3D Designing a Simple Screwdriver in SelfCAD 

3D designing is becoming popular in many fields. Before, it was only a skill being learned by professionals in civil engineering, mechanical engineering, and other professions. But with the advent of easy-to-use programs like SelfCAD, everyone, regardless of their background, can get started with the software with much ease. What makes SelfCAD unique is that in addition to being easy to use, it’s also powerful enough to be used to create complex designs. Its interface is exceptionally natural, and extraordinarily intended for self-students. It has a wide assortment of instruments, including explicit apparatuses needed to deal with the model for real 3D printing.

In this article, we are going to design a 3D screwdriver in SelfCAD. We will thoroughly go through the processes and explanation of each and every step.

Let's get going!

1. Import 2D image

First of all, we will insert a reference image of the screwdriver into the working interface of SelfCAD. Go to view and then select the reference image, then we can choose the image we need.

 Now,  reduce its opacity to 50. Reducing the opacity means reducing the quality, which improves transparency. We can easily access the image and make a 3D version by lowering the opacity.

2. Trace the Reference Image

After that, change the position to the top view so that the image can be clearly seen in 2D. Then go to drawing and click on a 3D sketch. Next, change the plane setting to bottom/top. Then we will select the line in line sketch option. After that, change the plane setting to precise settings. We can also use a minimum angle.

 Now let us click on a point at the bottom of the image and move to the top. After that, trace the object along its edges. Continuously move the line and follow that path as the edges of the object are flowing.

 We can select arcs for curved lines, and we can even uncheck the minimum angle in the cases where it is needed. We can follow the arc's midpoint and match it with the edges of the object.

 After tracing half of the object, we can hide the reference image by going to the views tool and clicking on the eye button.

3. Revolve around the edges of the major axis

We can change the plane to a perspective view to get comfortable while designing the 3D image.  Now we will revolve the 2D around the major axis. For doing this, click on tools and click on revolve. Then revolve the object around the edge. Select the major axis as the edge and revolve around that.

 Now, select the 2D profile and delete that.

4. Shape the 3D object in a Sharper Manner

After that, change the plane into the right view to correct some 3D sketches. Now, change the plane setting into left/right and uncheck the top/bottom. After that, we can select a line sketch and correct the lines and make it more clear and sharper. We have to click on the edge we require to be corrected, then click points on the outside of the surface and join it to the initial point.

 Then select the profile to top view. We can move the line to the point a bit farther than the original.

5. Copy the lines on the Opposite Side

Next,  we can use the copy command and move the copied line to the exact opposite of the original one.

Let us use a loop command to construct these lines into a 3D model. For doing so, go to tools and select the loop option.

 Then we can delete the 2D profiles.

6. Mirror the 3D Object and Place it Accordingly

Next, we will again change the profile to the right view. We can use the mirror command to mirror the object recently created. For doing so, click on utilities and then click on the mirror and use the bottom option.

 Now we will use the subtract command to subtract the unwanted object. We can click stitch and scoop, select the difference option and subtract with mesh. Now it symbolizes something like a screwdriver.

7. Repeat step 6

We will go to 3D shapes again and select line sketch. After that, change the plane setting to the bottom/top. Then draw a line along with the right edge of the object and travel, making points outside the object in the interface. Repeat the process that we did in point 6.

So, we’ve created a 3D screwdriver! You can follow these processes and make a 3D screwdriver without hassle.

 Conclusion

The steps are smooth and can be easily executed. As we know, SelfCAD makes the process simpler, so it will be interesting to design more 3D designs like this. Furthermore, it's a truly reasonable online arrangement with a considerable number of clients. SelfCAD is now being utilized in schools, homes, and organizations around the world.

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