1 Topic by takadakeyo

  • takadakeyo
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Topic: Best program for modeling for printing

Greetings,
I know this is has been asked around the web time and time again. But Im asking this more of a personal suggestion based on my basic skills and what I would like in a program and if anyone has a suggestion, that would be fantastic!

So I have been bouncing between a few programs and each has things i like and dont like but I would really like to just focus on one and learn that one instead of trying to learn 4 programs.
So I started with Blender. I liked that its free and popular with an active forums for when I need help. Problem is, is that on the forums, it seems that 85%+ of the users are not using it for 3D printing but for movies or game modeling, so its a bit harder to get help. But Blender is still the program I practiced the most with over the past year of learning to model.

I also use tinkcad for basic things that I want to have exact measurements. Super easy to use and I love it but not when I need something thats not a basic shape.

I also used Zbrush and autoCAD. which I mostly used for more rounded models or masks and stuff. But rarely touched them as I was focusing on Blender.

So what program do you use? and why do you like it over the other programs out there?

2 Reply by heartless

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Re: Best program for modeling for printing

Blender is one of my "go to" programs for tweaking existing stl files, and creating new models with various logos- you just need to think about how something would lay on a print bed and work accordingly.
It is a very powerful program, but as you have found it is used more by those in the 3d gaming/video arenas so there isn't really much support for those of us in the 3d printing area - yet.

for more mechanical items - functional parts and the like - I use 123D Design. If you use Tinkercad, you should be able to pick it up pretty quickly - created by the same people at AutoDesk, but you don't have to be online to use it.

the thing is, each program has strong points and weak points - what one is weak in, another will be strong in, so trying to focus on just one really doesn't work well for all applications. I may start something in 123D, but hit a wall trying to do something specific. At that point I will export the model as an stl, then import it into Blender and tweak the model to get what I wanted, but 123D wouldn't let me do.

SD4 #1 & #2 - Lawsy carriages, E3D v6, Rumba controller board, mirror bed plate, X motor fan, upgraded PSU & Mica bed heater
SD4 #3 - in the works ~ Folgertech FT-5, rev 1
Printit Industries Beta Tester - Horizon H1

3 Reply by Tin Falcon (edited by Tin Falcon 2016-06-19 12:25:15)

  • Tin Falcon
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Re: Best program for modeling for printing

A plus1  for 123d design.

123d Design will allow you to enter measurements.

I use it when teaching at the local maker space and at home. very usable fairly easy to learn.
sculptris by pixologic is a free  program to learn organic sculpting design 
I have not tried blender YET but My research would dictate it  is worth the time investment to learn . but stay focused 

From what I have learned  123d and sculptris give fast easy results  and blender is better for detailing and fixing flaws that can cause problems when printing.
So you may just have to learn 3 or 4 programs .

Soliddoodle 4 stock w glass bed------Folger Tech Prusa 2020 upgraded to and titan /aero extruder mirror bed
FT5 with titan/ E3D Aero------MP mini select w glass bed
MP Utimate maker pro-W bondtech extruder
Marlin/Repetier Host/ Slic3r and Cura

4 Reply by Tin Falcon

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Re: Best program for modeling for printing


There is a series of these.
Tin

Soliddoodle 4 stock w glass bed------Folger Tech Prusa 2020 upgraded to and titan /aero extruder mirror bed
FT5 with titan/ E3D Aero------MP mini select w glass bed
MP Utimate maker pro-W bondtech extruder
Marlin/Repetier Host/ Slic3r and Cura

5 Reply by n2ri

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Re: Best program for modeling for printing

unless your very wealthy and can aford to pay for something like a full version with addons of Solidworks then Tin is right. learn a handful of free apps and do your best. also learn the modifier apps like Mesh... Netfab etc and any free conversion apps for turning one type of 2D printing file into another easier to use type  those you will have to search for by filetype needing converted to/from. thats what most of us poor folks on here do ;^P

Solidoodle 2 with Deluxe kit cover & glass bed with heater. and 2nd board SD2 used not 3rd and alum platform not installed yet still wood. also need cooling fan installed to board. use Repetier Host couple vers. Slic3r also have all free ware STL programs

6 Reply by Tin Falcon

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Re: Best program for modeling for printing

Solid works has a program for US and canadian vets  sent in the documentation  electronic scans accepted and $20 and you have a 1 year educational licence.
The local maker space has inventor illustrator, photoshop etc.   the computer lab/classroom included in a membership.

Soliddoodle 4 stock w glass bed------Folger Tech Prusa 2020 upgraded to and titan /aero extruder mirror bed
FT5 with titan/ E3D Aero------MP mini select w glass bed
MP Utimate maker pro-W bondtech extruder
Marlin/Repetier Host/ Slic3r and Cura

7 Reply by 3dtech (edited by 3dtech 2017-02-27 08:52:14)

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Re: Best program for modeling for printing

123D Design    Autodesk Inc.    Beginner    Freemium    123D Design is a powerful, yet simple 3D creation and editing tool. The free version gives you access to most features and allows you to create and use 3D models for non-commercial purposes.
3DSlash    3DSlash    Beginner    Free - $20/month    3D SLASH is a free, fun & fast 3D modeling app for non-designer people of all ages. Create your own design in no time like a modern stone-cutter. User-friendly experience with its Minecraft look & feel and great features : picture projection, import / export of STL files and more.
3DTin    Lagoa    Beginner    Free    3DTin is a free, browser-based 3D modeling tool that is both easy and intuitive to use, especially aimed at beginners. Once you have created a user account you also get access to the huge repository of Creative Commons 3D models.
CubeTeam    Otherlab Inc.     Beginner    Free    CubeTeam is a multiplayer 3D painting and modeling program that lets you and your friends imagine worlds out of cubes and then print them in 3D. CubeTeam is free, runs in a web browser, and has powerful editing tools that let you create in a virtually limitless environment.
Cubify Invent    3D Systems Inc.    Beginner to Intermediate    €39 ($49)    Cubify Invent is an easy-to-learn 3D modeling tool aimed at helping users to quickly create 3D printable files. The software which comes with free tutorials does only run on Windows though.

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8 Reply by Dean Brabin

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Re: Best program for modeling for printing

Below are some of the most popular software tools that our community of designers and makers use to create their products on Thomas Dean Design. You can find the whole range of programmatic, parametric, sculpting and modeling software.

3D Printing Design Blackpool