Steps for 3D designing a Video Game Controller in a CAD software
Video Games are fun for most kids and young adults. The Video Game Controller has buttons, and each button has a piece of metal underneath. When we press any of the buttons, it meets the conductive strips on the circuit board. When this happens, the controller will trigger the connection that will send the essential data to the CPU of the device to which the controller is paired.
Here, we are going to 3D design a 3D Video Game Controller. We will make the base with the help of Cube and Cylinder, and then we will put buttons on it. The entire process is fun. You will learn to create this controller by combining different shapes.
Let's get started!
This article will cover basic 3D shapes like Cylinder and Cube. Also, we will be using Copy, Mirror, and Fillet Tools to make it look more real.
Step 1: Create Object
We will start with creating new objects. First, we will activate the Cube. Select the Cube from the 3D shape category or use a shortcut (P+C).
Set the parameters according to requirements. So set width to 300, the height of 45, and depth to 188.
Step 2: Create Object
Select the cylinder from the Basic 3D shape category or use a shortcut (P+Y).
Set the parameters according to requirements. So set Top Radius to 110, Bottom Radius to 110, Height to 45, Vertical Segment to 64, Position to x to -144, and Position Z to 15.
Finalize the Cylinder.
Step 3: Create Object
Now we will copy the object. Click on the Copy button to copy the selected objects or use a shortcut (Ctrl+C). Select the object that we have created and deselect the other one. Next, click on Move from the Toolbar or use a shortcut (M). Here, set X to 144 and close the Transformation Panel.
Step 4: Create Object
Click on mesh_8 to select it. Now we will copy this object by clicking on the Copy button or using a shortcut (Ctrl+C). Now click mesh_8(2) to deselect it.
Next, we will activate the Scale from the toolbar or use a shortcut (S). Set X to 180, and Z to 180. Next, click mesh_8(2) to select it, mesh_8(3) to deselect it. Set X to 115, Z to 115, and close the Transformation Panel.
Next, click mesh_8, mesh_8(1), mesh_4, to select it. Also click on mesh_8(2) to deselect it. Activate the Stitch & Scoop tool from the toolbar or use a shortcut (B). Choose union from the tool panel or use a shortcut (B+U).
Step 5: Create Object
Now, let's create the buttons to play with.
Activate the Cube. Select the Cube from the 3D shape category or use a shortcut (P+C).
Set the parameters according to requirements. So set width to 45, the height to 20, Depth to 90, Position X to -145, Position Y to 35, and Position Z to 15. Finalize the Cube.
Choose Fillet from the Modify Category of Toolbar, or use a shortcut (M+F). Here, Set the Intensity level to 5. Finalize the Fillet.
Step 6: Copy and Rotate
Click on Copy to copy the selected object or use a shortcut (Ctrl+C). Next, click on Rotate or use a shortcut (R). Set y to 90, and close the transformation panel.
Next, we will select the objects. Click on mesh_12 to select it, and mesh_12(1) is already selected. Activate the Stitch & Scoop from the toolbar or use a shortcut (B). Choose union from the tool panel or use a shortcut (B+U). Finalize the Union. So, we just combined the two buttons with the help of Union.
Step 7: Create Object
Select the Cylinder from the 3D shape category or use a shortcut (P+Y).
Set the parameters according to requirements. So set Top Radius to 20, Bottom Radius to 20, Height to 20, Position to X to 90, and Position Z to 35.
Finalize the Cylinder.
Activate the Edge Selection. Click to activate the Edge selection or use a shortcut (Ctrl+2).
Next, click on the selection setting button to change the setting. Set Loop Selection to True in the Parameters. Now select the edges from the Object.
Step 8: Activate Fillet, Copy and Move
From the Modify Category of Toolbar, choose Fillet or use a shortcut (M+F). Here, Set the Intensity level to 4.
Finalize the Fillet.
Next, we will copy the object. We will copy the previously made cylinder. Click on the Copy button or use a shortcut (Ctrl+C). Click on Move from the toolbar, or use a shortcut (M). Here, set X to 190.
