Access syllabus for a newer version of the course (version 1.3)

Unit 1

Section 1

  • XY plane, X and Y axes, their orientation
  • Coordinates of points in the XY plane
  • Quadrants Q1, Q2, Q3 and Q4
  • Constructive Solid Geometry (CSG)
  • Scripting CAD and PLaSM
  • Make squares, rectangles and circles
  • Assign colors to objects
  • Display objects

Section 2

  • Distance between points
  • Width and height of planar objects
  • 2D and 3D objects are sets of points
  • Sets and basic set operations
  • Make rings, arcs, triangles and quadrilaterals
  • Display multiple objects together
  • Create unions and intersections of objects
  • Subtract objects

Section 3

  • Size (diameter) of objects
  • Distance between objects
  • Area of planar objects
  • Create regular polygons
  • Make prisms based on squares, rectangles, regular polygons, circles, planar rings, triangles and quadrilaterals
  • Combine multiple prisms to create a large variety of 3D objects
  • Make hollow objects by subtracting prisms of different heights
  • Eliminate random color mixing on overlapping surfaces
  • Erase parts of planar and 3D objects
  • Intersect 3D objects with planes parallel to the XY, XZ and YZ planes

Section 4

  • Vectors in the XY plane
  • Vector as the difference of two points
  • Basic vector operations
  • Move points and objects by adding vectors to them
  • Combine X an Y translations

Section 5

  • Split planar (2D) objects along lines parallel to the X and Y axes
  • Split 3D objects along planes parallel to the XY, XZ and YZ planes
  • Move (translate) objects in the Z direction
  • Mirror planar objects about lines parallel to the X and Y axes
  • Mirror 3D objects about planes parallel to the XY, XZ and YZ planes
  • Scale (stretch and shrink) objects in the X, Y and Z directions

Unit 2

Section 6

  • Learn how to rotate objects in the XY plane by playing Tetris
  • Positive and negative rotation
  • Rotation about the origin (0, 0)
  • Rotation about an arbitrary point in the XY plane:
    • Center of rotation inside the object
    • Center of rotation on object’s boundary
    • Center of rotation outside of object

Section 7

  • Practice 2D rotations and translations by building Tangram puzzles

Section 8

  • Learn first 3D objects and build simple 3D models
  • Create spheres, cubes, cylinders and cones

Section 9

  • Create pipe-like objects (tubes, pipes, 3D rings etc.)
  • Create boxes and toruses

Section 10

  • Learn how to rotate and translate objects in the 3D space by playing Tetris 3D
  • There are six possible rotations in the 3D space
  • Z-axis rotations are the same as XY-plane rotations
  • Right-hand rule
  • Special cases of rotations discussed separately: 
    • Rotation point is inside the object
    • Rotation point is on object’s boundary
    • Rotation point is outside of object

Unit 3

Section 11

  • Practice 3D rotations and translations by creating a variety of 3D objects related to sports
  • Create truncated cones and arcs

Section 12

  • Learn how to exploit axial and planar symmetry to simplify designs
  • Mirror 2D objects about lines parallel to the X or Y axes
  • Mirror 3D objects about planes that are perpendicular to the X, Y or Z axes
  • Exploit multiple symmetries in one design

Section 13

  • Learn how to exploit rotational symmetry to simplify designs
  • Combine axial / planar and rotational symmetries

Section 14

  • Solve spatial puzzles in order to develop spatial reasoning skills

Section 15

  • Practice previously learned concepts by building advanced 3D models related to movies 
  • Scale (shrink or stretch) 2D and 3D objects
  • Erase parts of objects

Unit 4

Section 16

  • Curved surfaces are represented via straight triangles, and how to take advantage of this fact to create new shapes
  • More accurate surface representation leads to larger data files and increased memory and computing time
  • Make computations faster by reducing the number of sides in cylinders and cones 
  • Create elbows (elbow = part of a torus)
  • Create new objects by reducing the number of facets on elbows and spheres
  • Create intersections of objects
  • Boolean operations are more efficient when objects have fewer facets

Section 17

  • Create spirals by revolving a given 2D object in the XY plane about the Y axis with a given angle of revolution, and elevation gain per one complete turn 
  • Create a rail to a staircase
  • Create helical screw blades for a meat grinder
  • Create a nut with thread, and a double-helix DNA model
  • Create a minigolf obstacle
  • Complete a freeway intersection
  • Build a slide for children’s playground

Section 18

  • Identify repeating patterns and exploit them to simplify models
  • Python for-loop

Section 19

  • Use Python for-loop to automate simpler designs
  • Create color bars with changing colors, stars of gradually increasing heights
  • Create a pyramid by stacking rectangular prisms of gradually decreasing diameter
  • Create a round staircase

Section 20

  • Use design automation for advanced projects
  • Build a railroad with many wooden ties
  • Build a spoked wheel, and a snowflake
  • Build a flower with many petals
  • Build a clock with minute marks
  • Build a sophisticated double-helix DNA model using balls and sticks