SelfCAD Pine Tree Tutorial: 3D Designing a Realistic Pine Tree
Pine trees have a strong association with Christmas, and they are often used as Christmas trees for decorative purposes. This tradition has deep historical roots and has evolved over time. We are going to use SelfCAD to 3D design the model of a pine tree. SelfCAD is an easy to use 3D design that you can use to create both simple and complex 3D models. You can check out the interactive tutorial to learn how to 3D model a pine tree. In summary, begin by registering and login to SelfCAD then launch the workspace.
Create the Trunk
We are using the cylinder tool to create the trunk of the pine tree. The Cylinder is found in the 3D Shapes category:
The next step is to adjust the size and proportions to your preference. In our design, set the parameters as shown below:
Click on the check mark to finalize the cylinder. On the right panel, click on the Color Picker and select the Brown Color and click ok:
The next step, on the 3D Shapes select the Cone:
Set the parameters as shown below and set the Y axis to 50. Then click the check mark to finalize the cone:
Go to the Color Picker and select the Green color. Clikc ok:
On the right panel, activate the Vertex Selection. Use the marquee selection to select the vertices:
On the toolbar, select the Move tool and use it to move the selected vertices of the cone by setting the Y axis to 50.
Then click on the grid to deselect the regions.
Select the Vertex above and use the Move tool to move the Y axis by 55:
Deselect the regions again by clicking the grid. Seelct the cone and then on the Tools category select the Copy Offset tool:
On the Copy Offset settings, click add option and form a panel of the Position, Scale and Rotate and set the parameters as shown below. Set the Number of Copies to 4:
There you go, you have the copies of the cone:
The next step is to combine the objects. On the Utilities category, click on the Combine tool:
On the Combine tool, select Union:
Then click on the check mark to finalize:
Then on the Modify category, select the Resolution tool:
On the Resolution tool, set the Detail Level to 0:
Click finalize to complete the resolution. On the Modify category, select the Simplify Object:
Set the Intensity to 1 and click finalize:
Select all the objects. On the Utilities category, select the Combine tool:
Select the Union option and click finalize:
There you go, the simple Christmas Pine Tree model is ready:
You can design yours today with selfCAD. After 3D modeling, you can use the in-built online slicer of the software to slice your file and generate the G-code to send to your 3D printer. The video below shows how to slice STL files in SelfCAD.
Enjoy powerful modeling, rendering, and 3D printing tools without the steep learning curve.
Need to learn 3D modeling? Get started with interactive tutorials.