Computer-Aided Design
In Week 2, we explored a range of 2D and 3D software, experimenting with different tools to understand their capabilities and applications in design.
What is CAD, and why is it important?
CAD (Computer-Aided Design) is more than just a digital drawing tool—it’s a way to think, create, and refine designs with precision. Whether it's a simple 2D layout or a complex 3D model, CAD allows designers to visualize their ideas in a structured, editable format. It eliminates guesswork, ensuring that every line, curve, and dimension serves a purpose before the design moves into production.
How does CAD improve the design process?
Imagine sketching a concept by hand and then realizing you need to tweak multiple dimensions—frustrating, right? With CAD, modifications are effortless. A single change can update the entire design, making iteration faster and more efficient. It also allows for real-world testing, so we can check how parts fit together, how materials will behave, and even how the final product will look under different lighting conditions before manufacturing begins.
A. My First Experience with GIMP: From Download to Editing
GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) is a powerful open-source tool for editing and creating digital graphics. Here’s a simple step-by-step guide on how I downloaded, installed, and explored it for the first time.
1.Downloading GIMP
I visited the official GIMP website: https://www.gimp.org
Clicked on the Download button, which automatically suggested the latest version for my operating system.
Chose the appropriate installer (Windows/macOS/Linux) and started the download.
2.Installing GIMP
Once the download was complete, I opened the installer file.
Followed the installation wizard’s instructions, selecting the default options.
Clicked Install and waited for the process to finish. It took a few minutes.
After installation, I launched GIMP to check if everything was working properly.
3.Checking the Interface
The first look at GIMP felt a bit different from other design software I had used.
I noticed three main sections:
Toolbox (left panel) – Contained selection, brush, eraser, and other essential tools.
Canvas (center area) – Where the actual editing and designing happen.
Layers & Options (right panel) – Allowed me to manage layers and tweak tool settings.
4.Exploring Basic Features
Opening an Image: I dragged an image into GIMP to start editing.
Using Selection Tools: Tried the rectangular and free selection tools to cut and edit parts of the image.
Applying Filters: Experimented with blur, sharpen, and artistic filters to see how they transformed the image.
Drawing & Painting: Used the paintbrush tool to test different brushes and textures.
Working with Layers: Created multiple layers to understand how they help in non-destructive editing.
5.Saving and Exporting Work
-Saved my project in GIMP’s native .XCF format to keep layers intact.
-Exported the final image as .PNG to share and use elsewhere.
-Explored other formats like JPEG and GIF to see how they affect image quality.
Final Thoughts
Trying GIMP for the first time was an exciting learning experience. It offers a wide range of powerful tools, though it takes some time to get used to the interface. With practice, it can be a great alternative to paid software like Photoshop.
B. Designing a Mockup in Photoshop
A mockup is a realistic preview of a design, helping visualize layouts, typography, and images before printing or publishing. it replicates the final look, making adjustments easy.
✔ Saves Time: Ready-made templates speed up the process.
✔ Visualizes the Final Look: Shows how elements fit together.
✔ Easy Editing: Layers allow quick changes.
✔ Professional Presentation: Ideal for showcasing work effectively.
1.Downloading & Installing Photoshop
(Since I had already installed Photoshop, I skipped this part, but for a new user, the process is simple.)
Visit the official Adobe website: https://www.adobe.com Sign up or log in to Adobe Creative Cloud.
Download and install Photoshop by following the setup instructions.
2.Understanding the Interface
Upon opening Photoshop, the workspace appeared with different panels:
Toolbar (left side) – Contains selection tools, brushes, text, and more.
Canvas (center) – The main working area where the design takes shape.
Layers Panel (right side) – Essential for managing different design elements separately.
3.Creating a New Project
Part 1: Playing with Typography
Typography is like magic—change a font, and suddenly, a word can feel bold, elegant, or playful.
1.Creating New File
Adjusted file size.
