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How to use every tool in SchoolCAD. Search for a tool by its name, or by what Onshape, Fusion or SOLIDWORKS calls it.
New to SchoolCAD? Start with SchoolCAD basics, then Sketch and Extrude. Coming from another program? Coming from Onshape · Coming from Fusion · Coming from SOLIDWORKS
Getting started
The screen, moving the view, your designs, the feature tree and settings.
- SchoolCAD basicsThe SchoolCAD screen, moving the view, selecting, Undo, the Guide, Search tools and the usual order for modelling a part.
- Import from OnshapeBring your Onshape Part Studios and Assemblies into SchoolCAD as STEP files, with their parts' names and colours.
- Open SOLIDWORKS filesOpen SOLIDWORKS parts (.sldprt) and assemblies (.sldasm) straight in SchoolCAD as exact solids, with their colours, and every part where the assembly puts it.
- Documents and filesKeep many designs in your browser, start new ones, open samples and tutorials, and save a .schoolcad file to take your work to another computer.
- LearnFind a tutorial or sample design for your year, your subject and the tools you want to learn, and open it in one click.
- Feature treeEvery step of your design, in order. Change any step, roll back, reorder, switch features off, and play the build back.
- ParametersNamed sizes, like t = 12, that you can type into any dimension or box. Change one number and the whole design rebuilds.
- VersionsSave checkpoints of your design as you go, look back at how it developed, and restore or open an earlier one.
- SettingsMake the mouse work like Onshape, SOLIDWORKS or Fusion, and choose the theme, decimal places, sketch options, language, tools and file names.
- AccessibilityHow SchoolCAD works for students with disability (keyboard, screen readers, low vision, dyslexia, motion), the standard it meets, what is not finished yet and how to tell us about a problem.
- Feedback and error reportsSchoolCAD is in beta. Tell the team about a problem, an idea or a question, and what an anonymous error report sends (and never sends).
- Quick designFinish a set class project by changing only the parts your teacher has opened up, then print true-size templates and make laser files.
Sketching
Draw 2D shapes, give them exact sizes and hold them in place with constraints.
- SketchDraw a 2D shape on a plane or a flat face, make it exact with dimensions and constraints, then finish it and make it 3D.
- LineDraw straight lines from corner to corner to make outlines, such as the side of a phone stand or a bookend.
- RectangleDraw a rectangle from corner to corner, from its centre, or at an angle: boards, bases, lids and panels.
- CircleDraw a circle from its centre, or through three points: wheels, dowels, knobs and round holes.
- EllipseDraw an ellipse (an oval) from its centre, the end of its long axis and its width: mirrors, handles, signs and badges.
- Elliptical arcDraw part of an ellipse from its centre, its long axis, its width and where it starts and ends, or trim an ellipse into one.
- ArcDraw part of a circle: a 3-point arc, a tangent arc that carries on smoothly from a line, or a centre point arc.
- SplineDraw a smooth, flowing curve through points you click, then reshape it by dragging the points.
- PolygonDraw a shape with 3 to 24 equal sides, such as a triangle, hexagon or octagon, from its centre.
- SlotDraw a slot with a round end on each side: for bolts that slide, adjustable parts and cable holes.
- PointPlace points in a sketch to mark where holes go, or to snap and measure to.
- TextAdd words to a sketch as outlines you can extrude, engrave or laser-cut: names, labels and signs.
- Insert imageTrace a picture into outlines in a sketch, or bring in an SVG or DXF drawing exactly, ready to extrude, engrave or laser-cut.
- DimensionGive a sketch exact sizes: lengths, distances, diameters, radii and angles, typed as numbers, sums or parameters.
- ConstraintsRules that hold a sketch in shape, such as horizontal, parallel, equal or tangent, so it stays right when sizes change.
- Sketch fillet and chamferRound off a sharp corner of a sketch with Fillet, or cut it off at an angle with Chamfer.
- Trim, extend and splitRemove the piece of a line, arc, circle or ellipse between crossings with Trim, stretch a line to meet the next one with Extend, or break a line or arc in two with Split.
- OffsetCopy lines, arcs, a circle or an ellipse a set distance away: the walls of a box, a clearance gap, or a border.
- Sketch mirrorCopy shapes across a mirror line in a sketch, with copies that stay symmetric when you change the original.
- Move, copy and rotate in a sketchMove, copy or turn the shapes you select in a sketch by an exact amount, like Transform in Onshape and Move, Copy and Rotate Entities in SOLIDWORKS.
- Sketch patternRepeat shapes in a sketch in a row or around a point, such as a row of holes or vents, with copies that follow the original.
- ConstructionMake lines and circles dashed construction geometry that helps you draw and dimension, but never becomes part of the shape.
- Project / IncludeBring edges or the outline of a face of a part into a sketch as purple geometry linked to the part, to snap to or use as a shape.
Part workspace features
Turn sketches into 3D parts, then add details, copies and joints.
