How to Design a Paperclip With SelfCAD

Learn how to design a paperclip with SelfCAD

How to Design a Paperclip with SelfCAD

Welcome to this tutorial on designing a paperclip using SelfCAD! In this step-by-step guide, we'll walk you through the process of designing a paperclip using the powerful features of SelfCAD, an intuitive and user-friendly 3D modeling software.

To access the interactive tutorial to this article, visit https://www.selfcad.com/tutorials/6s3b351g52i524t6w562e2g4h472g1642b52

Once you’ve launched the editor;

From the 3D Shapes Category on the Toolbar choose Cylinder

Set Top Radius to 1, Bottom Radius to 1, Height to 20, Rotation x to 90

Click to finalize Cylinder

Click to activate Polygon selection. Click on highlighted region to select it

From the Modify Category on the Toolbar choose Extrusion. Set Extrusion Amount to 1

Click Add Option to add next macro step. Set Operation to Rotate. Set y to -15

Set Amount of Copies to 12

Click Apply button to apply Extrusion. Set Extrusion Amount to 30

Click Apply button to apply extrusion

Set Extrusion amount to 1.3

Click Add option to add next macro step. Set Operation to rotate. Set y to -15

Set Amount of copies to 12

Click Apply Button to apply Extrusion. Set Extrusion Amount to 45

Click Apply Button to apply Extrusion

Set Extrusion amount to 1.6

Click Add option to add next macro step. Set Operation to Rotate. Set y to -15

Set Amount of Copies to 12

Click Apply button to apply Extrusion. Set Extrusion Amount to 35

Click to finalize Extrusion

Click on highlighted region to deselect it

Click to activate Edge selection

Click Selection settings button to open selection settings. Set Loop Selection to true

Click on highlighted edge to select loop from the object

Click on highlighted edge to select loop from the object

Click on highlighted edge to select loop from the object

Click ‘x’ to close selection settings panel

From the Modify Category on the Toolbar choose Fillet. Set Intensity to 0.5, Level to 4

Click to finalize Fillet

From the Modify Category on the Toolbar choose Round object. Set Smoothness to 2

Click to finalize Round object

As you continue honing your design skills, remember that SelfCAD offers a wealth of resources to support your learning journey. To deepen your understanding and explore more advanced features, consider checking out the interactive tutorials (https://www.selfcad.com/tutorials) available on the SelfCAD website. The tutorials page provides a treasure trove of guides, tips, and tricks that cater to designers of all levels.

More structured learning experience can also be accessed at the SelfCAD Academy (https://www.selfcad.com/academy/curriculum/), https://www.youtube.com/@3dmodeling101, and 3D Modeling 101 series (https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL74nFNT8yS9DcE1UlUUdiR1wFGv9DDfTB). This comprehensive resource offers in-depth courses taught by industry experts, allowing you to master the intricacies of SelfCAD at your own pace.