2. Computer-Aided Design¶
Computer-Aided Design (CAD) can be divided to 2D and 3D Design (not accounting to specialized CAD such as eletronic design). Further, 2D CAD can be divided to raster and vector based design.
2D Design¶
For 2D design work I chose GIMP and Inkscape, as they are free and widely popular programs. I have no previous experience on 2D design, so there were no advantages in choosing any programs over another.
2D raster - GIMP¶
2D vector - Inkscape¶
3D Design¶
Fusion 360 was my choice for 3D design, mainly because I have heard so many praises for it. I might later try out FreeCAD and xDesign. I have very little 3D design experince: I have used 123D before to design 3D prints, but that design platform is no longer available.
3D design - Fusion 360¶
My final project intends to look like a Pokemon GO’s incubator, so I wanted to try out Fusion 360 by modeling the base of incubator.
First, I created a new design and sketched inner area of incubator which needs of fit a phone. Modern phones are generally 64-76 mm wide, 80 mm with protective case, so my initial guess was 50% larger, 120 mm diameter. There’s a decorative (orange) plate which I gave 15 mm width (150 mm total) and after that is a transparent structure which makes for the middle part of the incubator. For the transparent structure I gave 3 mm thickness in this model (total 156 mm). Outside transparent part there’s a thin “lip” to hold the transparent part in place and I gave 2 mm thickness for it (160 mm total).
After finishing sketch, I extruded the inner area and the rings, making a slot for the transparent part and leaving higher extrusion for the decorative plate. I also filleted the bottom.
To model the buttons/indicators on the front side of incubator, I created a new plane where sketched a button with filleted edges and created a pattern of 3 out of it. Finally I attached it to the base.
Exported design file from Fusion 360