Before I launch into my CAD diatribe, let me
sketch out the playing field for the uninitiated. Very
broadly, CAD programs can be classed in a number
of ways. On the hardcore engineering side, there is
parametric 3D solid modeling, with exact equation-
driven descriptions of objects; there are surfacing
or wire-frame-based programs, which bring nice
rounded surfaces and squishy shapes to life; there’s
a world of rendering tools for making the 3D models
look cool; and there are architectural-type 2D draft-
ing programs for laying out plans in 2D.
COMPUTER-AIDED DESIGN For completeness, I should also mention CAM, which is computer-aided manufacturing software. It
DOESN’T HAVE TO BE AWFUL. takes your CAD design and converts it into a “tool-
THERE’S A CAD PROGRAM path” for a drillbit, mill, laser, inkjet head, or some
OUT THERE FOR YOU. other tool to follow and construct your object. Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need a laser
cutter or a 3D printer or an NC mill to realize your
CAD designs. On your desk, you likely already have a
H AVING USED VIRTUALLY EVERY CAD high-precision machine tool: an inkjet printer. These
(computer-aided design) program out there things will print designs onto paper with 50-micron,
at least once, I thought there was no chance
they would ever be simple ... until I met Takeo Build your dream house
Igarashi. Takeo was a grad student from Japan who wrote an incredible little piece of software called and stick it in Google
Teddy. It’s basically CAD for 5-year-olds: if you want Earth! How cool is that?
to design a plush toy, this is the program. It’s intui-
tive. It’s beautiful. CAD doesn’t have to be awful or or better, accuracy. I very often use the inkjet printer
expensive. It doesn’t have to come with 1,000-page to print a pattern or template, which then can be
instruction manuals. used to align the holes you will drill by hand or to cut
My hope was that Teddy would influence the out the fabric you will stitch together. So, in fact, the
world of CAD and make incredible packages cheap world already has the capacity to build cool CAD 3D
and easy to use. That was six years ago. Things models and share them via their desktops.
haven’t changed that much, but there is still hope. One program taking advantage of this is Pepakura
Why, as a reader of MAKE, should you care? I Designer — it calculates a pattern of triangles
care because I just enjoy using CAD; it’s better than that, when folded up, can make your 3D object. It’s
playing a computer game. You can spend the same high-tech origami. I’ve seen business cards that fold
36 sleepless hours in front of the computer, but at into toy cars made by this technique, and Japanese
the end of it, you have a beautiful 3D object from anime characters and dinosaurs.
your imagination, planned out and ready to be built In the same vein is a program called Lamina De-
or shared. But the real and exciting reason to care sign, which takes 3D curved surfaces and figures out
is because someday kids should be able to unleash how to construct them from flat sheets. Again, the
their imaginations on a Teddy-type CAD program nice thing here is that you don’t need NC machine
and then print their imaginings into the real world tools to get real-world output; you could use this
on a chocolate- or sugar-powder 3D printer. program, print to paper, trace to plywood, cut with
You should care because the capacity to share 2D a hacksaw, and make beautiful organic furniture, or
and 3D models is at least as important as sharing even design your own kayaks.
music and video. Making CAD representations of A great little company called SketchUp has a CAD
your “makings” makes it easier for other makers to package that allows you to build buildings and place
make things too. the 3D models in Google Earth. Of all the packages
References:
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