Week 2: Computer Aided Design

This page presents a review of several CAD tools, their strengths, limitations, and workflow alternatives within digital design and fabrication processes.

Before starting

Computer-Aided Design (CAD) is a fundamental technology in modern engineering that enables the creation, modification, and validation of geometric models in 2D and 3D digital environments. It optimizes design and manufacturing workflows by reducing development time, minimizing production errors, and allowing for virtual validation before physical manufacturing. It integrates parametric modeling, technical documentation, and analysis into digital workflows. Today, multiple modeling platforms are widely used in both academic and industrial settings. These tools are primarily divided into 2D and 3D modeling systems, each optimized for different workflow needs.

SOFTWARE 3D	SOFTWARE 2D
SolidWorks	Inkscape
Fusion 360	Adobe Illustrator
CATIA	CorelDRAW
Siemens NX	Affinity Designer
Onshape	Boxy SVG

Inkscape

Inkscape is widely used in digital manufacturing workflows, such as laser cutting, vinyl cutting, and light CNC machining. It offers precise toolpath control and built-in automatic bitmap-to-vector tracing, allowing for the direct generation of manufacturing-ready files. It is free and suitable for academic and laboratory environments, although its performance and interface are considered moderately complex.

Context and process

I want to place a Top Gun sticker on one of ARIS’s wings, but the available source graphic is a raster image file (.PNG), not a vector file. Since raster images are pixel-based, they are not directly suitable for vinyl cutting workflows or precision scaling without quality degradation.

This is where the bitmap tracing (vectorization) tool becomes essential. This function analyzes the pixel-based image and automatically converts its visible contours and color regions into mathematical vector paths and curves. The result is clean, editable geometry instead of fixed pixels.
The generated output can then be exported as an SVG file, which is fully compatible with vinyl cutters and other digital fabrication equipment, making it possible to manufacture the sticker accurately. The entire conversion process can be completed with only a few operations inside the software, making it both efficient and practical for rapid fabrication workflows.

Workspace

When Inkscape starts, a welcome screen appears where you can either create a new document or open an existing one.

Sticker

While in the workspace, the first step is to import the required image file. This can be done from the File → Import menu or by using the shortcut Ctrl + I. Once the image is placed on the canvas, right-click on it and select the Trace Bitmap option to begin the vectorization process.

For vinyl cutting applications, it is recommended to use edge detection tracing, since the goal is to obtain clean, closed contour paths that represent each decal as an independent cut shape. This method prioritizes boundary outlines over color fills, which produces toolpaths better suited for sticker and vinyl cutter workflows.

Finally, once the vector paths is generated, the design should be exported using the Export/Save As option from the file menu. Assign a filename and select the appropriate output format SVG

SolidWorks VS Onshape

SolidWorks is a widely adopted, industry-grade desktop CAD system in engineering. It offers advanced solid modeling, complex assemblies, simulation modules, rendering, and standards-compliant technical drawings. Its local architecture enables high computational performance and comprehensive configuration control, but it requires licenses and compatible hardware. Onshape, on the other hand, is a fully cloud-based parametric CAD platform. Its main advantages are real-time collaboration, integrated version control, and cross-platform access without local installation. While it offers robust modeling capabilities for most mechanical applications, it has limitations in advanced simulation, rendering, and advanced customization compared to full-fledged desktop industrial CAD suites.

Workspace

When SOLIDWORKS starts, an initial panel opens where you can choose what type of document to create. The main options include:

Part

For designing individual components

Assembly

For combining multiple parts into a functional model

Drawing

For generating technical drawings from existing models

Part

When you enter the Part section, you will see a workspace with multiple tools. On the left side is the feature list , where you will find your part and the history of changes you have made to it, as well as the metadata, default visual plans, and axis.

CommandManager

Features

Contains the core 3D solid modeling tools: extrusions, cuts, revolves, sweeps, fillets, and geometry modification operations.

Sketch

Includes tools for creating and constraining 2D base geometry (lines, arcs, dimensions, and relations) used to generate 3D features.

SOLIDWORKS Add-Ins

Access and activation area for installed plugins and additional modules.

Simulation

Engineering simulation tools for structural analysis, stress, and deformation studies.

MBD

Dedicated environment for creating technical documentation directly in 3D without traditional 2D drawings.

SOLIDWORKS CAM

Computer-Aided Manufacturing tools to generate machining toolpaths.

SOLIDWORKS CAM TBM

Tolerance-Based Machining module that automates machining strategies based on model tolerances.

Analysis Preparation

Tools for defining materials, boundary conditions, and setup parameters before running simulations.

Flow Simulation

CFD module for fluid flow and heat transfer analysis.

