How to 3D Model a Sliding Dovetail Lid in SelfCAD
In this article, you’ll learn how to create a box using the cuboid tool and design a sliding lid with the freehand drawing tool in SelfCAD, ready for 3D printing and practical use. SelfCAD has an easy-to-use interface that helps beginners get started quickly while still providing advanced features for experienced users. Unlike most 3D modeling software, which is hard to learn, SelfCAD makes complex tools simple and accessible.
Steps to Designing a Sliding Dovetail Lid
You can check out the interactive tutorial to learn how to design it. In summary, start by launching SelfCAD and open the workspace:
Select the Cube from the 3D Shapes and set the parameters as follows:
Activate the Polygon Selection and select the top face. Click delete to do away with the face:
Select Add Thickness and set the Thickness to -5 and tick the check mark to finalize the thickness:
From the Drawing category, select 3D Sketch. Select the Line tool and set the Symmetry to true. Select the Z symmetry axis and select the Left/Right plane and set the height to 200:
From the Precision settings, select snap to Grid Vertices and click on the highlighted point to snap it:
After drawing tick the check mark to finalize the drawing:
Select the drawing_1 and use the Move tool to position it as follows:
Click “X” to close the transformation panel. Select the Copy Offset tool from the Tools category and set the operation to Scale. Set the axis as follows and click Copy:
Close the copy offset panel. Select the mesh and the drawing. On the toolbar, click on the Stitch and Scoop and choose Difference. Select the drawing to remove it and click finalize:
Select a Cube from the 3D Shapes and set the parameters and position as follows:
Select the cube created and the copy that was made. Click Stitch and Scoop and select Difference. Select the cube to remove it the finalize the difference:
Select the difference_2 and give it an orange color. Then use the Move tool to move X by 50:
Change the color of the difference_1 main object and set it to maroon:
The sliding dovetail lid is ready:
SelfCAD offers modeling, sculpting, and slicing tools all in one platform, eliminating the need to use multiple applications. This all-in-one design simplifies the workflow, making it easier for modelers to transition smoothly from modeling the objects to 3D printing them.
Enjoy powerful modeling, rendering, and 3D printing tools without the steep learning curve.
Need to learn 3D modeling? Get started with interactive tutorials.