Initial Setup: Before we start, please ensure that you grid settings are as follows:
Major Grid spacing: 50mm
Minor Subdivisions: 5
To change these at any time you can go to the 'Grids and Snaps' tool on the bottom toolbar, then 'Grid Settings'.
Step 1: Press the R key on your keyboard to enter the RECTANGLE command.
Select the plane that you would like to start sketching on. In this instance we will use the XY plane (the floor).
Step 2: Draw a 2-point rectangle.
Left-click where the green and red lines overlap to place the first corner of your rectangle.
Drag out and enter a dimension of 200 mm for the width. Press tab to move to the height and add a dimension of 150 mm for the height.
Alternatively, count 20 squares wide (X) and 15 squares high (Y) on the grid and then left-click again (the dimensions should be 200mm x 150mm)
Tip: You may find that the edges of your rectangle extend out of your screen and that you may need to select the ‘fit’ button to fit the rectangle within your screen.
Step 3: Press the E key on your keyboard to enter the EXTRUDE command.
Select the rectangle you created in step 3. Enter a dimension of 3mm.
You have now created the chassis blank.
Step 4: Now we will create cutouts in the chassis for wheels.
Press the R key on your keyboard to enter the RECTANGLE command and select the top face of the chassis blank.
This will change the view to the top view (plan view).
Starting 4 squares from the bottom left corner, use the grid squares to measure a rectangle that is 5 squares wide and 2 squares tall (50 mm wide and 20 mm tall).
Repeat this process one square from the bottom right corner (you will notice a green dashed line that indicates the shapes are aligned).
Step 5: Repeat this process on the other side of the chassis. Please note that the rectangles will ‘snap to grid’.
Complete this stage by selecting ‘stop sketch’.
Step 6: Press the E key on your keyboard to enter the EXTRUDE command.
Select the four rectangles that you have just drawn. Enter a dimension of -3mm and press Enter to complete the cut-outs.
Step 5: We will now draw a new rectangle on the back of this chassis.
Start by pressing the letter ‘R’ to activate the RECTANGLE tool. Select the top surface of the chassis that we just created > Draw a new rectangle towards the back (between the back wheel arches).
Step 6: Press the E key on your keyboard to enter the EXTRUDE command.
Select the four rectangles that you have just drawn. Enter a dimension of 50 mm and press enter.
Step 7: Now we will create a cutout in this new shape using the Offset tool.
Press the letter ‘O’ and select the rear face of the shape we have created > Select the outside line > Enter the dimension – (minus) 3mm > Press Enter > Finish the sketch to return to the isometric view.
Step 8: Press the E key on your keyboard to enter the EXTRUDE command.
Drag the arrow to remove the internal part of the shape.
Step 9: Press the C key (Hot-Key) on your keyboard to create a CIRCLE from a center point.
Navigate to the side of the vehicle chassis > Select the inside edge of the cutout for the wheel.
Use the green guideline to help you select the very center of the wheel cutouts.
Place the center of the circle and then select a size of 2mm > Press Enter > Press Stop Sketch.
Step 10: Press the E key on your keyboard to enter the EXTRUDE command.
Extrude the circle that you drew in step 8 by a distance of 5 mm.
Tip: You will need to zoom in very close in order to select the circle.
Step 11: Press the C key (Hot-Key) on your keyboard to create a CIRCLE from a center point.
Repeat the circle process to draw a new circle on the end of the axle. The new circle should measure 40mm in diameter.
Use the letter E to extrude this new circle by 3mm.
Step 12: Press the E key on your keyboard to enter the EXTRUDE command.
Extrude the circle that you drew in step 11 by a distance of 3 mm.
Repeat steps 10 - 12 to create all 4 wheels.
Extension task: Press the A key on your keyboard to enter the APPEARANCE command.
Select the paint material from the list and drag this directly onto the model.