Tools

Features:

Extruded Boss/Base

Creates a 3D solid by extruding a 2D sketch in one or two directions.

Extruded Cut

Removes material by extruding a sketch through the part.

Revolved Boss/Base

Creates a solid by rotating a sketch around an axis.

Revolved Cut

Removes material by revolving a sketch around an axis.

Sweep

Generates a solid by sweeping a profile along a defined path.

Loft

Creates a shape by blending multiple sketch profiles.

Boundary Boss/Base

Creates smooth transitions between profiles with better directional control than Loft.

Linear Pattern

Repeats features or bodies in a straight direction.

Circular Pattern

Repeats features around an axis.

Mirror

Creates a mirrored copy of features or bodies.

Sketch:

Sketch

Creates a new sketch or edit and existing sketch.

Line

Creates straight sketch segments between defined points.

Centerline

Creates reference construction lines used for symmetry and revolved features.

Rectangle

Draws rectangles using corner, center, or rotated definitions.

Circle

Creates circles defined by center and radius or diameter.

Arc

Draws curved segments defined by center, 3-point, or tangent methods.

Ellipse

Creates elliptical profiles using major and minor axes.

Polygon

Generates regular polygons with a defined number of sides.

Mirror Entities

Mirrors sketch elements across a centerline.

Scale Entities

Resizes sketch geometry proportionally.

Using the previously described tools, along with additional features learned through continued use of the software, it is possible to develop a model of this level of geometric and functional complexity.

Modeling

Simulationing

Rendering

With the model assembled and the materials configured, the next step is to follow the video procedure to generate the render.

Workspace

To work in Onshape, you first need to register and log into your account. After signing in, the main dashboard is displayed, where you can manage your projects and access existing files. From this interface you can create new designs, build assemblies, or open previously created and shared documents. In this case, to replicate the same model developed in SOLIDWORKS, the correct workflow is to select Create and then choose Document, which opens a new parametric design workspace.

Part

When a new part document is created, Onshape opens a dedicated modeling workspace in a new tab. By default, the three principal reference views like Top, Front, and Right are available, allowing immediate orientation and sketch plane selection.
The Features panel displays the base reference geometry (origin and default planes), the active part, and the complete parametric feature tree that records every modeling operation applied.

Adjacent to the Features panel is an auxiliary utility bar that provides access to tools such as Comments, Document Notes, Performance diagnostics, and the AI advisor. Among these, the most critical tool is Versions and History, which maintains a structured timeline of document revisions and enables rollback or branch creation. In the upper-left corner of the graphics area, the View Cube is available for interactive orientation control, enabling rapid switching between standard and custom viewpoints for more precise model inspection (It's like the CRTL + 8 in SolidWorks).

Tools

The feature toolbar contains the core parametric modeling operations used to generate and modify solid geometry from sketches and reference entities:

Sketch

Creates or edits a parametric sketch used as the base for most 3D features.

Extrude

Generates a solid by extending a sketch profile linearly in one or two directions.

Revolve

Creates a solid by rotating a sketch around a defined axis.

Sweep

Builds geometry by moving a profile along a defined path.

Loft

Creates a smooth solid transition between multiple cross-section profiles.

Thicken

Converts surface geometry into a solid by applying wall thickness.

Enclosure

Forms a solid volume by enclosing a region with selected faces or surfaces.

Fillet

Adds rounded transitions to edges to reduce sharp corners.

Chamfer

Creates an angled bevel on edges to replace sharp intersections.

Draft

Applies a taper angle to faces relative to a neutral reference plane.

Rib

Adds thin structural reinforcement between sketch contours and bodies.

Hole

Inserts configurable parametric holes of different standard types.

Shell

Hollows a solid by offsetting faces and removing selected ones.

External Thread

Creates parametric external threads on cylindrical geometry.

Pattern

Replicates features or bodies using linear, circular, or curve patterns.

Mirror

Creates symmetric copies of geometry across a reference plane.

Boolean

Combines or modifies bodies using union, subtract, or intersect operations.

Split

Divides parts or surfaces using selected reference entities.

Transform

Moves, rotates, scales, or wraps geometry and images onto faces.

Plane

Creates reference planes from existing geometry with advanced options.

Add Custom Features

Adds user-defined or extended parametric tools.

The Sketchbar contains the primary 2D parametric geometry and constraint tools used to define profiles that later generate solid features. It enables precise sketch creation through entities, dimensions, and geometric relations.

Sketchbar

Set of parametric 2D sketching tools used to generate base profiles for solid features.

Extrude

Creates a solid feature by linearly extending a closed sketch profile.

