Table of Contents
Sketching
What Is a CAD Sketch?
A sketch is a 2D drawing used to create 3D features.
You can think of it as the starting shape. A rectangle can become a block. A circle can become a cylinder. A profile can be revolved, swept, or lofted.
In this demo, pick a sketch tool and draw on the grid.
Extrude
What Is Extrude in CAD?
Extrude turns a 2D sketch into a 3D solid by pushing it in one direction.
A rectangle becomes a block.
A circle becomes a cylinder.
A sketch profile becomes a part with depth.
Use the slider to increase the extrude distance.
Revolve
What Is Revolve in CAD?
Revolve creates a 3D shape by spinning a sketch around an axis.
This is useful for round parts like bottles, shafts, pulleys, wheels, and turned components.
In this demo, choose a profile and increase the revolve angle from 0 to 360 degrees.
Sweep
What Is Sweep in CAD?
Sweep moves a profile along a path.
The profile controls the cross-section.
The guide path controls the route.
This is useful for pipes, tubes, wires, handles, rails, and O-ring style shapes.
In this demo, choose a profile, choose a guide path, and move the sweep slider.
Loft
What Is Loft in CAD?
Loft creates a shape between two or more profiles.
It is useful when one end of a part has a different size or shape from the other end.
In this demo, the solid grows from one rectangular section to another. The guide lines show how the two profiles are connected.
Hole
What Are Hole Features in CAD?
Hole tools create accurate holes in a part.
Common hole types include:
- Simple hole: a straight cut through the part
- Counterbored hole: a flat-bottomed larger recess for a bolt head
- Countersunk hole: an angled recess for a countersunk screw
Choose a hole type, then click the blue block to place the hole.
Link to types of holes page.
Linear Pattern
What is a Linear Pattern in CAD?
A linear pattern repeats a feature or body in a straight line.
Instead of modelling the same object many times, you create one object and pattern it.
Use the instance count and pitch controls to change how many copies are created and how far apart they are.
Circular Pattern
What is a Circular Pattern in CAD?
A circular pattern repeats a body or feature around an axis.
This is useful for bolt holes, spokes, fan blades, gear teeth, and repeated circular details.
Choose a body, enter the number of instances, and change the span angle.
Mirror
What is a Mirror in CAD?
Mirror copies geometry across a plane.
It is useful when a part is symmetrical. Instead of modelling both sides, you model one side and mirror it.
In this demo, drag the original body. The mirrored body updates on the other side of the blue mirror plane.
Booleans
What Are Boolean Operations in CAD?
Boolean tools combine or compare solid bodies.
The three common Boolean operations are:
- Unite: joins bodies together
- Subtract: removes one body from another
- Intersect: keeps only the overlapping volume
Use the dropdown to switch between the Boolean results.
Section View
What is a Section View in CAD?
A section view cuts through a model so you can see what is inside.
It is commonly used to inspect cavities, hidden details, wall thickness, and internal parts.
Move the slider to cut through the blue housing and reveal the object inside.
Move/Translate
What is Moving/Translating in CAD?
Moving a body changes its position in 3D space.
In CAD, position is usually controlled using three directions:
- X: left/right
- Y: front/back
- Z: up/down
In this demo, use the sliders to move the body along each axis. Watch how the object moves away from the datum coordinate system.
