# S6E15 Too Tall Toby | CAD Best Practices, Speed Modeling, & Gamification

- Show: [Being an Engineer](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer)
- Published: 2025-04-11
- Length: 1h 04m
- Episode: 15
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2025-04-11-s6e15-too-tall-toby-cad-best-practices-speed-modeling-gamification

## Summary

Toby Schnaars, founder of TooTallToby, explains how he gamifies 3D CAD learning through speed modeling tournaments and community challenges to help engineers master tools like SolidWorks, Onshape, and Fusion 360. He argues that speed modeling reinforces best practices rather than encouraging bad habits, as top competitors use efficient workflows like fully defined sketches and multi-contour extrusions. Schnaars details his platform's tiered challenges, live 'Model Monday' streams, and the 'speed modeling leaderboard' which allows users to compete against the clock and share strategies. The conversation highlights how mastering CAD efficiency allows engineers to focus on core engineering problems, potentially leading to higher salaries and better job performance.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2025-04-11-s6e15-too-tall-toby-cad-best-practices-speed-modeling-gamification#t=0) Introduction: Toby Schnaars and TooTallToby
- [3:30](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2025-04-11-s6e15-too-tall-toby-cad-best-practices-speed-modeling-gamification#t=210) Toby's Background: Tech Support and Training
- [7:03](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2025-04-11-s6e15-too-tall-toby-cad-best-practices-speed-modeling-gamification#t=423) CAD vs. CAD Tournaments and Speed Modeling
- [11:31](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2025-04-11-s6e15-too-tall-toby-cad-best-practices-speed-modeling-gamification#t=691) CAD Best Practices: Origin Placement and Sketching
- [19:46](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2025-04-11-s6e15-too-tall-toby-cad-best-practices-speed-modeling-gamification#t=1186) Sponsor Read: Simutech Group
- [20:25](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2025-04-11-s6e15-too-tall-toby-cad-best-practices-speed-modeling-gamification#t=1225) Gamified Learning: Tiered Challenges and Workflows
- [28:48](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2025-04-11-s6e15-too-tall-toby-cad-best-practices-speed-modeling-gamification#t=1728) Community Building: Model Monday Live and Discord
- [42:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2025-04-11-s6e15-too-tall-toby-cad-best-practices-speed-modeling-gamification#t=2520) CAD System Comparison: Fusion 360 and Onshape
- [47:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2025-04-11-s6e15-too-tall-toby-cad-best-practices-speed-modeling-gamification#t=2826) Pipeline's CAD Club and Community Impact
- [54:03](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2025-04-11-s6e15-too-tall-toby-cad-best-practices-speed-modeling-gamification#t=3243) Future Features: Speed Modeling Leaderboard

## Topics

- [EDA & CAD tools](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/eda-and-cad-tools)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)
- [Hiring & workforce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/hiring-and-workforce)
- [Maker community & events](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/maker-community)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- TooTallToby (product)
- SolidWorks (tool)
- Onshape (tool)
- Fusion 360 (tool)
- FreeCAD (tool)
- Inventor (tool)
- Simutech Group (company)
- ANSYS (tool)
- Pipeline Design & Engineering (company)
- Dassault Systèmes (company)
- 3DEXPERIENCE WORKS (product)
- SOLIDWORKS Live Design (product)
- CADKEY 7 (tool)
- Pro Engineer (tool)
- Creo (tool)
- CATIA (tool)
- Autodesk (company)
- Mechanical Desktop (product)
- Markforged (company)
- Hacksmith (product)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Episode 066: Trampolines, testing and structure](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2016-04-08-episode-066-trampolines-testing-and-structure) (Making It)
- [How Soft Skills Drive High-Impact Engineering Teams w/ Aaron Moncur](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2025-08-26-how-soft-skills-drive-high-impact-engineering-teams-w-aaron-moncur) (The Manufacturing Executive)
- [14: Top Tools](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2016-06-24-14-top-tools) (Thoroughly Considered)
- [Episode 261: Our Favorite Tools](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2020-05-15-episode-261-our-favorite-tools) (Making It)
- [539: My Ai Powered Ergonomic Chair](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2026-09-25-539-my-ai-powered-ergonomic-chair) (Making It)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2025-04-11-s6e15-too-tall-toby-cad-best-practices-speed-modeling-gamification. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to Being an Engineer.