3D Product Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield 3D Product facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. What is the generally recommended minimum wall thickness for structural FDM printed parts using a 0.4mm nozzle? → 1.2mm
2. When designing holes for press-fit inserts in an FDM part, what is the recommended approach? → Design holes 0.1–0.2mm undersized, then drill or ream to final size
3. What is 'PDM' (Product Data Management) software used for in professional product design teams? → Managing CAD file versions, access control, and revision history across a design team
4. When designing snap-fit joints for FDM printed parts, which material property pair is most critical? → Flexural modulus and elongation at break
5. In 3D product design, what is a 'chamfer' used for? → To create an angled cut or bevel at the edge of a model to soften sharp corners
6. Which file format is most commonly used to exchange 3D models between different CAD and design applications? → STEP (.stp)
7. What does 'design intent' mean in the context of parametric CAD modeling? → Planning how a model's features and constraints should behave when dimensions are changed
8. What does FDM stand for in 3D printing? → Fused Deposition Modeling
9. What is a 'boolean operation' in 3D modeling? → A mathematical operation that combines or subtracts two mesh objects
10. What is 'edge looping' used for in 3D product modeling? → To add geometric support around curved areas and control surface smoothness
11. What is the primary reason to minimize support structures in a DfAM design? → Supports increase print time, consume material, and require post-processing removal
12. In 3D modeling, what is 'subdivision surface' modeling? → A technique that smooths a low-poly mesh by dividing polygons into smaller ones
13. What distinguishes Keyshot from other 3D software in the product design workflow? → It is a dedicated real-time rendering application optimized for product visualization
14. What is Fusion 360 commonly used for in product design? → Integrated CAD/CAM/CAE tool for product design, simulation, and CNC machining
15. What is 'reverse engineering' in the context of 3D product design? → Creating a digital 3D model from a physical object by scanning or measuring it
16. What is the primary purpose of Rhino 3D (Rhinoceros) in product design? → NURBS-based surface modeling for complex, free-form industrial and product design
17. What type of software is SolidWorks, and what industry primarily uses it? → Parametric 3D CAD software used primarily in mechanical engineering and product design
18. A designer is creating a tall, narrow FDM part with a small footprint. Which printing aid should be considered during design to prevent warping? → Adding a brim or raft in the design file or slicer settings to improve bed adhesion
19. What is the primary engineering benefit of incorporating lattice structures into a 3D printed product? → Significantly reducing mass while maintaining structural stiffness
20. What are the best practices for designing readable text or logos on an FDM printed part? → Emboss or engrave text at least 0.5–1mm deep or high using simple, bold sans-serif fonts
21. What does 'UV unwrapping' accomplish in 3D product modeling? → It flattens a 3D model's surface into a 2D map for texture application
22. What is 'retopology' in 3D product design workflows? → The process of rebuilding a high-poly mesh with clean, optimized low-poly geometry
23. What is the maximum overhang angle from vertical that typically does NOT require support structures in FDM printing? → 45°
24. Which design strategy best exploits additive manufacturing's unique ability to create complex internal geometries? → Integrating internal cooling channels, hollow cavities, or lattice infill
25. What is stereolithography (SLA) 3D printing? → A resin-based process that uses UV laser light to cure photopolymer resin layer by layer
26. What clearance is typically recommended between mating FDM printed parts in an assembly to ensure proper fit? → 0.2–0.5mm per side to account for FDM dimensional tolerances
27. What does 'watertight' mean when describing a 3D model intended for 3D printing? → The mesh has no holes or open edges — it fully encloses a volume
28. What does 'topology' refer to in the context of 3D product modeling? → The arrangement and flow of polygons that make up a mesh
29. What is 'Shore hardness' used to measure in product material selection? → The hardness and stiffness of rubber and flexible polymers
30. What is 'photogrammetry' in the context of 3D product design? → The process of creating a 3D model from multiple photographs of a real object