COMPUTER-AIDED DESIGN

Computer-Aided Design is the use of computer-based software to assist in design processes. CAD software is frequently used by various engineers and designers. CAD software can be used to create two-dimensional (2D) drawings or three-dimensional (3D) models.

This week, we were introduced to several programs for computer-aided design in 2D and 3D. Among these are programs with different focuses; for 2D, there are programs for photography and vector manipulation, while for 3D, there are various approaches for engineering, filmmaking, animation, architecture, rendering, among others. The idea of this practice is to become familiar with different types of software to work on our final project. Since I haven't yet decided on the construction idea for my final project, I decided to use a 3D model I created as an example for this practice.

Below, I will present some programs that, from my point of view, seemed the most interesting for the development of this course.

3D

  • Solidworks
  • Fusion 360
  • Autocad
  • Blender
  • Maya
  • Onshape
  • Catia

2D

RASTER

  • Gimp
  • Photoshop
  • Pixlr
  • ImageMagick

VECTOR

  • Potrace
  • Inkscape
  • Illustrator
  • Corel Draw
  • Sketchpad
  • Photopea
  • Qcad

AI

  • Dall-e
  • Bing image Creator
  • Chatgpt 4

I will use the 3D model of a robot arm that I built 4 years ago as an example. This design was created using SolidWorks, which is currently the 3D modeling program I use the most. Move the 3D model. 3D Model

PROGRAM 3D

SolidWorks

SOLIDWORKS is 3D CAD (Computer-Aided Design) software for modeling 3D parts and assemblies and 2D drawings. The software offers a range of solutions to cover the aspects involved in the product development process. Its products offer the ability to create, design, simulate, manufacture, publish, and manage design process data. 3D Model download

  • PARAMETRIC
  • BASED ON OPERATIONS
  • SOLID AND SURFACE MODELING
  • FULLY ASSOCIATIVE

Example

This is the main view of SolidWorks. When you open the program, a window appears where you can select the type of file you want to create, whether it be a part, assembly, or drawing, in addition to any previous work you have.

tools

The program has a large number of tools, the main ones being the drawing tools and feature tools. In addition to various menus that you can access.

drawing tools

All these tools allow us to make the strokes to draw our 3D model.

Sketch allows you to select a plane to draw with the drawing tools. Dimension lets you add measurements to the drawings you are making; this tool is essential for working correctly in SolidWorks.
The drawing tools allow you to make multiple strokes within a plane, and include several pre-determined shapes.
Trim allows you to remove strokes from your drawing. Convert Entities lets you copy shapes from other planes. Offset provides a contour to shapes.
With these tools, you can generate multiple arrays and reflections of your strokes.

extrusion tools

With a closed stroke, these tools are enabled with which you can generate 3D bodies.

These are the extrusion tools, which create 3D bodies based on your strokes. They can also use other strokes or axes to generate more bodies.
These are the cutting tools, which, unlike the previous tools, remove parts of the 3D figures.
With these tools, you can add various features to your 3D model, such as rounding corners, generating arrays that repeat parts of the piece, hollowing out the piece, etc.

exercise

Create the shape using the drawing tools and the dimension tool to establish the following measurements, then perform an extrusion with a dimension of 45 mm. Additionally, add a circle with the center of the semicircle with a diameter of 38 mm.

exercise

On the top of the piece, I will make a cut with a rectangle with a gap of 6 mm from two sides. Additionally, I added a central rectangle to the piece so that both parts are joined.

exercise

Perform the cut of a rectangle with the measurements of the servo motor used, including holes where I introduced the screws to hold the servo.

exercise

Add some cross-shaped screws to be able to screw a servo motor on each side, and finally use the rounding tool to give it a better finish.

install

To install the program, you need to go to its official website and create an account or log in, look for the downloads section and find the SolidWorks program. Once you have downloaded it, open it and the installer will guide you step by step through the installation process. You must have an original license to use the program.

FUSION 360

Autodesk Fusion is a cloud-based CAD (Computer-Aided Design), CAM (Computer-Aided Manufacturing), CAE (Computer-Aided Engineering), and printed circuit board modeling 3D software platform for product design and manufacturing. 3D Model download

  • FREE OPTIONS
  • PRECISE MODELING
  • DESIGN, MANUFACTURING, AND ENGINEERING UNIFICATION
  • CAD, CAM, AND CAE INTEGRATION
  • CLOUD-BASED

Example

When you open Fusion, the program generates a completely new file where you can start drawing the 3D model.

tools

It has many tools, just like SolidWorks; Fusion 360 is one of the programs that competes directly against it. All its tools are arranged separately according to their utility.

drawing tools

All these tools allow us to make the strokes to draw our 3D model.

With these tools, you can create the basic drawings of your design.
These tools allow you to edit the strokes you already have.
All these tools enable you to create the positional relationships of your strokes.

extrusion tools

With a closed stroke, these tools are enabled with which you can generate 3D bodies.