2.Adjusting background color
Discovering background with textures.
3.Started with the Type Tool (T)
Typed random words and played with different fonts.
4.Tried Font Pairing
Mixed serif and sans-serif fonts to see how they contrast.
5.Layering
Made sure to work in layers differently.
6.Experimented with Warp Effects
Used Effect > Warp to give text an angular feel.
7.Text on a Path
Typed along curves and circles, just for fun.
Final Touch
Adjusted letter spacing and alignment to make everything visually balanced.
Part 2: Newspaper Mock Up
Clicked File > New and set the dimensions suitable for a newspaper layout.
Chose a high resolution to ensure print quality. Selected a white background to simulate a newspaper page.
1.Downloading and Extracting the ZIP File
Searched for a newspaper mockup template on Google and downloaded a ZIP file.
Extracted the contents by right-clicking the file and selecting "Extract All" (or using a tool like WinRAR).
Found the .PSD (Photoshop) file inside the extracted folder.
Keep your network strong and steady! 📶
2.Opening the Mockup in Photoshop
Launched Photoshop and opened the downloaded .PSD file.
The template had multiple layers with placeholders for text and images.
Explored the Layers Panel to understand the structure of the mockup.
3.Editing the Layout and Text
Used the Type Tool (T) to replace placeholder text with my own headlines and articles.
Adjusted the font size, style, and spacing to match a real newspaper aesthetic.
Created multiple text boxes for different news sections and justified the alignment.
4.Adding and Adjusting Image
Placing Images: Opened images separately in Photoshop and inserted them into the layout using File > Place Embedded.
Resizing Images: Used Ctrl + T (Transform) while holding Shift to scale proportionally.
Cropping & Positioning: Used the Crop Tool (C) to refine image placement and improve composition.
5.Final Adjustments & Exporting
Checked the alignment and spacing to ensure a clean, structured layout.
Saved the project as a .PSD file to keep layers intact for future edits.
Exported the final newspaper mockup as a JPEG and PDF for easy viewing and sharing.
Final thoughts
This practice helped me refine my layout design skills while exploring the practical use of Photoshop in editorial design. Using a pre-designed mockup saved time while allowing for creative customization. Photoshop made it easy to adjust text, images, and layers—a skill that’s essential for print media, digital publications, and branding projects.
C. From Vegetable to Patterns: My Illustrator Exploration
Designing in Illustrator this time felt like a journey—starting with typography experiments and ending with a modular pattern. Before diving into the creative process, here’s a quick guide for setting up Illustrator.
Installing & Setting Up Illustrator If you're new to Illustrator, here’s how to get started:
Download Illustrator from the Adobe website and install it following the on-screen steps.
Launch the software and sign in with an Adobe account.
Create a New Document (File > New) with a custom artboard size depending on the design requirements.
Once Illustrator was up and running, I jumped into two creative explorations: Typography & Modular Design.
A Bell Pepper Became a Modular Pattern
This part of the process truly amazed me. While cutting a bell pepper, I noticed its perfectly symmetrical divisions and thought, “This could be a pattern!” That’s when I realized how much nature is filled with perfect symmetry, just waiting to be turned into design elements. Everything around us is derived from nature, whether it’s the proportions of a leaf, the curves of a seashell, or even the structure inside a fruit. I wanted to capture that natural harmony in a digital, repeatable form.
Step 1: Finding the Shape
Opened a new file according to my canvas-size requirements.
Took a photo of the bell pepper's cross-section, reffered it and imported it into Illustrator (File > Place).
After visualizing in the symmetry, I started with a basic circle.
Used the Pen Tool (P) and Ellipse Tool (L) to outline its natural curves.
Adjusted anchor points with the Direct Selection Tool (A) to refine the shape.
Step 2: Making It Modular
Mirrored and rotated elements with the Reflect Tool (O) to ensure perfect symmetry.
Simplified the shape to make it repeat seamlessly.
