How to Design the Spine Using 3D CAD Software

Learn How to Design the Spine Using 3D CAD Software with the help of this article

How to Design the Spine Using 3D CAD Software

Designing the spine in SelfCAD involves an efficient process of importing and assembling pre-designed components to create an anatomically accurate model. This approach simplifies the modeling workflow, allowing designers to focus on precision and structural alignment rather than building each vertebra from scratch. By leveraging SelfCAD’s intuitive 3D modeling tools, users can manipulate, position, and refine spinal elements to ensure proper articulation and realistic representation. This article outlines the step-by-step procedure for designing the spine in SelfCAD, detailing the importation process, assembly techniques, and final refinements to achieve a cohesive and functional model

To access the interactive tutorial to this article, check out; https://www.selfcad.com/tutorials/1i1n1h2w1i1j21p2j593h3b5m6m4c4t6u6da

Once you’ve launched the editor;

From the file menu on the top toolbar click import to import object; click load object from tutorial button to add object

Click scale on the toolbar; set keep proportion to true, y to 6

From the file menu on the top toolbar click import to import object; click load object from tutorial button to add object, set y to 8

Click ‘x’ to close transformation panel

Click inverse selection button to inverse selection

From the tools category on the toolbar choose copy offsets; set y to -4, z to -1, click add option to add next macro step

Set operation to rotate, x to -4, amount of copies to 6, click copy button to create copies.

From the edit menu on the top toolbar click group

Click ‘x’ to close copy offsets panel

Change object name from group 1 to cervical

From the file menu on the top toolbar click import to import object; Click load object from tutorial button to add object

Click scale on the toolbar; Set keep proportion to true, y to 10

Click ‘x’ to close transformation panel

From the drawing category on the toolbar choose 3D sketch; from the tool panel choose arc 2, from the plane list select; left/right and deselect bottom/top, click on highlighted point to draw arc

Click on highlighted point to draw arc

Click ‘x’ to close 3D sketch panel

Click on final2 to select it

From the tools category on the toolbar choose follow path; Set spacing enabled to true, spacing to 8, range start to 5, range end to 99, tangent to false

Tick the checkmark to finalize path

Click rotate on the toolbar; Set individual transformation to true, x to 15

Click ‘x’ to close transformation panel

Click on final2 to select it

From the edit menu on the top toolbar click group; Change object name from group2 to thoracic

Click color picker button to change color of object; Click beige

Click ok

From the file menu on the top toolbar click import to import object; Click load object from tutorial button to add object

Click scale on the toolbar; Set keep proportion to true, y to 30

Click move on the toolbar; Set y to 8

From the file menu on the top toolbar click import to import object; Click load object from tutorial button to add object; Click scale on the toolbar; Set keep proportion to true, y to 8

Click ‘x’ to close transformation panel

Click on final3 to select it. Click on final5 to deselect

From the tools category on the toolbar choose copy offsets; Set y to -8.5, z to -1.5, click add option to add next macro step; Set operation to rotate, x to -6, amount of copies to 4, Click copy button to create copies.

Click ‘x’ to close copy offsets panel

From the edit menu on the top toolbar click group

Change object name from group3 to lumbar, from final four to sacrum, from final5 to coccyx

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