Based on feedback from my previous article in the August
2011 issue of MA, the most requested information was
where to start. This is often the hardest part of any new
project or learning experience. Because of the somewhat complex nature of computer-aided
design (CAD), initially this can be a tough question to answer.
After some of the basics are explained, it becomes much less
complex.
There are basically two types of CAD: 2-D drawing and
3-D modeling. The majority of the feedback I received was
regarding 2-D drawing and how to create a set of plans from
which to build, so I will focus on that.
I want to take you through drawing a few simple objects
to use in future drawings, and then fi nally take a three-view,
and make a set of plans from which you can build a model.
The actual step-by-step demonstration is available on the MA
website in video format at www.ModelAviation.com/2DCAD.
I will introduce methods and tools that work for me, and
build upon what I presented in the previous article. The
ideas, methods, and software presented here and in the videos
work for me, but they are by no means the only way of
accomplishing the task at hand.
As you become more familiar with CAD, you may fi nd
different methods that work better for you. I am using
DevCAD for the demonstrations, but the principles are the
same for most 2-D CAD programs. I am not promoting this
product, or claiming it is the best. I chose DevCAD for the
following reasons:
• It is my preferred 2-D drawing software, but is similar to
AutoCAD, TurboCAD, and their clones, so if you choose to use
those programs, you can follow along easily.
• It has a feature that allows you to import a raster image,
scale it, and easily trace it.
• It has a nice tile-printing feature.
• The demo is fully functional (except for export and print),
so you can try all of the features without having to purchase
the program.
• Support after purchase has been quick and helpful.
• If you decide to purchase it, the price is reasonable and you
can use the drawings you were working on before purchase.
When you open the CAD program the fi rst time it may
seem rather daunting. If you break it down into manageable
sections, it becomes easier.
• Toolbars: You can customize these to your liking. I like
to keep the ones I use most so I have more area of the screen
available for the drawing.
• Drawing area: This is where you will do the drawing.
• Command line: You do not need to know any commands,
but when you click on a tool, the command line will give you
hints about what to do next. This is also where you will be
typing exact distances and angles.
Some of the basic drawing tools we’ll be starting with are
the line, rectangle, and circle. Along with those are some tools
to aid us in drawing
such as the zoom
and snap tools.
The zoom tools
are just what you
think they are. They will allow you to zoom in and out within
your drawing. Some of the important zoom tools include:
• Zoom Window: You draw a box with the mouse around
part of your drawing; the drawing will fi ll the screen to the
area around which you drew the box.
• Zoom+: Zooms into your drawing.
• Zoom-: Zooms out of your drawing.
• Zoom Extends: Fills the drawing area with your entire
drawing.
Another important toolbar is the snap toolbar. Snaps are a
very useful feature in any CAD program. They allow you to
start or stop a drawn object at exact locations. If you decide to
have your parts machine cut by a laser or CNC router, there
must be no broken lines. Even if you are just printing your
drawing to build from it, snaps will make your drawing easier
to use, and it will look more professional.
There are two snap toolbars. In DevCAD the one at the
bottom defi nes the type of snap; most of the time you set this
once and forget about it. Some important ones are:
• Orthogonal: This is seldom used, but is useful when you
need to draw only a horizontal or vertical line.
• Polar: This snaps to predefi ned angles of 0°, 45°, 90°, 135°,
180°, 225°, and 315°. You can also add other angles, or edit the
predefi ned ones if you wish. I rarely turn this one off.
• Object Snap (OSnap): This feature is used in conjunction
with the object snap toolbar. This is the one I use the most.
The Object Snap toolbar works when the OSnap feature is
enabled. It is best to only have one or two of these active at a
time, or the cursor will try to snap to too many places, making
it more diffi cult to get exact placement of where you want
to start or stop a drawing object. Some useful snaps to use
include End Point, Mid Point, and Circle Center.
When working on your drawing, remember these tips:
1) Select a drawing tool.
• Select the snap tool(s) you intend to use (if not already
selected).
• Draw the object.
• Enter specifi cs such as length in the command line. (You
can also create a drawing object by connecting two or more
points.)
2) Pressing enter on the keyboard will complete a drawing
object or command.
3) Pressing Esc on the keyboard will cancel whatever you
are doing at the time.
4) Save and save often. This is true with any computer
program you use.
Before we start drawing our airplane, let’s start with
something easier to become familiar with the functionality
of a CAD program. We will need servos, hardware, and a
motor/engine so why not start with those?