To keep the form soft, I smoothly curved the edges using Anchor Point (A).
Step 3: Managing Scale, Units & Layers
Once the basic pattern was ready, I refined it by making it more flexible and manageable.
Scaling & Units:
Made sure my pattern could adapt to different sizes without distortion.
Used Transform > Scale to resize it proportionally.
Set units to millimeters or pixels depending on where the pattern would be used (print vs. digital).
Grouped pattern elements using Ctrl + G (Cmd + G for Mac) for easy movement.
Adjusting Spacing & Repeats:
Used the Align Panel to ensure uniform spacing.
Tested different pattern densities by tweaking the Pattern Options panel.
Final Thoughts
What started as simple typography practice led to an unexpected bell pepper-inspired modular design! Illustrator made it easy to turn nature’s symmetry into a digital, repeatable form—and now, I can use this pattern for anything from textiles to wallpapers.
Turns out, design inspiration really is everywhere—even in your kitchen!
Illustrator is like having endless creative freedom at your fingertips. Unlike pixel-based software, it lets you scale designs infinitely without losing quality—so your tiny logo can turn into a billboard without a single blur! With tools for precise shapes, smooth curves, custom typography, and seamless layering, it’s perfect for creating logos, patterns, and illustrations. Whether you’re crafting something sleek or wildly experimental, Illustrator makes it smooth, sharp, and fun!
D. Fusion 360: Crafting Hinges!
Alright, so I had this idea—what if I made a heart-shaped snap box with built-in hinges, all in one print? No assembly, no extra parts, just straight off the printer and ready to open and close. I’ve used Fusion 360 before, but I’d never designed a working hinge that prints in place, so this felt like the perfect challenge!
For those who don’t know, Fusion 360 is like the ultimate playground for 3D modeling. It’s got everything—sketching, parametric design, rendering, animation, and even simulations (which came in super handy for testing the hinge). Whether you’re making something simple or more complex, it lets you easily bring ideas to life. With parametric design, you can adjust dimensions without starting over, and with freeform sculpting, you can create any shape you want. It’s a designer’s best friend—it lets you design, test, and visualize your project before you even hit print.
1.Sketching the Heart Shape (Let’s Start with Love)
Open Fusion 360 and create a new design. The workspace should be clean and ready for you to create!
Click on the Sketch tab and choose Create Sketch.
Select the Top Plane for your drawing (this is where we’ll draw our heart shape).
Create a centerline at 45°, draw an ellipse, and use the tangent constraint to connect a semi-circle smoothly; then mirror the shape using the centerline as the axis.
2.Extruding the Box (Give It Some Depth)
Click Finish Sketch to exit the 2D world and dive into 3D modeling.
Select your heart shape and go to the Create menu.
Choose Extrude(E). This gives your heart some thickness.
I went with 20mm for the height—just enough to make a nice small storage box. You can adjust this depending on your needs.
Now you’ve got a 3D heart-shaped solid, looking like a cute box!
3.Constructing Axis + Mirroring
4.Axis of Rotation
5.Giving some Drama
6.Carving out the inside
7.Checking out hinges
E. First Attempt at FreeCAD (and how it went)
This week, I decided to try out FreeCAD — it’s an open-source 3D CAD tool that’s completely free to use. I had never used it before, and I’ll be honest — the interface was a bit overwhelming at first. Still, I managed to make a few basic shapes and get a feel for the workflow. Here's what I did:
Visited the official website: https://www.freecad.org
Clicked on Download and chose the version for my system (Windows/macOS/Linux)
Installed it like any regular app
Opened the program and was greeted with a bunch of workbenches, a bit confusing at first
Switched to Part Design Workbench from the top dropdown
Clicked on “Create new body” and then “Create new sketch”, Chose the XY plane to sketch on
To export the file as .step to test compatibility with other software, but here I did not download as it was just shapes.
