2. Computer Aided Design

Objective

Second week, we covered the basic introduction to Computer Aided Design (CAD) and diffierent softwares used. We have also seen paid and free (open sources) software as well as online and offline tools. The choice depends mainly on the application and accessibility.

3D Design

Tinkercad

Tinkercad is a free, web-based (meaning it works online) 3D modeling tool desigined mainly for beginners. It was developed by Autodesk. It is mainly suitable for someone starting 3D design (beginners). It is one of the best tools to start with due to its simplicity.

Key features/benefits of Tinkercad:

It is web based; Drag-and-drop shapes to build 3D models and easy to understand interface
Library of shapes and objects already included at start.
Export of several file formats such as .STL, .OBJ for 3D printing and .SVG for laser or cnc cutting

To use to Tinkercad, I created account on Tinkercad website. If you already have an Autdesk account, choose log instead as helighlighted on the image below.

Next step, I chose educator as highlighted. I you choose students, it will prompt you to fill class code. There will be a time you will find option of maker as well. You can choose it as well. It works the same way as eductor. The only difference is the setting options available afterwards.

After filling all the necessary information, Autodesk sent me One-time passcode. Depending on the location, you may need to switch between receiving the pass code on email or phone number. Mine, it was set (by default) on sms. I waited for around five minutes without receiving the code. Afterwards, I switched to email. And I receid the code instantlyimmediately.

Tinkercad blank page

Next process, I started designing some objects. To start designing, under the basic shape (as helighlighted), drag and drop the object in workplane area

I started with cube as base object.

Documentation continuing!!!

My sample design, DRWAWING A TABLE

Step 1: I scaled the cube to approximate spaces and size. At this stage, it is also a google practice to name the file with relative name (as helighlighted below) so as to facilitate file search.

To scale an object, hold and drag scales handles in disired direction (x,y and z axis). You can even type number (dimension) for precise design.

Next step, I created legs. Starting with one leg, I imported second cube and scalled accordingly. I also changed the color of each object. To do, I selected color(s) from presets.

Next step; I positioned the leg in oe corner and douplicated it to make copies. To move an object in tinkercad, hold and drag the object.

To move an object in one axis, while draging, hold shift. the object movement will be locked in an approximate axis.

To duplicate the leg, I used mirror function. Selece desired abject and select mirror icon as highlighted below. Afterwards I combined the two objects using combine tool to so that they can be moved as singe object. This will help for mirrowing on the second axis.

Note: Combine tool will be active only if multiple objects are selected.

Lastly, I rearranged the objects as intended. To move the table top at top as it should be.

To make a hole, I imported a cylinder and scaled accordingly. To increase or change sresoulution, I creanked side value. Additionally, I changed cylinder from solid body to hole or cutting object. This make it possible to act as cutting object.

Lastly, I used combine tool to approve the cut. When you combine a cutting object (comverted to hole) with a solid object, the cut is approved permanently.

Last, I imported (from library) some objects. Cup,.. . Firslty, switch from basic shape to

Select More Shapes to load more objects.

Next, is to export the file. For 3D prinitn, chose stl format. Export one object at time.

Blender

Blender is an open-source and free software used for 3D modeling, sculpting, texturing, rigging and animation, rendering and video editing. In addtion, it is also used for video game development, visual effects, and even 3D printing. Among most of its striking features, blender supports: (benefits of blender are:)

3D Modeling & Sculpting · Create 3D models through mesh modeling, sculpting, and procedural generation.
Animation & Rigging: Keyframe, physics, and motion track animation of characters and objects.
Compositing & Video Editing: Includes a node-based compositor and video sequence editor.
Rendering: High-quality displays of images and animations can be rendered with the help of Blender engines like Cycles or Eevee.
Simulation: Supports physics-based simulations: fluid, smoke, fire, cloth, and soft body dynamics.
Game Development: Supports game engines and real-time rendering.
3D Printing: Prepares models for 3D printing with export options and mesh repair tools.

Blender is one of the most popular 3D creation software due to its active community, frequent updates and the possibility to extend or automate tasks with Python scripts.

Dounloading Blender Software

First thing first, blender us free and open source whether it is personal or commercial use. I got is from from blender website.

Blender works offline. After downloading and installation, I started right away by designing the projects.

When opening Blender for the first time, some default objects are loaded automatically. These include camera, cube and light.

Camera: it determines the viewpoint from which a scene is rendered whether if it image or animatio (sequence of images). It acts like a real-world camera, capturing the 3D environment and rendering it as an image or animation.
Light: emits light (lighting) into a scene, affecting how objects appear when rendered depending on the materal or textures. Several light sources can be used in a single scene. They are essential for creating realistic or stylized lighting in 3D scenes. There are types of lights in blender: Point light which emit light in all direction (breiafly, it act as light bulb), Sun light which simulate sunlight, spot light which emit a cone-shaped light like a torch and area light which emits light from a surface (for example, panel light).
Mesh: It consist of verteces, edges and surfaces. it is a buildingblock of any 3D objects.

To add mesh, I selected add and then mesh.

SolidWorks

SolidWorks is a professional 3D CAD computer-aided design program used in the design, simulation, and engineering of mechanical parts, assemblies, and drawings. It was developed by Dassault Systèmes and it is widely used in design manufacturing, engineering, product design, and 3D printing.

Key Features of SolidWorks keys feature are:

Parametric Modeling: SolidWorks uses dimension-driven design, thus making easy to modifiy and make configuration.
3D Part and Assembly Design: it makes easier to create individual parts and assembles them into complex products.
2D Technical Drawings: It allows the making of engineering drawings along with annotations and dimensions.
Simulation & Analysis: SolidWorks helps to perform tests for stress, motion analysis, and thermal simulation.

Instation of SolidWorks software

To use SolidWorks, you need license. You can use free trial or student version which expire around a year. Fortunate for us who are taking AfabCademy course, I got 1 year year.

To download it, I visited solidworks download page and filled the necessary information