3D Modelling - Creating The Solution

3D Modelling - Creating The Solution (Steps)

In this phase we will be creating the solution. In this post, I will be teaching you how to make a desk (my project) with the steps. In the next post (it's too long), is my process journal, including my problems in it.

NOTE: Please change the measurements depending on what you want and your size. Mine are just for references.
NOTE: Erase every extra line along the way.

NOTE: You may want to read some of the suggestions and reminders at the bottom first before you start.
NOTE: I don't suggest you to start until you finish reading the steps and instructions.

Step 1 - Download, Explore and Learn How to Use Sketchup

First, you would need google sketchup to do this project - making a desk for yourself (or someone). You would not need versions like pro or 8.0. The link would bring you to where you should download Google Sketchup: http://www.sketchup.com/download

After downloading google sketchup, you should explore it. Or if you want some tutorials to learn it directly, here they are.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zjh9_iWiKeQ&list=PL12C9BABFE3C49962

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=workshop+addict+sketchup&sm=3

You might want to have a look at both and choose which series is more suitable for you.

Step 2 - The Basic Model of the Desk Without Anything

Accurately draw the 2D shape of the desk, and then pull it into 3D.

If you want to make the same desk as me,  follow the scale of the above drawing. It should be 70cm tall.

Step 3 - Going Into Detail And Making Shelves, Small "Wall", Pencil Container

a) Shelf

As it will be really hard to explain and read the measurements of the shelf, watch this screen recording. When you watch, please pay attention to the bottom when I type down the length.

This one shows you the thickness of the walls, and the depth of the shelf.

For the walls and the top layer, they are all 3 cm thick. For each layer separating top and bottom of the shelf, it should be 10cm thick. From the left one, to the one next to it, and to the closest one, the depth are: 17cm, 12cm, 29cm - respectively.

b) Small "Wall" on the Table Edge

Now it is time to make the small "wall" on the table edge. This is for preventing things from falling off the table. If you don't need it, you can skip that part. Draw a 2D shape with the height of 5cm and the thickness of 1 cm, at any point at the edge of the table (recommend to draw it on the side of shelf). Then use the "follow me" tool:

 to pull it all the way down to the corner of the table, and move the curser down the other side of the table edge (do not click when at the corner of the table edge).

c) Pencil Container

This is how you make the built-in pencil container. In the screen recording, it doesn't mention the location of the pencil container, it is up to you, but I recommend as close to the edge as possible.

You can choose to not do it five cm out and five cm in. It's because it may make the pencil container intersect with the drawers below.

Step 4 - Drawer, Paper Rack, Book Holder

a) Drawer & "Space for Putting Things Under the Desk"

NOTE: " " means "Space for Putting Things Under the Desk"
The next thing you should make is the drawer and the " ".

The video below is to show you the measurements for the drawer and the " ".

The thickness of the wall above and under is 3cm. The thickness separating the drawer and the " " is about 2cm thick. To make them, draw the 2D rectangle shape on the side of the table (with the separate distances to make the correct thickness of walls). Then use the push/pull tool to create the depth. If the pencil container is done going under, beware that the drawer might intersect with it, don't let that happen, so make the depth according to the pencil container.

To make the actual drawer (not the hole for it), make it 1 cm smaller than the hole in every dimension. Make sure all the wall are at least 1cm thick, otherwise, it might break easily. You may not want to make it too thick as it would take away the inside-space. Make the handle the way you like.

Actual Drawer

b) Paper Rack

You can decide the size of the paper rack depending on yourself. I'll teach you according to mine.

If you can see the brown area, that is the area of my paper rack that things can be put on - not including pillars is what I mean. The brown area is is 26cm wide, 33cm long - A little bigger than A4 paper.

Pull the back of the paper rack so that is ON the edge of the table (the red circle).

Each space (the red rectangles) is 8cm high. The two layers (the blue rectangles) in between are 4 cm thick. The pillars are 2 cm from the side, 3 cm from the front. All the pillars are done equally - either in the middle or a quarter from the edge (according to the top width - the pulled out one).

c) Book Holder

The below video is about all the measurements of the book holder.

Draw the 2D shape shown at first, and then pull it into a 3d shape. There are other instructions you might want to follow in there. You need to use an unfamiliar tool here - the protractor - Please learn it before using it.

That two thingy for "holding the book open" is not necessary.

Step 5 - "Place for Putting Legs", Hook, Cable Holder

a) Place for Putting Legs for Comfort

The measurements for this one depends on the length and size of your legs and feet. Make sure you don't make it too high: about half-way to your knee, almost to your gastrocnemius. I recommend the interior angle as you can see, to be 110º.

If you want to make a girder across to make it more stable, it should be around 2.5cm thick, and 8cm high.

b) Hook

The hook should be located at that part of the table.

Use the arc tool to draw the 2D shape of the hook. The 2D shape should look like this.

Use the "push/pull" tool to make it 4 cm wide.

c) Cable Holders

Cable holders are probably the hardest part of this. Watch the tutorial below and learn how to make one. Make it according to the size you want. Make one, copy-paste it and place it wherever else you want.

NOW ADD ANYTHING ELSE YOU WANT (YOURSELF).

Step 6 - Style and Decoration and Colouring

Flames:

Draw the flames with the arc. And then draw two more inside the big one (or you can copy-paste and reset then size if you want). Then, pull the three 2D flame shapes into 1cm, 2cm, 3cm. You can do that inside to outside, or outside to inside. Then do more of them. You can colour it like how I did (look at the image) or you can choose your own colour. The back of the desk where you can't see is in red because it will match with the red cabinet in my home. You should choose your own colours and styles though to be more creative!

HOPE YOU ENJOYED MAKING IT!

Changes from previous phase:

1. The thingy for putting my arms on is pretty useless so I didn't make it.
2. I was struggling putting my head (statue) in sketchup and on the desk. I have decided that is not an important part of it. Therefore, I now skipped it.

Suggestions and Reminders:

1. Plan your work and time wisely and make sure you know everything before you start working on it.
2. Delete every extra line along the way, regularly or immediately.
3. If you find out there are hollows or surfaces disappear, try to undo it and erase the extra lines and do it again.
4. If you aren't sure what you're actually trying to make, re-read the passages again carefully. If what you're making is an idea of yours, not in these steps, stop and think carefully. You can also use these tutorials to help you:

http://www.sketchup.com/learn/videoshttp://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=workshop%20addict%20sketchup&sm=3http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zjh9_iWiKeQ&list=PL12C9BABFE3C49962http://help.sketchup.com/en/article/73815

If you want to make a statue of your head (which is not shown is these steps), you can visit this website and learn how to use 123D catch:

http://www.123dapp.com/howto/catch