It felt a bit clunky at first, especially compared to Fusion 360 or Tinkercad. The constraint system is powerful but takes time to get used to. I liked that it’s fully parametric and totally open-source — really good for long-term use if I get the hang of it. I’ll probably explore more tutorials next time to go beyond basic shapes.
F. Compression & File Management
Throughout this week, I worked with quite a few heavy files — especially from Fusion 360, Illustrator, and image screenshots. To make sure everything stays light, uploadable, and Git-friendly, I followed these compression steps:
1.Fusion 360 Files – Zipping Process
After finishing my CAD models, I exported them in formats like .f3d, .step, or .stl depending on what I needed later (for sharing, slicing, or editing).
Fusion 360 doesn’t directly zip files, so I used my computer’s built-in compression feature:
- Right-click on the file/folder > Compress (Mac) or
- Right-click > Send to > Compressed (zipped) folder (Windows)
I usually zipped all versions of a model together so it’s easier to track changes and share everything in one go.
- Example: fab.zip
2.Illustrator Files – How I Compressed Them
Illustrator files can get large, especially when there are lots of vector elements or artboards. Here’s what I did:
- For working files: I saved them normally as .ai so I could edit later.
- For sharing or uploading:I exported to SVG or PNG.
- SVGs are good for laser cutting and web — they’re usually smaller and scalable.
- PNGs are better for quick previews or documentation images.
- After exporting, I compressed these PNGs using TinyPNG:
Just drag the PNGs onto the page It auto-compresses them. -
Download and replace the original — no visible quality loss, but the size drops a lot
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Bonus: Sometimes I saved Illustrator files as PDFs using:
File > Save As > PDF > Preset: Smallest File Size
This worked well when I wanted to show print-friendly versions without bulky file sizes.
3.Images – Compressing Screenshots & Process Pics
- I took a lot of screenshots during modeling and testing, mostly in PNG or JPG format.
- To avoid slowing down my GitLab page or uploading huge files, I used I love Image and TinyPNG
- Uploaded up to 20 images at once
It shrinks file sizes massively — e.g., a 2 MB JPEG becomes 400 KB
Quality is visually the same, which is perfect for documentation
This also helped reduce loading times when someone scrolls through my project page.
Link:
ILOVEIMAGE
TINYPNG
COMPRESS JPEG
Conculsion My Go-To Tools for 2D and 3D Design: Illustrator and Fusion 360
After trying out different tools for both 2D and 3D work, I’ve figured out that there isn’t one perfect software for everything—it really depends on what you’re trying to do. For me, I ended up using Illustrator for 2D designs and Fusion 360 for 3D modeling.
For 2D Design: Illustrator
Honestly, when I’m working on something that needs to look clean and precise—like graphics for laser cutting, sticker layouts, or anything visual—I go with Adobe Illustrator. It’s super intuitive when it comes to drawing, adjusting curves, and organizing everything using layers.
I like how smooth it feels to zoom in and fine-tune details, and exporting as DXF or SVG is really easy (as long as I remember to keep stroke widths correct for the machine). It’s more of a creative tool than a technical one, but for 2D stuff, Illustrator just works. It’s especially useful when I want my design to have a more polished, visual feel.
For 3D Design: Fusion 360
But when I switch to 3D work—especially stuff that needs measurements and assembly—I rely on Fusion 360. What I like most is that I can start with a basic 2D sketch and then build it up into a full 3D model. It’s parametric, which means I can go back and change dimensions easily without redoing everything.
It’s also great for exporting to fabrication tools like 3D printers or CNC machines, with STL, STEP, and DXF support. The interface takes a little time to get used to, but once you figure it out, it’s super powerful. And since it's cloud-based, I don’t have to worry about losing files or tracking versions.
Final Thoughts
So yeah, I use Illustrator when I need clean 2D visuals, and Fusion 360 when I’m doing detailed, functional 3D modeling. Both have their strengths, and together they cover almost everything I need—from sketch to prototype.