- PlaneMake a new flat surface to sketch on, moved away from Top, Front, Right or a face, tilted at an angle, or halfway between two faces (Mid plane).
- Axis and PointConstruction axes and points in space, to revolve, pattern or turn about, and to sketch from or go up to.
- ShapesA box, cylinder, sphere, cone or torus by its sizes, as a new part or cut out of one.
- ExtrudePush a closed sketch straight out into 3D to make a new part, or to add to, cut or intersect a part.
- Push/PullClick a flat face of a part and drag it out to add material, or in to cut it away. No sketch needed.
- FrameSteel tube, aluminium extrusion, timber or dowel along sketch lines or the edges of a box, each member its own part, mitred or butted where they meet, with a cut list.
- RevolveSpin a sketch around an axis to make round parts, like knobs, wheels, turned legs and handles.
- SweepSend a closed shape along a path of lines, arcs or a spline to make handles, rails, pipes, rings and frames.
- LoftBlend smoothly between closed shapes on different planes, such as a round base that becomes square at the top.
- PipeA round bar or tube along a path sketch, with no profile to draw.
- CoilWind a round, V or square shape around a sketch circle to make springs and screw threads.
- Fill holeFill round holes in a part back in solid, such as the screw holes of a part bought in as a STEP file.
- Move faceMake a round hole bigger or smaller, or a shaft fatter or thinner, by a distance.
- FilletRound off the edges of a part. Pick edges one by one, or click a face for all of its edges.
- ChamferBevel the edges of a part with a flat, sloping cut. Pick edges one by one, or click a face for all of its edges.
- Mesh to solidTurn an imported STL, OBJ or 3MF mesh into an exact solid, so fillets, holes and STEP export work on it.
- HoleDrill simple, counterbored, countersunk or tapped holes at the points of a sketch, with screw, bolt, dowel and thread sizes.
- ThreadPut a screw thread on a round face, inside a hole or round a shaft: cosmetic for drawings, or modelled for 3D printing.
- WrapWrap shapes or text round a round face, raised out of it (emboss) or cut into it (deboss), like the letters on a bottle or a pen.
- ShellHollow out a part, leaving walls of an even thickness, with the faces you pick left open.
- RibThin walls from sketch lines out to the part, to stiffen it without making it solid, like the ribs inside a 3D-printed case or a corner brace.
- ThickenMake a face of a part, flat or curved, into a plate of even thickness, as a new part, added to the part or cut away.
- BossScrew posts inside a 3D-printed case, at sketch points, with a pilot hole, a hole for a heat-set insert or a clearance hole for the screw, and fins.
- Lip/GrooveWhere a case's base and lid meet, a lip round the edge of one and a matching groove in the other, so the lid locates and the seam is closed.
- BendFold a flat sheet along a line, like acrylic on a strip heater or a sheet-metal bracket. The laser file keeps the flat shape.
- VentSlots cut through the wall of a case for air to flow through, from a boundary you sketch, with ribs left standing where you draw lines across it.
- Sheet metalMake a sheet metal part from a sketch, flat or folded, with its thickness and bend radius, ready for flanges, hems and the laser.
- Snap fitA lid that clicks onto its case without screws: springy arms with a hook at the tip, and the groove they click into in the other part.
- Fill patternHoles of one shape filling a boundary sketched on a wall, in rows, a grid or rings, for perforated panels and speaker grilles.
- FlangeBend a wall up from edges of a sheet metal part, a set height and angle, with the corners closed.
- HemFold an edge of a sheet metal part right back on itself, closed, open or rolled, for a safe, stiff edge.
- Corner breakRound or cut off corners of a sheet metal part, folded and flat, so it has no sharp corners.
- TabAdd a flat shape, drawn on a face of a sheet metal part, to that wall so it folds with it.
- DraftTaper the walls of a part so it lets go of a mould, such as 3° to 5° for a vacuum-forming mould.
- Flat patternSee sheet metal parts flat, as they are cut, with the bend lines and the bend table.
- Convert to sheet metalMake a part with flat faces, such as a box modelled as a solid, into sheet metal with its bends and flat pattern.
- DecalPut a picture (a logo, a label, your artwork) on a flat or round face of a part, to see it in the Part workspace and in the Render window.
- DogboneAdd a small round relief in every inside corner, so square tabs fit slots and pockets cut on a CNC router.
- MirrorMake a mirror-image copy of parts across a plane, or repeat a cut, hole or extrude on the other side, so both sides of a symmetric design match.
- PatternRepeat a cut, a hole or whole parts in a row, around a circle or along a curve, for dowel holes, slats, vents, spokes and chain links.
- TransformMove, turn, scale or copy parts by exact distances, angles and scale factors.
- DeformTwist, taper, stretch or bend whole parts along an axis, such as a twisted vase or pen holder to 3D print.
