How to Design News Paper Stand using 3D CAD Software
Designing a newspaper stand in SelfCAD provides an engaging opportunity to combine creativity with practical 3D modeling skills. A newspaper stand is more than a simple structure, it balances stability, accessibility, and visual appeal, making it an ideal project for practicing how multiple components come together to form a functional design. In SelfCAD, users can construct the frame, shelves, and support elements using an array of intuitive tools that simplify tasks such as shaping primitives, aligning parts, and refining proportions. This project highlights how digital modeling mirrors real-world craftsmanship: each panel, joint, and angle must be carefully planned to ensure the stand can effectively hold and display newspapers. Throughout the process, learners become familiar with essential techniques like extrusion, precision scaling, and component organization, gaining confidence in building more complex, multi-layered structures. By exploring these methods, the article demonstrates how SelfCAD enables users to turn a practical concept into a polished and structurally coherent 3D model.
Access the interactive tutorial at; https://www.selfcad.com/tutorials/3t1d513u6y576n3m6a1f6h361l5j5r5z1o6v
Once you launch the editor;
From the 3D Shapes category on the toolbar choose cube; Set width to 5, height to 150, depth to 40, height segment to 2
Tick the checkmark finalize cube
From the modify category on the toolbar choose edit details; Set loop finding to true, mirror to true, Drag green highlighted edge to yellow highlighted line to add edge loop
Drag green highlighted edge to yellow highlighted line to add edge loop
Tick the checkmark to finalize edit details
Click on the gear icon to open the advanced selection tools; Set loop selection to true, Click on highlighted face to select loop from the object
Click on highlighted face to select loop from the object
From the modify category on the toolbar choose extrusion; Set extrusion amount to 1.
Tick the checkmark to finalize extrusion
Click on highlighted region to deselect it
Click move on the toolbar; Set x to 12
Click on highlighted region to deselect it; Set x to 18
Click on highlighted region to deselect it; Set x to 24
Click on highlighted region to deselect it; Set x to 30
Click ‘x’ to close transformation panel
Click on highlighted region to deselect it
Click on highlighted region to select it
From the modify category on the toolbar choose inset; Set is individual to true, inset amount to 0.5.
Tick the checkmark to finalize inset
Click on highlighted region to deselect it
Click scale on the toolbar; Set x to 0.22 using highlighted gizmo
Click repeat the last action button to repeat last transformation for the rest of the three faces
Click ‘x’ to close transformation panel
Click on highlighted region to select it
From the modify category on the toolbar choose extrusion; Set extrusion amount to 2.
Tick the checkmark to finalize extrusion
Click on highlighted region to deselect it
Click color picker button to change color of object; Click silver
Click ok
Click solid button to set rendering mode
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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