Whiffle Ball tutorial

TutorialInfo: Topic: Product design Level: Beginner Time: 30 minutes Author: r-frank and vocx FCVersion: 0.17 and above Files: https://github.com/FreeCAD/Examples/blob/master/Whiffle_Ball_Tutorial_ExampleFiles/WhiffleBall_Tutorial_FCWiki.FCStd?raw=true WhiffleBall_Tutorial_FCWiki.FCStd }}

Introduction

This tutorial was originally written by Roland Frank , and it was rewritten and illustrated by vocx.

This tutorial is here to teach you how to use the Part Workbench.

The Part Workbench was the first workbench developed. It provides the basic geometrical elements that can be used as building blocks for other workbenches. The Part Workbench is meant to be used in a traditional constructive solid geometry workflow. For a more modern workflow using sketches, pads, and features, use the PartDesign Workbench.

You will practice:

• inserting primitives
• changing parameters of those primitive objects
• modifying their placement
• doing boolean operations

!
Final model of the wiffle ball

Setup

1. Open FreeCAD, create a new empty document with File , File:Std_New.svg 16px Std_New{: mediawiki}, and switch to the Part Workbench.

: 1.1. Press the File:Std_ViewIsometric.svg 16px Std_ViewIsometric{: mediawiki} button, or press 0 in the numerical pad of your keyboard, to change the view to isometric to visualize the 3D solids better. : 1.2. Press the File:Std_ViewFitAll.svg 16px Std_ViewFitAll{: mediawiki} button whenever you add objects in order to pan and zoom the 3D view so that all elements are seen in the view. : 1.3. Hold Ctrl while you click to select multiple items. If you selected something wrong or want to de-select everything, just click on empty space in the 3D view.

Insert primitive cubes

2. Insert a primitive cube by clicking on Image:Part_Box.svg 16px Part_Box{: mediawiki}.

: 2.1. Select {{incode Cube}}{: mediawiki} in the tree view. : 2.2. Change the dimensions in the Data tab of the property editor. : 2.3. Change Length to {{incode 90 mm}}{: mediawiki}. : 2.4. Change Width to {{incode 90 mm}}{: mediawiki}. : 2.5. Change Height to {{incode 90 mm}}{: mediawiki}.

3. In the Data tab of the property editor, click on the Placement value so the ellipsis button ... appears on the right.

: 3.1. Press on the ellipsis to launch the Placement dialog. : 3.2. Change the Translation values. : 3.3. Change X to {{incode -45 mm}}{: mediawiki}. : 3.4. Change Y to {{incode -45 mm}}{: mediawiki}. : 3.5. Change Z to {{incode -45 mm}}{: mediawiki}. : 3.6. Press the OK button to close the dialog.

4. Repeat the process, inserting a second, smaller cube by clicking on Image:Part_Box.svg 16px Part_Box{: mediawiki}.

: 4.1. The second cube will be created with the same name, but with an additional number to distinguish the object. : 4.2. Select {{incode Cube001}}{: mediawiki} in the tree view, and change the dimensions and placement like with the previous object. : 4.3. Change Length to {{incode 80 mm}}{: mediawiki}. : 4.4. Change Width to {{incode 80 mm}}{: mediawiki}. : 4.5. Change Height to {{incode 80 mm}}{: mediawiki}. : 4.6. Open the Placement dialog. : 4.7. Change X to {{incode -40 mm}}{: mediawiki}. : 4.8. Change Y to {{incode -40 mm}}{: mediawiki}. : 4.9. Change Z to {{incode -40 mm}}{: mediawiki}. : 4.10. Press the OK button to close the dialog.

Change visual properties

5. The previous operations create a smaller cube inside a bigger cube. To visualize this, we can modify the View properties in the property editor.

: 5.1. Select {{incode Cube001}}{: mediawiki}, the smaller cube, in the tree view, and change the color. In the View tab, click on the Shape Color value to open the Select color dialog, then choose a green color; also change the value of Line Width to {{incode 2.0}}{: mediawiki}. : 5.2. Select {{incode Cube}}{: mediawiki}, the larger cube, in the tree view. In the View tab, change the value of Transparency to {{incode 70}}{: mediawiki}.

