How to Create a Spiral Lampshade in SelfCAD
A lampshade is a fixture that covers the light bulb on a lamp to diffuse the light it emits. It serves both a functional and decorative purpose. The primary function of a lampshade is to soften and direct the light, preventing glare and providing a more ambient and pleasant illumination in a room. Lampshades come in various shapes, sizes, and materials, allowing for a wide range of design possibilities to complement different styles of lamps and interior decor.
Common materials for lampshades include fabric, paper, glass, metal, and plastic. The design of a lampshade can significantly impact the aesthetic appeal of a lamp, and designers often create intricate patterns, textures, and shapes to enhance the overall look.
There are different types of lampshades, such as drum shades, empire shades, bell shades, and more, each with its distinct shape and characteristics. The choice of a lampshade depends on the style of the lamp, the intended purpose of the lighting, and the overall design scheme of the room.
3D Modeling a Spiral Lampshade in SelfCAD
We are using SelfCAD to create the spiral lampshade as it is easy to use 3D design software and it comes with all the necessary tools to bring your ideas to life. To create the spiral lampshade, you can check out the interactive tutorial and follow the instructions given until you achieve the intended design. You can also follow the summary of the steps below.
Begin by launching SelfCAD and open the workspace:
On the toolbar, click on the Generators category and select the Spiral:
Set the Top Radius to 10, Bottom Radius to 50, Height to 70, Top Thickness to 1, Bottom Thickness to 1, Edges to 11.
Click on the check mark to finalize the generator:
Then on the 3D Shapes, select the Torus:
Set the Ring Radius to 10, Tube Radius to 2, Tubular Segments to 14:
On the Object Displaying set the position Y to 67:
On the 3D Shapes select the Torus again:
Set the Ring Radius to 42, Tube Radius to 2, Tubular Segments to 14:
Select the Spiral 1. Click on the Tools category on the toolbar and select Copy Offset tool:
Set the Operation to Pivot:
Set the Number of Copies to 11 and click on the Copy:
Click on the ‘X’ to close the Copy Offset panel:
On the top panel of the Edit menu, select the Group option:
On the Edit category click on the Select All option:
On the toolbar, activate the Stitch and Scoop and select the Union operation.
Click on the check mark to finalize the union:
On the right panel, click on the Color Picker and select the Blue color:
Click on the check mark to finalize the color:
There you go, the spiral lampshade is ready:
This step-by-step guide not only demystified the process of 3D modeling but also helps you get to know how SelfCAD works. After creating your design, you can also use the in-built online slicer of SelfCAD to slice it and generate the G-code to send to your 3D printer. The video below shows how to use the slicer of SelfCAD.
Enjoy powerful modeling, rendering, and 3D printing tools without the steep learning curve.
Need to learn 3D modeling? Get started with interactive tutorials.