In effect we’ll also be building a parts library in the
process. You can then use these parts in future drawings.
Before you begin, gather the servo you want to draw and a
ruler with 1/32-inch markings.
Alternatively, I have an inexpensive caliper that I use for
this. The scale is in decimal points, so I don’t
need to convert from fractions to decimals.
You can get more precise measurements than
that if you wish, but I fi nd 1/32-inch or three
decimal places is close enough for my drawings. I like to
draw three-views for each component I am going to use in
future drawings: top, bottom, and side.
Even if your area of interest is FF, or CL, these are good
exercises to learn the basics of CAD. I also fi nd it useful to
draw a quick sketch on paper with the dimensions for the
parts I will be drawing. This will make drawing the part in
CAD much quicker.
Please refer to the online videos for detailed, step-bystep
demonstrations. The videos cover:
1) Creating a new drawing.
• An explanation of units
• Creating a template for future drawings
2) Customizing your drawing environment.
• Showing/hiding toolbars
3) Drawing a top view of a servo.
• Rectangle tool
• Line tool
• Circle tool
• Temporary lines
• Editing tools
4) Drawing the side, and end view of the servo using
the top view as a reference.
5) Drawing servo arms to use with the previously
drawn servos.
• Introducing polar arrays
• Fillet tool
6) Creating a block library so we can easily use the
servo and servo arm drawings in future drawings.
Let’s draw!
Edition: Model Aviation - 2012/10
Page Numbers: 33,34,35
Edition: Model Aviation - 2012/10
Page Numbers: 33,34,35
Based on feedback from my previous article in the August
2011 issue of MA, the most requested information was
where to start. This is often the hardest part of any new
project or learning experience. Because of the somewhat complex nature of computer-aided
design (CAD), initially this can be a tough question to answer.
After some of the basics are explained, it becomes much less
complex.
There are basically two types of CAD: 2-D drawing and
3-D modeling. The majority of the feedback I received was
regarding 2-D drawing and how to create a set of plans from
which to build, so I will focus on that.
I want to take you through drawing a few simple objects
to use in future drawings, and then fi nally take a three-view,
and make a set of plans from which you can build a model.
The actual step-by-step demonstration is available on the MA
website in video format at www.ModelAviation.com/2DCAD.
I will introduce methods and tools that work for me, and
build upon what I presented in the previous article. The
ideas, methods, and software presented here and in the videos
work for me, but they are by no means the only way of
accomplishing the task at hand.
As you become more familiar with CAD, you may fi nd
different methods that work better for you. I am using
DevCAD for the demonstrations, but the principles are the
same for most 2-D CAD programs. I am not promoting this
product, or claiming it is the best. I chose DevCAD for the
following reasons:
• It is my preferred 2-D drawing software, but is similar to
AutoCAD, TurboCAD, and their clones, so if you choose to use
those programs, you can follow along easily.
• It has a feature that allows you to import a raster image,
scale it, and easily trace it.
• It has a nice tile-printing feature.
• The demo is fully functional (except for export and print),
so you can try all of the features without having to purchase
the program.
• Support after purchase has been quick and helpful.
• If you decide to purchase it, the price is reasonable and you
can use the drawings you were working on before purchase.
When you open the CAD program the fi rst time it may
seem rather daunting. If you break it down into manageable
sections, it becomes easier.
• Toolbars: You can customize these to your liking. I like
to keep the ones I use most so I have more area of the screen
available for the drawing.
• Drawing area: This is where you will do the drawing.
• Command line: You do not need to know any commands,
but when you click on a tool, the command line will give you
hints about what to do next. This is also where you will be
typing exact distances and angles.
Some of the basic drawing tools we’ll be starting with are
the line, rectangle, and circle. Along with those are some tools
to aid us in drawing
such as the zoom
and snap tools.
The zoom tools
are just what you
think they are. They will allow you to zoom in and out within
your drawing. Some of the important zoom tools include:
• Zoom Window: You draw a box with the mouse around
part of your drawing; the drawing will fi ll the screen to the
area around which you drew the box.
• Zoom+: Zooms into your drawing.
• Zoom-: Zooms out of your drawing.
• Zoom Extends: Fills the drawing area with your entire
drawing.
Another important toolbar is the snap toolbar. Snaps are a
very useful feature in any CAD program. They allow you to
start or stop a drawn object at exact locations. If you decide to
have your parts machine cut by a laser or CNC router, there
must be no broken lines. Even if you are just printing your
drawing to build from it, snaps will make your drawing easier
to use, and it will look more professional.
