3D Modeling a Circle Chain in SelfCAD

To 3D model a circle chain, we will start by 3D designing a single ring shape and then copy that shape. The Chain is made of interlinks of several rings. We are going to use the rotate tool to make them interlinked. You will also know how to use the manual origin position to set the origin of rings. With very few tools, we can 3D model the chain shape. 

The other tools like copy and copy offset are essential when you repeatedly make similar objects. The copy offset enables us to select the number of copies we need to create. Also, check the Interactive tutorial of Chain. This tutorial on 3D Designing of Simple Circular Chain is excellent for beginners to understand the tools like Copy, Rotate, Copy Offset, and many others. 

So, let’s get going!

Step 1: 3D Design the Single Ring Shape.

We will start by 3D designing the ring shape using the Torus tool: Select the Torus from the 3D shape category (P+T). Torus tool lets us make the ring shape easily. Add the parameters according to requirement. Set Ring Radius to 15, Tube Radius to 3, Position X to 50, Rotation Z to 60. Finalize the Torus. 

Step 2: Copy the Created Ring Shape.

This tutorial is straightforward and simple. A structure like a chain is easy to make with tools like copy and rotate. Click on the Copy button to copy the selected object (Ctrl+C). Set the X to -30. 

We have 3D designed the two rings perfectly. 

Step 3: Position the rings.

Click on Rotate from the Toolbar ®. Set Z to -60. Close the Transformation Panel.

We have changed the position of the other ring and interlinked it with the ring.  

Step 4: 3D Designing the Chain Shape.

Next, click on the Manual Origin position to set the origin position. Click on the Point to set the Origin Position. 

Now Rotate the mesh_4(1) object. Set Y to 22.5. Close the Transformation Panel. 

So, we got the following interlinked rings that will give us the chain shape. 

Click on mesh_4 to select it. 

Step 5: Copy Created Rings and Convert them into chains. 

Just like the Copy tool, here we are using the copy offset tool. It will be easy to make copies of interlinked rings. Select Copy Offset from the Tool Category from Toolbar (T+O). In the tool, the panel chooses the operation to Pivot. Set Amount of Copies to 7. Click on the copy button to create the copies. Here you can add the amount as you want. But here, we are just making 7 copies to form the chain shape.

Close the Transformation Panel. 

Step 6: Final Step.

Now, Activate Stitch and Scoop (B). Select Union (B+U). 

Finalize the Union. Next, select the Round Object Tool from the Modify Category (M+R). In the parameter Panel, set Smoothness to 2. Finalize the Round Object. With this, we can apply sufficient smoothness to the chain object. We would have to use the fillet tool also, but we used the Round Object Tool as all are Circular Objects. 

This is the final result that we get. We can add color to the created object.

Conclusion:

We have designed the Simple Circular Chain Shape with very few tools. The design of shapes like rings is made with tools like Torus. Also, there are other tools too to make a simple circular shape. Every shape has its own importance and use. In the end, we also added smoothness to the object to make it look good. In addition, we have used the Stitch and Scoop tool to make the object union. So the separate objects are now one. You can try such shapes and learn how to use the essential tools to create more complex objects. 

We hope you find the tutorial informative and handy. Reach out to us if you have any doubts or concerns. We’ll get back to you in no time.

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