit the SketchUp website and download the free version, SketchUp Free, or choose the paid version for more advanced features.
2.Install SketchUp: -Follow the installation prompts to install the software.
Step 2: Understand the Interface¶
1.Main Toolbar: At the top, you’ll find tools for drawing, editing, and navigating. -Select Tool: Used for selecting objects. -Line Tool: Draws straight lines. -Rectangle Tool: Creates rectangles. -Push/Pull Tool: Turns 2D shapes into 3D objects. -Orbit Tool: Allows you to rotate around your model. -Zoom Tool: Zooms in or out. -Pan Tool: Moves the view horizontally or vertically.
2.Drawing Area: The large white space where you will create and modify your model.
Step 3: Start a New Model¶
1.Create a New Project: Open SketchUp and select “New” from the start screen to begin a new project. 2.Choose Template: Select a template (e.g., architectural or 3D printing) based on your project needs.
Step 4: Drawing Basic Shapes¶
1.Draw a Rectangle: -Select the Rectangle Tool,click to set the first corner of the rectangle and drag to the desired size.
2.Draw a Line: -Select the Line Tool, Click to set the start point, move the cursor, and click again to set the end point.
Step 5: Create 3D Objects¶
1.Use Push/Pull Tool: -Select the Push/Pull Tool, click on a 2D shape and drag upwards to turn it into a 3D object.
Modify the Object:¶
-Use the Move Tool to adjust the position of objects. -The Rotate Tool allows you to rotate objects. -The Scale Tool resizes objects.
Step 6: Navigation in 3D¶
1.Orbit Tool: Hold the Orbit Tool and click and drag to rotate your view of the model. 2.Zoom Tool: Use the mouse wheel or select the Zoom Tool to zoom in and out of your model. 3.Pan Tool: Hold the Pan Tool and drag to move the view horizontally or vertically.
Step 7: Add Materials and Textures¶
1.Select the Paint Bucket Tool. 2.Choose Material: In the Materials window, select a texture or material (wood, brick, etc.). 3.Apply Material: Click on the surfaces you want to apply the material to.
Step 8: Exporting Your Model¶
1.Save Model: Go to File > Save to save your project. 2.Export 3D Model: To export, go to File > Export > 3D Model. Choose your desired format (e.g., .STL for 3D printing).
Step 9: Share and Collaborate¶
-You can upload your model to SketchUp’s 3D Warehouse to share with others or collaborate on a project.
