How to Make a Domino in Onshape

If you’ve ever been fascinated by an intricate domino effect run or simply wanted to design a custom domino for 3D printing or digital animation, you might be surprised how easily this can be done using Onshape, a powerful browser-based CAD (Computer-Aided Design) tool. Perfect for beginners and seasoned designers alike, Onshape provides the tools you need to model simple parts with precision and customization. In this article, we’ll walk through the complete process of creating a digital domino in Onshape — from sketch to 3D model.

TL;DR (Too Long, Didn’t Read)

In this article, you’ll learn how to model a domino in Onshape using basic features like sketches, extrusions, fillets, and patterns. We’ll cover both the rectangular shape of the domino itself and how to design the iconic dot pips. Onshape’s simple interface and parametric modeling capabilities make it easy to create and customize dominoes. Whether you’re preparing a model for 3D printing or just learning the basics of CAD, this guide has you covered!

Step 1: Set Up a New Document in Onshape

First things first—start by opening Onshape and logging into your account. If you don’t have an account, you can create a free one. Once logged in:

1. Click on the “+ Create” button in the top-left corner.
2. Select “Document” from the dropdown list.
3. Give your document a name such as “Domino Model” and click “OK”.

You’re now ready to start building your domino!

Step 2: Sketch the Domino Shape

Most dominoes are based on a simple rectangular prism. We’ll begin by sketching that shape on the Front Plane.

1. Select the Front Plane and click “Sketch”.
2. Use the Rectangle tool to draw a vertical rectangle starting from the origin. A typical domino size is about 50mm tall and 25mm wide, so you can apply those dimensions using the Dimension tool.
3. Click the checkmark to confirm the sketch.

Step 3: Extrude the Shape

With the basic 2D outline finished, it’s time to give the domino its thickness using the Extrude tool:

1. Click on the sketch you just made to select it.
2. Click “Extrude” from the toolbar.
3. Set the extrusion depth to around 5 mm to match a standard domino thickness.
4. Click the checkmark to finalize the extrusion.

Step 4: Add Rounded Edges with Fillets

To give the domino a more realistic appearance and make it safer if 3D printed, let’s round the edges using fillets:

1. Click on the edges around the top and bottom of the domino.
2. Then click the Fillet tool from the toolbar.
3. Insert a radius value — something like 1 mm — and apply the fillets.

This step is great for making the part feel realistic and finished.

Step 5: Split the Face for Numbering

Dominoes typically have two equal halves, each representing a number from zero to six. To simulate this, we’ll make a visual division in the top face:

1. Start a new sketch on the Top Face of the domino.
2. Draw a centered line across the middle using the Line tool.
3. Use the “Use” function (the icon that looks like a pencil tracing a line) to project the outer edges of the face for reference.
4. Use this sketch to create a shallow extrusion cut (~0.2 mm deep) along the center line to visually divide the surface.

Step 6: Add the Dot Indents (Pips)

Now for the iconic part of a domino: the dots! These are usually small circular indents. We’ll make these using sketch and extrude cut features.

Create One Dot

1. Start a new sketch on the top face of the domino.
2. Draw a small circle about 2 mm in diameter.
3. Position it precisely using the Dimension tool (e.g., 10 mm from edges).
4. Use Extrude Cut to indent the circle about 1 mm.

Duplicate for Each Number

Use Pattern tools or manually draw additional dots to represent numbers 1 through 6. Here’s a basic dot layout for 1–6:

• 1: Center dot
• 2: Top-left, bottom-right
• 3: Top-left, center, bottom-right
• 4: Four corners
• 5: Four corners + center
• 6: Three horizontal dots on each side

Repeat the process to place dots on both halves of the domino surface. You can also create multiple parts with different dot combinations if you want a full domino set.

Step 7: Customize and Save

Now that your basic domino is complete, consider customizing it. You could add text with the Text tool, change dimensions, or even engrave logos.

Once you’re satisfied with the design, save your project and consider exporting it as an STL file for 3D printing:

1. Right-click the part in the parts list.
2. Select “Export…”.
3. Choose STL as the file type and confirm settings based on your printer.

And just like that, you’ve created a fully functional domino!

Bonus Tips

• Use Configurations: Onshape lets you create configurations so you can vary the number patterns without rebuilding the model from scratch.
• Add Color: While not always needed for 3D printing, coloring your model in Onshape can help differentiate sides or numbers.
• Use Assemblies: If you want to create a full domino run or display, bring multiple domino parts into an Onshape Assembly tab to arrange them neatly.

Conclusion

Designing a domino in Onshape is a fun and educational exercise in 3D modeling that covers several foundational skills — sketching, extruding, filleting, and patterning. The power of parametric CAD software makes it simple to replicate and customize models, turning a single domino into a full set or creative display piece.

Whether you’re building something playful or prototyping for production, mastering this simple project is a great step forward in your Onshape journey. Happy modeling!