Again, click on the Copy button or use a shortcut (Ctrl+C). Click on Move from the toolbar or use a shortcut (M). Here, set X to 144, and Z to -36.
Again, click on the Copy button or use a shortcut (Ctrl+C). Click on Move from the toolbar or use shortcut (M). Here, set Z to 40. Close the Transformation Panel.
Step 9: Activate Object Selection
Now activate the Object Selection. Click on the highlighted part of the selection cube, or use a shortcut (Ctrl+0) to turn off the region selection.
Now, select the objects: click on mesh_16(2), mesh(16), mesh_16(1) to select it. Next, from the Utilities Category of the Toolbar, select Merge Objects or use a shortcut (U+E).
In this way, we have merged all the four round buttons.
Next, we will select the Objects: click on mesh_8(3), mesh_8(2), to select it, and mesh_16 to deselect it.
Click on the Move toolbar or use a shortcut (M). Set y to 42, and close the Transformation Panel.
Step 10: Activate Union
Select Objects: click on union_1 to select it.
Here, activate the Stitch & Scoop from Toolbar or use a shortcut (B). Choose Difference from the tool panel or use a shortcut (B+D). Here, choose mesh_8(3), mesh_8(2) to subtract. Click to Finalize the Difference.
We just precisely edited the buttons.
Step 11: Create Object
Next, activate Capsule. Select Capsule from the 3D shape category or use a shortcut (P+E). Here, set the top radius to 5, bottom radius to 5, Height to 30, Position X to -15, Position Y to 40, Position Z to 40, Rotation X to 90, and Rotation Z to 30. Now, finalize the Capsules.
Now, click on Copy to copy the selected object or use a shortcut (Ctrl+C). Now, click on Move or use a shortcut (M). Set X to 15 and close the Transformation Panel. Next, click on mesh_20, mesh_16, difference_1, union_2 to select it. Activate the Stitch & Scoop from the toolbar or use a shortcut (B). Choose difference from the tool panel or use a shortcut (B+D).
Here, choose union_2, mesh_16, mesh_20, mesh_20(1) to subtract. Set Keep Subtracted object to true. Finalize the Difference.
Step 12: Create Object
Select the Cube from the 3D shape category or use a shortcut (P+C).
Set the parameters according to requirements. So set width to 120, the height to 30, Depth to 60, position Y to 7, and Position Z to -64. Finalize the Cube.
Step 13: Copy Object
Select the objects: Click on difference_2 to select it. Now click on Copy to copy the selected object or use a shortcut (Ctrl+C). Activate Stitch & Scoop from the toolbar or use a shortcut (B). Select Intersection from the tool panel or use shortcut (B+I). Finalize the Intersection.
Next, select Merge Objects from the Utilities Category of the Toolbar or use a shortcut (U+E).
Set copy to True.
Set Parameters as follows: Set Direction to Right offset to 60. Finalize the Mirror.
Step 14: Activate Intersection and Stitch and Scoop
Click on intersection_1(1) to select it. Click on Move from the toolbar or use a shortcut (M). Set z to -69 and close the transformation panel. Next, select Merge Objects from the Utilities Category of the Toolbar or use a shortcut (U+E). Click on difference_2 select it.
Activate the Stitch & Scoop from the toolbar or use shortcut (B). Choose difference from the tool panel or use a shortcut (B+D). Choose intersection_1 to subtract and set keepsubstracted object to true. Finalize the Difference.
Next, select the objects: Click on mesh_24 to select it. Click on intersection_1, difference_3 to deselect it. Click on the delete button to delete the selected object or use a shortcut (Del).
Here is the Final Result.
You can now easily Color the Video Game Controller.
Conclusion:
Making Video Game Controllers involved various basic shapes and also a variety of Tools. When you have finished with the design process, you can choose to print if you own a 3D printer, or you can outsource it. Your design is not printable as it is. You need to convert it to a format that can be understood by a 3D printer. To do this, you can select the 3D Print tool, which will direct you to the slicer, which you can use to generate the G-Code that contains the instructions on how the design will be printed.
Enjoy the powerful 3D modeling, rendering, and 3D printing features without the steep learning curve.
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