• model (raster, vector, 2D, 3D, render, animate, simulate, ...) a possible final project, and post it on your class page

When i begin a new project my first step is always drawing a rough hand sketch of the object.
I don't always digitalize it because a good "aging process" on my desk is always a good way to refine the concept.
One of the projects running through my head for a long time is a small hovercraft so i started sketching...

Fisrt hand sketch.

Concerning 2D design i tried Inkscape because i prefer to use free software that runs on both Windows and Linux.
Anyway inkscape is not a real CAD and it wasn't possible to me to draw something useful enough to use the result for some kind of fabrication so i opted to a digitalized version of my hand sketch!

Spline drawing.


Modifying the size of an object using arraw handles.


Exporting to raster at 300 DPI.

PNG hovercraft sketch

SVG hovercraft sketch

PNG hovercraft board attempt

SVG hovercraft board attempt

After downloading FreeCAD i was really unpleased with its confusing graphical interface so i chose Fusion360.
I started drawing a preliminary model of the hypotetical hovercraft to check the dimensions and have a rough estimate of the materials.

Fusion360 window after startup.

2D sketching on Fusion360 is very straightforward to me, way better than inkscape.
I'm going to use it even on 2d projects.

Main plank 2D sketching.

The simplest and the more used way to tranform a 2D figure in a 3D solid is the Extrude function, it's so used that it has its own shorcut on the main menubar!

Extruding the main plank.


Rounding the front end using fillets.

Fusion360 can handle materials, it can be useful to evaluate the weight of the model or its center of mass.
I can also assign a texture to a body, i'm not going to try a photorealistic rendering but i find easier to recognize textured parts than "flat" grey solids.

A little bit of vanity: selecting wood textures.

2D sketches can contain more complex functions such as mirroring or patterns.

2D sketching the lift fan using circular patterns.

...and there are more 3D functions than just extrusion...

Using "sweep" 3D function to create the skirt air chamber.


Hero shot.


Longitudinal section view of the hovercraft 3D model.

Hovercraft model: STEP file

Hovercraft model: STL file

Hovercraft model on A360 cloud platform