1

Introduction

In this week focused on 2D and 3D modeling, the basics of new modeling were learned.

Installed Software

This week, the following software will be used. You can download the programs using the following links or by searching for the program names in your browser:

SolidWorks Logo

SolidWorks

Download
Fusion 360 Logo

Fusion 360

Download
Blender Logo

Blender

Download
Inkscape Logo

Inkscape

Download
Software Function
SolidWorks 3D CAD software for mechanical design and engineering
Fusion 360 Cloud-based 3D modeling, CAD, CAM, and CAE software
Blender Open-source 3D creation suite for modeling, animation, and rendering
Inkscape Free and open-source vector graphics editor
2

Inkscape: Getting Started

Opening Inkscape
When you open Inkscape, an initial window appears where you can choose to open an existing file or create a new document. Once inside the workspace, you will find a white canvas, a drawing tools bar on the left, a menu bar at the top, and additional panels like Layers and Fill on the right. At the bottom, a status bar shows useful information such as the current color, cursor position, and zoom level. You can adjust the window to work more comfortably according to your preferences.

Polygon Tool
Fig 1. Inkscape Menu

Creating the Hexagonal Pad

Select Polygon Tool

  1. Look at the left toolbar and find the icon that shows a star (this is the polygons and stars tool).
  2. Click and hold the mouse button over this icon.
  3. Select "Polygon" from the dropdown menu that appears.
Polygon Tool
Fig 2. Polygon tool dropdown menu

Set Up the Hexagon

  1. In the top bar, you will see a field called "Corners".
  2. Click on the number and change it to 6 using the keyboard.
  3. Make sure the "Polygon" button (not "Star") is selected.
  4. Click and drag in the workspace to draw the hexagon.
Polygon Tool
Fig 3. Polygon tool

Access Fill and Stroke

  1. With the hexagon selected, go to the top menu.
  2. Click on "Object" > "Fill and Stroke".
  3. A panel will open on the right with three tabs: Fill, Stroke, and Stroke Style.
Menu
Fig 4. Fill and Stroke panel breakdown

Apply Gray Color

  1. In the "Fill" tab, click the "Flat color" button (solid square).
  2. Use the color wheel to select gray, or type the hexadecimal code #808080.
  3. In "Opacity", make sure it is set to 100% so the color is completely solid.
Polygon Tool
Fig 5. Polygon Gray Color
Polygon Tool
Fig 6. "Fill" Menu

Brown Border

  1. Go to the "Stroke" tab.
  2. Click on "Flat color" and select brown.
  3. In "Width", change from "px" to "mm" and type 2 for a 2-millimeter thick border.
  4. In "Stroke Style", make sure the line type is continuous (not dashed).
Polygon Tool
Fig 7. Polygon Tool with Brown Border
Polygon Tool
Fig 8. "Fill" Menu

Save Progress

  1. Go to "File" > "Save As" (Ctrl+Shift+S).
  2. Choose a folder and file name (e.g., "Pad Drum").
  3. In "Type", select "Inkscape SVG (*.svg)".
  4. Click "Save".

Creating the Electronic Drums

Ellipse Tool

  1. In the left toolbar, select the circle icon (ellipse tool).
  2. Click in the workspace and drag while holding down the Ctrl key to create a perfect circle.
  3. Release the mouse when you have the desired size for the main drum.
Polygon Tool
Fig 9. Ellipse Tool

Create Arcs for Cymbals

  1. With the ellipse tool selected, look at the top bar.
  2. Locate the "Start" and "End" fields.
  3. Type 0 in "Start" and -180 in "End" to create a top semicircle.
  4. Go to "Fill and Stroke" > "Fill" and click the "X" to remove the fill.
  5. In "Stroke", set a metallic color (silver: #C0C0C0) and a thickness of 3 mm.
Polygon Tool
Fig 10. Arcs

Duplicate and Align

  1. Select the circle with the selection tool (black arrow).
  2. Press Ctrl+D to duplicate it (this will create a copy on top).
  3. Go to "Object" > "Align and Distribute" (Ctrl+Shift+A).
  4. In the panel that appears, click "Center on horizontal axis" and then "Center on vertical axis".
  5. Reduce the size of the copy by dragging from a corner while holding Shift+Ctrl to maintain proportions.
Polygon Tool
Fig 11. Example
Polygon Tool
Fig 12. Align and Distribute Menu.