Revolve

Generates a solid by rotating a sketch profile around a defined axis.

Line

Creates standard, centerline, or midpoint line entities for structural sketch geometry.

Rectangle

Creates parametric rectangles (corner, center, or parallelogram types).

Circle

Creates circular sketch entities defined by center and radius/diameter.

Arc

Creates arc entities using multiple definition modes (3-point, tangent, centerpoint, elliptical, conic).

Polygon

Generates regular polygons with configurable number of sides.

Spline

Creates freeform parametric curves controlled by fit or control points.

Point

Inserts reference points used for constraints and construction geometry.

Text

Embeds parametric text profiles for engraving or embossing operations.

Sketch Fillet / Chamfer

Applies rounded or beveled corners between sketch entities.

Trim Entities

Removes or trims sketch segments to clean profile intersections.

Offset

Creates equidistant copies of sketch entities for wall thickness or parallel geometry.

Mirror Entities

Generates symmetric sketch geometry across a reference line.

Sketch Pattern

Replicates sketch entities in linear or circular arrangements.

Insert DXF / DWG

Imports external CAD sketch geometry into the active sketch.

Insert Image

Places reference raster images for tracing or scaling.

Dimension

Applies parametric dimensions to fully define sketch geometry.

Constraints

Applies geometric relations (coincident, parallel, tangent, equal, etc.) to control sketch behavior.

Modeling

Assemblies

Feature	SolidWorks	Onshape
Platform Type	Desktop Industrial CAD	Cloud-based Parametric CAD
Simulation	Advanced modules	Limited
Rendering	Integrated / Visualize	Basic
Version Control	Manual / PDM	Automatic
Hardware Requirements	High	Low
License	Commercial	Educational / Commercial

In my opinion

In general, both platforms present advantages and trade-offs. The primary difference lies in their licensing and system architecture: one is a fully licensed desktop CAD system, while the other operates under a cloud-based or limited-license model. This difference directly impacts advanced capabilities such as simulation and analysis engines. As a result, the simulation module in the lighter platform is more limited in accuracy, configuration depth, and solver robustness. For this reason, the validation test was executed in SolidWorks, which provides a more mature and reliable simulation environment suitable for engineering verification rather than only conceptual visualization.

Compress image

To compress images, Inkscape was used because the process is simple: just import the image into the workspace and, when exporting, use the custom export settings and reduce the DPI value to decrease the final resolution. Reducing the DPI reduces the pixel density, which directly reduces the size of the output file.

Compress video

An efficient way to reduce video file size is by using FFmpeg, an open-source command-line multimedia processing tool. FFmpeg allows precise control over resolution, codec, compression factor, audio removal, and encoding speed. This makes it especially useful for preparing videos for web deployment, documentation sites, or embedded media where file size must be minimized.

Install

Follow the steps shown in the following video to install the software.

Parameters and code

Parameter	What it controls	Common options / ranges
-i input.mp4	Input file	Any media file
-c:v libx264	Video codec (H.264)	libx264
-c:v libx265	Video codec (H.265/HEVC)	libx265
-c:a aac	Audio codec	aac
-preset X	Encoding speed vs compression	ultrafast → veryslow
-crf N	Constant-quality compression	H.264: 18–32 · H.265: 20–34
-b:v 800k	Target average video bitrate	300k–5000k
-maxrate 800k	Peak bitrate limit	≈ same as b:v or slightly higher
-bufsize 1600k	Rate control buffer	≈ 2× maxrate
-b:a 96k	Audio bitrate	64k–128k
-an	Remove audio stream	flag
-vf "scale=-2:720"	Video scaling filter	-2:1080 / 720 / 480
-r 30	Output framerate	60 / 30 / 24
-movflags +faststart	Web playback optimization	+faststart
-pix_fmt yuv420p	Pixel format compatibility	yuv420p
-map 0:v:0	Select video stream	0:v:0
-map 0:a:0?	Select audio stream (optional)	0:a:0?
-c:v copy	Copy video without re-encoding	copy
-c:a copy	Copy audio without re-encoding	copy
-t 10	Output duration limit	seconds
-ss 00:00:05	Start time (seek)	timestamp
-to 00:00:20	End time	timestamp
-pass 1 / -pass 2	Two-pass bitrate encoding	pass 1 → pass 2
-y	Overwrite output file	flag
-hide_banner	Cleaner console output	flag

Command

ffmpeg -i input.mp4 -vf "scale=-2:720" -c:v libx264 -preset slow -crf 30 -pix_fmt yuv420p -movflags +faststart -an output_new.mp4

Download files

For download 3D and others files, just click on the dancing shrimp.