Hello hello dear Steemit readers !
Time for another entry to the #selfCADchallenge design competition for practical 3D printable objects designed using the selfcad online design tool.

I decided to go for a very simple geometric succulent pot for my second entry:

IT took me some time to think of an interesting idea for the second entry, given it had to be something practical, and I wanted to be sure it would be 3D printable without too much hassle.

1. random ideation phase

At first, I played around with creating a fruit bowl of some kind:

But as pretty as that is, I have no idea how I'd connect the different parts together, make it resistant enough to 3D print, AND make sure it could be printed without tons of extra support material.

I also played around with the Revolve tool, trying to generate something interesting...

and while this had a certain charm to it, I couldn't get it to create anything more complicated.

I finally decided I'd just try and go for a simple geometric shape that I'd cut up and hollow out in the right dimensions for a standard succulent plant.

2. So... what's a succulent pot's dimensions ? What's a "succulent pot" even supposed to be ?

Well, since the #selfCADchallenge is supposed to be about creating practical objects, they kind of have to have the right design and dimensions for their intended use, wouldn't you say ?

I scoured the internet a bit, and found this little illustration for the general design itself:

Hmmm... so we need:

1. A drain hole at the bottom
2. An inverse pyramid design so the roots hit the sides, and thus promotes top growth

The drain hole dimensions I found here:

So, about 1/4 inch holes (~6mm).
Given I'm making a very small planted, I'll go with a singe central hole at the very bottom.

As for the dimensions, I went the easy route, and just copied the general size from these cute owl planters from Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/SUN-Ceramic-Flowing-Succulent-Container/dp/B01NCVYZJV

My pot won't be quite as pretty, but then I'm going for a very simple geometric look

3. Design Time !

starter shape

So, first things first I decided on this shape:

because I think it'll look interesting for a pot.

cut a bottom

Then, I removed a flat piece from the bottom using a flat square and the Stitch and Scoop boolean tool

Do ignore that the object numbers change... I had to redo the screenshot of a few steps to clarify the instructions some ;)

Inverse pyramid/cone cut-out

Then, I created a cone to cut out the shape out of the pot that the earth will go in:

Moved it into position...

And Scooped it out:

I then resized it to fit the dimensions we determined above (remember those cute owl planters ?).

I didn't mention this before, but the dimensions of the geodesic sphere were just the default ones that SelfCAD starts out with when you select that shape generator.

Drainage Hole:

So, it's time to add that Drainage hole to our model, given succulents don't like to be too wet, and most of us are horrible at determining if it's time to water the cactus or not ;)

First I created a simple 6 mm diameter shape:

Then I carved that one out of the pot:

Where does the water go with an entirely flat bottom, though ?

I then realized that, if the bottom of the pot is entirely flat, then the water won't exactly drain anywhere, will it ?

(NOTE: for any planting specialists, if this is wrong, do tell me. I have no potting experience whatsoever XP)

So I created 2x 2mm tubes which I cut just the top out in a cross design at the bottom of the pot:

And there we go !

I did also create a small "plant saucer" adapted to the pot's geometry, but honestly that's entirely optional, and just a flat circle with edges around the sides.

Here's a few finished shots of different angles:

And here's the model on MyMiniFactory.

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As always, all images and 3D models (except the succulent pot design image, and the one of those owl pots) are released under CC-BY 4.0