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Nicolas Forgue

SelfCAD software

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SelfCAD software

Selfcad is a powerful 3D modeling tool. Less known than other softwares like Blender or Sketchup, Selfcad has an ergonomic interface with powerful 3D modeling features. The tool offers a completely free version with the main features to make simple models. It is thus possible to work on objects, to assemble them, to add materials and to launch a rendering. The Premium version allows you to use more advanced features and thus offers an extremely powerful software to do everything in 3D modeling. Working on vertices, segments and faces, sculpting tools, creating animation, using sketches to create an object. This software can therefore be used as a simple 3D modeling tool, or as a very advanced modeling tool, depending on the projects to be carried out.

Why to use this software

- Very ergonomic interface

- Well arranged tools to optimize the use of the software

- Creation of basic shapes with many options

- Using a construction tree for object layout

- Ability to create sketches to create objects

- Work on faces, segments and vertices

- Sculpt functionality

- Ability to create an animation

- Addition of materials

- Environment setting

Training course

In this training you will learn Selfcad to fully master all the features. At the end of the training, you will be able to make the most of the features, and you will be able to make your 3D models. This course is aimed both at people who have never used modeling software, and at those who have used it before, but want to work with Selfcad. In a structured course, you will learn the management of the dashboard, the creation of objects, the use of transformation tools, alignments, the different operations on objects. You will also learn how to create sketches, get started with sculpting, or create an animation. You will see how to add materials and set the environment to create renderings. At the end of the training, different modeling examples will allow you to train on all the features seen in the training.

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What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Start with selfcad
  • Master dashboard
  • Navigate on 3d space
  • Create document
  • Save and export
  • Create shapes
  • Use shape generator
  • Transform objects
  • Edit objects
  • Create repetitions
  • Master alignments
  • Associate objects
  • Place objects
  • Use construction tree
  • Add materials
  • Add textures
  • Create renders
  • Create basic objects
  • Create advanced objects
  • Show more
  • Show less

Syllabus

Introduction

Introduction

Start with Selfcad

Start with Selfcad

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Manage dashboard

Edit workspace

Master navigation

Create document

Basic shapes

Advance shapes

Shape generator

Create screws

Add spirals

Create gears

Add text

Move objects

Rotate objects

Scale objects

Deform objects

Extrude faces

Create offset

Add thickness

Add fillet

Create chanfer

Round objects

Simplify objects

Subdivide objects

Add details

Split faces

Cut with plane

Repeat objects

Fill polygons

Create revolutions

Create loft

Follow path

Create symmetries

Boolean operations

Combine objects

Place objects

Align objects

Add guides

Basic selections

Advanced selections

Sketches part 1

Sketches part 2

Scene tree

Image reference

Image to 3D

Sculpting part 1

Sculpting part 2

Create animation part 1

Create animation part 2

Add materials

Add texture

Edit texture

Apply materials on faces

Renders part 1

Renders part 2

Create wrench

Create vase

Create glass

Table with chairs part 1

Table with chairs part 2

Sofa part 1

Sofa part 2

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Activities

Coming soon We're preparing activities for SelfCAD 3D the complete course 3D modeling. These are activities you can do either before, during, or after a course.

