# How to  Design a Cupboard Using 3D CAD Software

**How to  Design a Cupboard Using 3D CAD Software**

Designing a cupboard requires a combination of creativity, precision, and the right tools. Traditional methods of furniture design often involve manual drafting and complex calculations, which can be time-consuming and challenging. However, with the advancement of digital modeling software, designing has become more efficient and accessible. SelfCAD, a powerful yet user-friendly [3D modeling software](https://www.selfcad.com/), simplifies the process by providing intuitive tools for creating detailed and customizable cupboard designs.

  

This article explores the step-by-step process of designing a cupboard using SelfCAD. It will cover essential aspects such as creating the basic structure, adjusting dimensions, adding shelves and compartments, and refining the final look with textures and colors. By following these steps, both beginners and experienced designers can create functional and aesthetically pleasing cupboards with ease.

To access the interactive tutorial to this article, check out [https://www.selfcad.com/tutorials/1o24k6b372p4f724k644h6t52443d1x43723](https://www.selfcad.com/tutorials/1o24k6b372p4f724k644h6t52443d1x43723)

  

Once you’ve launched the editor;

From the 3D Shapes category on the toolbar choose cube; set height to 150

![](https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXdX8OwP7R75He6lHXo2Sjk4iwbTD24qV-UksIR_t6M_eudk2Kr1TYvHly6Q6FFIkXH4C7cEzyMtx16emyqbvUoROzaFyazE0V0jVGbAbbvDFxN_u446UOfiHoNm5XD3qYf7U7TT?key=rkOg3zM2RLLfvCIG7UijZWYY align="left")

  

Tick the checkmark finalize cube

From the 3D Shapes category on the toolbar choose cube; Set width to 95, height to 25, depth to 95, position y to 2, position z to 5

![](https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXcNAuJH_gfOo6-7l3wzvJLrCbKQdM_kTKKGASIyxfm8n6o163M9gIHB8BwyhUYt9YtMI7_slEh7NqoDPdSDsiQBQcqvLkLIEKn-6zL-nio-xXir3-NG_A4Mfb9HqmssXot1Nl4?key=rkOg3zM2RLLfvCIG7UijZWYY align="left")

  

Tick the checkmark finalize cube

From the tools category on the toolbar choose copy offsets; Set y to 30, amount of copies to 4, click copy button to create copies. 

![](https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXebk63L6XhvQWHvTcfujsP0A87cw2fLq90N27sdXeDQ2uoDhj1Yx5qcZoBBpH7NwJQQu1jMuyFlF7FJ3IC7kFlMmiiff2wo7E3Kp8UDU8965Fn2lvm8BnA40sFSo4xSh4M1AFwE?key=rkOg3zM2RLLfvCIG7UijZWYY align="left")

  

Click ‘x’ to close copy offsets panel

Click on mesh 4 to select it

Click stitch & scoop on the toolbar; from the tool panel choose difference, choose group 1 to subtract, and set keep subtracted  object to true

![](https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXcVtUslwb1BTnRIjpKDg_Y-YH8ynbaL5MWQr6v83JXwUmPewQXRIAyeFb-LzYfK27ZepcBjSJ6E0dN-yGWQ3PP81auVDdmQsYvw4Dyh2Vuob_DcgYa9EymJ_W7EcbriisbBFgb3?key=rkOg3zM2RLLfvCIG7UijZWYY align="left")

  

 Tick the checkmark to finalize difference

Click on mesh 8 to deselect, click delete button to delete selected objects

Click on difference 1 to select; click hide button to hide selected objects

![](https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXdDdx3p2UT2jYRKZuHDjlLgtH0lAvI9A6LQMJN8jvKqS0r7UtT2VdICCRYXrVnH45Nk5VpuTgD6jC2yCHb_X20BMGuIcRAPCMGOFpbB-LqTCWurpRJJwNiLRvOaBudsttEFnqYH?key=rkOg3zM2RLLfvCIG7UijZWYY align="left")

  

Click on mesh 8 to select

Click copy button to copy selected objects

Click scale on the toolbar; set x to 90, y to 30, z to 90

![](https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXfW-1lDg2TAmp1Urmdfs1ztDojXMe5j1wH8fK9W7gsGTKtK3Ii-CW4QTe6XOl06tZz-TRr3e4wiBieBszBopqtlXuVQhXCE1Gpxnl2-MCBDK40lBgCsLBT8jVg7YXEDHXyRxfoV?key=rkOg3zM2RLLfvCIG7UijZWYY align="left")

  

Click move on the toolbar; set y to 5 using highlighted gizmo

![](https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXe_2fYNA0q02la93wYQriNrdOQz4hBIjD2Ag883JWTHbXX8IGDFe50DXIHG31k-bcsIA2Dm_beOvHjzBvsz6zvzslUO5K_PuGe2Kx7QaURby7oABq4uuBROulIMjM0QaOt1Vj8?key=rkOg3zM2RLLfvCIG7UijZWYY align="left")

  

Click ‘x’ to close transformation panel

Click on mesh 8 to select

Click stitch & scoop on the toolbar; from the tool panel choose difference, choose mesh 8(5)

![](https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXdVBRRSuijPJXYUG4JsQDWh1xEHsgsr0BoEKM97y_xlJVZtVkIp5ax0JXsjpu2C48labxvftgQVafK2Om6vjDeg-nMINnBy9-XUZaNL6y8n-Ddtpg9lacoS7lp47yO4o4OK5spQ?key=rkOg3zM2RLLfvCIG7UijZWYY align="left")

  

 Tick the checkmark to finalize difference

Click show button to show difference 1

From the 3D Shapes category on the toolbar choose cylinder; Set top radius to 1, Bottom radius to 1, height to 25, horizontal segments to 128, vertical segments to 128, position y to 15, position z to 60, rotation z to 90. 

