3D Modeling an iPhone 12

How easy/hard was it?

The initial task of 3D modeling an object was daunting, as Fusion360 contains many different features, and finding a place to start can be challenging. However, through a combination of watching a couple of instruction videos and interacting with the app, I grasped a basic understanding of how to maneuver my way around. The process of actually creating the phone was easy and quite enjoyable once I was familiarized with the app. 

Creating the base of the phone was the most time-consuming. I initially used a 2-point rectangle and then lines/arcs to draw the foundation of the phone. After freehanding, the phone proved to be asymmetrical. I ended up redoing the base and using the mirror function to make it symmetrical. The actual drawing of the phone was easy but finding an efficient way to do so proved challenging.

What elements particularly bogged you down?

A significant nuisance was that my app would periodically crash or freeze, causing me to force quit. Additionally, I created my phone with a trackpad instead of a mouse which made maneuvering around my design inconvenient, as I had to toggle between the orbit and pan functions constantly.

What compromises did you make?

My original intent for the project was to recreate an iPhone 12. After completing the project, there were some noticeable differences between my design and a tangible iPhone 12. I couldn’t figure out how to draw the iconic Apple on the back. Additionally, the corners of the phone were not rounded enough, and I didn’t know how to fix that without redoing the entire base.

What technique or tool do you wish you had figured out sooner so that you can provide a tip for other novice users?

If a novice user is trying to create a replica of an existing object, I suggest using canvases. This function lets you layer a photo on top of your model to achieve more precise details.