Pikachu Sculpting Using Fusion 360

These instructions will show you how to make children famous cartoon character Pikachu. I have also uploaded a video so you can follow the steps described here with the video that will help you to understand this CAD model. Try to follow the steps few times as some people might not get the desired shape if you are using a sculpt environment for the first time in Fusion 360, but with some practice, you will master the skills, so don’t worry and give up after the first attempt. It is straightforward and we are just using some essential tools and transformation. Some basic rendering tools are also used that will help you to bring the design into reality. You can 3D print this model with whatever additive manufacturing type you have at home but it's totally optional.

Supplies

Computer

Fusion 360

3D printer (Optional)

Step 1: Video of Whole Pikachu Sculpt

Watch the video and follow the steps to make your own Pikachu

Step 2: Sculpting Environment

To begin, in the design environment, click on create form. Once you get into the form environment, click on Quadball. Then select a front plane and start drawing Quadball at the origin. Give dimension as 25 mm and click OK.

Step 3: Adding Symmetry

Select the two faces as shown by pressing Ctrl on your keyboard and then click on symmetry → Mirror-internal.

Step 4: Head of Pikachu

Select two faces by pressing Ctrl on your keyboard. Then right-click on your mouse → Select edit form → the transformation rigid appears to → click on point as shown in the picture and drag it to an appropriate dimension to make the chin of Pikachu.

Step 5: Insert Additional Lines on Quadball

Double click on the line shown in the image and then right-click and select insert edge. Move the slider to approximate distance for the eyes → Click OK → select the edge shown in the picture → right click → edit form → select arrow and move it to the approximate distance for the forehead.

Step 6: Modifying Head in Detail (Optional)

To alter any lines or point on Quadball, select the lines or point → right click → edit form → on the transformation rigid box; there are several options such as up, down, left, right arrows, square box, pointer, and so on. You can move them according to the desired shape required. For more description, check out the video as I have shown every line that needs to be modified for the exact accurate shape of the head. This step is optional, and you can skip this step.

Step 7: Eyes

Select the two boxes → right mouse click → select subdivide → Click OK → select two faces as shown in the picture → right click → edit form → hold Alt and drag the pointer of transformation → Again hold Alt and drag pointer for the second position → Click OK. Next double click on the lines shown in the picture → right click → edit form → change coordinate space to selection space → drag the arrow → click OK.

Step 8: Nose

Select the two faces → right mouse click → select subdivide → click OK → select two faces as shown in the picture → right click → edit form → hold Alt and drag the pointer of transformation → Again hold Alt and drag pointer for second postion → select two faces just created → drag the arrow → select edge → drag the square → Click OK.

Step 9: Lips

Select the four faces → right mouse click → select subdivide → click OK → select two lines as shown in the picture → right click → insert edge → drag the slider → click OK → select the lines and drag the arrow down as shown in the video and pictures to mimic the shape of lips → click OK → select the lines created for lips → right click → edit form → drag the arrow inward → click OK.

Step 10: Ears

Select the four faces → right mouse click → select subdivide → click OK → select four faces as shown in the picture → right click → edit form → drag the square as shown by holding Alt → continue dragging square by holding Alt and adjusting the pointer until you get the desired shape of ears.

Step 11: Body

Select the faces as shown in the picture → right click → edit form → hold Alt and drag the arrow down → continue dragging arrow by holding Alt and adjusting the pointer until you get the desired shape for the body. You can change the shape of the body the way you want. You can do so by moving arrows or square.

Step 12: Hands

Select the faces as shown in the picture → right click → edit form → hold Alt and drag the square and adjust the pointer for the desired size → continue dragging square by holding Alt and adjusting the pointer until you get the desired shape for hand. You can change the shape of the hand the way you want. You can do so by moving arrows or square.

Step 13: Feet

Select the faces as shown in the picture → right click → edit form → hold Alt and drag the square and adjust the pointer for the desired size → continue dragging square by holding Alt and adjusting the pointer until you get the desired shape of feet. You can change the shape of the feet the way you want. You can do so by moving arrows or square.

Now the whole sculpting part is done. Click on Finish form. It will take you to the design environment where you can modify or add some other features.

Step 14: To Add Tail

Click on create sketch → select right plane → select line →start drawing the shape of the tail as needed → click finish sketch → select extrude → select profile as the shape of the tail → direction symmetric → distance 1.5 mm → operation join (very important) → click OK.

Step 15: To Add Details to Eyes

Click on construct → offset plane → select front plane → drag the arrow for desired distance for a new plane → click OK → select the new plane just created → click on create sketch → select ellipse → select drawing the shape of eyes and pupil. Instead of repeating the procedure for the second eye, we can use the mirror tool. Select line → select construction → draw a vertical line at the origin → select mirror → select objects as two ellipses which were created earlier → select mirror line as the line drawn at the origin → click OK → finish sketch. Next, click modify → split face → select the face near the eye as faces to split → splitting tool as the first ellipse → click OK → repeat the same procedure for splitting pupil and the eye. If you encounter difficulties, check the video.

Step 16: To Split Ears, Circles on Cheek and Pattern at the Back

Follow the same procedure for splitting as described for splitting eyes. Check out the video if you find it difficult as I have shown every step.

Step 17: Change the Appearance

Click on document settings → Appearance → paint → Glossy → drag the colors as required → select the color and drag it on the sculpture body of Pikachu → while adding colors to the faces click on faces → then drag the color on the desired face → click close

Step 18: To Render

Click on design → select render → click on setup- Scene setting → change the brightness, background color as needed → once you are satisfied how your Pikachu looks like click on render → select the desired output size from the list of options available or make your custom size → click render → it will take few minutes to render, and your final output will be ready. You can download it in the desired format you wish.

Step 19: 3D Print the Pikachu Sculpture

Export the Pikachu file as STL > open the STL file in any of the 3D printing software you are using and compatible with your 3D printer. This step is totally optional, you can print only if you want to participate in a contest where the candidate needs the actual 3D model to be eligible in as a winner.