How to Design a Chain with SelfCAD

Chains are ubiquitous in various industries, from jewelry design to mechanical engineering, and mastering the art of designing them opens up a world of creative possibilities. With SelfCAD, you'll have all the tools you need at your fingertips to craft intricate chains that meet your unique specifications.

Whether you're a seasoned designer or just starting with 3D modeling, SelfCAD provides an intuitive platform that empowers you to sculpt, shape, and refine your ideas effortlessly. Let's delve into the step-by-step process of crafting a unique chain, from conceptualization to the final 3D model.

The interactive tutorial for this article can be accessed here; https://www.selfcad.com/tutorials/5a2j2x3d3q2p3zs3p676q75o124b3v4ax241

Once you’ve launched the editor;

From the 3D Shapes Category on the Toolbar choose Torus

Set Ring radius to 15, Tube Radius to 3, Position x to 50, Rotation z to 60

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Click to finalize Torus

Click Copy button to copy selected objects

Click Rotate on the Toolbar. Set z to -60. Click Manual origin position button to set origin position

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Click on the highlighted point to set origin position. Set y to 22.5. Click ‘x’ to close Transformation panel.

Click on mesh-4 to select it

From the Tools category on the Toolbar choose Copy offsets. Set Operation to Pivot. Set Amount of copies to 7

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Click Copy button to create copies

Click ‘x’ to close Copy offsets panel

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Click Stitch & Scoop on the Toolbar. From the Tool panel choose Union

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Click to finalize Union

From the Modify category on the Toolbar choose Round object. Set Smoothness to 2

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Click to finalize Round Object

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Complete!

As you continue honing your design skills, remember that SelfCAD offers a wealth of resources to support your learning journey. To deepen your understanding and explore more advanced features, consider checking out the interactive tutorials (https://www.selfcad.com/tutorials) available on the SelfCAD website. The tutorials page provides a treasure trove of guides, tips, and tricks that cater to designers of all levels.

More structured learning experience can also be accessed at the SelfCAD Academy (https://www.selfcad.com/academy/curriculum/), https://www.youtube.com/@3dmodeling101, and 3D Modeling 101 series (https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL74nFNT8yS9DcE1UlUUdiR1wFGv9DDfTB). This comprehensive resource offers in-depth courses taught by industry experts, allowing you to master the intricacies of SelfCAD at your own pace.

Designing a Chain