3D CAD Essentials - Onshape Edition

So you bought a 3D printer, and started printing trinkets and figurines from sites like Thingiverse. Then you started printing all their downloadable functional models, like pencil holders, coat hooks, cell phone stands, coin sorters, earbud cases, etc., etc., etc.

Does this sound familiar?

But after the kool-aid has worn off, you want to make a minor change to someone else’s model to better fit your needs…

Or you want to improve someone else’s design…

Or you want to create your very own design...

So the next step is to pick a software to use, and then take on the daunting task of learning the software, but you realize that most tutorial videos:

1. Assume you already have a foundation in 3D CAD design,
2. Speed through the content,
3. Do not teach the “why”.

If you can relate to any this, then I have good news for you: you can finally stop spinning your wheels.

I’m happy to introduce my first official 3D CAD modeling course, 3D CAD Essentials. With 7 quality, focused hours spent on my course, you finally start transforming all of your ideas into printable, usable 3D models.

What if I tell you that you can learn 3D CAD with professional grade, easy to use software that costs $0 per year. No that’s not a typo.

And it gets better. What if I tell you that you don’t need a computer on steroids to run the software, but that it is 100% browser based?

How is that possible? How can a 3D CAD platform be professional, browser based and FREE?

You might or might not have heard of Solidworks, which is one of the most widespread 3D CAD software tools used by professionals in industry. It’s in the big leagues with Inventor, ProE, Catia.

Well some of the very original founders of Solidworks have banded together and started a new 3D CAD company called Onshape. Onshape now has a very similar feel to Solidworks, but the most exciting difference is that it is cloud and browser-based 3D CAD.

Browser based? – hard to believe, I know! This is because of their cloud centric philosophy. But best of all, for you and me, anyone can create an account and use it for free.

Yes, there is a catch, but not relevant for our purposes: the Free license does not allow you to have private documents. So everything you create is in the public space. But again, for students of CAD, this is a non-issue.

With that objection put to rest, let’s get back to the course…

What you will learn:

• You will get comfortable using the Onshape user interface
• Understand the 2 Pillar building blocks of 3D CAD models

• You will learn 2D sketching essentials in incremental progression, and improve your skills as you get comfortable building smart relations into your sketches

• You will learn about multiple types of sketch relations, and how to effectively use them

• You will learn and understand how to use the very handy measure tool

• You will learn about dimension types and extrude end conditions

• You will learn about the design engineer’s favorite tool, how to use it, pitfalls and best practices, where to get one, and how it can level up your designs

• You'll learn about sizing your designs to interact with the real world

• You'll learn the difference between multi-part part studios and assemblies

• You'll learn about fasteners, and different ways screws can be used in 3D printing

• You'll learn about inch and metric screw thread properties, and learn how to decode fastener callouts such as #6-32 X .75 or M10 X 1.25 MM X 20 MM

• You will learn to model in the assembly workspace, positioning and mating objects together

• Learn to design with, include and import off-the-shelf fasteners and/or hardware into your designs.

• Learn about THE GO-TO website design engineers use for 3D CAD model downloads of hardware.

What this course is NOT…

I want to set the right expectations here.

This course is NOT a ”Passive Information Download” This 7-hour course is not about just sitting back, watching the videos and then doing nothing with it. You will not learn the skills that way. This is a learn by doing course. I expect you to follow along the videos and create the same models I create, step by step, to lead you to the finished model. This will lay the foundation you need.

This course is NOT an advanced topic course. This course does not assume you’re a CAD Guru. It is for those that are new to 3D CAD, and need guidance to lay a strong foundation to transform them from a “I’m stuck, I give up…” to a “This is challenging, but I have the foundation to figure this out” attitude.

This is NOT a Blender type course. This course does not teach you how to model complex organic 3D surfaces like figurines, landscapes and living creatures. This course is about learning parametric 3D modeling, where the focus is on the relationship between features and parts, accurate dimensions, and creating functional objects that can interact with the real world.

This course is NOT a course on 3D Printing. This course does not teach you how to use your 3D printer. It is a course to learn how to create functional, parametric 3D models that are 3D printer friendly.