How to 3D Model a Fidget Spinner Gyroscope in SelfCAD
In this guide, you'll learn how to create a 3D printable fidget spinner gyroscope in SelfCAD using only sphere and cylinder shapes. Along the way, you'll practice important modeling techniques such as scaling, positioning, and aligning objects with precision. You'll also see how a single Boolean Difference operation can transform simple forms into a smooth and visually appealing design.
By the end of the tutorial, you'll have a unique gyroscope model ready for 3D printing and a better understanding of how powerful simple design tools can be when used creatively.
Steps to Design a Fidget Spinner Gyroscope
Check out the interactive tutorial to learn how to design it. In summary, start by launching SelfCAD and open the workspace:
Select a Sphere from the 3D Shapes:
Set the parameters as follows:
Activate the Face Selection and open the advanced settings. Activate Loop Selection and use it to select the highlighted parts:
Select Inverse Selection to select the highlighted parts. Then click Delete:
Once deleted, it will look as follows:
Select Copy Offset tool, set the operation to Scale and set X and Z as follows. Set the Number of Copies to 5, then click Copy:
Click “X” to close the copy offset panel:
Group all copies of the objects. On the Modify category, select Add Thickness tool and activate Mirrored Thickness:
Tick the check mark to finalize the thickness. Select the Cylinder from the 3D Shapes and set the parameters as follows:
Make copies of the cylinder and use the move tool to position them:
On the Utilities, select the Mirror tool. Select make a copy, and set the plane to right, and set the offset to 13.5:
Copy the original cylinder again, make a copy, rotate and use move tool to position it as shown:
Select the Mirror tool from the Utilities category. Click Create a copy, and set the offset to 30.5:
Select all the cylinders, and use a group tool to group them. Select the group and the other object, and on the Boolean, select the Difference tool. Remove the cylinders group but turn on the Keep the Subtracted object:
Tick the check mark to finalize the difference. The fidget spinner gyroscope is now ready:
You can now give it a color of your choice:
Throughout the tutorial, you've practiced essential skills such as scaling, positioning, alignment, and using Boolean operations to refine your design. These techniques are valuable for many other 3D modeling projects and can help you build more complex creations with confidence.
Now that your gyroscope is complete, you can prepare it for 3D printing and see it in action. Feel free to experiment with different sizes, proportions, or design variations to make the model uniquely yours.
Enjoy powerful modeling, rendering, and 3D printing tools without the steep learning curve.
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