WHAT YOU ARE DOING

WHY ARE WE DOING IT

You will learn digital tools for both 2D and 3D design

To make accurate digitally fabricated parts for our final products.

To create your advanced prototype, you need to decide which parts will be 3D printed (small or complex pieces) and which parts will form the main body, usually made by laser cutting. You can choose to use only 3D printing, only laser cutting, or a combination of both. Once you’ve made this decision, you can start modeling each part in the appropriate software.

3D Printed

Laser Cut

؜ACTIVITY PROMPT

Laser cutting

3D Printing

؜2D Designs

؜3D Designs

؜A design is created in CAD software (or imported as a file like JPG, SVG,.) and then loaded into the laser cutter's software (such as the free Beam Studio, which the app likely interfaces with).

To prepare a design for 3D printing, create a 3D model and export it as an STL or OBJ file, which can be sent to a 3D printer. Here are common software options:

Laser cutting

3D Printing

؜2D Designs

؜3D Designs

1. XTool (Free, Beginner )
2. Inkscape (free, Intermediate)
3. Adobe Illustrator (, Intermediate)
4. Fusion 360 (Free , Intermediate)
5. AutoCAD (License , Intermediate)
6. Rhino ( License , Advanced )

1. Tinkercad (Free, Beginner )
2. SketchUp – (Free or license, intermediate)
3. Fusion 360 (License needed, intermediate)
4. Blender (Free, Advanced)
5. Rhino – (License needed, Advanced)
6. SolidWorks – (License needed, Advanced)

For 2D drawings - Laser cutting -> Xtool

For 3D drawings - 3D printing -> Tinkercad

START WITH THE LIBRARY

1st

Before you start modeling or preparing files for laser cutting or 3D printing, take the time to go through tutorials for the software you have chosen. This ensures you understand the basic tools, workflows, and export options needed for your prototype. Practice small exercises from the tutorials to get comfortable with the interface and commands.

Practicing

2nd

1. For 3D printing: creating 3D shapes, combining parts, scaling, exporting STL/OBJ.
2. For laser cutting: drawing precise 2D shapes, using layers, exporting SVG, setting cut vs. engrave lines.

Before using any software, start by drawing your basic shapes on paper. Include dimensions for each part, similar to an IKEA manual, where you can see all the individual pieces clearly. This helps you plan your design and understand how the parts will fit together before modeling digitally.

Drawing your project

؜

؜Once you're done, save your work and upload it on the platform (always have your file backed up online ). Also take screenshots of your work to add to your final presentation

Saving your work

4th

1. For 3D printing: Exporting STL/OBJ.
2. For laser cutting: Exporting SVG, setting cut vs. engrave lines.

REFINE WITH ACCURACY

Improve and iterate on your design

Use your initial prototype as guide

Make your parts more accurate

YOUR GOAL

• Your final product should be a set of files ready for laser cutting or 3D printing. 

• You should document your progress along the way and create a set of slides to present to the studio. 

• Your presentation should include a demo of the project, including a physical prototype made from the laser cut parts.