Organize the Complete Kit

  1. Use the selection tool to move each element to its position.
  2. Hold Alt while dragging to quickly create copies of the drums.
  3. Use Layers (menu Layer > Layers...) to organize elements: Layer 1: Hexagonal base Layer 2: Drums Layer 3: Cymbals
  4. Export the final design to PNG from "File" > "Export PNG" (Ctrl+Shift+E).
Polygon Tool
Fig 13. Final Distribution
3

Starting SolidWorks

Creating a New Document

  1. Open SolidWorks on your computer.
  2. Use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + N or
  3. Click File > New in the top menu.
  4. In the New Document window, select Part.
  5. Click OK to confirm.
Polygon Tool
Fig 14. New Document Solid Works

Interface Overview

  1. FeatureManager Tree:
    1. Located on left panel
    2. Shows design history tree
  2. CommandManager:
    1. Top toolbar with tabs
    2. Contains Sketch, Features, etc.
  3. Graphics Area:
    1. Central workspace
    2. Main modeling area
Polygon Tool
Fig 15. SolidWorks Interface

Creating the Base Shape with a Circle Sketch

Cymbals have a circular and symmetrical form. The "Circle" tool provides the precision needed to create this geometry accurately.

Step-by-Step Process

  1. Start a Sketch:
    • Click the "Sketch" tab > "Circle" (or press C).
    • Select the "Front Plane" from the FeatureManager Tree.
  2. Draw the Circle:
    • Click on the center of the plane (origin: 0,0) to set the circle's center.
    • Drag outward and click again to define the radius (e.g., 150mm for a medium cymbal).
  3. Exit the Sketch:
    • Press Esc or
    • Click "Exit Sketch" in the command bar to finalize the sketch.
Polygon Tool
Fig 16. Circle tool

Shaping the Cymbal with an Inclined Extrusion

With the base shape defined, the next step is to extrude it while applying an inclination angle. This will replicate the natural curvature of a cymbal, giving it a realistic form.

Step-by-Step Process

  1. Activate the Extrude Tool:
    • Navigate to "Features" > "Extruded Boss/Base".
    • Select the previously created circle sketch.
  2. Configure the Extrusion:
    • Set the extrusion depth to 11.5mm for a thin cymbal structure.
    • Enable "Draft outward" and adjust the angle between 75° to create the desired curvature.
  3. Apply and Verify:
    • Click the confirmation button (✔️) to finalize the extrusion.
    • Check the new feature in the FeatureManager Tree to ensure the shape is correct.
extrusion
Fig 17. Applying an extrusion with a draft angle.
extrusion angle
Fig 18. Modifying the extrusion angle to shape the cymbal’s curvature.

Creating the Cymbal's Lower Cavity

Design Purpose: Real cymbals have a hollow area for sound resonance. We’ll replicate this with the "Cut-Extrude" tool.

  1. Sketch the Cutting Profile:
    • Right-click on the cymbal’s face.
    • Select "Sketch" from the context menu.
    • Use the Circle Tool to draw a concentric circle.
  2. Execute Material Removal:
    • Press Q for quick cut access.
    • Set the cutting parameters:
      • Depth: 30.0mm
      • Draft Angle: 10°
    • Click the confirmation button (✅) to finalize the cut.
extrusion
Fig 19 Cutting profile
extrusion angle
Fig 20. Resulting acoustic chamber

Using the Split Line Tool

Design Purpose: Create additional edges on surfaces for subsequent operations (drafts, appearances, etc.) without modifying the base geometry.

