3D modelling software options?

[RetroThutmose]

I've used MasterCam, DelCam, AutoCad, SolidWorks/Cam, and a slew of other titles. Fusion 360 for personal use is the only thing to use, and it'stotally free. It has limited festures, but those missing features are only used in manufacturing. Things like stress analysis, motion assemblies, etc. The personal use license has everything you need for 3d printing, and more. The license lasts for 3 years, then you simply renew it for another 3 years. There are tons of instructional videos on YT. Download it and follow through this series to get a good grasp on the basics.
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL40d7srwyc_Ow4aaOGXlP2idPGwD7ruKg&si=K_L1ANPHIF1xKuIJ

thank you this is a really good tutorial. It's a little dated and i had a few minor issues but was able to figure out what settings were different on my end. It's really amazing how far 3d computing has come. i remember back in the 90s i couldn't take the first 3d modelling class ever offered at our high school because it conflicted with another class. I really wish i'd taken that course.

 

[332_RC]

View attachment 220354

Or click here
https://accounts.autodesk.com/Authe...utodesk.com/products/fusion-360/personal-form

No, that is just 30 days of the full blown software. Click here.
View attachment 220355

Or scroll down and click the button shown in Retro's pic.

Got it downloaded. Opened up my previous F360 projects I made from scratch during my free 30 day. Opened some other STL files I got free online. Can't really modify them. Mesh vs BDram or something. Guess I'll have to start from scratch. I even got on TinkerCAD & opened the STL. Basic.

 

[WickedFog]

Got it downloaded. Opened up my previous F360 projects I made from scratch during my free 30 day. Opened some other STL files I got free online. Can't really modify them. Mesh vs BDram or something. Guess I'll have to start from scratch. I even got on TinkerCAD & opened the STL. Basic.

I am pretty sure you can modify STL's with it. There are YT vids on how to convert them I believe. Unless they removed that functionality

There is also another free software Autodesk has called Meshmixer. I have used it to modify STL's.

 

[332_RC]

I am pretty sure you can modify STL's with it. There are YT vids on how to convert them I believe. Unless they removed that functionality

There is also another free software Autodesk has called Meshmixer. I have used it to modify STL's.

I'll check it out. I was on a few different pages looking how to do it, even on Autodesk Q&A. It's plain as day how- I can't get it. I'm really tired today & just chilling atm. I've been 3+ solid days programming on FeatureCam at work, no machine time, I'm washed.

 

[WickedFog]

I'll check it out. I was on a few different pages looking how to do it, even on Autodesk Q&A. It's plain as day how- I can't get it. I'm really tired today & just chilling atm. I've been 3+ solid days programming on FeatureCam at work, no machine time, I'm washed.

Well, send me the file(s) and I will see what I can figure out. I know I played with it in Fusion and it was frustrating. I was trying to print the roof for the Ryft, but the guy that created the file put his name in great big letters on it and it looked stupid. I was able to seemlessly remove them in either Meshmixer or Fusion, but it took me a bit to figure it out.

 

[Jerold]

Messed with a bunch of CAD programs that are not exactly the same a modeling SW. I think of modeling more like Blender (never used myself), it's too weird for me.

For CAD

• Fusion 360 continued to be free and well supported. Current user.
• Sketchup was OK when it was on the desktop but in the cloud it's just too weird.
• LibreCAD was free back when they were new, and it was good, but now it's not free and I'm not willing to pay for a toy I use less than once month for entertainment.
• Tried PTC Creo for a bit. It was good, but become un-free or something weird with the license. Fusion solved that problem.
• OnShape, never used it, but it is popular with a bunch of YT'rs using. I'm sure they are paid to like it.
• AutoCAD - Started with Version 9 as a student. Kept using for ACAD10+ & LT many years. Seemed like it kind of disappeared for awhile? Appearently it's back?