Career center

Learners who complete SelfCAD 3D the complete course 3D modeling will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Three Dimensional Modeler
A Three Dimensional Modeler is an artist who transforms concepts into digital 3D forms, creating objects, characters, or environments for various industries like film, games, or product design. The SelfCAD 3D modeling course provides a comprehensive foundation for this role, teaching you to master dashboard management, navigate 3D space, and create both basic and advanced objects. You will learn to work meticulously with vertices, segments, and faces, apply sculpting tools, and refine models using transformations and editing functions. The course's focus on adding materials, textures, and creating renders is essential for presenting high-quality, professional 3D models. Taking this course helps you build the core technical skills and artistic sensibility required to excel as a Three Dimensional Modeler, enabling you to bring complex ideas to life digitally.
Furniture Designer
A Furniture Designer creates functional and aesthetic pieces of furniture, often blending artistry with practicality and material knowledge. The SelfCAD 3D modeling course directly addresses the core skills needed for a Furniture Designer. The training includes specific examples such as creating a table with chairs, a sofa, and a bed, providing hands-on experience in modeling common furniture items. You will learn object creation, advanced shaping techniques, the application of various materials and textures, and the ability to generate realistic renders. This comprehensive approach to digital modeling helps you translate design concepts into detailed, presentable 3D models, essential for prototyping, client presentations, and manufacturing specifications.
Prop Artist
A Prop Artist specializes in creating detailed 3D models of inanimate objects, or 'props,' for use in films, video games, animations, or virtual reality experiences. The SelfCAD 3D modeling course directly equips you with the comprehensive skills needed to excel as a Prop Artist. You will learn to create a vast array of objects, from everyday items like wrenches and flashlights to more complex items like furniture and robots, as covered in the training examples. Expertise in editing objects, applying materials and textures, and producing high-quality renders is fundamental for producing realistic and production-ready props. This course helps you build a versatile portfolio demonstrating your ability to model any object with precision and artistic flair.
Computer Aided Design Designer
A Computer Aided Design Designer utilizes specialized software to create precise technical drawings, models, and simulations for a wide range of industries, including engineering, manufacturing, and architecture. The SelfCAD 3D modeling course is extremely well-suited for this career path, as SelfCAD itself is a powerful 3D modeling tool with strong CAD-like features. You will master the creation of basic and advanced shapes, precise object transformation and editing, Boolean operations, and working with sketches. These skills are fundamental for accurately designing components and assemblies, ensuring models are geometrically sound and ready for production or analysis. This course helps you develop the foundational technical proficiency required by a Computer Aided Design Designer.
Architectural Visualizer
An Architectural Visualizer specializes in creating realistic digital representations of buildings, interiors, and urban landscapes from blueprints or conceptual drawings. The SelfCAD 3D modeling course offers highly applicable skills for this specialized role. You will learn to create detailed 3D objects, arrange them effectively using alignment and placement tools, and build complex scenes. The course's comprehensive modules on adding and editing materials and textures, setting environments, and generating high-quality renders are critically important for producing photorealistic architectural images and walkthroughs. This training helps you develop the precision and artistic eye necessary to translate architectural visions into compelling digital experiences.
Additive Manufacturing Designer
An Additive Manufacturing Designer creates three dimensional models specifically optimized for production using additive manufacturing, commonly known as 3D printing. The SelfCAD 3D modeling course is highly relevant for this specialized design field. You will learn precision object creation, working with geometric primitives, and performing various operations on objects like extruding, hollowing, and simplifying. Understanding how to manage vertices, segments, and and faces, along with Boolean operations, is crucial for creating watertight and printable models. This course helps build a foundational understanding of designing robust and functional objects, specifically tailored for efficient and successful 3D printing processes.
Product Designer
As a Product Designer, you are responsible for the entire lifecycle of a product, from initial concept to final visualization, focusing on usability, aesthetics, and functionality. The SelfCAD 3D modeling course is highly relevant for this career, equipping you with essential skills to prototype and showcase your designs digitally. You will gain proficiency in creating detailed objects using sketches, refining shapes with various editing tools, and assembling components. The course's emphasis on adding materials, setting environments, and generating high-quality renders is invaluable for presenting realistic product concepts to stakeholders. This training helps you develop a strong portfolio demonstrating your ability to translate ideas into tangible, visually compelling product models, vital for any aspiring Product Designer.
Game Asset Artist