  1. Geometry Preparation:
    • Select the target face
    • Create a reference sketch with the division profile
    • Exit the sketch
  2. Split Line Setup:
    • Go to Insert > Curve > Split Line
    • Key Options:
      • Type: Projection
      • Selections: Sketch + Faces
      • Optional: Reverse projection
  3. Post-Processing:
    • Check new edges created F8
    • Use "Face Curvature" for inspection
    • Confirm the operation ✅
split-line-config
Fig 21. Menu Sketch Projection for Division
split-result
Fig 22. Independent Faces Created

Aesthetic Pattern Configuration of 9 Holes

  1. Creating the First Hole:
    • Create the first hole at the desired location on the cylindrical surface.
    • Use the Hole Wizard or Extruded Cut to define the hole parameters.
    initial-hole
    Fig 23. Initial hole created as a reference
  2. Pattern Parameters:
    • Pattern Type: Circular > Equal Spacing
    • Instances: 9
      ⎔ 20° spacing between each hole
    • Total Angle: 180° (9 holes at 20° each)
  3. Validation:
    • Verify angular spacing: 20° between holes
    • Confirm radial distance: 10.00 mm from the center (⌀20.00/2)
    pattern-configuration
    Fig 24. 9-instance pattern configuration
    pattern-result
    Fig 25. Final decorative pattern
Design Calculations:
Parameter Formula Result
Angular Step 180° ÷ 9 20.00°
Radial Distance 20.00 mm ÷ 2 10.00 mm

Appearance and Rendering Settings in SolidWorks

  1. Applying Appearances:
    • Select the part or surface to which you want to apply an appearance.
    • Click on the "Appearances" icon in the toolbar or use the context menu.
    • Explore the SolidWorks library and choose the desired appearance.
    • Drag and drop the appearance onto the part or click to apply it directly.
    pattern-configuration
    Fig 26. Selecting appearance in SolidWorks
    pattern-result
    Fig 27. Example of appearance applied in SolidWorks
  2. Configuring Rendering:
    • Go to the "PhotoView 360" or "Rendering" tab in SolidWorks.
    • Adjust the lighting, environment, and materials to optimize the final image.
    • Configure the rendering quality and, if needed, set a custom background.
    • Click "Render" to start the process and generate the final image.
    configuracion-render
    Fig 28. Rendering configuration in SolidWorks
    resultado-render
    Fig 29. Final rendering result

STL File Downloads

⬇️ Download Cymbal STL

4

Blender: Getting Started

Opening Blender

  1. Open Blender:
    • Version 3.0 or higher
    • Delete the default cube: X > "Delete"
initial-hole
Fig 30. Initial Menu Blender

Creating the Base Shape

  1. Create base cylinder:
    • Add > Mesh > Cylinder
    • Parameters:
      • Vertices: 7 (to match the tip shape later)
initial-hole
Fig 31. Base Cylinder

Shaping the Stick

  1. Shape the Stick:
    • Enter Edit Mode: Tab
    • Scale the cylinder along the Z-axis: S > Z > Increase height
    • Use proportional editing to slightly taper the bottom end
configuracion-render
Fig 32. Base Cylinder
resultado-render
Fig 33. Base Drumstick

Creating the Tip

  1. Create the Tip:
    • Select the top face of the cylinder
    • Extrude upwards: E > Move slightly upwards
    • Scale the top face gradually to match the 7-vertex tip shape
    • Use loop cuts (Ctrl + R) to refine the curvature
    • Manually adjust vertices if necessary to make a smooth transition
initial-hole
Fig 34. Tip of the Drumstick

Finalizing the Model

  1. Finalize the Model:
    • Check for any imperfections and refine manually
    • Apply all transformations (Ctrl + A)
    • Export as STL or another format for 3D printing or rendering
initial-hole
Fig 35. Final Model

