How to Design a Nutcracker Using 3D CAD Software
Designing your own pencil stand is a great way to combine creativity with practical design skills. In this project, I’ll be using SelfCAD, an easy-to-use online 3D modeling program, to create a creative pencil stand from scratch. SelfCAD makes it simple to experiment with different shapes, patterns, and designs, all within your web browser. This article will walk through the steps of planning, modeling, and finishing the pencil stand, showing how digital tools can turn a simple idea into a unique 3D creation. By the end, you’ll see how fun and rewarding it can be to design something both useful and artistic using SelfCAD.
Follow up with the interactive tutorial at; https://www.selfcad.com/tutorials/2o3o5vh1552735602y3a3g53m351453z2a3q
Once you’ve launched the editor;
From the generators category on the toolbar choose screw & nut generator; Set radius to 15, pitch to 5, segments to 50, rotations to 15, tip scale to 3, tip segments to 3, position y to 50
Tick the checkmark to finalize it
From the 3D Shapes category on the toolbar choose cube; Set width to 50, height to 80, depth to 50.
Tick the checkmark finalize cube
Click to activate edge selection; Click on highlighted region to select it
From the modify category on the toolbar choose chamfer; Set intensity to 5
Tick the checkmark to finalize chamfer
Click on highlighted region to select it
From the modify category on the toolbar choose fillet; Set intensity to 4, level to 10.
Tick the checkmark to finalize fillet
From the 3D Shapes category on the toolbar choose cylinder; Set top radius to 15, Bottom radius to 15, vertical segments to 50, position y to 10, rotation x to 90.
Tick the checkmark to finalize cylinder
Click highlighted part on selection cube to turn off region selection
Click on mesh 4 to select it
Click Boolean on the toolbar; from the tool panel choose difference, Choose mesh 8 to subtract.
Tick the checkmark to finalize difference
Click on screw 1 to select it. Click on difference 1 to deselect
Click move on the toolbar; Set y to 30.
Click ‘x’ to close transformation panel
Click on difference 1 to select it
Click Boolean on the toolbar; from the tool panel choose difference, Choose screw 1 to subtract, and set keep subtractedobject to true
Tick the checkmark to finalize difference
From the 3D Shapes category on the toolbar choose cylinder; Set top radius to 25, Bottom radius to 25, height to 20, position y to 100.
Tick the checkmark to finalize cylinder
Click to activate edge selection; Click on the gear icon to open the advanced selection tools, Set ring selection to true
Click on highlighted edge to select ring from the object
Set custom pattern to true
Click ‘x’ to close selection settings panel
Click scale on the toolbar; Set x to 40, z to 40
Click ‘x’ to close transformation panel
Click on the gear icon to open the advanced selection tools; Click on highlighted region to deselect it, Set ring selection to true
Click on highlighted edge to select ring from the object
Click ‘x’ to close selection settings panel
From the modify category on the toolbar choose fillet; Set intensity to 3, level to 5.
Tick the checkmark to finalize fillet
From the 3D Shapes category on the toolbar choose cylinder; Set top radius to 15, Bottom radius to 20, height to 5, horizontal segments to 128, position y to 120
Tick the checkmark to finalize cylinder
Click highlighted part on selection cube to turn off region selection
Click on mesh 12, screw 1 to select it
Click Boolean on the toolbar; From the tool panel choose union.
Tick the checkmark to finalize union
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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