2. Computer Aided Design

This week focused on developing computer-aided design skills as a core foundation for digital fabrication. I explored Fusion 360 for parametric 3D modeling, Inkscape for 2D vector design, and GIMP for 2D raster work. Using these tools to design the first iteration of a wearable medallion connected to my final project. The work completed this week establishes the base geometry, constraints, and design intent that will continue to evolve as new skills such as electronics, coding, and networking are introduced later in the course.

Teaching Application and Classroom Integration

In parallel with my own learning, I am intentionally developing proficiency in Fusion 360 and Inkscape to integrate both tools into my high school Design and Technology classes. As our school has access to the free educator license, this week also served as an opportunity to explore workflows, interfaces, and design approaches that can be directly transferred to student projects. Using the same tools in both professional training and classroom practice allows me to align student learning with real-world digital fabrication processes and industry-standard design thinking.

Fusion AutoDesk

After downloading the student licensed software (Thanks to FAB Coordination team and Luciana) This is what it comes to:

I had to read through each one to understand the question so I could choose the answer that fits my design.

So this is what I have chosen and immediately started to save my first design as follows:

I had to do a Sketch at first that can be part of my project

Create a sketch:

Then select a plane

I selected the Top plane to draw a circle, I also wanted to make sure that I am using the proper units for my design as per the FAB Academy Standards

I sketched 3 circles with three different diameters (65,55,45 mm)

Then select finish sketch

Then I used extrude to make the outer circle 3mm

Then I created another sketch

Choose the front plane

After failing a number of times to join two bodies together, this is the end result after consulting chatgpt:

This was the prompt that I have used:

I felt stuck a little bit and then I asked Chatgpt this:

Then I asked it this:

So I started once again and deleted everything and asked chatgpt to guide me through the design process on Fusion using this prompt:

This is what I did first to sketch a circle

Then Extrude by typing the letter “e” or doing this

Then draw another sketch on the top plane of the disc that I have created

A circle of 46mm diameter

After extruding to create a cut, this is the result that I have so far

You can also click on the plane itself right click and create a sketch like this

Then extrude to create a 1mm cut with a diameter of 30mm like this

Then create a sketch on the side plane to make this shape

After that adding the back cover by creating a 60mm diameter circle sketch on the bottom face and then extrude as a new body with 2mm towards down like this

Finally, this is the STL file for my work:

Medallion-v1

Inkscape

I started to work on Inkscape to develop my svg files

So I needed to change the settings first and make sure that it fits my idea for the 2D design

So I started to draw a circle (Which is going to be the outside cover for the medallion made out of acrylic and manufactured using the laser cutter) 60*60mm circle

No fill, with a black stroke with a 0.1 stroke width

Then I decided to play around with the image that I created through ChatGPT

So I wanted to change the colors after following this tutorial

This was the result

It looked a little unclear so I tried to change the colors using this attribute

And this is was the result

This is the file that I have created on Inkskape

GIMP

I wanted to do something similar using GIMP so I opened up the file on the software

I wanted to remove the background so I followed this tutorial

So these are the steps that I have followed using the tutorial

And this is the final result:

Reflection

This week helped me move an abstract idea toward a more concrete and fabricatable design by working across both 3D and 2D tools. Using Fusion 360, Inkscape, and GIMP made me realize that what I initially assumed was a simple medallion design actually requires significant practice and iteration to execute properly. I also became aware that feeling stuck is part of the process, and that I need to engage more with the wider community, as there is support and guidance available beyond working in isolation.