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2-Computer-Aided Design

Asssisnments

  • Model (raster, vector, 2D, 3D, render, animate, simulate, …) a possible final project,
  • Compress your images and videos and document it on your page
  • Learn the use of the different applications.

Applications used:

2-D Design: - Inkscape (helps when laser cutting) - Gimp (Removes background so we can change it) - Stable Diffusion AIO (Ai image generating app) - Image Magick. (Can change placement of images)

3-D Desingn: - Fusion 360 (make a project that can move for the video) - Blender. ( attempt making final project desihn)

For documentation: - Ffmpeg (video compresser) - Text to CAD (generates 3-d model)

Here is this weeks schedual.

week 2

You can view my timetable here

2-D Design

Before starting this section, we firstly need to learn the difference between raster and vector images.

1

image_source

So for a basic describtion, Raster images are made up of pixels, which tends to make it blury when you zome in to much wherelse vector images are made up of lines and strokes which makes it clearer for printing or cutting as well.

Inkscape

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image_source

Today, I decided to explore the different tools of inkscape and test them out. The tutorial I watched is here This is how inkscape looks when opening it:

ink3

  • I firstly decided to try the freestyle pencil to see how hard it would be to use on a laptop.I drew a star, then compared it to the star brush tool.

ink2

  • Then, I designed a warning poster for a cliff. We can see many of these types of stickmen posters, so I thought it would be a fun project to make one myself as well.

ink4

  • Use the Circle/Ellipse Tool to create a small circle for the head.

  • Use the Line Tool or Rectangle Tool to draw a straight line or thin rectangle for the torso.

  • Use the Line Tool to draw simple lines extending from the torso for arms and legs. Adjust the angles to make a natural pose.

  • Use the Line Tool to draw simple linesto make the cliff looking shape.

  • Position all shapes properly. Use Select and Move Tool to align, and Stroke Style to adjust line thickness for a consistent look.

Thats all I learned on inkscape for this week.

Cliff

Star

Gimp

2

image_source

Gimp can be used in many ways, but this time, I used it for adding a new background to a image I found on google

step-1

  • Download or screenshot the image you want to add to a new background to.

Powrpuff_girls

g1

step-2

  • Edit a few things before delating the background.

To remove the background of an image in GIMP, I used the Fuzzy Select Tool, which allows selecting areas of similar color. First, I opened the image in GIMP and right-clicked on the main image layer in the Layers panel. I selected Add Alpha Channel to make sure the background could be deleted transparently.

Next, I selected the Fuzzy Select Tool from the toolbox (or pressed U on the keyboard). I clicked on the background area of the image. GIMP automatically selected pixels with similar colors connected to that area. I adjusted the threshold value in the tool options to increase or reduce the selection until the background was properly selected without affecting the subject.

Once the background was selected, I pressed the Delete key to remove it, making the background transparent. If some areas were not selected correctly, I held the Shift key to add to the selection or Ctrl to subtract from it and refined the edges. Finally, I checked the image for leftover background pixels and cleaned them using the Eraser Tool if needed. The image was then saved as a .XCF file to preserve layers and transparency, and exported as a PNG to keep the transparent background.

g2

g-3

step-3

  • Download or screenshot the image you want to add as the new background to the previous image.

step-4

  • drag and drop image to new layer, and then drag the background you choose to the first image.

g4

Heres a clear description of the steps required to complete this process.

  • Open the image you want to use as the new background in GIMP.

  • In the Layers panel, drag your new background layer below the layer with your cutout image. This ensures the cutout appears in front of the background.

  • Use the Move Tool (M) to position the cutout over the background.

  • If needed, use Scale Tool (Shift + S) to resize the cutout so it fits the new background properly.

  • Save the project as .XCF to keep layers editable.Export as PNG or JPEG for final use

Results

gr

Keep in mind - Having an image eith a clearer outline from the background will benifit you. If the object you want to cut out is similar to the background, then it will be difficult to erase the background - If you want the image to fit into the frame, use the comandshift + s

Gimp

3-D Design

Fusion 360

These are the pictures i took from the online class:

d

f

With that, I attempted to make a design for my final project. Heres how it went:

Final Project by kezang.choden2023 on Sketchfab

  • Starting with Sketches – Begin with a 2D sketch on a selected plane (XY, XZ, or YZ) using basic tools like Line for straight edges, Rectangle for body parts, and Circle/Ellipse for holes or joints, applying constraints (horizontal, vertical, equal) to maintain correct proportions.

  • Creating 3D Shapes with Extrusion – After completing a sketch, use the Extrude tool to turn 2D sketches into 3D parts; positive extrusion adds material, while negative extrusion removes material to create holes or cutouts.

  • Using Mirror and Pattern Tools – Use the Mirror tool to replicate symmetrical parts (e.g., arms or legs) across a plane, and Pattern tools (rectangular or circular) to efficiently duplicate repeated elements.

  • Assembly and Modifications – Design multiple components as separate bodies, align and combine them into the full model, use Fillet and Chamfer to smooth edges, and apply Move and Rotate tools to position parts accurately.

  • Exporting the Model – Save the final model as a Fusion 360 (.F3D) file for future edits, and export as STL format for fabrication or 3D printing.

