How to 3D Texture and Name Different Layers of the Earth in SelfCAD
3D models of Earth's layers are useful in many areas, including education, research, and visualization. In schools, these models make it easier for students to understand Earth's structure and how it changes, compared to flat 2D diagrams. For scientists and geologists, 3D models help in studying and simulating things like earthquakes, volcanoes, and how Earth's plates move.
In this guide, we are looking at how to create the layers of the earth from simple 3d shapes, texture them, and label using the text generators. You can check out the steps in the interactive tutorial to 3D texture and name the earth. To begin, start by launching SelfCAD and open the workspace:
The next step is to create the basic shape. Activate the cube from the 3D Shapes:
Set the Height of the cube to 110 then tick the check mark to finalize the cube:
On the right side label, activate the Polygon Selection and use it to select the top face of the cube. Click on the Materials button and set the settings to Textures. On the Textures category, set it to Custom:
Click the Add Image Button to add the image. Click the grass and then tick the check mark to finalize materials:
Select all the side-ways faces of the cube and click the Materials button on the right-side panel as shown below:
Set the material settings to Textures. On the Textures category, set it to Custom. Click the Add Image Button to add image. Click the texture and then tick the check mark to finalize materials:
Select the remaining bottom face:
From the right side, click on the Color picker. Click on the Grey button to select the grey color and click Ok to confirm the color:
The next step is to put vegetation on the surface of the earth. From the top toolbar, click Import to import the vegetation:
There you go, the vegetation is positioned well:
The next step is labeling the layers. From the Generators category, select the Text generator:
The first label is Humus Topsoil. Set the Height to 11 and set the Position Y to 93 and Z to 46:
Tick the check mark to finalize the text. The next label is the Subsoil. On the text box, type in subsoil, set the Height to 11, and set the Position Y to 69 and Z to 46:
Tick the check mark to finalize the text. On the text box, type in Weathered rock fragments as the next label, set the Height to 8, and set the Position Y to 38 and Z to 46:
Tick the check mark to finalize the text. On the text box again, type in Bedrock as the next label, set the Height to 11, and set the Position Y to 11 and Z to 46:
Tick the check mark to finalize the text. Select all the texts that you have made, and on the top toolbar, select Group on the Edit menu:
On the right side panel, click on the Color picker, and select the White button, and click ok to confirm the color:
Select all the objects on the workspace, and from the Edit menu on the top toolbar, select Union:
There you go, the layers of the earth is ready:
3D models of Earth's layers are really helpful. They make it easier for students to learn about Earth’s structure, help scientists study and predict geological events, and improve how we share information about our planet. These models make understanding and exploring Earth’s inner workings simpler and more engaging. With SelfCAD, you can always use it as an instructional material for any subject. After 3D modeling, you can use the in-built online slicer of SelfCAD to slice your files and generate the G-code to send to your 3D printer. The video below shows how SelfCAD slicer works.
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