For 2D sketches - Visio hands down the best. This is NOT drafting/modeling quality but it is easy to use and relay the idea of what ever you want. JMHO.

 

[WickedFog]

Messed with a bunch of CAD programs that are not exactly the same a modeling SW. I think of modeling more like Blender (never used myself), it's too weird for me.

For CAD

• Fusion 360 continued to be free and well supported. Current user.
• Sketchup was OK when it was on the desktop but in the cloud it's just too weird.
• LibreCAD was free back when they were new, and it was good, but now it's not free and I'm not willing to pay for a toy I use less than once month for entertainment.
• Tried PTC Creo for a bit. It was good, but become un-free or something weird with the license. Fusion solved that problem.
• OnShape, never used it, but it is popular with a bunch of YT'rs using. I'm sure they are paid to like it.
• AutoCAD - Started with Version 9 as a student. Kept using for ACAD10+ & LT many years. Seemed like it kind of disappeared for awhile? Appearently it's back?

For 2D sketches - Visio hands down the best. This is NOT drafting/modeling quality but it is easy to use and relay the idea of what ever you want. JMHO.

Autocad was used by shops well past version 14. But as more and more shops got CAM software, Autocad use dwindled. Itsstill great software for drawing. Autodesk has so many irons in the fire, it's a wonder they still make some if their titles. Inventor is another one.

 

[332_RC]

Autodesk owns FeatureCam now. I have Fusion360 & FeatureCam. They are nothing alike. I've been using FeatureCam for nearly 30 years. It's CAM/CAD. I can make sketches or solids in FC & open in Fusion360. But either one will export into a STL & I can open in a slicer.

 

[WickedFog]

Autodesk owns FeatureCam now. I have Fusion360 & FeatureCam. They are nothing alike. I've been using FeatureCam for nearly 30 years. It's CAM/CAD. I can make sketches or solids in FC & open in Fusion360. But either one will export into a STL & I can open in a slicer.

STL's have been around for a LONG time. And a lot if the software for CAD/CAM can import/export a lot if file types because everyone in the industry does their own thing. So a lot of the software has become comparible due to necessity. When an engineer from another company sends you a file to quote, you need to be able to open it on your end.

It took me about 6 months to finally get the race shop I was at to stop shoving IGS files at me whenever I was looking at a new part for them to quote, because that is what a LOT of the racing industry uses - surface modeling. I eventually learned to toolpath off the solid model in MasterCam. Soooo much easier, much better, and MUCH faster, etc. And the best solid model to use was one exported by the guy that created the file, in the software he used to model it. Sure, other software can easily convert IGS files to solid models. But sometimes you would have to repair the model due to slight compatibility issues. You should have seen this IndyCar steering wheel mold I had to make. That thing was a TERRIBLE conversion of a really chitty 3d surfaced model, that was full of holes. I spent about 6 hours zooming in and repairing missing surfaces, flipped normal surfaces, etc. before I could finally convert it to a solid to put clean toolpaths on it.

 

[332_RC]

Yep. I've even had engineers send me a STEP file. No blueprint. Email em- Hey I need a regular blueprint or A DWG/DXF. Emails back- I sent you a STEP file. Use that. Me- Send me a blueprint or it's a No Quote. I need a blueprint for the floor & the QC dept. Sends PDF blueprint & DWG & DXF & IGS.

 

[WickedFog]

Yep. I've even had engineers send me a STEP file. No blueprint. Email em- Hey I need a regular blueprint or A DWG/DXF. Emails back- I sent you a STEP file. Use that. Me- Send me a blueprint or it's a No Quote. I need a blueprint for the floor & the QC dept. Sends PDF blueprint & DWG & DXF & IGS.

I always loved when I was only given a solid model. NO TOLERANCES!

If that's what they send you, that's what they get. But that needs to remain the case after the quote. A lot of times those jackasses do that, get the quote, then send the DXF showing +.0000"/-.0001" or some chit. Well buddy, the price just tripled.