61BKWIwEceL._AC_UL160_SR160,160_ CAD TUTORIAL : FreeCAD Beginner [EASY GUIDE]

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In the CAD tutorial titled “CAD TUTORIAL: FreeCAD Beginner [EASY GUIDE]” by VogMan, you’ll be guided through the process of designing a phone holder using FreeCAD, specifically focusing on the part design workbench and sketching tools. The tutorial aims to provide a practical and beginner-friendly approach to learning CAD by teaching through the creation of a tangible project. The content creator emphasizes that they are not an expert on FreeCAD or 3D software, but rather an enthusiastic amateur who wants to share their knowledge to help others. By following along, viewers will gain the confidence and skills necessary to tackle their own CAD projects. The video encourages viewers to subscribe to the channel for more tips and projects.

Hey guys, in this FreeCAD tutorial by VogMan, you’ll learn how to design a phone holder that can be 3D printed. The tutorial takes a step-by-step approach, allowing beginners to gain confidence in using FreeCAD’s tools and ignoring the technicalities for now. The video emphasizes learning by doing and focuses on the practical aspects of CAD. So even if a phone holder isn’t your thing, by following along, you’ll acquire the CAD skills you need for your own projects. Make sure to subscribe to the channel for more helpful tips and fun projects.

Table of Contents

CAD Tutorial: FreeCAD Beginner

Are you new to FreeCAD and want to learn how to design a phone holder? Well, you’ve come to the right place! In this tutorial, we’ll take an easier approach to learning CAD by focusing on practical projects. By the end of this tutorial, you’ll have the skills and confidence to tackle your own projects using FreeCAD. So let’s dive right in and create a phone holder that you can 3D print!

Step-by-Step Process of Creating a Phone Holder

Using FreeCAD’s Part Design Workbench

First, let’s start by opening FreeCAD and navigating to the “Part Design” workbench. This is the workbench that we’ll be using to design our phone holder. Once you’ve selected the Part Design workbench, you’ll notice that the workspace turns blue, indicating that you’re in the right place.

Utilizing Sketching Tools

Now that we’re in the Part Design workbench, we can start sketching the profile of our phone holder. To do this, we’ll use the sketching tools provided by FreeCAD. These tools allow us to draw lines and other shapes directly on the workspace.

Highlighting the Importance of Reference Points and Constraints

Before we start sketching, it’s important to establish a reference point. This reference point will serve as a starting point for our sketch and will help us maintain accuracy throughout the design process. In FreeCAD, the reference point is represented by a central dot on the workspace. Always begin your sketches from this point to ensure consistency.

Adding Measurements and Dimensions Using Distance Constraint Tool

Once we’ve established our reference point and started sketching, we’ll need to add measurements and dimensions to our sketch. This will help us accurately represent the size and proportions of our phone holder. In FreeCAD, we can easily add these measurements using the distance constraint tool. Simply select the two points you want to measure and enter the desired dimension.

Completing the Phone Holder Design

With the measurements and dimensions in place, we can now complete the design of our phone holder. This involves drawing the remaining sides and adding any additional features or details that we want to include. Remember to use the sketching tools and constraints to ensure accuracy in your design.

Using FreeCAD to Create a Model

Now that we’ve completed the design of our phone holder, it’s time to use FreeCAD to create a 3D model. FreeCAD provides a range of tools and features that allow us to turn our 2D sketch into a 3D object. By extruding and manipulating the sketch, we can add depth and volume to our design.

Importance of Parallel and Perpendicular Lines

When creating 3D models, it’s important to pay attention to the alignment of lines and edges. Parallel and perpendicular lines play a crucial role in ensuring that our design is accurate and visually pleasing. These lines help create a sense of order and symmetry in our model.

Using Constraints to Make Lines Parallel

To make lines parallel in FreeCAD, we can utilize the constraints feature. By selecting the lines we want to make parallel and applying the parallel constraint, we can easily align our lines and ensure that they are parallel to each other. This helps maintain the overall geometry and integrity of our design.

Applying a Thickness to Interior Walls Using Distance Constraints

To add thickness to the interior walls of our phone holder, we can use the distance constraint tool. By selecting the two lines that make up the interior wall and specifying the desired thickness, we can create solid walls that have a defined thickness. This adds strength and stability to our design.

Creating a Shelf for a Mobile Phone

Now that we have the basic structure of our phone holder, we can add a shelf to hold the mobile phone. Using the sketching tools and constraints, we can draw a rectangular shape for the shelf and position it accordingly within the phone holder. This provides a designated space for the mobile phone to sit securely.

Adding Fillets to Soften Edges

To enhance the aesthetics and ergonomics of our phone holder, we can add fillets to soften the edges and corners. Fillets are curved edges that help create a smooth and comfortable surface. By applying fillets to our design, we can make our phone holder more visually appealing and user-friendly.

Exporting the 3D Model as an STL File for Printing

Once we’re satisfied with our phone holder design, it’s time to export it as an STL file. STL files are commonly used in 3D printing and are compatible with most 3D printers. FreeCAD allows us to easily export our design as an STL file, which we can then send to our 3D printer for printing.

Conclusion

Congratulations! You’ve successfully designed a phone holder using FreeCAD. By following this tutorial, you’ve learned how to use FreeCAD’s Part Design workbench, sketching tools, and constraints to create a practical and functional 3D model. Remember, this tutorial is just the beginning of your CAD journey. With FreeCAD, you have the power to bring your ideas to life and unleash your creativity. Keep practicing, exploring, and experimenting, and don’t forget to subscribe to our channel for more tips, guides, and fun projects. Happy designing!

FreeCAD can be confusing, and CAD tutorials can also be overwhelming. However, in this easy guide, I will provide a simpler approach by teaching you through practical application. Together, we will create a Phone Holder that you can 3D print at the end of the tutorial. The tutorial is designed to be beginner-friendly and non-technical, giving you step-by-step instructions that will build your confidence in using the necessary tools while ignoring any unnecessary distractions.

Even if creating a phone holder is not your specific interest, following along with this tutorial will still allow you to grasp FreeCAD’s techniques and develop the CAD skills required for your own chosen projects.

If you want more tips, guides, and fun projects, make sure to subscribe to my channel here.

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DISCLAIMER

I want to clarify that I am not claiming to be an expert on FreeCAD or any other 3D software. I am simply an enthusiastic amateur who is always learning. I share my knowledge to help others benefit from these incredible software packages. However, it is important to research and explore the topic further on your own. Due to time constraints, I might not be able to cover every aspect of the subject, and there may be some gaps in my knowledge. Therefore, I encourage you to reinforce your education through additional sources. Ultimately, it will benefit your learning experience.

ETSY STORE

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