Think ‘modelling’ instead of drawing, albeit the solid model only exists inside a computer. Although ‘Sketching’ is part of the process, it might help beginners to dump the idea that 3D CAD is drawing at all. It works by developing solid models, not views. Much opportunity for confusion.ģD CAD eliminates many 2D drawing errors, and, once mastered, the process is generally quicker. Most modern drawings are Third Angle, older European drawings are usually First Angle, and amateur drawings can mix both in the same plan or be neither. Mixing up the difference between First Angle and Third Angle can be desperate because the made object could be a mirror image of that intended. It helps if both understand and follow the same conventions and neither blunders during translation. Secondly it’s necessary for the user to translate the group back into a 3D object. First it’s necessary for the draughtsman to mentally translate a 3D object correctly and unambiguously into groups of 2D views. Two major problems with 2-Dimensional technical drawings.
![simple qcad training simple qcad training](https://i3.ytimg.com/vi/PLWZnYX-yjg/hqdefault.jpg)
Nonetheless, I believe it’s clear enough to be used by someone else to make a tool-post key. As an amateur I claim the example above to be a ‘First Angle’ Drawing, but I might be wrong! Also, trained draughtsmen may not be impressed by my treatment of dimensions, line thickness or labelling. Proper technical drawings are skilled work. With practice it’s faster than rule and pencil, and far neater, especially after multiple mistakes are corrected with a grubby rubber!īehind the scenes 2D can be messy! Here's with construction lines: These can be done by hand on a drawing board, but I prefer a computer. However, sketches like these are a good way to prepare for a 3D CAD model.įor more complicated objects or drawings other people will work from, I do ‘proper’ technical drawings. It’s a memory aid rather than a technical drawing. A rough drawing capturing the shape and dimensions needed to make the item is good enough. It’s the key used on my lathe’s 4-way tool-post.įor objects this simple, I’d do a ‘back of an envelope’ sketch.
![simple qcad training simple qcad training](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Hqyo_p6ru_Y/maxresdefault.jpg)
I’m not competing with the Alibre thread! The idea is to get people started by demonstrating how straightforward it can be to 3D model simple objects without plunging into shark-infested depths. The ‘starter’ piece got some positive feedback and a PM conversation about finding up-to-date FreeCAD Tutorials with Thor inspired me to show what happens once FreeCAD is ready to go. I find it handy for simple work, and as a safety-net in the event Fusion360 becomes unaffordium. FreeCAD is of interest because it’s Open-Source free, not because it’s the best possible CAD choice.
#Simple qcad training how to#
As getting started with 3D-CAD is a problem I recently outlined how to get FreeCAD into a position where a beginner could start modelling.