How to create 3D Models | Poal: Say what you want.

[–] • 0 pt

I would at least draw the shape of what you want on paper before you draw it on the computer. Also list any contraints the part needs. Your ultimate constaint is from your tooling!

CAD work is all about parametric modeling where you define features. A feature is anything that adds or removes material. Your feature will almost always be defined by a sketch for two deminsions. The third demision is defined by a feature tool.

The order of how features are defined is important, because elements of previous features can be built on top of it. This can be a blessing or a curse if a parameter needs to be changed. If you mess up, you "roll up" the feature "timeline" and rebuild from the first feature to your last. Its not uncommon to start from scratch again when feature relationships become more clear on which feature should parent another.

Always save filleting for last. They are used for strength for convex features and are critical for tool paths in concave features.

FreeCAD is a difficult package, but if you master it, SOLIDWORKS and Autodesk will be a joke because of how easy they are.

Eventually, you will be able to define parameters for features in a spreadsheet. This will allow to create "procedural" parts quickly. For example, I used this for someone who needed custom gem indexing gears. Generally, you can assign variable names to feature parameters.

Also get yourself a decent pair of calipers and maybe the Machinery's Handbook.

The first thing to consider is the construction techniques avaliable to you and their limitations. For example, a sheet bending product workflow will be different from a lathe product workflow. Subtractive methods such as milling or latheing have the least manifold space freedom. If you are using a 3d printer without multimaterial capabilities, keep in mind the supports and the bridging. Injection molding must have venting and spures. If the 3d printer has multimaterial capabilities, you have the most manifold space freedom if one of the materials is PVA filament. I would at least draw the shape of what you want on paper before you draw it on the computer. Also list any contraints the part needs. Your ultimate constaint is from your tooling! CAD work is all about parametric modeling where you define features. A feature is anything that adds or removes material. Your feature will almost always be defined by a sketch for two deminsions. The third demision is defined by a feature tool. The order of how features are defined is important, because elements of previous features can be built on top of it. This can be a blessing or a curse if a parameter needs to be changed. If you mess up, you "roll up" the feature "timeline" and rebuild from the first feature to your last. Its not uncommon to start from scratch again when feature relationships become more clear on which feature should parent another. Always save filleting for last. They are used for strength for convex features and are critical for tool paths in concave features. FreeCAD is a difficult package, but if you master it, SOLIDWORKS and Autodesk will be a joke because of how easy they are. Eventually, you will be able to define parameters for features in a spreadsheet. This will allow to create "procedural" parts quickly. For example, I used this for someone who needed custom gem indexing gears. Generally, you can assign variable names to feature parameters. Also get yourself a decent pair of calipers and maybe the Machinery's Handbook.

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