Week 2. Computer Aided Design
Image Courtesy: Photo by Theme Photos on Unsplash
This assignment explores CAD's fundamentals, including graphic types, design dimensions, and the role of documentation, rendering, animation, and simulation in the design process.
Learning Process - 2D Designs
a. Rastor & Vector Graphics
Raster and vector graphics are two fundamental types of digital image formats used in Computer Aided Design (CAD) and other graphic design applications. Understanding the differences between these two formats is essential for efficient design creation and manipulation.
What is a raster file?
Raster files are images built from pixels — tiny colour squares that, in great quantity, can form highly detailed images such as photographs. The more pixels an image has, the higher quality it will be, and vice versa. The number of pixels in an image depends on the file type (for example, JPEG, GIF, or PNG).
Key characteristics of raster graphics include:
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Resolution-dependent: Raster images can lose quality and appear pixelated if scaled up or zoomed in beyond their original resolution.
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Realistic representation: Raster graphics excel at capturing complex details and natural textures, making them suitable for photographs and realistic renderings.
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Large file sizes: Raster images with high resolutions can result in large file sizes, which can impact storage and transmission efficiency.
Learn more about raster file types
What is a vector file?
Vector files use mathematical equations, lines and curves with fixed points on a grid to produce an image. There are no pixels in a vector file. A vector file’s mathematical formulas capture shape, border, and fill colour to build an image. Because the mathematical formula recalibrates to any size, you can scale a vector image up or down without affecting its quality.
Key characteristics of vector graphics include:
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Resolution-independent: Vector graphics can be scaled infinitely without any loss of quality, as they are defined by mathematical equations rather than fixed pixels.
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Editable and modifiable: Since vector graphics are based on mathematical formulas, each element of the image can be easily edited, manipulated, or modified individually.
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Small file sizes: Vector images tend to have smaller file sizes compared to raster images, as they store only mathematical equations and not pixel information.
Learn more about vector file types
Some of the Uses
Digital photographs are usually raster files. Many digital cameras automatically shoot and save photos as raster files — and the images you see online are often rasters, too. Raster files are also commonly used for editing images, photos, and graphics.
Vector files work better for digital illustrations, complex graphics, and logos. That’s because the resolution of vectors remains the same when resized, making them suitable for a wide variety of printed formats.
Some projects combine both raster and vector images. For example, a brochure may use vector graphics for the company logo but raster files for photography.
Tools Avaialble for Raster & Vector
Raster Graphics
Adobe Photoshop
GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program)
Corel PaintShop Pro
Affinity Photo
Pixlr
Vector Graphics
Adobe Illustrator
CorelDRAW
Inkscape
Affinity Designer
Gravit Designer
Tools that I tried during Fabacademy
GIMP
Pixlr
Inkscapes
Tools I was using on my work
Photoshop
Canva
1. GIMP
GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) is a free and open-source image editing programme. It offers an extensive collection of tools for picture editing, retouching, and manipulation. I used my own image to explore the software. Using the free selection tool, choose the image first, flip the selection, and then erase the remaining portions of the image. made some new layers, inserted some online png images, and placed them nicely. It’s a great substitute for Photoshop.
TUTORIAL SAMPLE
Steps I followed
Step-1: Open a file - Either Drag and drop an Image to Gimp window or Go to File - Open. I opened my own image for removing background and add some images.
Step-2: I use Paths Tool(B) to trace the image.
Step-3: Once trace is made, press Enter for selection.
Step-4: Invert the selection: Go to Select - Invert (Command+I)
Step-5: Delete the inverted selected area: Go to Edit - Cut (Command+X)
Step-6: Add Other PNG files. Use drag and drop.
Step-7: Add a new layer: Click right button inside Layer tab and select New layer or Click Add layer Button as shown.
Step-8: Select a colour from color pallete
Step-9: Use Bucket Tool to fill color in Background Layer
Step-10: Place each images(layers) according to the positions
Step-11: Use Export to take the output in *.jpg format (File-Export As)
The Process
Click here for GIMP - Beginner Tutorial
2. PIXLR
Pixlr is a cloud-based image editing programme that offers a variety of tools for photo editing and retouching. It has a web-based editor as well as iOS and Android apps. I just tried a small collage. I found this very useful for a quick and small editing.
I tried this one also. And the result is this.
3. INKSCAPE
Inkscape is a free and open-source vector graphics editor that may be used to create and modify illustrations, logos, diagrams, maps, and other vector graphics. Inkscape uses mathematical equations to determine the shapes and paths in a design as compared to raster graphics editors like Adobe Photoshop, making the visuals scalable without compromising quality. As a result, Inkscape is perfect for designing logos, illustrations, and other graphics that require constant resizing. Inkscape is a flexible tool for both graphic design and web design since it has a number of features for path manipulation, object generation, and text processing. Inkscape is a popular option for artists, designers, and hobbyists looking for a free alternative to expensive vector graphics editors due to its user-friendly interface and community-driven development.
TUTORIAL SAMPLE
Steps I followed
Step-1: My plan was to make a simple logo as in the tutorial I watched. Inkscape Beginner Tutorial: Simple Letter Logos
Step-2: I created 3 Circles & 1 rectangle, same as in the tutorial. Cicles & rectangle tool can be found in tool box. Once created we can edit the dimensions in the dimension bar. We can change colours & opacity as shown.
Step-2: Align all circles as in the tutorial usinging alignmnet tools highlighted in the image.