This is the first model I have for my 3d model of my final project. There will be wheels connected to it, but I’ll be geting that from anconstruction kit we have in our fab lab, so I didnt design the model of that. With addition to that, the slothes are not properly made in this design, but this is just supposed to give me a base idea of my final project

Rpbot

Blender

When downloading blender, you can search up blender download, or click on the link [here] (https://www.blender.org/download/)

These are some of the basic commands on how to use blender.Though i won’t be focusing on blender to much because i chose to use fusion this time. We learned how to use blender during a local session though, so here are some notes in case I use blender in the future.

Add commands : ctrl + A Transformation commands :
Move the object : G + X/Y/Z
Scale the object : S + X/Y/Z
Rotate : R + X/Y/Z
Cancle : esc
Undo commands : ctrl + Z
Group nodes : ctrl + J
Duplicate : ctrl + D
Name the group of nodes : fn + F2

These are the images tI took from the online class on blender:

  • Firstly, we installed blender, then learned a few tools

  • After that, we accesed the node for a cube 2-2

  • Then we build on the node to change the shape of the cube. 2-3

  • This is a more detailed view of the node for the cube that I made in class.

2-4

Text to CAD

This site can be used for generating 3-d models depending on the prompt you write. I decided to try this out by making a lego piece for a prompt

prompt: Can you generate a 3 by 6 lego piece

t to cad

This actually worked really well, and if I ever needed to make a vision for a 3-d model, I would use this to get a base idea of what I want to make.

Image and Video compresser

DeepAI

DeepAI ai is used for generating images with the command you give the bot

place the term “prompt” with “command” or “instruction”.

Briefly explain what a command is in ImageMagick, e.g.:

In ImageMagick, a command is a text instruction that tells the software what operation to perform on an image, such as resizing, converting, or compressing.

For this assignment, I decided to give a prompt that describes my final project just to see if there are any points I can take, and if the AI image looks better than my actual idea:)

d1

(The outcome honestly shocked me.Its actually better than I expected and similar to my idea)

I also tryed some other prompts

d2

Imagick

Before I did any editing on my own images, I researched on a few prompts that I can use.

Here are some prompts to use imageMagick

  • Resisize an image depending on the width and height changed
convert input.jpg -resize 800x600 output.jpg
  • Converting your image format(like from png and jpeg)
convert input.png output.jpg
  • Adding text to image with font, size, and color specified as well
convert input.jpg -font Arial -pointsize 30 -fill white -annotate +50+50 'Sample Text' output.jpg
  • Crop an Image to the area you decied on
convert input.jpg -crop 100x100+50+50 output.jpg
  • Rotate an Image by the degree you specify
convert input.jpg -rotate 90 output.jpg
  • Apply a Blur Effect to the image:
convert input.jpg -blur 0x8 output.jpg
  • Convert an image to grayscale (black and white )
convert input.jpg -colorspace Gray output.jpg
  • Combine Multiple Images into One Concatenate horizontally:
convert +append input1.jpg input2.jpg input3.jpg output.jpg

Concatenate vertically:

convert -append input1.jpg input2.jpg input3.jpg output.jpg
  • Create an Image from Text
convert -size 300x100 xc:skyblue -gravity center -pointsize 24 -fill white -annotate 0 'Hello, World!' output.png
  • Apply a sepia effect to the image:
convert input.jpg -sepia-tone 80% output.jpg
  • Add Border to an Image
convert input.jpg -bordercolor black -border 10x10 output.jpg
  • Create a Thumbnail
convert input.jpg -thumbnail 100x100 output.jpg
  • Make an image partially transparent:
convert input.png -alpha set -channel A -evaluate set 50% +channel output.png
  • Create a collage or montage of several images:
convert +append input1.jpg input2.jpg input3.jpg output.jpg
  • Draw a rectangle on the image:
convert input.jpg -stroke black -strokewidth 2 -fill none -draw "rectangle 10,10 200,200" output.jpg

After that, I watched this tutorial

imgk

I croped my timetable for this week with Imagick .

tt

Flameshot

Flameshot is a software used to take screenshots with additional features

flameshot

You open flameshot in the icon bar.the steps are - Press and select the area you want to take a picture of. - Press Ctrl + S to save

Here are a few extra commands-

Ctrl + C: Copy selection to clipboard
Mouse wheel: chang tool size
Right click: chnage color
Space: open side panel
Esc: exit

XnConvert

XnConvert is a image compresser software.It can reduce the size of images by a drastic amount, so we were all advised to use it.

Drag and drop, or chose the image you want to convert.

After that, you can change the settings for file format or location in the output settings

settings

You can also change the size of your image in the actions settings.

size

After your happy with the settings, you can convert your image.

convert

I converted all the images i used today from Xn convert actually.Heres another image i converted with this.

cry

Video Compression

You can access the website I used [here] (https://www.cloudpresso.com/compress-video)

First of all, we need to downoad your video. Then for the video compression, I used cloudpresso.

The first step is to drag and drop the video you want to convert.

dnd

Then, you can cahnge a few of the settings of the quality you want the video in, Then compress it.

settings

Heres a video I conpressd from the later weeks assignments.

Chatgpt was used for the prompts and google for the images.

Thank You

Last update: December 6, 2025