Computer-Aided Design

In Week 2, we explored different CAD software to understand their features, workflows, and design capabilities, gaining hands-on experience in 2D and 3D modeling.

What is CAD?

Computer-Aided Design (CAD) is the use of software to create precise 2D and 3D models for engineering, architecture, and product design. It allows for efficient design iteration, accurate measurements, and easy modifications compared to traditional hand-drawn sketches. CAD enhances productivity, improves design accuracy, and enables seamless collaboration, making it an essential tool for modern design and manufacturing.

Raster Graphics

Raster graphics are images made up of tiny pixels arranged in a grid. They are commonly used in digital painting, photo editing, and texture design. Unlike vector graphics, which are based on mathematical shapes, raster images depend on resolution, meaning they can lose quality when scaled up. Popular raster formats include JPEG, PNG, and BMP. While raster graphics are excellent for detailed and artistic designs, they are less suitable for precise technical drawings used in CAD.

GIMP

GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) is a free and open-source image editing software used for tasks like photo retouching, graphic design, and digital painting. It offers powerful tools similar to Photoshop, including layers, masks, brushes, and color adjustments, making it a versatile choice for beginners and professionals alike.

Creating a Color Pop Effect in GIMP

The Color Pop Effect makes an image black and white while keeping a specific object in color, making it stand out. Here’s how I did it step by step, starting from installing GIMP.

Step 1: Installing GIMP First, I downloaded GIMP from GIMP official website and installed it on my computer. Once the installation was complete, I launched GIMP to start working on my image.

Step 2: Opening My Image I went to File → Open and selected the image I wanted to enhance with the color pop effect.

Step 3: Duplicating the Layer To keep my original image safe, I right-clicked on the image layer in the Layers Panel and selected Duplicate Layer. Now, I had two layers:

Top Layer (Duplicate) – This would be converted to black and white. Bottom Layer (Original) – The original colored image remained untouched.

Step 4: Converting the Top Layer to Black & White I selected the top layer and went to Colors → Desaturate → Desaturate. GIMP gave me three options:

Lightness Luminosity Average I tried each option and chose the one that looked best before clicking OK. Now, my image was black and white, while the original color version was still underneath.

Step 5: Revealing the Color Using the Eraser Tool (Simple Method) At first, I tried using the Eraser Tool (Shortcut: Shift + E). I adjusted the Hardness to around 50-75% in the Tool Options to avoid harsh edges.

Then, I carefully erased over the object I wanted to keep in color. As I erased, the original color from the bottom layer started showing through. However, I realized that this method was destructive—any mistakes would be difficult to fix.

So instead, I switched to using a Layer Mask, which allowed me to make corrections easily.

Step 6: Using a Layer Mask (Non-Destructive Method – Recommended) I right-clicked on the top black-and-white layer in the Layers Panel and chose Add Layer Mask. In the dialog box, I selected White (full opacity) and clicked Add.

Then, I selected the Brush Tool (Shortcut: P), set my Foreground Color to Black (D to reset colors, then X to swap), and carefully painted over the areas I wanted in color.

Black revealed the colors from the bottom layer. White hid them again if I needed to correct mistakes. I adjusted the Opacity and Hardness of my brush to refine the effect and make the transition smooth.

Step 7: Making Final Adjustments To improve the final result, I made a few tweaks:

I went to Colors → Brightness & Contrast to fine-tune the black-and-white layer. I used the Blur Tool for softer edges where needed.

Step 8: Saving My Work Once I was satisfied with the effect, I went to File → Export As and saved the image as a PNG or JPEG, depending on where I wanted to use it.

That’s how I created the Color Pop Effect in GIMP! I found that using the Layer Mask method was the best approach since it allowed me to make changes without permanently altering my image.

Inkscape

What is Inkscape?

Inkscape is a free, open-source vector graphic software, like Adobe Illustrator. You can use it to make posters, logos, illustrations, icons, and more. It works with SVG files, which are perfect for crisp, scalable designs.

First, I installed Inkscape

I went to Inkscape official website, downloaded the latest version for my system, and installed it. Then I opened the software and was ready to go!

Step 1: I set up my canvas

I created a new file and changed the canvas size to 1920 × 1080 px (like a screen). Then I used the Rectangle Tool to draw a big black rectangle that covered the whole canvas — this became my background.

Step 2: I added my main text I used the Text Tool and typed the word “GLITCH” in all caps. I picked a thick font like Impact or Anton and made the text really big. Then I centered it right in the middle of the canvas using the align tool.

Step 3: I created glitch layers

I selected the text and pressed Ctrl + D twice to duplicate it two times. Now I had three layers. I changed their colors like this:

The bottom one was blue
The middle one was red
The top one was white

Then I moved the blue layer slightly to the left, and the red one slightly to the right. This made that classic RGB color shift you see in glitchy effects!

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Step 4: I sliced the top text

I converted the white text to a path using Path > Object to Path. Then I drew 2–3 horizontal lines over it using the Bezier Tool.

After that, I selected the text and one line and clicked Path > Division to slice it. I repeated this with the other lines too, breaking the text into pieces.

then the parts were divided so gave random shapes random colors of red and blue

Then I gave Clean Edge BLUR

HERO SHOT

Done!

That’s it — a full glitch text poster, made completely in Inkscape! This small project helped me understand:

How to work with layers and colors
How to use Path > Division
How to create text effects with simple moves

It was quick, easy, and turned out super cool.

Illustrator

What is Illustrator?

Adobe Illustrator is a vector-based design software used to create logos, illustrations, artworks, icons, and more. It’s super useful for clean, scalable designs. I wanted to explore how pixel art can be done using vector tools, and this is how I did it!