Reference Table

Shortcut Function Typical Use
G Move Vertex position adjustment
Ctrl+B Bevel Edge smoothing
S Scale Resize objects
R Rotate Object orientation adjustment
Shift+D Duplicate Create object copies
Tab Toggle Edit Mode Switch between Object and Edit modes
Ctrl+E Edge Menu Access edge-related operations
X Delete Remove selected elements

STL File Downloads

⬇️ Download Cymbal STL

5

Fusion 360

Document Setup

  • New Design:
    • Open Fusion 360
    • Create a new design file
initial-hole
Fig 36. Fusion 360 Menu

Base Circle Sketch

  1. Create Sketch:
    • Tab Sketch > Circle
    • XY Plane (base plane)
  2. Dimension: Radius 150mm
initial-hole
Fig 37. Base Circle Sketch

Center Dome (Bell)

  1. New Sketch: Top face of the platter
  2. Extrusion:
    • Height: 30 mm
    • Angle: 75°
configuracion-render
Fig 38. Extruction Menu
resultado-render
Fig 39. Example

Lower Cavity

  1. Cut Sketch:
    • Depth: 35mm
initial-hole
Fig 40. Lower Cavity

STL File Downloads

⬇️ Download Cymbal STL

Animate Movement of the Cymbal

  1. Access the Animation Menu: Switch to the "Animation" environment from the top bar of Fusion 360.
  2. Transform Components:
    • Select the cymbal that represents the hi-hat in your design.
    • Use the "Transform Components" tool to manipulate its vertical position.
  3. Define Movement:
    • Move the cymbal up and down along the vertical axis, simulating the natural movement of the hi-hat as it opens and closes.
    • Create keyframes on the timeline to record key positions, such as the top position (open) and the bottom position (closed).
movement-setup
Fig 41. Transformation Menu
movement-result
Fig 42. Movement
6

How to Compress an Image

Visit GIMP

🌐 Visit GIMP Page

Open Image in GIMP

  1. Open file:
    • Menu File > Open
    • Select target image
File open menu in GIMP with highlighted options
Fig 43. File opening workflow

2. Scale Image

  1. Access tools:
    • Menu Image > Scale Image
  2. Key settings:
    • Dimensions:
      • Reduce width/height
      • Maintain proportions (chain icon)
    • Interpolation:
      • Cubic (higher quality)
      • Linear (faster processing)
Scaling window with highlighted interpolation options
Fig 44. Interpolation options
Dimension settings with active chain icon
Fig 45. Proportion adjustment
Best practice: Always keep the chain icon active to prevent distortion

3. Adjust Quality

  1. Export file:
    • Menu File > Export As
    • Select format:
      • JPEG (lossy compression)
      • PNG (lossless compression)
  2. Quality settings:
    • JPEG:
      • Quality: 70-85%
      • Size/quality balance
    • PNG:
      • Compression level: 9
      • Size optimization
Export dialog with JPEG quality slider
Fig 46. Quality control in export

4. Save Optimized File

  1. Save final version:
    • Descriptive filename
    • Organized location
  2. Verify results:
    • File size
    • Visual quality
Final save process with file size preview
Fig 47. Optimized saving
7

How to Compress a Video

Visit Readpanda

🌐 Visit RedPanda Compress

1. Access the Platform

  1. Navigate to:
    • Official RedPanda Compress website
RedPanda Compress homepage showing upload options
Fig 48. Main interface overview

2. File Selection

  1. Upload methods:
    • Click "Select file" button
    • Drag & drop into zone
File upload area with drag-drop highlights
Fig 49. File upload interface

3. Compression Settings

  1. Size configuration:
    • Manual size input
    • Automatic presets
Compression settings panel with size slider and presets
Fig 50. Configuration options

4. Compression Process

  1. Initiate processing:
    • Click "Start Compression"
    • Monitor progress bar
Real-time compression progress with percentage completion
Fig 51. Processing indicator

5. Download Results

  1. Retrieve output:
    • Click download button
    • Select storage location
Download interface with prominent action button
Fig 52. Final output download

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