Noob question on how to create vectors

Brucelan · April 5, 2026, 12:47pm

Admittedly I am a beginner.

I am trying to make a kitchen helper (workstand) for a young child that is similar to the included picture. There is a cut out that allows you to adjust the floor height that has me stumped on exactly how to do it.
I have tried using Carbide Create curve tool and got something close but it still looks a bit wonky.

I have included a couple photos of what I am trying for and my CC file.

Am I using the wrong tool?
How do I get each position to be identical to the others?
How do I get the curves to roughly match the photo?

I would really appreciate any help/guidance on this.

Cheers,

Kitchen_Helper.c2d (52 KB)

Bruce

RichCournoyer · April 5, 2026, 12:55pm

I LOVE CC but there are limits to what it can do (easily), for the other stuff, I turn to F360…

Added: F360 mirroring function is a great time saver as well as making sure things remain similar (left/right or top/bottom).

WillAdams · April 5, 2026, 1:26pm

As Rich notes, the “right” tool for this sort of design is a “real” 3D CAD program such as Autodesk Fusion 360, FreeCAD, SolidWorks, or Alibre — we actually sell the latter:

but between you, me, and the fence post, I’ve tried to learn 3D CAD multiple times in my life, and I’ve crashed and burned each. and. every. single. time.

The closest I’ve gotten to success is w/ a nascent program Dune 3D, and even made a lengthy thread on it:

which the developer used to improve the documentation, but, late last night after crashing-and-burning on FreeCAD (again) despite having purchased the FreeCAD Beginner’s Handbook (which it turns out despite having 1.1 on the front cover has 1.0 screengrabs and terminology and instructions) tried again, and again got stuck, I believe at this point:

which is why, I either program stuff in OpenSCAD or Open(Python)SCAD or use BlockSCAD:

or, just draw stuff up using Carbide Create:

this seems straight-forward, so we will do our best to go over it step-by-step with you in Carbide Create.

If some who uses a 3D CAD program would be willing to exert the effort at a similar step-by-step walkthrough which explains all terminology and concepts along the way, that would be most welcome.

WillAdams · April 5, 2026, 2:05pm

Okay, it looks as if you have imported the pixel image and re-drawn things:

which seems a reasonable start and when we select things, to have reasonable dimensions:

So we will use it as a starting point.

The notable lacunae is that while the mechanism quite prominently uses dowels, none are draw in, so the first question becomes:

What is a suitable diameter for the dowels?

Quickly drawing a circle:

suggests a radius of 0.375"

which of course is a diameter of:

3/4" which is a readily available size for dowels commercially:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Pine-Round-Dowel-48-in-x-0-75-in-Sanded-and-Ready-for-Finishing-Versatile-Wooden-Rod-for-DIY-Home-Projects-6212U/329566302

and is supported by a dowel making system:

https://www.leevalley.com/en-us/shop/tools/hand-tools/dowel-and-tenon-cutters/42331-veritas-dowel-maker

https://www.leevalley.com/en-us/shop/tools/hand-tools/dowel-and-tenon-cutters/102445-dowel-inserts-for-the-veritas-dowel-maker?item=05J4511

so seems a reasonable size.

The next dimension which one needs is clearance — usually, 1/64" of an inch is suitable for a tight running mechanism, but with 4 points of contact and the potential angular deviation of what looks to be several feet of length, I’d want at least 1/32", and depending on how hard/slippery/thick the finish is, more might be necessary — as with all complex CNC projects, my recommendation is to make at least 3:

first at full size in some inexpensive or scrap material to prove out dimensions/proportions and part interactions
second at full size in the intended stock (buy more than twice as much as you need, sort out the best pieces for the final part, but it may be that if need be, parts from the second prototype may be subbed into the final one if need be)
third and final in the select stock

Naturally, as @KevBarn14 has noted in his videos, one should make prototypes of sub-assemblies to test fitment as appropriate.

So, we duplicate the circle in place by copying, then pasting w/ the cursor outside of the drawing area:

then increase the radius by 1/32":

We then use this larger circle to draw up the entire shape (and yes, unlike w/ a constraint-solving, parametric 3D CAD program, if we decide that the dimension should be different, then everything will need to be re-drawn)…

WillAdams · April 5, 2026, 3:06pm

We then measure the placements for duplicates of the circles:

Done

We then select the circle and use Linear Array:

to make a suitable number of suitably placed duplicates:

OK

Then, we make duplicates for the slot:

and it is simple to adjust their positioning using the arrow keys to nudge them into the desired position:

Note however that the one at the top should be positioned a bit lower, with a matching circle which is placed closer to the bottom of the top position, so we duplicate it and nudge the duplicate into position:

similarly position the duplicate:

Unfortunately, Carbide Create does not have an arc tool:

so we need to work out how to connect the perimeters using a circle:

Drawing a square whose corners are at the centers of the circles:

then affords a new point which may be used to create a circle:

which will be tangent to both:

This circle may then be Node Edited to trim down to only what is wanted:

right-click

Cut Vector

repeat on the other side:

then select each of the nodes:

d (to delete)

d

Done

Delete the extraneous portion:

as well as the drawn square:

We then draw in some lines to connect things (after hiding the other layer):

Done

For lines which we need which do not have matching circles at each end, we simply duplicate already drawn lines and place them where they are wanted:

(against a Midpoint)

If there is a line which one wishes to place which does not have an extant snap point, then draw a bit of construction geometry:

and then draw a rectangle which snaps to it:

then edit it down to only what is wanted:

then select the nodes which one does not want:

d

Done

and delete what one does not want:

delete the circle which is no longer needed:

select all the open geometries which cross:

and use Trim Vectors:

to remove what is not wanted:

until one arrives at:

OK

deselect the extraneous line:

Yes

select and delete the extraneous line:

and re-draw the line segment which was wrongly deleted:

and delete the wrongly shortened one:

Lastly, draw a series of lines which cross the circles which will allow us to use Trim Vectors to separate off what is wanted:

Done

Then add the circles which have arcs which we wish to make use of to the selection by shift-clicking:

and use Trim Vectors:

to remove what is not wanted:

until one arrives at:

OK

select the dividing line geometry:

and delete

Select only the open geometry:

and use Join Vectors:

Yes

Then use the Corner tool to round off the corners:

OK

At this point, it should work to ungroup the open vectors:

and then Join them:

At this point, the geometry may be selected and copy-pasted in place:

and shift-click on the outermost geometry:

and Mirror Horizontal:

Then select only the mirrored geometry in its new position:

and undo the mirroring:

Attached as v8 file:

Kitchen_Helper_v8.c2d (52 KB)

kbeggarly · April 5, 2026, 3:48pm

Hey Will,
I have not used CC much but was able to create this based on a 1/4" grid spacing and laying out a 1" wide geometry that can be offset to allow for any clearance needed. Basically, I used circles, rectangles, linear array, and trimming to achieve the outcome. by, the way I appreciate how in depth you go to explain your process when answering various question we ask. You ROCK!!!

KB

Brucelan · April 5, 2026, 4:15pm

Thank you. That was super helpful!

bruce

shawnoel · April 5, 2026, 4:46pm

Great explanation. Thanks William!

Pchuk · April 5, 2026, 8:53pm

You could also draw a vertical rectangle, then draw one 3/4" circle with the lines on an ~45 degrees then use the linear array to generate the next 3? I just used that function to create my wife’s wall rolling pin holder.