Articles & Guides
CAD concepts explained, hands-on how-to guides, and honest comparisons — for anyone modeling on iPad, iPhone, or anywhere else.
Concepts
What Is Direct Modeling? A Plain-English Guide
Direct modeling lets you push, pull, and reshape 3D geometry immediately — no feature tree required. Learn how it works and when to use it.
Read article →Parametric vs. Direct Modeling: Differences, Pros, and When to Use Each
A practical comparison of parametric (history-based) and direct CAD modeling — how each works, their strengths, and how to choose for your workflow.
Read article →What Is a B-rep Geometry Kernel? (And Why CAD Apps Brag About Theirs)
B-rep kernels like OpenCASCADE, Parasolid, and ACIS are the math engines inside CAD software. Learn what they do and why they matter more than the UI.
Read article →CAD Sketch Constraints and Dimensions, Explained Simply
Coincident, tangent, symmetric, driving dimensions, degrees of freedom — what sketch constraints mean and how to use them to make precise CAD profiles.
Read article →Mesh vs. Solid Modeling: STL Files, B-rep Solids, and When Each Matters
Triangles or exact surfaces? Learn the difference between mesh modeling and B-rep solid modeling, and which to use for 3D printing, CNC, and design.
Read article →What Is Push/Pull Modeling? The Fastest Way to Edit 3D Solids
Push/pull (face push-pull) lets you extrude and cut solids by dragging faces directly. Learn how it works, its automatic-boolean rules, and where it came from.
Read article →How-To Guides
How to Sketch on a Face or Plane in a 3D CAD App
Step-by-step guide to starting 2D sketches on world planes, model faces, and offset construction planes — the foundation of every solid model.
Read article →How to Extrude a Sketch into a 3D Solid (Beginner Tutorial)
Turn a 2D profile into a 3D body: extrude basics, holes from nested profiles, symmetric extents, and Auto/Union/Subtract boolean options explained.
Read article →How to Fillet and Chamfer Edges in CAD (and When to Use Each)
Round or bevel the edges of your 3D models: fillet vs. chamfer, picking radii, edge-selection tips, and why fillets fail — with fixes.
Read article →Beyond Extrude: Revolve, Sweep, Loft, and Helix Explained
The four advanced profile-to-solid operations: revolve for turned parts, sweep for tubes, loft for transitions, helix for threads and springs.
Read article →Boolean Operations in CAD: Union, Subtract, and Intersect
How boolean operations combine 3D solids, when to use each, automatic vs. explicit booleans, and why B-rep booleans beat mesh booleans.
Read article →How to Export 3D Models from Your iPad for Printing, AR, and Sharing
STL, OBJ, 3MF, GLB, USDZ, DXF — which export format to choose from iPad CAD apps for 3D printing, AR Quick Look, game engines, and laser cutting.
Read article →Comparisons & Guides
The Best CAD Apps for iPad in 2026 (Free and Paid)
A practical roundup of iPad CAD and 3D modeling apps — Shapr3D, OpenShape3D, Onshape, uMake, Valence 3D, Nomad Sculpt, and more — with strengths and pricing models.
Read article →Free Shapr3D Alternatives: Open-Source and No-Subscription Options
Looking for Shapr3D-style CAD without the subscription? Compare OpenShape3D, FreeCAD, Onshape free tier, Plasticity, and other alternatives.
Read article →OpenShape3D vs. Shapr3D: An Honest Comparison
How the free, open-source OpenShape3D compares to Shapr3D on modeling tools, kernel, pricing, and platform support — and which fits your work.
Read article →The Complete Guide to Free and Open-Source CAD Software (2026)
FreeCAD, OpenSCAD, Blender, Onshape free, Tinkercad, OpenShape3D — every serious free CAD option, what each is best at, and how to combine them.
Read article →CAD with Apple Pencil: Why a Stylus Changes 3D Modeling
How the Apple Pencil improves CAD sketching on iPad — precision, hover, gesture separation — plus practical workflow tips for pencil-first modeling.
Read article →