8 / SEARCH FOR EXISTING CASE PARTS
While creating an entire case yourself is rewarding, there are
thousands of pre-rendered objects available that can save you time,
so you can spend more time designing your case’s unique details.
Motherboard trays, I/O panels and expansion slot brackets are all
worth borrowing for your build.4 / CHOOSE 3D PRINT MATERIAL
There’s a variety of 3D print materials available, including wood and
metal effects. However, for some parts of the PC, it’s best to use strong
materials such as nylon, especially for supports or construction cubes.5 / LEARN 3D DESIGN SOFTWARE
There’s a plethora of software available, both free and paid, that’s great
for creating 3D-printable models. One of the best and simplest to use
is TinkerCAD, which is an online app. You can design models down to a
0.1mm resolution with plenty of flexibility, and export your designs to
STL files for use with 3D printers.7 / USE MODDING CUBES
Companies such as Parvum Systems use modding or construction
cubes to attach the various sections of case together. These cubes
cost around £1 each and give some flexibility when it comes to
mounting your components. Unfortunately, you can’t 3D-print them,
as the screws will split the print layers.6 / CONSIDER SLOTTOGETHER DESIGN
One way of constructing your case is to use flanges that slot into
holes – in other words, a slot-together design. These designs require
less time than construction cubes, but you’ll need to work with a high
degree of accuracy to ensure that the parts fit neatly together.9 / USE A DIGITAL VERNIER CALLIPER
A digital Vernier calliper allows for very precise measurements of
components. It can be very useful for modelling the fixtures, fittings
and hardware, so you can accurately create your 3D case model.8 /SEARCHFOREXISTINGCASEPARTS
Whilecreatinganentirecaseyourselfisrewarding,thereare
thousandsofpre-renderedobjectsavailablethatcansaveyoutime,
soyoucanspendmoretimedesigning yourcase’suniquedetails.
Motherboardtrays,I/Opanelsandexpansionslotbracketsareall
worthborrowingforyourbuild.4 / CHOOSE 3D PRINT MATERIAL
There’s a variety of 3D print materials available, including wood and
metal effects. However, for some parts of the PC, it’s best to use strong
materials such as nylon, especially for supports or construction cubes.
5 / LEARN 3D DESIGN SOFTWARE
There’s a plethora of software available, both free and paid, that’s great
for creating 3D-printable models. One of the best and simplest to use
is TinkerCAD, which is an online app. You can design models down to a
0.1mm resolution with plenty of flexibility, and export your designs to
STL files for use with 3D printers.
7 / USE MODDING CUBES
Companies such as Parvum Systems use modding or construction
cubes to attach the various sections of case together. These cubes
cost around £1 each and give some flexibility when it comes to
mounting your components. Unfortunately, you can’t 3D-print them,
as the screws will split the print layers.6 / CONSIDER SLOTTOGETHER DESIGN
One way of constructing your case is to use flanges that slot into
holes – in other words, a slot-together design. These designs require
less time than construction cubes, but you’ll need to work with a high
degree of accuracy to ensure that the parts fit neatly together.
9 /USEADIGITALVERNIERCALLIPER
A digitalVerniercalliperallowsforveryprecisemeasurementsof
components.It canbeveryusefulformodellingthefixtures,fittings
andhardware,soyoucanaccuratelycreateyour3Dcasemodel.