Overview

Computer Aided Design has entirely replaced the drawing-board in industry. There are different 'types' of CAD application, including 2D CAD, Parametric CAD (both 2D and 3D), and surface modelling software. The SQA specify that parametric CAD must be used for creating models and drawings. 

There are many options available, from paid platforms such as Solidworks, Catia, Creo, to free-to-education options such as Autodesk Inventor, Autodesk Fusion, and PTC On-Shape. There are also a host of free options available. 
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Computer Aided Design

Computer Aided Design is a complex topic that takes a significant proportion of the SQA Higher Graphic Communication course. These course notes and resources are designed to help pupils prepare for the exam and ensure they fully understand the terminology and principles of 3D CAD. 

These CAD notes tie with the CAD Challenges shown further below, but can be used independently. The course notes have over 70 questions and tasks to complete.  

A4 worksheet

A4 Drawings Pack

Course Presentation

Course notes book

CAD drawing template

  • Introduction to CAD

2D CAD commands

Must-know commands

Extrude command

  • Revolve command

Loft command

Helix command

Sweep command

  • Top-down / Bottom-up

Assembly contraints

Chamfer command

Fillet command

  • Array command

Shell command

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"The creative adult is the child that survived."

Ursula Leguin (1929 - 2018)
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CAD Challenges | Extrude

Here are six CAD Challenges covering the 'Extrude' function. 

Orange peeler

Bag handle

  • Vee block

Bird house

Bracket

  • Game controller

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A4 Drawings Pack

Course Presentation

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CAD Challenges | Revolve

Here are six CAD Challenges covering the 'Revolve' function. 

Toy rocket

Ball valve

  • Ball hinge

Binoculars

Toy car

  • Bearing

A4 worksheet

A4 Drawings Pack

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CAD Challenges | Helice

Here are six CAD Challenges covering the 'Helice' function. 

Candle holder

Whisk

  • Marble run

Pipe

Light bulb

  • G-cramp

A4 worksheet

A4 Drawings Pack

Course Presentation

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CAD Challenges | Loft

Here are six CAD Challenges covering the 'Loft' function. 

Vase

Turbine

  • Hairdryer adapter

Merge valve

Transition piece

  • Speaker case

A4 worksheet

A4 Drawings Pack

Course Presentation

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CAD Challenges | Sweep

Here are six CAD Challenges covering the 'Sweep' function. 

Chair

Plastic box

  • Cup

Whisk

Lamp

  • Masher

A4 worksheet

A4 Drawings Pack

Course Presentation

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Course Presentation
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"You can't use up creativity.
The more you use, the more you have"

Maya Angelou (1928 - 2014)
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CAD Challenges | Tutorials

Here are video tutorials for 12 of the CAD challenges. 

These videos are for Autodesk Inventor, but the general process and approach is applicable to other parametric 3D CAD software.
Extrude - Still to be uploaded!
Extrude - Still to be uploaded!
Extrude - Still to be uploaded!
Revolve - Rocket
Modelling the rocket, from start to finish...
Revolve - Ball Valve
Modelling the case
Modelling the inner valve
Modelling the handle
Assembling the valve
Revolve - Ball Hinge
Modelling the ball-hinge
Modelling the bracket
Sweep-along-a-path - Masher
Modelling the masher, from start to finish.
Sweep-along-a-path - Cup​
Modelling the cup, from start to finish.
Sweep-along-a-path - Box
Modelling the box
Loft - Hairdryer Adapter
Modelling the hairdryer adapter, from start to finish...
Loft - Airflow Merger
Modelling the airflow merge adapter, from start to finish...
Loft - Speaker
Modelling the speaker, from start to finish...
Helix - Whisk
Modelling the whisk
Helix - Pipe
Modelling the pipe
Helix - Energy Lamp
Modelling the lamp double-helix

A4 worksheet

A4 Drawings Pack

Course Presentation

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"Creativity is intelligence having fun"

Albert Einstein (1879 - 1955)
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Assessment ​

The following materials have been created to assess learning in this unit.

​They are only for teachers and are password protected. Passwords are only for supporters of DesignClass.

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Level D CAD Assessment

Level C CAD Assessment

Level B CAD Assessment

Level A CAD Assessment

Exam Paper 1

Exam Paper 2

Exam Paper 3

Exam Paper 4

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