DNB313 Advanced Computer-Aided Design

Unit Outline: Semester 1 2027, Kelvin Grove, Internal

Overview

This unit develops your knowledge and skill in Computer Aided Design (CAD), with the aim to strengthen your knowledge about the implementation of CAD in an industrial design context as well as skills in generating CAD output (digital renderings) in a form that accurately communicates design intent. This unit will focus on building skills using SolidWorks, a 3D parametric modeller and Keyshot, a render engine. Designers need to be able to communicate their 3D design ideas in an accurate way to others to have them manufactured, and CAD is the primary way that this is done. Therefore, good CAD skills are an essential skill, sought after by employers and very useful for design communication in subsequent units, especially the capstone unit.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:

1. Demonstrate 3D Parametric CAD skills at an advanced level.
2. Apply CAD knowledge and skills in a design context.
3. Demonstrate presentation skills using CAD.

Content

Learning Approaches

This unit employs a blended learning approach with a focus on instructional CAD labs as well as some lectures and some online learning.

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

Feedback in this unit is provided to you in following ways:

• in-class formative exercises
• criteria (rubric) sheets
• Canvas general comments to cohort group
• collaborative peer feedback.

Assessment

Overview

This unit employs both summative and formative assessment. The summative assessment is designed to measure the level of knowledge and skills gained as well as how well you are able to integrate new and prior knowledge and skills. Formative assessment will be given on a one-on-one basis in class as required.

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: CAD Portfolio

For this assignment, you will use Computer Aided Design (CAD) to demonstrate a range of intermediate and advanced skills, including but not limited to, 3D modeling, rendering, animation, and technical documentation. You will design, animate and simulate a range of parts to prepare you for the following assignement (Applied CAD). The project should demonstrate your understanding of design principles, basic engineering, aesthetics, and technical requirements, and showcase your ability to create functional and innovative designs in 3 dimensions using SolidWorks.

The ethical and responsible use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is authorised in this assessment. See the relevant assessment details in Canvas for specific guidelines.

This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.

Assessment: Applied CAD

You will design a refined and manufacturable product using 3D CAD (SolidWorks) that showcases the full range of your CAD skills and knowledge. This assignment will require you to use SolidWorks to create a refined digital prototype which serves to demonstrate your understanding of product design principles, materials selection, and manufacturing processes. The final design will be rendered professionally in Keyshot to communicate your design's materials, finishes, aesthetics and ergonomics effectively to others.

The ethical and responsible use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is authorised in this assessment. See the relevant assessment details in Canvas for specific guidelines.

This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.

The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.

You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.

Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Requirements to Study

Requirements

All students and staff who access campus buildings and facilities are required to complete the Tier 1 General Health and Safety Induction. This must be completed online.

Resources

Risk Assessment Statement

All students and staff are required to complete Tier 1 of CIESJ Student HSE Inductions for access to campus buildings and facilities. This must be completed online.

Tier 1 Visit and review all sections of the health, safety and environment 

If requiring access to Z5, 10, 11, 12, 13 (Kelvin Grove) workshops, you must complete Tier 2 - Workshops HSE induction

Where substantial computer-based work is required, you are recommended to take regular rest breaks when engaging in prolonged computer-based work, and ensure that your workstation is set up for optimal comfort to prevent strain or injury.

Further information can be found on the unit Canvas.