For 2D design I started using Inkscape, a 2D Vector graphics editor . I found it not very intuitive nor friendly at first, but after a couple of hours of using Inkscape, it was easier to work with.


I started by making a circle. I gave if height and width with millimeter units and placed it at a specific point. I then made a rectangle, duplicated it three times and placed the four of them with the location feature.

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I grouped the four rectangles, duplicated them again, turned them 45 degrees by double clicking and dragging a corner, ungrouped all the rectangles and used the Union function to make one shape out of the circle and triangles.

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I tried to use a RASTER 2D design program and decided to go with MyPaint. It is a very useful tool to make pictures and illustrations, but not for designing parts or working with precise measures.

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For 3D design I started using Rhino, a 3D computer-aided design (CAD) application software. I am used to working with SolidWorks. It is very different and after a few hours of working with Rhino it is still hard for me because a lot of the tools are the opposite, even the scroll to zoom is. I found Rhino to be a powerful tool to design 3D models and anamorphic shapes.

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Among the functions that I used are: Cap closes a shape, UnrollSrf flattens the 3D shape on to a 2D surface Flow Along Surface arranges the small cubes around the wheel using the shape that I got with the UnrollSrf tool Union Bolian combines all parts to one.