A Game Asset Artist creates all the three dimensional models, textures, and sometimes animations for video games, from characters and props to environmental elements. The SelfCAD 3D modeling course is incredibly beneficial for aspiring Game Asset Artists. It provides solid training in creating diverse objects, utilizing sculpting tools for organic forms, and applying materials and textures to bring assets to life. The course also introduces the basics of animation, a valuable skill for game development. By mastering these features, you will be well-equipped to contribute high-quality, optimized assets to game projects and build a portfolio showcasing your versatility in game art creation.
Industrial Designer
An Industrial Designer shapes the form and function of manufactured products, considering user experience, aesthetics, and manufacturing processes. The SelfCAD 3D modeling course helps build a strong foundation for this dynamic field. It teaches you to conceptualize and detail objects, from basic shapes to complex assemblies like furniture and robots, covering crucial techniques such as sculpting and using a construction tree. The ability to add materials, textures, and create renders directly translates to visualizing product prototypes and communicating design intent effectively. For an Industrial Designer, mastering these digital modeling skills is paramount for iterative design and presenting innovative solutions.
Jewelry Designer
A Jewelry Designer conceptualizes and crafts intricate pieces of jewelry, often blending artistic vision with an understanding of precious materials and manufacturing techniques. The SelfCAD 3D modeling course is highly beneficial for a digital Jewelry Designer, as it teaches precision modeling necessary for small, detailed objects. You will gain expertise in working at the vertex, segment, and face level, creating complex shapes like spirals, and utilizing sculpting tools for organic forms. The ability to add materials and textures is essential for visualizing how different metals and gemstones will appear. This course helps you create detailed, accurate 3D models suitable for presentation, prototyping, and even direct 3D printing for fabrication.
Virtual Reality Environment Creator
A Virtual Reality Environment Creator designs and builds immersive digital worlds and interactive spaces for virtual reality applications, games, or simulations. The SelfCAD 3D modeling course provides essential skills for this cutting-edge role. You will gain extensive experience in 3D modeling, including creating and assembling diverse objects, applying materials and textures, and managing complex scenes using the construction tree. The capacity to create renders and set environments is crucial for visualizing the virtual world. This training helps you develop the foundational expertise in crafting detailed, visually rich virtual spaces that are key to engaging and believable VR experiences.
Exhibit Designer
An Exhibit Designer conceives and develops engaging physical or digital displays for museums, trade shows, retail spaces, or events, creating immersive experiences for visitors. The SelfCAD 3D modeling course helps build a strong foundation for an Exhibit Designer, as it teaches fundamental skills in spatial arrangement and object creation. You will learn to model various components, from furniture to custom props, and to arrange them effectively within a virtual space using alignment and placement tools. The course’s emphasis on adding materials, textures, and creating renders is valuable for visualizing and presenting exhibit concepts to clients or stakeholders, allowing for dynamic and communicative design proposals.
Visualize Effects Artist
A Visualize Effects Artist specializes in creating digital illusions and enhancing cinematic experiences for film, television, commercials, or immersive media using computer graphics. The SelfCAD 3D modeling course helps build a foundation for this demanding role. It emphasizes detailed 3D object creation, complex surface manipulation, material application, and realistic rendering. These skills are crucial for generating props, environments, or specific effects that seamlessly integrate into live-action footage or purely digital scenes. The course's ability to create and manipulate a wide array of objects and prepare them for compelling visual output is highly relevant for an aspiring Visualize Effects Artist.
Technical Illustrator
A Technical Illustrator creates clear, informative visual representations of complex objects, processes, or instructions for technical manuals, patents, or educational materials. The SelfCAD 3D modeling course helps build a foundation for a Technical Illustrator, as it provides strong training in precise object creation and manipulation. You will learn to build detailed models, apply various editing operations like extrude, fillet, and chamfer, and create symmetries. These skills are vital for generating accurate 3D views, exploded diagrams, or assembly sequences. The course’s ability to create basic and advanced objects with detailed control helps in producing the unambiguous, precise visuals that are the hallmark of effective technical illustration.
Animator
An Animator brings characters, objects, or visual elements to life through movement, creating compelling sequences for film, television, games, or interactive media. The SelfCAD 3D modeling course helps build a foundation for an Animator, especially by introducing the basics of animation. While primarily focused on modeling, understanding how to construct, manipulate, and prepare 3D objects is a pivotal preliminary skill. The ability to create individual models, add intricate details, and set up basic movements directly within a 3D environment helps you grasp fundamental principles of motion and timing, which are essential for any Animator. This course provides a strong conceptual entry point into digitally driven storytelling.

