When we want to create parts for a product, we typically need to be very specific about their designs. It isn't enough to hand a manufacturer a sketch on a napkin and expect to get back what you had in mind. The same goes when we use technologies such as 3D printing or laser cutting. A 3D printer will certainly have far more trouble understanding your napkin sketch than a human, so we'll need to give the computer information in a format that it understands. This means starting with computer-aided design, or CAD.
In this module, we'll be introducing you to Onshape, a web-based CAD program that will allow you to create sketches, 3D parts, and assemblies, that can be used to design a prototype, and used for manufacturing (e.g. 3D printing a part). Many other options for CAD tools exist out there, but Onshape has the convenience of being free for academic use, and putting everyone on the same platform (mostly) regardless of hardware specs.
Please create an account for Onshape Education, using the "Get Started" button. This should be a free account.
Next, complete the Navigating Onshape, Introduction to Sketching, and Part Design Using Part Studios tutorials under Self-Paced Courses in the Onshape Learning Center. The rest of this module will check that you have completed these tutorials.