How to Design a Bottle with Cork Using 3D CAD Software
Creating a 3D model of a bottle with a cork may appear to be a simple exercise, but the process reveals how digital design tools can turn an everyday object into an opportunity for technical exploration and creative decision-making. In SelfCAD, even a basic project encourages the designer to think carefully about proportions, contours, and surface accuracy. Working from a reference image enhances this process by providing a visual anchor that guides each modeling choice, from the curvature of the bottle’s neck to the subtle taper of its body and the snug fit of the cork. By comparing the evolving digital model with the reference, it becomes easier to capture realistic shapes, maintain symmetry, and achieve a convincing overall form. This article explains how to approach this task in SelfCAD, demonstrating how reference-guided 3D modeling supports precision while also giving room for stylistic adjustments, enabling users to create a bottle and cork that feel both functional and visually refined.
Access this interactive tutorial at; https://www.selfcad.com/tutorials/r1o81g2e1pm32446h3x2z385s216v52322y4
Once you launch the editor;
From the view menu on the top toolbar click reference image to add reference image, Click add image button to load new image
Click load image from tutorial button to add image
Drag highlighted gizmo to highlighted point to scale image
Click ‘x’ to close reference image panel
From the drawing category on the toolbar click 3D Sketch; From the tool panel choose arc 2, Click on highlighted point to draw arc
Click on highlighted point to draw arc
Click on highlighted point to draw arc
Click on highlighted point to draw arc
Click on highlighted point to draw arc
From the tool panel choose line; Click on highlighted point to draw edge
Click on highlighted point to draw edge
From the tool panel choose arc 2; Click on highlighted point to draw arc
Click ‘x’ to close 3D Sketch panel
From the drawing category on the toolbar click 3D Sketch; Click on profile 1 to deselect, Click on highlighted point to draw edge
Click on highlighted point to draw edge
Click ‘x’ to close 3D Sketch panel
Click on profile 1 to select it. Click on profile 2 to deselect
From the tools category on the toolbar choose revolve; Click revolve around edge button to choose the edge you want to revolve around
Click on edge to choose it, Set segments to 64
Click to finalize revolve
Click to activate edge selection; Click on highlighted region to select it
From the tools category on the toolbar choose fill polygons
Click to finalize fill polygons
From the modify category on the toolbar choose fillet; Set intensity to 2, level to 3.
Tick the checkmark to finalize fillet
Click smooth button to enable smooth rendering
From the 3D Shapes category on the toolbar choose cylinder; Set top radius to 20, Bottom radius to 40, rotation x to 90.
Tick the checkmark to finalize cylinder
Click isolate button to isolate selected object
Click on highlighted region to select it
From the modify category on the toolbar choose fillet; Set level to 5.
Tick the checkmark to finalize fillet
Click show button to show revolvedMesh 1
From the utilities category on the toolbar choose align; Set reference to revolvedMesh 1, layer to middle
Click the checkmark to finalize align
As you continue honing your design skills, remember that SelfCAD offers a wealth of resources to support your learning journey. To deepen your understanding and explore more advanced features, consider checking out the interactive tutorials (https://www.selfcad.com/tutorials) available on the SelfCAD website. The tutorials page provides a treasure trove of guides, tips, and tricks that cater to designers of all levels.
More structured learning experience can also be accessed at the SelfCAD Academy (https://www.selfcad.com/academy/curriculum/), https://www.youtube.com/@3dmodeling101, and 3D Modeling 101 series (https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL74nFNT8yS9DcE1UlUUdiR1wFGv9DDfTB). This comprehensive resource offers in-depth courses taught by industry experts, allowing you to master the intricacies of SelfCAD at your own pace
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