!
Solid cube inside another solid cube

Insert primitive cylinders

6. Insert a primitive cylinder by clicking on Image:Part_Cylinder.svg 16px Part_Cylinder{: mediawiki}.

: 6.1. Select {{incode Cylinder}}{: mediawiki} in the tree view. : 6.2. Change the dimensions in the Data tab of the property editor. : 6.3. Change Radius to {{incode 27.5 mm}}{: mediawiki}. : 6.4. Change Height to {{incode 120 mm}}{: mediawiki}. : 6.5. Open the Placement dialog. : 6.6. Change Z to {{incode -60 mm}}{: mediawiki}. : 6.7. Press the OK button to close the dialog.

7. Repeat the process, inserting a second cylinder by clicking on Image:Part_Cylinder.svg 16px Part_Cylinder{: mediawiki}.

: 7.1. The second cylinder will be created with the same name, but with an additional number to distinguish the object. : 7.2. Select {{incode Cylinder001}}{: mediawiki} in the tree view, and change the dimensions and placement like with the previous object. : 7.3. Change Radius to {{incode 27.5 mm}}{: mediawiki}. : 7.4. Change Height to {{incode 120 mm}}{: mediawiki}. : 7.5. Open the Placement dialog. : 7.6. Change Y to {{incode 60 mm}}{: mediawiki}. : 7.7. Change the Rotation to {{incode Rotation axis with angle}}{: mediawiki}; Axis to {{incode X}}{: mediawiki} , and Angle to {{incode 90 deg}}{: mediawiki}. : 7.8. Press the OK button to close the dialog.

8. Insert another cylinder. This time create a duplicate so that the radius and height don\'t have to be changed, only its placement.

: 8.1. Select {{incode Cylinder001}}{: mediawiki} in the tree view, and go to the menu Edit , Std_DuplicateSelection Duplicate selection{: mediawiki}. This will create {{incode Cylinder002}}{: mediawiki}. : 8.2. Open the Placement dialog. : 8.3. Change X to {{incode -60 mm}}{: mediawiki}, and change Y back to {{incode 0 mm}}{: mediawiki}. : 8.4. Change the Rotation to {{incode Rotation axis with angle}}{: mediawiki}; Axis to {{incode Y}}{: mediawiki}, and Angle to {{incode 90 deg}}{: mediawiki}. : 8.5. Press the OK button to close the dialog.

Change visual properties

9. The previous operations create three cylinders that intersect with each other, and also intersect the cubes. To visualize this better we can modify the View properties in the property editor.

: 9.1. Select {{incode Cube001}}{: mediawiki}, the smaller cube, in the tree view, and change the transparency. In the View tab, change the value of Transparency to {{incode 70}}{: mediawiki}. : 9.2. Select {{incode Cylinder}}{: mediawiki}, in the View tab, click on the Shape Color value to open the Select color dialog, then choose a red color. : 9.3. Select {{incode Cylinder001}}{: mediawiki}, in the View tab, click on the Shape Color value to open the Select color dialog, then choose a blue color. : 9.4. Select {{incode Cylinder002}}{: mediawiki}, in the View tab, click on the Shape Color value to open the Select color dialog, then choose a pink color. : 9.5. Select the three cylinders, in the View tab also change the value of Line Width to {{incode 2.0}}{: mediawiki}.

!
Solid cylinders that intersect themselves and the solid cubes.

Fuse and cut

10. In the tree view, select {{incode Cube001}}{: mediawiki} , and the tree cylinders, then press File:Part_Fuse.svg 16px Part_Fuse{: mediawiki}. This will create a {{incode Fusion}}{: mediawiki} object.

11. Then perform a boolean cut of the {{incode Cube}}{: mediawiki} and the new {{incode Fusion}}{: mediawiki} object.

: 11.1. In the tree view select {{incode Cube}}{: mediawiki} first, and then {{incode Fusion}}{: mediawiki}. : 11.2. Then press File:Part_Cut.svg 16px Part_Cut{: mediawiki}. This will create a {{incode Cut}}{: mediawiki} object. :
Note:the order in which you select the objects is important for the cut operation. The base object is selected first, and the subtracting object comes at the end. : 11.3. If the colors look strange, select the new {{incode Cut}}{: mediawiki} object, go to the View tab, click on the Shape Color value to open the Select color dialog, then choose a gray color; also change the value of Line Width to {{incode 2.0}}{: mediawiki}.

!
Hollow shape produced from cutting a cube and three cylinders from a bigger cube.