Reading list

We haven't picked any books for this reading list yet.
Covers the basics of 3D modeling, including creating and manipulating objects, applying materials, and lighting a scene. It's a great resource for beginners who want to get started with 3D modeling.
Teaches the techniques of digital sculpting using ZBrush, a popular software for creating 3D models. It's a valuable resource for artists who want to create realistic and detailed 3D models.
Covers the basics of 3D printing, including choosing the right printer, designing 3D models, and printing objects. It's a valuable resource for anyone who wants to get started with 3D printing.
Beginner-friendly guide to 3D modeling. It covers the basics of creating and manipulating objects, applying materials, and lighting a scene. It's a great resource for anyone who wants to get started with 3D modeling.
Is considered a foundational text in the field of computer graphics, providing a comprehensive overview of the principles behind 3D modeling, rendering, and animation. While it theoretical book, the concepts covered are essential for a deep understanding of how 3D graphics software works. It is often used as a textbook in undergraduate and graduate computer graphics programs. This book is more valuable as a foundational reference than a hands-on software guide.
Highly regarded technical reference focusing on the algorithms and techniques used in real-time rendering, a crucial aspect of interactive 3D applications like games and simulations. It delves into the contemporary topics of rendering pipelines and optimizations. While challenging, it provides in-depth knowledge for those looking to understand the technical underpinnings of real-time 3D graphics. It valuable reference for advanced students and professionals.
Offers a solid theoretical foundation in 3D computer graphics, covering essential mathematical concepts and algorithms. It provides the necessary background knowledge for understanding how 3D models are represented and manipulated digitally. This good resource for students seeking to solidify their understanding of the core principles before diving into specific software applications.
This comprehensive guide provides a step-by-step introduction to Blender, a widely used open-source 3D creation suite. It covers modeling, animation, rendering, and more, making it suitable for beginners to gain a broad understanding of the 3D pipeline within a specific software. It practical, project-based book that can serve as a textbook for introductory courses on Blender.
Offers a beginner-friendly introduction to Blender, breaking down complex concepts into easily digestible parts. It's an excellent starting point for absolute beginners looking to gain a broad understanding of 3D modeling and animation using a popular free software. It focuses on the basics and helps users navigate the interface and fundamental tools.
A classic in digital sculpting, this book focuses specifically on the complex topic of human anatomy for artists using ZBrush. It provides detailed guidance and insights into sculpting realistic human figures. is essential for those looking to deepen their understanding of anatomical forms in 3D and is highly recommended for character artists.
Introduces the powerful procedural workflow of Houdini, a software heavily used in visual effects and animation. It covers procedural modeling, simulations, and rendering. This book is valuable for those interested in contemporary 3D topics like procedural content generation and complex visual effects. It is suitable for beginner to intermediate users of Houdini.
Published by SideFX, the creators of Houdini, this book provides a foundational understanding of Houdini's node-based procedural workflow. It's an excellent starting point for artists new to Houdini and interested in procedural modeling and its applications in games and film. It includes lessons for building simple projects.
Focuses on Physically Based Rendering (PBR) texturing using Substance Painter, a key tool in modern 3D workflows for creating realistic materials. It covers essential concepts and techniques for creating high-quality textures. This book is valuable for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of texturing, a crucial aspect of creating convincing 3D models.
Dives into creating realistic materials and textures within Blender's Cycles render engine. It's a practical guide for artists wanting to enhance the visual quality of their 3D models through advanced texturing and shading techniques. It covers procedural texturing and leveraging look development concepts.
While not strictly a 3D modeling book, this resource is invaluable for 3D artists as it focuses on the fundamental principles of light and shadow. Understanding how light interacts with objects is crucial for creating realistic renders and visually appealing 3D scenes. provides foundational knowledge that complements technical 3D skills.
Widely recommended guide for understanding and applying lighting and rendering techniques in 3D. It covers essential concepts for creating visually compelling images from 3D scenes. It valuable resource for artists looking to improve the presentation of their 3D models.
Considered a classic in the animation field, this book covers fundamental animation principles that are highly relevant to 3D animation, which often follows 3D modeling. While not directly about modeling, understanding animation principles can inform modeling choices, especially for character rigging and movement. It's a foundational text for anyone interested in bringing their 3D models to life.
Is an excellent reference for artists focusing on character and creature modeling. It provides detailed anatomical information specifically tailored for sculpting, with clear illustrations and explanations of muscle and bone structures. It must-have resource for digital sculptors aiming for anatomical accuracy.
This comprehensive guide covers the fundamentals of 3D modeling and animation, from creating basic shapes to rigging and animating characters. It's a great resource for beginners and intermediate users alike.

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