Makercase

Utilizing this Free Software to Prep Your Design for Digital Fabrication

Makercase is a free online software that allows you to input your dimensions (Length, Width, and Height) and produce a digital file to make a 3D box. In this activity, you will utilize Makercase's features to create a flat net you can cut out of paper, trace onto cardboard, and eventually export to be cut out of wood on the laser cutter. First, we want you to customize your design a bit using Inkscape, print out your design, and practice cutting and taping it together.

Prototype, Fabricate, Launch

Step 4: Prototype

A prototype is a quick, physical representation of your object. It should be made with relatively inexpensive or totally free materials and allow you to get your vision out into your hands.

Usually we start with a Paper Model
Practice your craftsmanship: Clean Cuts!
Once created, ask for feedback or test it out:
- Will it fit?
- Does it meet the design parameters?
- How will you hang or display it?
- What feedback can you gather?
May move your prototype into a software design in order to cut out a cardboard or chipboard model *See Instructions Below!
May use chipboard or cardboard to construct your model by hand
Check your final prototype with your teacher

For our Pencil Box Project, this is the final step from the student design sheets you received last week. This time, you will utilize Makercase & Inkscape to create a blueprint of your design.

Step 5: Fabricate

Use Your Absolute Best Craftsmanship
Ready Your Files for Making on Lab Machines. For This Project: Use Makercase to send your file to Inkscape, customize it, and then print out to create out of cardboard. Further refine, then export to the lab for Laser Cutting!
Fill Out Design Order Forms (Size, color, etc)
Use A Machine or Make By Hand
Put On Finishing Touches (i.e. hanging brackets)
Sand, Polish, Stain, Paint, etc