SelfCAD is an online

computer-aided design Computer-aided design (CAD) is the use of computers (or ) to aid in the creation, modification, analysis, or optimization of a design. This software is used to increase the productivity of the designer, improve the quality of design, improve c ...

software Software is a set of computer programs and associated documentation and data. This is in contrast to hardware, from which the system is built and which actually performs the work. At the lowest programming level, executable code consists ...

for

3D modeling In 3D computer graphics, 3D modeling is the process of developing a mathematical coordinate-based representation of any surface of an object (inanimate or living) in three dimensions via specialized software by manipulating edges, vertices, an ...

and

3D printing 3D printing or additive manufacturing is the Manufacturing, construction of a three-dimensional object from a computer-aided design, CAD model or a digital 3D modeling, 3D model. It can be done in a variety of processes in which material is ...

, released in 2016. It is

browser-based A web application (or web app) is application software that is accessed using a web browser. Web applications are delivered on the World Wide Web to users with an active network connection. History In earlier computing models like client-serve ...

and

cloud-based Cloud computing is the on-demand availability of computer system resources, especially data storage (cloud storage) and computing power, without direct active management by the user. Large clouds often have functions distributed over multip ...

. SelfCAD is a

polygon mesh In 3D computer graphics and solid modeling, a polygon mesh is a collection of , s and s that defines the shape of a polyhedral object. The faces usually consist of triangles (triangle mesh), quadrilaterals (quads), or other simple convex polyg ...

based design program. While SelfCAD is suitable for the everyday user, of all ages, it has been specifically designed for students and the classroom setting. Despite this, one of SelfCAD's unique attributes is its real-world authenticity. In other words, the step up from SelfCAD to higher level engineering design programs is easier for those with SelfCAD experience.

History

SelfCAD was founded in

New York City New York, often called New York City or NYC, is the List of United States cities by population, most populous city in the United States. With a 2020 population of 8,804,190 distributed over , New York City is also the L ...

in 2015 by Aaron Breuer, its

CEO A chief executive officer (CEO), also known as a central executive officer (CEO), chief administrator officer (CAO) or just chief executive (CE), is one of a number of corporate executives charged with the management of an organization especially ...

. He designed the namesake software and launched it in 2016. Since 2016, SelfCAD has been consistently updated and enhanced with new features. In June 2017, SelfCAD partnered with

MyMiniFactory MyMiniFactory is a file distribution platform founded in 2013 and headquartered in London, United Kingdom. The online platform hosts digital creators with a primary focus on hobbyists with an interest in 3D printing. MyMiniFactory have partnere ...

for a direct connection to its 3D model repository. As of November 2017, the software is used in over 100 schools and had a 3D model catalogue of 25,000 objects. Update 2.9 added Animation among other important features such as Loft and Revolve. Update 2.9.1 released in February 2020 added Multiple Viewports and Backface Culling. For future updates, SelfCAD promises to implement Rendering among other features. SelfCAD organized contests throug
MyMiniFactory
where the participants won prizes for their 3D models made in SelfCAD. The last contest was held in December 2019. The first prize was $500.

Features

SelfCAD is an online

CAD Computer-aided design (CAD) is the use of computers (or ) to aid in the creation, modification, analysis, or optimization of a design. This software is used to increase the productivity of the designer, improve the quality of design, improve co ...

Software as a Service Software as a service (SaaS ) is a software licensing and delivery model in which software is licensed on a subscription basis and is centrally hosted. SaaS is also known as "on-demand software" and Web-based/Web-hosted software. SaaS is con ...

that allows users to model, sculpt and slice for 3D design and 3D printing. As it is browser-based, no downloads are required. Work can be saved in the

cloud In meteorology, a cloud is an aerosol consisting of a visible mass of miniature liquid droplets, frozen crystals, or other particles suspended in the atmosphere of a planetary body or similar space. Water or various other chemicals may co ...

, but there is also an

offline In computer technology and telecommunications, online indicates a state of connectivity and offline indicates a disconnected state. In modern terminology, this usually refers to an Internet connection, but (especially when expressed "on line" or ...

mode. The software has a shallow

learning curve A learning curve is a graphical representation of the relationship between how Skill, proficient people are at a task and the amount of experience they have. Proficiency (measured on the vertical axis) usually increases with increased experience ...

and can be self-taught in five hours. It is supported on

Windows Windows is a group of several proprietary graphical operating system families developed and marketed by Microsoft. Each family caters to a certain sector of the computing industry. For example, Windows NT for consumers, Windows Server for serv ...

7, 8 and 10, Mac and

Linux Linux ( or ) is a family of open-source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991, by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged as a Linux distribution, which ...

with browser support for Chrome,

Firefox Mozilla Firefox, or simply Firefox, is a free and open-source web browser developed by the Mozilla Foundation and its subsidiary, the Mozilla Corporation. It uses the Gecko rendering engine to display web pages, which implements current and ...

and

Safari A safari (; ) is an overland journey to observe wild animals, especially in eastern or southern Africa. The so-called "Big Five" game animals of Africa – lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant, and Cape buffalo – particularly form an importa ...

. SelfCAD is said to be easy to operate and user-friendly. The software features numerous creation and modification tools, as well as inbuilt automatic shape, screw, nut, spiral and image generators. Another notable feature is an inbuilt slicing tool. In addition to partnering with

to provide a database of already completed 3D printable designs, SelfCAD has a comprehensive library of objects and parts. The software also boasts the ability to import models in

STL STL may refer to: Communications * Standard telegraph level *Studio/transmitter link International law *Special Tribunal for Lebanon The Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL), also referred to as the Lebanon Tribunal or the Hariri Tribunal, is a ...

and OBJ format from other 3D design programs. Given that SelfCAD is designed for students and use in the classroom setting, the company places more emphasis on roll-out in the education sector. For example, according to their webpage, their so-called 'SelfCAD for Education' program offers additional features and support for schools and educators. Some of these features include: access to their special online storage database, additional safety and security measures, and additional support for teachers. To export designs to stl a paid subscription is required.

References

External links

*{{Official website, www.selfcad.com Computer-aided design software Software companies based in New York City American companies established in 2015 Software companies of the United States 2015 establishments in New York City Software companies established in 2015 Business services companies established in 2015