I wanted to try out pixel art in Adobe Illustrator, so I created this cool peace symbol using a grid of squares.

Setting up the File

First, I opened Illustrator and created a new file. I chose a square artboard to keep everything even.

Then I turned on the grid by going to:

View > Show Grid and also enabled Snap to Grid.

This made sure every square snapped perfectly into place like pixels.

In Preferences > Guides & Grid, I set:

Gridline every 10 px
Subdivisions: 1

Making the Base Pixel

I used the Rectangle Tool (M) and made a perfect square of 10x10 px. That square became my single pixel.

I gave it a red fill and black stroke to make the grid style visible.

Drawing the Peace Symbol

I drew a large peace symbol shape in the center of the artboard, using the Ellipse Tool and Line Tool to make the circle and the inner lines. I used this shape as a reference.

Created Layers

I made multiple layers:

One for the background grid
Another one for the peace symbol This helped me keep things organized and work on them separately.

Then, I manually started placing yellow square pixels along the shape to fill it out.

Filling the Pixels

I selected squares from the grid and changed their color depending on where they fell — red for the background, yellow for the peace symbol. Because I had the grid and snapping on, it was super easy to align everything perfectly.

The peace shape helped guide where I should place yellow pixels.

HERO SHOT

What I Learned:

How to use grids and snapping in Illustrator

How to manage art with layers
How to create custom pixel art with square blocks
A bit of planning goes a long way!

What is 3D CAD?

3D CAD (Computer-Aided Design) is the use of software to create, modify, analyze, and optimize three-dimensional digital models of physical objects.

It allows designers, engineers, architects, and makers to visualize and test objects in a virtual space before they are physically made.

Key Features:

3D Geometry: Models are built using shapes like cubes, cylinders, spheres, and custom sketches.
Parametric Design: Dimensions and constraints can be adjusted later, automatically updating the model.
Precision Modeling: CAD software allows for extremely accurate and detailed designs.
Simulation & Analysis: Some CAD tools can test movement, stress, or heat before building.
Export for Manufacturing: Files can be exported to formats like STL or STEP for 3D printing, CNC, or other manufacturing methods.

Common Applications:

Product design and development
Mechanical and industrial design
Architecture and interior planning
Engineering drawings and technical documentation
Rapid prototyping and 3D printing

FreeCAD

I wanted to explore the basic tools in FreeCAD by creating a simple but fun object—a dice. This helped me practice sketching, padding, pocketing, and some simple geometry alignment techniques. Here's how I made it:

Step 1: Base Cube Creation

Started in the Part Design workbench with a new body and sketch on the XY plane.

I drew a square of 20mm x 20mm, applied constraints to keep it accurate, and then used the Pad tool to extrude it by 20mm.

Step 2: Adding the First Dot

I selected the top face of the cube and created a new sketch on it.

I drew a small circle (about 2mm in diameter) and placed it right in the center using constraints.

After that, I used the Pocket tool with the “Through All” option to cut into the cube and make the dot.

Step 3: Making the Other Faces

I repeated the process for each face of the dice:

For 2 dots, I added two circles placed diagonally.
For 3 dots, I placed three dots in a diagonal line.
For 4 dots, I drew four in a square pattern.
5 dots, I placed four in the corners and one in the center.
For 6 dots, I arranged six circles in a 3x2 grid.

Each time, I used the Pocket tool to cut the dots into the surface.

Step 4: Rounding the Edges

To make the dice look more realistic, I switched to the Part Workbench.
I selected all the outer edges of the cube and applied a Fillet of 1.5mm radius.
This gave the dice smooth, rounded corners—just like a real one!

Skills Practiced:

Creating and constraining sketches.
Using Pad and Pocket tools.
Applying Fillets for aesthetics.
Aligning geometry across multiple faces.

Fusion 360

I have practised fuion 360 in the past these are some of my models and the tool that i have used to make them :

Battle Bot "Rhino"

Designed the chassis base and angled armor panels using 2D Sketch.
Used Extrude to build up the main body structure from flat profiles.
Shaped the weapon mounts/side horns with Loft, giving them an aggressive, organic curve.
Applied Mirror to replicate the symmetrical components on both sides for balance and strength.
Added Construction Planes to create elements at varied heights and orientations.
Carved out slots and bolt holes with Extrude Cut, allowing for potential assembly or modular weapon attachment.
Used Project Geometry to maintain proper alignment between complex sketch planes.

Maze Puzzle Box

Sketched a rectangle and used Extrude to form the base block.
Created the maze layout using Line and Rectangle tools in Sketch.
Alternatively, imported a maze design via DXF for accuracy.
Used Extrude Cut to engrave the maze onto the top surface.
Maintained depth consistency using set cut values.

“Mantis Shrimp” Abstract Form

Drew a curved path using the 3D Spline tool for the central flow.

Placed multiple Sketch Profiles (circles) along planes on the path.
Used Loft to create smooth transitions between profiles.
Created a top disc with the Revolve tool.
Duplicated circular features using the Circular Pattern tool.
Focused on fluid form using a combination of Loft and Pattern.

“Sudarshan Chakra” Inspired Design

Created the dome base using Revolve with a radial profile.

Designed one blade/petal and used Circular Pattern to replicate it around the center.
Applied Sweep or Loft to build petal-like geometry with smooth curvature.
Used the Form (T-Spline) environment to sculpt rippled surface features.

Carved out the central hole with Extrude Cut.

Detailed edges with additional Patterns or Fillets for smoothness.