There are two snap toolbars. In DevCAD the one at the
bottom defi nes the type of snap; most of the time you set this
once and forget about it. Some important ones are:
• Orthogonal: This is seldom used, but is useful when you
need to draw only a horizontal or vertical line.
• Polar: This snaps to predefi ned angles of 0°, 45°, 90°, 135°,
180°, 225°, and 315°. You can also add other angles, or edit the
predefi ned ones if you wish. I rarely turn this one off.
• Object Snap (OSnap): This feature is used in conjunction
with the object snap toolbar. This is the one I use the most.
The Object Snap toolbar works when the OSnap feature is
enabled. It is best to only have one or two of these active at a
time, or the cursor will try to snap to too many places, making
it more diffi cult to get exact placement of where you want
to start or stop a drawing object. Some useful snaps to use
include End Point, Mid Point, and Circle Center.
When working on your drawing, remember these tips:
1) Select a drawing tool.
• Select the snap tool(s) you intend to use (if not already
selected).
• Draw the object.
• Enter specifi cs such as length in the command line. (You
can also create a drawing object by connecting two or more
points.)
2) Pressing enter on the keyboard will complete a drawing
object or command.
3) Pressing Esc on the keyboard will cancel whatever you
are doing at the time.
4) Save and save often. This is true with any computer
program you use.
Before we start drawing our airplane, let’s start with
something easier to become familiar with the functionality
of a CAD program. We will need servos, hardware, and a
motor/engine so why not start with those?
In effect we’ll also be building a parts library in the
process. You can then use these parts in future drawings.
Before you begin, gather the servo you want to draw and a
ruler with 1/32-inch markings.
Alternatively, I have an inexpensive caliper that I use for
this. The scale is in decimal points, so I don’t
need to convert from fractions to decimals.
You can get more precise measurements than
that if you wish, but I fi nd 1/32-inch or three
decimal places is close enough for my drawings. I like to
draw three-views for each component I am going to use in
future drawings: top, bottom, and side.
Even if your area of interest is FF, or CL, these are good
exercises to learn the basics of CAD. I also fi nd it useful to
draw a quick sketch on paper with the dimensions for the
parts I will be drawing. This will make drawing the part in
CAD much quicker.
Please refer to the online videos for detailed, step-bystep
demonstrations. The videos cover:
1) Creating a new drawing.
• An explanation of units
• Creating a template for future drawings
2) Customizing your drawing environment.
• Showing/hiding toolbars
3) Drawing a top view of a servo.
• Rectangle tool
• Line tool
• Circle tool
• Temporary lines
• Editing tools
4) Drawing the side, and end view of the servo using
the top view as a reference.
5) Drawing servo arms to use with the previously
drawn servos.
• Introducing polar arrays
• Fillet tool
6) Creating a block library so we can easily use the
servo and servo arm drawings in future drawings.
Let’s draw!
Edition: Model Aviation - 2012/10
Page Numbers: 33,34,35
Based on feedback from my previous article in the August
2011 issue of MA, the most requested information was
where to start. This is often the hardest part of any new
project or learning experience. Because of the somewhat complex nature of computer-aided
design (CAD), initially this can be a tough question to answer.
After some of the basics are explained, it becomes much less
complex.
There are basically two types of CAD: 2-D drawing and
3-D modeling. The majority of the feedback I received was
regarding 2-D drawing and how to create a set of plans from
which to build, so I will focus on that.
I want to take you through drawing a few simple objects
to use in future drawings, and then fi nally take a three-view,
and make a set of plans from which you can build a model.
The actual step-by-step demonstration is available on the MA
website in video format at www.ModelAviation.com/2DCAD.
I will introduce methods and tools that work for me, and
build upon what I presented in the previous article. The
ideas, methods, and software presented here and in the videos
work for me, but they are by no means the only way of
accomplishing the task at hand.
As you become more familiar with CAD, you may fi nd
different methods that work better for you. I am using
DevCAD for the demonstrations, but the principles are the
same for most 2-D CAD programs. I am not promoting this
product, or claiming it is the best. I chose DevCAD for the
following reasons:
• It is my preferred 2-D drawing software, but is similar to
AutoCAD, TurboCAD, and their clones, so if you choose to use
those programs, you can follow along easily.
• It has a feature that allows you to import a raster image,
scale it, and easily trace it.
