Simple CAD Skills for Students: Create a Parametric Bench With SelfCAD

CAD has become an important skill for students. It helps learners understand shapes, measurements, and the principles of design thinking. CAD is no longer just for engineers or architects. Now, students in middle school and high school can learn basic CAD skills that enhance creativity, math skills, and problem-solving abilities.

Why Use SelfCAD in the Classroom?

SelfCAD is an easy to use 3D design software for education that comes with all the necessary tools that one needs to create both simple and complex 3D models. The interface is simple, and tools are well arranged on the workspace making it easier for students to get started with ease. It comes 3D modeling, rendering, sculpting, and even 3D printing tools all under a single program. The video below shows the overview of the software.

After the students have finished creating their 3D models, they don't need to switch to a different software as SelfCAD comes with its own in-built online slicer that you can use to slice your files and generate the G-code to send to your 3D printer. The video below shows how to slice files in SelfCAD.

Unlike other complex 3D programs, SelfCAD features a user-friendly layout. Students can see what each tool does without getting confused. The software also includes numerous interactive tutorials that students can utilize to learn how to use it effectively.

Benefits of Using SelfCAD in School Projects

Let’s look at some real benefits of using SelfCAD for student projects:

Supports STEM Education

SelfCAD teaches students Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) concepts in a single activity. They learn about measurements, geometry, logic, and design simultaneously. CAD projects connect different subjects in a fun and hands-on way.

Improves Design and Planning Skills

Students don’t just “draw”—they plan, measure, and build. This improves their thinking and decision-making skills. They learn how to:

• Break down a project into steps
   
• Choose the right tools
   
• Fix mistakes quickly
   
• Think before they act

Builds Confidence and Creativity

When students see their ideas turn into a real 3D object, it builds confidence. They feel proud of what they created. It also inspires them to explore new designs, shapes, and solutions.

Works Well for Team Projects

Teachers can assign group projects using SelfCAD. Students can:

• Plan together
   
• Take turns using tools
   
• Give feedback to each other

This improves teamwork, communication, and peer learning. It also helps students who may not feel confident working alone.

Steps to 3D Modeling a Parametric Bench in SelfCAD

In this guide, you'll learn how to use SelfCAD to create a parametric bench. The process begins by sketching a 3D design, then transforming it into a 3D shape, and finally molding it to form a parametric bench. Here is the full video on how to model the parametric bench:

The first step is to launch SelfCAD and open the workspace:

From the Drawing category, choose 3D Sketching:

From the plane list, select the Left/Right plane. Set the Right/Plane plane offset to -250:

On the Precision Settings, set the Snap to Grid Vertices to true. Then click on the highlighted point to draw the edge:

Draw the shape shown below:

Set the Left/Right plane offset to -150:

Then de-select the profile_1. Click on the highlighted point to draw the edge:

Shape it as shown below:

De-select the just drawn profile, that is profile_2.

Set the Left/Right plane offset to -50. Then click on the point below to draw another edge:

Draw the edge in a pattern as shown below. Then click on the “X” to close the panel:

Select all the profiles. From the Utilities category on the right panel, choose Mirror:

Set the Create Copy to true. Set the direction to the right and set the offset to 50:

Tick the check mark to finalize the Mirror. Select all the objects in the workspace. On the toolbar, from the Modify category, select Round Object:

Set the Convert to Spline to true, and tick the check mark to finalize Round object:

The next step is to activate Bridge from the Tools category as shown below:

Set the Linear to false, and set Smoothness to 6. Tick the check mark to finalize the Bridge:

On the right panel, click on the Color icon to change the color of the object. Click on red to set the color, and click ok to apply the color:

From the 3D Shapes, select Cube:

Set the parameters of the cube as shown below:

On the Position set the X to -240:

Tick the check mark to finalize the cube. From the Tools category, select Copy Offset:

Set X to 10, and the Number of Copies to 48. Then click copy to create the copies:

The next step is to group the copies together. On the top toolbar on Edit menu, select Group:

Click on the “X” to close the copy offset panel. On the right panel, click on the Color icon to choose a color. Select Orange color and click ok to apply the color:

Select the mesh and the grouped object as shown below. Then on the toolbar, click on the Stitch and Scoop and choose Difference:

Select the group_1 object to subtract it. Tick the check mark to finalize the difference:

From the Deform category, select Flatten:

Using the highlighted gizmo, set Y to 192.96 and Z to 150.02:

Click on the “X” to close the transformation panel. Go to the Drawing category and select 3D Sketch:

From the tools panel, select circle. Set the Number of Edges to 18. From the plane list, select Bottom/Top plane:

Click on the highlighted point to draw the circle and type in the radius to 2:

From the tools panel, activate Spline and de-select profile_4. Click on the highlighted point to draw the spline:

Draw the spline as shown below, and click “X” to close the panel:

Then go to the Utilities category and select Mirror:

Set the Create Copy to true and set the direction to right. Tick the check mark to finalize the Mirror:

Select profile_5 and profile_5(1). Then on the top toolbar, on the Edit, menu select Merge:

From the Deform category, select Flatten:

Set Z to 0 and click “X” to close the Flatten panel:

Then go to the Modify category and select Round Object:

Tick the check mark to finalize the Round object:

Then on the toolbar, select Move tool. Set Z to 28 and X to 0:

Then click on the Scale tool on the toolbar. Set X to 510 and click “X” to close the panel:

Select profile_5 and then profile_4. From the Tools category, select Follow Path:

Set the mode to Extrude and tick the check mark to finalize the Follow path:

On the right side panel, click on the Color picker icon. Select Orange color and click ok to apply the color:

Choose the Cylinder from the 3D Shapes category:

Set the parameters of the cylinder as follows:

Set the Position and the Rotation as shown:

Tick the check mark to finalize. Select the mesh_15 as shown below. Then on the right side panel, click on the Color icon and select Orange color. Click ok to apply the color:

From the Utilities category, select Mirror:

Set Create Copy to true, and set Offset to 50. Tick the check mark to finalize the Mirror:

Select mesh_9, mesh_19, mesh_19(1) and difference_1. Then click Isolate:

Activate Bend from the Deform category:

Open Advanced Settings and set the plane to Left/Right. Set the Z to 60:

Select Taper from the Deform category:

De-select mesh_19 and mesh_19(1). Set the plane to Left/Right, and set Y to -32:

De-select difference_1. Select Mesh_9, mesh_19 and mesh_19(1). On the top toolbar, click on the Edit menu, and select Group:

Click “X” to close the panel. Select difference_1. Having the two selected now, click on the Stitch and Scoop tool and choose Difference:

Selected group_2 to subtract it and tick the check mark to finalize the difference:

There you go, that is how you can design a parametric chair:

 

The process of 3D modeling a parametric bench in SelfCAD involves a systematic approach that combines various tools. SelfCAD's intuitive interface and powerful parametric modeling tools enable users to efficiently translate their ideas into detailed and functional 3D models, suitable for visualization, prototyping, or fabrication, among other applications. 

Conclusion

Teaching CAD to students is one of the best ways to connect technology with creativity. With tools like SelfCAD, it becomes easy and fun—even for beginners. This parametric bench project is an excellent way to introduce important 3D design skills in a practical, hands-on manner.

Educators can guide learners through the process step by step, while encouraging exploration, teamwork, and creativity. By the end of the project, students don’t just learn how to design a bench—they also understand how design thinking works.