Insert primitive cubes to cut the corners of the partial solid

Now we\'ll create more cubes that will be used as cutting tools to trim the corners of the previously obtained {{incode Cut}}{: mediawiki} object.

12. Click on Image:Part_Box.svg 16px Part_Box{: mediawiki}.

: 12.1. Select {{incode Cube002}}{: mediawiki} in the tree view, and change the dimensions and placement. : 12.2. Change Length to {{incode 140 mm}}{: mediawiki}. : 12.3. Change Width to {{incode 112 mm}}{: mediawiki}. : 12.4. Change Height to {{incode 112 mm}}{: mediawiki}. : 12.5. Open the Placement dialog. : 12.6. Change X to {{incode -70 mm}}{: mediawiki}. : 12.7. Change Y to {{incode -56 mm}}{: mediawiki}. : 12.8. Change Z to {{incode -56 mm}}{: mediawiki}. : 12.9. Press OK.

13. Click on Image:Part_Box.svg 16px Part_Box{: mediawiki}.

: 13.1. Select {{incode Cube003}}{: mediawiki} in the tree view, and change the dimensions and placement. : 13.2. Change Length to {{incode 180 mm}}{: mediawiki}. : 13.3. Change Width to {{incode 180 mm}}{: mediawiki}. : 13.4. Change Height to {{incode 180 mm}}{: mediawiki}. : 13.5. Open the Placement dialog. : 13.6. Change X to {{incode -90 mm}}{: mediawiki}. : 13.7. Change Y to {{incode -90 mm}}{: mediawiki}. : 13.8. Change Z to {{incode -90 mm}}{: mediawiki}. : 13.9. Press OK.

We\'ll duplicate the previous two objects again to use once more as cutting objects.

14. Select only {{incode Cube002}}{: mediawiki} in the tree view, and go to Edit , Std_DuplicateSelection Duplicate selection{: mediawiki}. This will create {{incode Cube004}}{: mediawiki}.

15. Select only {{incode Cube003}}{: mediawiki} in the tree view, and go to Edit , Std_DuplicateSelection Duplicate selection{: mediawiki}. This will create {{incode Cube005}}{: mediawiki}.

16. To visualize this better we can modify the View properties in the property editor.

: 16.1. Select the {{incode Cut}}{: mediawiki} object, in the View tab, click on the Shape Color value to open the Select color dialog, then choose a blue color. : 16.2. Select all new cubes, {{incode Cube002}}{: mediawiki}, {{incode Cube003}}{: mediawiki}, {{incode Cube004}}{: mediawiki}, and {{incode Cube005}}{: mediawiki}, in the View tab, change the value of Transparency to {{incode 80}}{: mediawiki}.

!
Additional external cubes that will be used as cutting objects for the internal solid.

Cutting the corners 1

17. In the tree view select {{incode Cube002}}{: mediawiki} and {{incode Cube003}}{: mediawiki}.

: 17.1. Open the Placement dialog. : 17.2. Tick the option Apply incremental changes; notice that all Translation values are reset to zeroes. : 17.3. Change the Rotation to {{incode Rotation axis with angle}}{: mediawiki}; Axis to {{incode X}}{: mediawiki}, and Angle to {{incode 45 deg}}{: mediawiki}, then click on Apply. This will apply a rotation around the X-axis, and will reset the Angle field to zero. : 17.4. Change the Rotation again, now Axis to {{incode Z}}{: mediawiki}, and Angle to {{incode 45 deg}}{: mediawiki}, then click on Apply. This will apply a rotation around the local Z-axis, and will reset the Angle field to zero. : 17.5. Click on OK to close the dialog.

18. In the tree view de-select the objects; then select {{incode Cube003}}{: mediawiki} first, the bigger cube, and then {{incode Cube002}}{: mediawiki}, the smaller cube.

: 18.1. Then press File:Part_Cut.svg 16px Part_Cut{: mediawiki}. This will create {{incode Cut001}}{: mediawiki}. This is a hollowed body which intersects the initial {{incode Cut}}{: mediawiki} only at certain corners.

19. To visualize this better we can modify the View properties in the property editor.

: 19.1. Select {{incode Cube004}}{: mediawiki} and {{incode Cube005}}{: mediawiki}, in the View tab, then change the value of Visibility to {{incode false}}{: mediawiki}, or press Space in the keyboard. : 19.2. Select {{incode Cut001}}{: mediawiki}, click on the Shape Color value to open the Select color dialog, then choose a red color; also change the value of Transparency to {{incode 90}}{: mediawiki}.