• It has a nice tile-printing feature.
• The demo is fully functional (except for export and print),
so you can try all of the features without having to purchase
the program.
• Support after purchase has been quick and helpful.
• If you decide to purchase it, the price is reasonable and you
can use the drawings you were working on before purchase.
When you open the CAD program the fi rst time it may
seem rather daunting. If you break it down into manageable
sections, it becomes easier.
• Toolbars: You can customize these to your liking. I like
to keep the ones I use most so I have more area of the screen
available for the drawing.
• Drawing area: This is where you will do the drawing.
• Command line: You do not need to know any commands,
but when you click on a tool, the command line will give you
hints about what to do next. This is also where you will be
typing exact distances and angles.
Some of the basic drawing tools we’ll be starting with are
the line, rectangle, and circle. Along with those are some tools
to aid us in drawing
such as the zoom
and snap tools.
The zoom tools
are just what you
think they are. They will allow you to zoom in and out within
your drawing. Some of the important zoom tools include:
• Zoom Window: You draw a box with the mouse around
part of your drawing; the drawing will fi ll the screen to the
area around which you drew the box.
• Zoom+: Zooms into your drawing.
• Zoom-: Zooms out of your drawing.
• Zoom Extends: Fills the drawing area with your entire
drawing.
Another important toolbar is the snap toolbar. Snaps are a
very useful feature in any CAD program. They allow you to
start or stop a drawn object at exact locations. If you decide to
have your parts machine cut by a laser or CNC router, there
must be no broken lines. Even if you are just printing your
drawing to build from it, snaps will make your drawing easier
to use, and it will look more professional.
There are two snap toolbars. In DevCAD the one at the
bottom defi nes the type of snap; most of the time you set this
once and forget about it. Some important ones are:
• Orthogonal: This is seldom used, but is useful when you
need to draw only a horizontal or vertical line.
• Polar: This snaps to predefi ned angles of 0°, 45°, 90°, 135°,
180°, 225°, and 315°. You can also add other angles, or edit the
predefi ned ones if you wish. I rarely turn this one off.
• Object Snap (OSnap): This feature is used in conjunction
with the object snap toolbar. This is the one I use the most.
The Object Snap toolbar works when the OSnap feature is
enabled. It is best to only have one or two of these active at a
time, or the cursor will try to snap to too many places, making
it more diffi cult to get exact placement of where you want
to start or stop a drawing object. Some useful snaps to use
include End Point, Mid Point, and Circle Center.
When working on your drawing, remember these tips:
1) Select a drawing tool.
• Select the snap tool(s) you intend to use (if not already
selected).
• Draw the object.
• Enter specifi cs such as length in the command line. (You
can also create a drawing object by connecting two or more
points.)
2) Pressing enter on the keyboard will complete a drawing
object or command.
3) Pressing Esc on the keyboard will cancel whatever you
are doing at the time.
4) Save and save often. This is true with any computer
program you use.
Before we start drawing our airplane, let’s start with
something easier to become familiar with the functionality
of a CAD program. We will need servos, hardware, and a
motor/engine so why not start with those?
In effect we’ll also be building a parts library in the
process. You can then use these parts in future drawings.
Before you begin, gather the servo you want to draw and a
ruler with 1/32-inch markings.
Alternatively, I have an inexpensive caliper that I use for
this. The scale is in decimal points, so I don’t
need to convert from fractions to decimals.
You can get more precise measurements than
that if you wish, but I fi nd 1/32-inch or three
decimal places is close enough for my drawings. I like to
draw three-views for each component I am going to use in
future drawings: top, bottom, and side.
Even if your area of interest is FF, or CL, these are good
exercises to learn the basics of CAD. I also fi nd it useful to
draw a quick sketch on paper with the dimensions for the
parts I will be drawing. This will make drawing the part in
CAD much quicker.
Please refer to the online videos for detailed, step-bystep
demonstrations. The videos cover:
1) Creating a new drawing.
• An explanation of units
• Creating a template for future drawings
2) Customizing your drawing environment.
• Showing/hiding toolbars
3) Drawing a top view of a servo.
• Rectangle tool
• Line tool
• Circle tool
• Temporary lines
• Editing tools
4) Drawing the side, and end view of the servo using
the top view as a reference.
5) Drawing servo arms to use with the previously
drawn servos.
• Introducing polar arrays
• Fillet tool
6) Creating a block library so we can easily use the
servo and servo arm drawings in future drawings.
Let’s draw!