How to Use CAD as a Design Tool
Activity 5.5a CAD Model Features Part 1
Introduction
In order to use CAD effectively as a design tool, the designer must have the skills necessary to create, edit, and manipulate a 3D model of a part in order to create a realistic representation of an imagined object. In this activity you will build on the CAD skills that you learned in Activity 5.2b Introduction to CAD Skills. You will learn about and use additional tools and features available in most CAD programs and apply your new CAD skills to the creation of more complex parts that will be used in later activities (as components in the assembly of parts) to create complete products (including a complete Automoblox vehicle and a Button Maker machine).
As you work through the exercises in this activity, pay particular attention to the environment in which you are working. Several CAD tools can be used as sketch tools or features tools, and it is important to understand the difference. For instance, sketch components (such as points or shapes) can be patterned within a sketch. But pattern tools are also available outside of the sketch environment to create patterns of features (such as holes or protrusions).
Equipment
Computer with 3D CAD modeling software
Procedure
The exercises contained in this activity require the creation of new CAD files in which you will reproduce sketches and forms represented in the displayed images. You have already created an Automoblox project folder and a Practice project folder (per Activity 5.2b).
If you have not already done so, create a Button Maker project folder in which to store the Button parts that you will create in this activity.
As you complete each exercise in this activity, save the associated CAD file in the appropriate folder. It is important that all Automoblox parts be saved to a single project folder and that Button Maker parts be stored in a separate project folder for later use.
Revolve
Sketch Tools – These are suggested tools for this activity
Introduction
In order to use CAD effectively as a design tool, the designer must have the skills necessary to create, edit, and manipulate a 3D model of a part in order to create a realistic representation of an imagined object. In this activity you will build on the CAD skills that you learned in Activity 5.2b Introduction to CAD Skills. You will learn about and use additional tools and features available in most CAD programs and apply your new CAD skills to the creation of more complex parts that will be used in later activities (as components in the assembly of parts) to create complete products (including a complete Automoblox vehicle and a Button Maker machine).
As you work through the exercises in this activity, pay particular attention to the environment in which you are working. Several CAD tools can be used as sketch tools or features tools, and it is important to understand the difference. For instance, sketch components (such as points or shapes) can be patterned within a sketch. But pattern tools are also available outside of the sketch environment to create patterns of features (such as holes or protrusions).
Equipment
Computer with 3D CAD modeling software
Procedure
The exercises contained in this activity require the creation of new CAD files in which you will reproduce sketches and forms represented in the displayed images. You have already created an Automoblox project folder and a Practice project folder (per Activity 5.2b).
If you have not already done so, create a Button Maker project folder in which to store the Button parts that you will create in this activity.
As you complete each exercise in this activity, save the associated CAD file in the appropriate folder. It is important that all Automoblox parts be saved to a single project folder and that Button Maker parts be stored in a separate project folder for later use.
Revolve
Sketch Tools – These are suggested tools for this activity