Quick design is the fastest way for a student to reach a finished, makeable class project. Instead of modelling every part, students work through a few design steps and change only the parts you've opened up: sizes, shapes, colours and decorations. SchoolCAD checks the design as they go, then makes true-size templates to print and files for the laser cutter.
It's ideal for students who aren't ready to model from scratch yet, for short units, and for making sure everyone in a mixed class ends up with something they can make.
Opening it
Students click Quick design at the top of the screen, and Part Studio takes them back. Each Quick design project has its own steps, made for the materials and machines it uses, so tell the class which project to open.
How a project works
The steps differ between projects, but usually go like this:
- Parts you've set are locked. Students can click a part to see its size, the cutting list and the stock needed.
- Parts students design: they set sizes (within their piece of material), start from a shape, and choose corners and edges.
- Decoration: materials and colours, shapes from the library, Add text, or Trace a picture.
- Check & export: fix anything red, then make the files.
A dot beside each step shows whether its checks pass, and the status bar counts what's left to fix until it says All checks passed. Ready to export.
The files students make
| File | Use |
|---|---|
| Print templates (PDF) | A4 pages at true size to stick on material and cut out. |
| Laser cut file (DXF) | Red lines cut, black lines engrave. |
| Outline (DXF) | On some projects, a part's outline on its own for the CNC router. |
| Picture of my design (PNG) | For a booklet or folio. |
| Save my design file | A .schoolcad file to open next lesson. |
Warning
Templates must be printed at 100% or Actual size, never Fit to page. Every page has a 50 mm square: get students to check it with a ruler before anyone cuts.
Classroom tips
- Quick design keeps one design in the browser and brings it back next time. On shared computers, have students Save my design file at the end of each lesson.
- If a computer can't show the 3D view (WebGL turned off), students can still design in the 2D sketch tab and export their files.
- When a student is ready for more, move them on to the Part Studio tutorials (Documents, then Tutorials) so they model a project themselves. Quick design and full CAD can run side by side in the same class.
Your own projects
Schools that subscribe can have their existing class projects set up as Quick design projects and tutorials in their own SchoolCAD space, so students see your projects first. Ask about it on the For schools page.