!
A rotated, hollowed solid, which will be used as a cutting object for some corners of the internal solid.

Cutting the corners 2

20. In the tree view select {{incode Cut001}}{: mediawiki}, in the View tab, change the value of Visibility to {{incode false}}{: mediawiki}, or press Space in the keyboard.

21. In the tree view select {{incode Cube004}}{: mediawiki} and {{incode Cube005}}{: mediawiki}, in the View tab, change the value of Visibility to {{incode true}}{: mediawiki}, or press Space in the keyboard.

: 21.1. Open the Placement dialog. : 21.2. Tick the option Apply incremental changes; notice that all Translation values are reset to zeroes. : 21.3. Change the Rotation to {{incode Rotation axis with angle}}{: mediawiki}; Axis to {{incode X}}{: mediawiki}, and Angle to {{incode 45 deg}}{: mediawiki}, then click on Apply. This will apply a rotation around the X-axis, and will reset the {{incode Angle}}{: mediawiki} field to zero. : 21.4. Change the Rotation again, now Axis to {{incode Z}}{: mediawiki}, and Angle to {{incode -45 deg}}{: mediawiki}, then click on Apply. This will apply a rotation around the local Z-axis, and will reset the Angle field to zero. : 21.5. Click on OK to close the dialog.

22. In the tree view de-select the objects; then select {{incode Cube005}}{: mediawiki} first, the bigger cube, and then {{incode Cube004}}{: mediawiki}, the smaller cube.

: 22.1. Then press File:Part Cut.svg 16px Part_Cut{: mediawiki}. This will create {{incode Cut002}}{: mediawiki}. This is a hollowed body which intersects the initial {{incode Cut}}{: mediawiki} only at certain corners.

23. To visualize this better we can modify the View properties in the property editor.

: 23.1. Select {{incode Cut002}}{: mediawiki}, click on the Shape Color value to open the Select color dialog, then choose a pink color; also change the value of Transparency to {{incode 90}}{: mediawiki}.

!
A rotated, hollowed solid, which will be used as a cutting object for some corners of the internal solid.

Finishing the model

24. Make sure all objects are visible. In the tree view select all objects, in the View tab, change the value of Visibility to {{incode true}}{: mediawiki}, or press Space in the keyboard.

!
The internal hollowed solid, together with the external objects which will be used to cut it.

25. In the tree view de-select the objects; then select {{incode Cut}}{: mediawiki} first, and then {{incode Cut001}}{: mediawiki}.

: 25.1. Then press File:Part_Cut.svg 16px Part_Cut{: mediawiki}. This will create {{incode Cut003}}{: mediawiki}.

!
The internal hollowed solid, cut by {{incode Cut001.}}{: mediawiki}

26. In the tree view de-select the objects; then select {{incode Cut003}}{: mediawiki} first, and then {{incode Cut002}}{: mediawiki}.

: 26.1. Then press File:Part_Cut.svg 16px Part_Cut{: mediawiki}. This will create {{incode Cut004}}{: mediawiki}. This is the final object. : 26.2. Select {{incode Cut004}}{: mediawiki}, click on the Shape Color value to open the Select color dialog, then choose a green color; also change the value of Line Width to {{incode 2.0}}{: mediawiki}.

!
The internal hollowed solid, cut by {{incode Cut001 and Cut002. Final model.}}{: mediawiki}

27. Real objects don\'t have perfectly sharp edges or corners, so applying a fillet to the edges can be done to refine the model.

: 27.1. In the tree view, select {{incode Cut004}}{: mediawiki} then press File:Part_Fillet.svg 16px Part_Fillet{: mediawiki}. : 27.2. In the Fillet edges task panel go to Selection, choose Select edges, and then press All. As Fillet type choose {{incode Constant radius}}{: mediawiki}, then set Radius to {{incode 1 mm}}{: mediawiki}. : 24.3. Press OK. This will create a {{incode Fillet}}{: mediawiki} object. : 27.4. In the View tab, change the value of Line Width to {{incode 2.0}}{: mediawiki}.

!
Final whiffle ball model with fillets applied to the edges.

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