![](https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXflxEBWmAhvCrJymanK6FGXMvYqUpMc9Jij_3FwnC3OdAWOnIhF1zZFUSOR_ueF2Ia8Z0S0E0xWpJZMXtRgeGF63BbWb-IbYbJGfvIXeNjim62_4Ys5_TS7QBlspbuqV4zBCEpv?key=rkOg3zM2RLLfvCIG7UijZWYY align="left")

  

Tick the checkmark to finalize cylinder

From the deform category on the toolbar choose bend; Set plane to left/right, z to -100

![](https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXcXjmuF2CSFzqgzmHK-xbZK_zzCjR8E_i6deXfJgNsrfNQKHQm6k97HMUAh7hzbv7zgZPhVoKaKRrZt7T4SLaq3eESVXs5BJcXFgWWT-xlpAXGkJnYvYSfJMcKFM5-gC3M3hEXN?key=rkOg3zM2RLLfvCIG7UijZWYY align="left")

  

Click move on the toolbar; Set z to 54

![](https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXcKbDdOT-dDVzFAfqp6vRHzvzNB7QcbPkF2KztaZfNL8f95ee4I1KCt6hf_aS14y8xgSJc4JGeFacQUm489xsqpg_nC2_BJDAIvLqcNTCk4bymS6KAmCjvhPi3nyWH2KjDiM8Yo?key=rkOg3zM2RLLfvCIG7UijZWYY align="left")

  

Click ‘x’ to close transformation panel

From the right panel choose materials; Click color button to change material color; click grey

![](https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXdOcc-mQQQ2_8xpST2njUyPRoPcDYXI3ohqMgIUhxVqD1iNs15gUWomH22WCPBgIz2lf6Or06PWP6C--RwyN_V6Jh4bynnlRkfk_9Zn90CW1gk8YfINKNaZSPiZM3ifXixGU7SW?key=rkOg3zM2RLLfvCIG7UijZWYY align="left")

  
  

Tick the checkmark to finalize materials

Click on difference 2 to select it. Click on mesh 12 to deselect

From the right panel choose materials; Set settings to textures,  texture category to wood, click wood 1 button to apply texture

![](https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXf45TEOqldg8_DMWLaz1ltGKLswGIC_hjlGOkNdBS80OuF6EX5BACTDJnehKrE9M8Bux2fnYQD2Si7LYHwQxAS4dTvOcw_5jFqH0C-N12eF0qsK8CS-3jOdjM1Z_TYCwbNPLWyK?key=rkOg3zM2RLLfvCIG7UijZWYY align="left")

  

Tick the checkmark to finalize materials

Click on difference 1 to select it. Click on difference 2 to deselect

From the right panel choose materials; Set texture category to others, set texture category to basic, click basic 1 button to apply texture

![](https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXcPooMkP8LOhgsfOAbe2OX7DHAHtENTK731xJiH4gCK3_ojHkGQvDrw4ixYAkpg1vv9zAgXAVHpVcCRI13QL9ACbt5KGDhI4Izv7ed_xvoddAWjWsBYhMmR5AHk7pRcWp-1MXnr?key=rkOg3zM2RLLfvCIG7UijZWYY align="left")

  

Tick the checkmark to finalize materials

Click on difference 2, mesh 12 to select it. Click on difference 1 to deselect

Click stitch & scoop on the toolbar; From the tool panel choose union. 

![](https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXfJ-VT0knSfuARWgL9zCFaOLRf-Gbvxl1eLQGDGdRQEzYA18wk3F4zAb-32_RIZF5dAQTFLtfQ-B5BvUtyb9EAhwKxg-ZBrp76FdKT7QiDhx4rpmmCU2pK3_4OQMtH14kolaHni?key=rkOg3zM2RLLfvCIG7UijZWYY align="left")

  

Tick the checkmark to finalize union

From the tools category on the toolbar choose copy offsets; Set y to 30, amount of copies to 4, click copy button to create copies.

![](https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXdFeGzJhWUVRFsDJ8wK12on8BkOijdjBKgtsws-wSL6JEdPbQM8xLaOYU6zR5dAgQRyooz-8UgQI4blw00ZyU11hsEIgEeiTqLcTd06Xlkz260PZQueEiBXvjiTCvQ8oez7LiU?key=rkOg3zM2RLLfvCIG7UijZWYY align="left")

  

 Click ‘x’ to close copy offsets panel

  

As you continue honing your design skills, remember that SelfCAD offers a wealth of resources to support your learning journey. To deepen your understanding and explore more advanced features, consider checking out the interactive tutorials ([https://www.selfcad.com/tutorials](https://www.selfcad.com/tutorials)) available on the SelfCAD website. The tutorials page provides a treasure trove of guides, tips, and tricks that cater to designers of all levels.

More structured learning experience can also be accessed at the SelfCAD Academy ([https://www.selfcad.com/academy/curriculum/](https://www.selfcad.com/academy/curriculum/)), [https://www.youtube.com/@3dmodeling101](https://www.youtube.com/@3dmodeling101), and 3D Modeling 101 series ([https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL74nFNT8yS9DcE1UlUUdiR1wFGv9DDfTB](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL74nFNT8yS9DcE1UlUUdiR1wFGv9DDfTB)). This comprehensive resource offers in-depth courses taught by industry experts, allowing you to master the intricacies of SelfCAD at your own pace