Introduction: How to Create a Printable Vase in SelfCAD

About: I am Sammy, passionate in 3D Modeling.

Have you been longing to create a Vase of any type or generally any container using CAD software?. Well, in this simple instructable am going to show you how you can easily create a Vase, like the one above, using the SelfCAD software (An easy to use online software in which sculpting, modeling and printing are all in one program)

Step 1: Setting Up the Platform

Before going any further we need to launch SelfCAD software because this is where everything will be done.

If you haven't sign up yet follow this link: www.selfcad.com

SelfCAD offers a free trial period of one month and after the subscription is over you will be paying only 4.99/m. Isn't that affordable? Of course it is. Also if you are a student or teacher SelfCAD is now free for 3 years and you can visit our Blog to know more about this New online 3D modeling software.

After registrating it's the time now to launch the software. Simply click the Launch button found on the top and everything will be set.

Step 2: Start Modeling

  • In the create section click Shape Generator (shown in the image above). After you have selected it, you will be able to see settings on your left hand side. We can discuss briefly each of those settings. The Bottom and Top Radius changes the radius of the bottom and top segment of the models respectively. And when the Fill check boxes are not selected the top and bottom parts will be open, but opposite when selected.
  • Angle defines the actual length and also has the fill setting.
  • Number of Edges-Makes the shape smoother.
  • Height of the Segment- Defines the height of the shape. When you drag
  • Position the Segment in order to determine the distance between the segments. In our case this setting wont work because we have only one segment. To add another segment simply click Add next to Remove in the Segment section. After adding adjust the position offsite settings to 18 in our case. It's not clear on what is happening at this moment but when we change the Number of Edges to 14 you will be able to see the difference it makes, like in the picture above. Adjust the Position offset to 26.
  • Offset Transition makes the transition between the segment to be smoother.
  • Add the Bevel Offset to 1. And once you add it you will be able to see the other settings below it.
  • Set the Bevel Level to 5 , and this splits the polygons as shown above. Then set the Bevel Weight to 3. This allows you to drag the polygons up and down.
  • When done click the finalize Shape button.

Step 3: Transforming the Shape

Kindly the video above to see how we are transforming the Shape and generally watch the complete process

Step 4: Finalizing the Shape

  • After shape is transformed and finalized, you will be able to get the above shape. This is an already finished product however, we need to do more adjustments.
  • Click Reset Camera in the Camera Section and in the advanced transformation section click Taper button. This narrows and widens the shape according to the origin. And you can set either top middle or bottom. But in our case we shall set it to middle. That is, we shall be adjusting the model from the middle section. Also while in the Advanced transformation section select Twist which will be used to twist the shape as shown in the second shape above (Check the video above if you are not getting it well)
  • Now our model is now complete and we need now to print or we can download it for it to be printed later on.
  • To download the Model, click download from the File tab. And in the choose format for downloading select STL file.
  • Check the last step to know how to print the model direclty.

Step 5: Printing the Model

  • First select your model. You can do this by clicking the object. In the File section select Print and you will be able to choose which type of printer you will be using . Select your printer and everything and then after setting it click generate Gcode and finally Download Gcode to send it to the printer.