With these tools, we can generate the 3D bodies of our model as well as remove material from it.
With these tools, we can edit features of our 3D model.
Extra tools that will help us with the design of the part.

exercise

I began by selecting the plane to start drawing, then I used the drawing tools to generate the shape shown with the required measurements, and extruded it by 45 mm.

exercise

I continued modeling, adding and cutting material as shown in the following images.

exercise

I placed the measurements to be able to fit a servo motor and made the holes to screw it in place, plus you can see the final result which was detailed with a rounding.

install

To install this program, you need to go to the official website and download the program.

Illustrator

Adobe Illustrator is a paid software for editing vector graphics that is part of Adobe Systems. Adobe Illustrator is a flexible and dynamic tool, it is one of the most used and earliest tools for vector graphics. Drawing download

  • SOPHISTICATED VECTOR DRAWING CONTROLS
  • ADVANCED TYPOGRAPHY
  • PERSPECTIVE DRAWING
  • ATTRACTIVE STROKES
  • ADOBE COMPATIBILITY
  • CUSTOMIZATION

Example

When you open the program, a window appears where you can configure the properties of your project, such as sheet size, background color, PPI, etc.

tools

We have a wide array of visible tools, although the program has many more tools that are located in the various dropdown menus. We have transformation menus, appearance, alignment, layers, and a toolbar.

drawing tools

With these tools, you can create shapes or strokes in your project.

These are the selection tools.
With these tools, we can generate strokes and basic shapes.
  • Brush
  • Text
  • Rotation
  • Eraser
  • Gradient
  • shapes builder tool
  • Eyedropper

exercise

I used the rectangle tool to create my first shape, and by using the secondary selector, I rounded the corners to obtain shapes with semi-circles at the ends.

exercise

With those rectangles and their rounded corners, I continued drawing the parts of the arm.

exercise

Using the appearance menu, I added color and outlines to the shapes I drew. With the layers menu, I arranged the shapes so they wouldn't overlap, and I used the gradient tool to add color to the background.

install

To download this program, you will need to pay for one of the subscription plans offered by Adobe or check if your university has an agreement that might provide access to it.

inkscape

Inkscape is professional quality vector graphics software for Windows, Mac OS X, and GNU/Linux. It is used by professional designers and enthusiasts around the world to create a wide variety of graphics such as illustrations, icons, logos, diagrams, maps, and web designs. Inkscape is free and open-source software that uses SVG (Scalable Vector Graphic). File download

  • FREE
  • CUSTOMIZATION
  • ADVANCED TOOLS
  • WIDE VARIETY OF TOOLS
  • EASY-TO-USE INTERFACE

Example

When you open the program, a menu will appear where you will need to configure the style of your program and the size of your project.

tools

We have a wide array of visible tools, although the program has many more tools that are located in the various dropdown menus.

drawing tools

With these tools, you can create shapes or strokes in your project.

This is the selection tool and nodel tool. With these tools, you can select the shapes in your drawing and edit the structure of the figure.
With these tools, we can generate strokes and basic shapes.
These are the pen and text tools.

exercise

I started by drawing a rectangle and then used the node tool to give it curvature where needed.

exercise

I continued designing the robotic arm and added color and borders to the shapes, plus I added a background with a gradient

install

To install the program, you need to visit its website and download the installer. Just follow the installer's steps, and you're all set. The program is completely free.


my opinion

There are many types of programs for different purposes. Some may be better than others, but what's important is which one you are most comfortable with. Among these programs for 3D modeling, I prefer SolidWorks because it's the program I have worked with the most and have the most experience with. For 2D design, I prefer Illustrator, even though it requires a subscription. For the same reason, I have worked with it before, and I find its tools and interface better suited for me.

In terms of tools and capabilities of the programs, I believe these programs are almost equal in terms of basic or intermediate capabilities. It will depend more on the ability of the person using it to exploit the maximum capacity of each program.

for my project

For my project, I will create a basic piece that will be the main support for my profiles. It is a simple piece and does not have much complexity. I started by drawing a rectangle and a central square, which I later extruded. The square has the dimensions of the 40x40 profile.

I made some angled cuts so that the piece doesn't look so square.

I made some holes in this piece to pass the M5 screws that I will screw into the profile with the help of T-nuts. Additionally, I added a small cut to give it a bit more design.

I also added the holes for the vertical profile. These holes go from one side to the other on all four sides.

To finish the piece, I added some small chamfers to improve its appearance. Here you can see the final piece with color and a render, as well as a 3D view of how the piece turned out.

fast render in Solidworks

To quickly and easily create a render in SOLIDWORKS, you will first need to enable the rendering tool in the SOLIDWORKS Add-ins menu, Photoview 360.

Before starting, you need to assign a color or material to your piece so that it can be visible in the render.

color

To apply a color, right-click on your piece in the left-side menu, click on the appearance button, and select your piece. A menu will open where you can select and apply the color.

material

To apply a material, in the left-side menu, right-click on the material, select "Edit Material," and a menu will open where you can search for the type of material. Then, click the "Apply" button.

In the Render menu, click on the Options button, and configure the resolution of your render.

Once configured, click the Final Render button, turn on Perspective View, wait for the render to finish, and then click Save.