Step-3: By using Rectangle tool selected, we can simply click the round button on edges and drag to make round corner.
Step-4: Finally arrived the shape something like this.
Step-5: And then changed the colour gradient and the final result comes out nicely.
I tried one more:
Started with circles. The Plan was to make a logo for my Fablab Page.
Then using these tools for making the desired shape.
The result was this.
I replicate this thrice.
And Final Result
Learning Process - 3D Designs
3D design is the process of creating three-dimensional models. This kind of design enables a more accurate and thorough representation of objects or structures, enabling the visualisation and modification of designs in ways that were previously difficult using conventional 2D design techniques. 3D design is widely utilised in many industries, including architecture, engineering, product design, and animation, and is an important tool for creating prototypes.
Tools that I tried
Fusion 360
Blender
Tools I was using
Autocad
Sketchup
1. BLENDER
Blender is a free and open-source 3D creation software that may be used to create animations, models, artwork, and other things. For 3D modelling, texturing, rigging, animation, simulation, and compositing, it provides a wide range of tools. Several fields, including the creation of video games and films, architecture, and product design, use Blender. Due to its open-source nature, a sizable and engaged user base has developed, contributing to the creation of a vast array of tutorials, plugins, and resources. Blender has a built-in Python API that provides a way to automate tasks, create custom tools, and access advanced features not available through the standard user interface.
I make use of a youtube tutorial for creating Donut shape in Blender.
TUTORIAL SAMPLE
Steps I followed
Step-1: The plan was to follow the tutorial. So the aim was to create a donut. Started with creating an object: Go to Add - Mesh - Torus. This gives me the basic shape for Donut
Step-2: By clicking the Add button shown in the left bottom corner will allow you to change parameters for the shape. This can be called again by pressing F9.
Step-3: By clicking the item section we can change the sizes, scale, position and rotation.
Step-4: Next step is to make the surface smooth. Right click the mouse anywhere in viewport and click Shade Smooth.
Step-5: To smoothen the jaggered line around the curve, Use a modifier. It is located in the right side modifier tab: Select Subdivision surface.
Step-6: To Edit the vertices, Go to Object Mode - Edit Mode. Or by simply clicking Tab button.
Step-7: Select each vertex and using Move tool we can make bumps in the shape.
Step-8: Since this method is time consuming we can go for proportional editing by simply clicking the above button.
Step-9: Use G button to grab and move vertex. Use mouse scrolling button to increase/decrease the size of area grabbing.
Step-10: For selecting exact half of the model, select X-ray model.
Step-11: Duplicate the mesh: Go to Mesh - Duplicate.
Step-12: For giving the new model thickness, Go to Modifiers - Solidify.
Step-13: Give dimensions to Thickness & Offset section to view the changes.
Step-14: I then tried different options in each tool, different measurements to get a final result.
2. FUSION 360
Autodesk Fusion 360 is a 3D CAD and CAM software used for product design and development. It is a popular tool for engineers, product designers, and manufacturers because it provides a wide variety of tools for 3D modelling, simulation, collaboration, and machining. Fusion 360’s cloud-based platform makes it simple for team members to collaborate and communicate while also providing access to design data from any location with an internet connection. Fusion 360 is a robust and versatile tool that, in general, streamlines the product development process and enables more effective and creative design.
I tried different tools to make some designs in Fusion 360. I also tried to made a concept for my final project.
TUTORIAL SAMPLE
Steps I followed
Step-1: Create New Component
Step-2: Create a New Sketch
Step-3: Use line tool to draw the outline
Step-4: Made solid from the Face using Extrude tool
Step-5: Specify Dimension to extrude
Step-4: Import SVG file for the Stamp design using Insert tool
Step-5: Selected the Face where the stamp need to be inserted
Step-6: Extrude the stamp using extrude tool & the Final Result
Render
After this I tried rendering. I made a design for my final project and render the same in Fusion 360.
Step-1: Change workspace from Design - Render
Step-2: Add Materials to the components. Go to Setup - Physical Materials
Step-3: Drag and drop materials to each component.
Step-4: Go To Render for rendering settings.
Step-4: Render settings can be changed here.
Step-5: Final Output.
Animation
I have decided to animate my herrinbone gear which was made for my project. The Result was this.
The Process
Step-1: Once the gear is made, now we can animate using motion. For that first we need to make joints. Go to Assemble - As-Built Joint.
Step-2: Select the origin and motion.
Step-3: Right click on the component and click Ground to fix the component.
Step-4: Go to Assemble - Motion Link.
Step-5: Select joints.
Step-6: To Animate, Go to Assemble - Motion Study.
Step-6: Create animation using motion study by adding angles at equal intervals.
Step-7: Now Render the animation.
Simulation
Step-1: Go to Workspace - Simulation.
Step-2: Add structural constraints to the components Constraints - Structural Constraints.
Step-3: Add loads Loads - Structural loads.
Step-4: Add load as per the structural behaviour.
Step-5: Results.
Step-6: Final Simulated Result.
Possible Concept Design for Final Project
This Design shows a basic sketch for the model.
3D Model for Final Project
Embedded the 3D model from Fusion 360.
Downloads
Download Fusion 360 File - Stamp
Download Fusion 360 File - Herringbone Gear
Help Taken & References
Chat GPT used for doubt clearing and content helps.
Learn more about raster file types
Learn more about vector file types