- CombineJoin two or more parts into one part, such as a leg and a rail glued up as one piece.
- SubtractCut the shape of one part out of another. Great for woodwork joints, such as a groove for a shelf.
- Combine, Subtract and IntersectThree tools that change parts using other parts: join them, cut one with another, or keep where they overlap.
- IntersectKeep only the space where parts overlap, such as a shape cut from a block from the front and the side.
- SplitCut a part in two along a plane, such as a box and its lid, or two halves that each fit on a 3D printer.
- MatePlace a part so one of its faces sits flat on a face of another part, and stays there when sizes change.
- AssemblyPut your parts together with joints that move, like the real thing: open a lid, slide a drawer, spin a wheel.
- JointCut a woodwork joint where two boards overlap, such as a finger (box), butt, dowel, housing, rebate, mortise and tenon, halving, CNC tab and slot or Cabineo joint, or fit a drawer slide.
- LibraryPut standard screws, bolts, nuts, washers, dowels, hinges and electronics into your design, made to their real sizes, at sketch points or on a face.
- Insert designBring the parts of another design in this browser into this one, as a copy you can update when that design changes.
- ImportBring in a STEP, STL, OBJ, 3MF or SOLIDWORKS file as parts, and how to turn a Fusion or Inventor file into STEP.
- Flat-pack DXF to 3D assemblyTurn the DXF cutting sheets of a CNC flat-pack design into a 3D model that shows how every part fits together.
- Large assembliesLook around a very big STEP file, such as a whole robotics robot, then open any part from it as an exact solid.
Checking your design
Measure, check for problems and look inside before you make it.
- MeasureClick faces, edges, corners and parts to see sizes, lengths, diameters, distances and angles, plus volume, mass, cost and where the centre of mass is.
- Mass propertiesThe mass, volume, surface area, centre of mass and moments of inertia of the parts you select, or of the whole design, as Onshape and SOLIDWORKS report them.
- CheckA design check before you make it: overlapping parts, loose parts, problems, sketches that can still change, materials, stability and board sizes.
- Section viewSlice through your model to see inside joints, grooves, holes and walls. It only changes the view, not your design.
Making and sharing
Drawings, pictures, videos, laser and 3D print files, and sharing your design.
- Engineering drawing (PDF)Make an AS 1100 working drawing of your design: third-angle views, dimensions, a section, a detail view, a parts list and a title block.
- Drawing sheet (edit and keep)An engineering drawing you keep with your design and change: move views, add your own dimensions and notes, sections, details and more sheets.
- Render picture (PNG)Save a sharp picture of your model just as you see it in the view, with a studio, white or clear background.
- RenderMake photo-real pictures of your design with timber, acrylic and metal materials, on your own computer, with no AI and nothing uploaded.
- Video (MP4)Record a short video of your design turning round, building itself feature by feature, or both, for slides, a folio or a website.
- Assembly instructions (PDF)Make a printable PDF that shows, step by step, how the parts of your design go together, with a parts list.
- Laser cut file (DXF)Make a DXF file for a laser cutter or CNC router: the flat outline of each part, full size in millimetres, laid out on real sheet sizes.
- 3D printingMake a ready-to-print file for a Bambu Lab printer in the 3D Print Studio, or export STL or 3MF for any slicer.
- 3D model (STEP, OBJ, GLB)Save your design as a 3D file for other programs: STEP for Onshape, Fusion, SOLIDWORKS and CNC, or OBJ and GLB for Blender, PowerPoint and the web.
- Cutting plan & shopping list (PDF)Work out which standard boards and sheets to buy, what they cost and where to cut each part, for one design or a whole class.
- Cut list (CSV)Save a spreadsheet of every part in your design: how many, its size, material, standard board, mass and estimated cost.
- Share as a linkSend your design to your teacher or a friend as a link. The design travels inside the link, so nothing is uploaded.
- Hand inSend your design to your teacher as a link or a file, with its versions, your name, class and task. Nothing is uploaded.
- Make a class linkTeachers: one link and a QR code that start every student on the same task, from a blank design, a tutorial, a sample or your design.
- Mark hand-insTeachers: open hand-in links or files to see each design read-only, with its versions, Play the build and checks, and a class table.
Reference
Tool names in other CAD programs, keyboard shortcuts and technical words.
- Coming from OnshapeOnshape's tool names and the closest SchoolCAD tool for each.
- Coming from FusionAutodesk Fusion's tool names and the closest SchoolCAD tool for each.
- Coming from SOLIDWORKSSOLIDWORKS tool names and the closest SchoolCAD tool for each.
- Keyboard shortcutsEvery keyboard shortcut in SchoolCAD, for the Part workspace, sketches and everywhere, with keys like Onshape, Fusion or SOLIDWORKS if you choose.
- Technical wordsThe CAD and workshop words used in SchoolCAD, explained simply, with their names in five languages.
Resources
Tutorials, sample designs and more, for students and teachers.