How to Use SelfCAD to Create a Laptop Stand
You don't need to be an engineer or a master of complex 3D modeling software to create functional gear for your studio. SelfCAD is the perfect middle ground. It gives you the professional tools you need, but it’s easy enough to use right in your web browser. It’s about getting from an idea to a finished model without the technical "headache."
In this article, we are going to design a minimalist laptop stand. We’ll focus on finding the right height and angle for your posture, then walk through how to build the 3D structure from scratch. Whether you want to 3D print it or just practice your CAD skills, this project is a great way to make something truly useful for your creative process.
Steps of Creating a Laptop Stand
Check out the interactive tutorial to learn the design process. In summary, start by launching SelfCAD and opening the workspace:
On the toolbar on Drawing category, select the Freehand tool:
Select the Spline tool and click on the dots to do the drawing:
Set the mode to Erase and click on the points to draw:
Tick the check mark to finalize the spline:
Activate Polygon Selection and use it to select the highlighted polygons. Select the Extrusion tool from the Modify category:
Rotate and Move the object to position them as follows:
On the Utilities select the Mirror object and set the offset to 172 as shown then tick the check mark to finalize the object:
The laptop stand is now ready:
Then you can give the object the color you prefer from the Color Picker:
As a 3D artist, adding these CAD-based skills to your workflow allows you to bridge the gap between digital art and physical engineering. SelfCAD simplifies this transition by offering a streamlined environment where you can focus on the "how" and "why" of a design without getting bogged down by a steep learning curve.
Enjoy powerful modeling, rendering, and 3D printing tools without the steep learning curve.
Need to learn 3D modeling? Get started with interactive tutorials.