SoliForum - 3D Printing Community — doing 3d cad online (what do you think)

Re: doing 3d cad online (what do you think)

null@example.com (wire10ga) — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 16:48:23 +0000

I would use a portable version of sketchup or something. Keep it on your USB drive and take it where ever you go with or without the web.

Re: doing 3d cad online (what do you think)

null@example.com (dubbsd) — Sun, 31 Mar 2013 20:38:02 +0000

Yes Thanks
the reason I posted & asked the question is because I have a cousin who is a programmer and he was thinking
of designing the on line software and starting up a site.

Re: doing 3d cad online (what do you think)

null@example.com (neuralfirings) — Sun, 31 Mar 2013 18:09:02 +0000

@dubbsd

Are you looking for a website, or do you want to know whether the idea is good?

As for websites, I think the others have giving a good overview of current available options. If you're thinking about launching such a website, you need to think about what sort of modeling is (a) easy (nurb vs. CAD vs. sub-d modeling) (b) will make useful things (building cubes and pyramids will eventually make people bored) (c) technologically feasible and (d) will produce printable objects (presuming you want to use the website for 3D printing) and (e) will product reasonably priced printable objects (if you are thinking of printing your objects through a service bureau like Shapeways).

As for your monthly/annual fee, you should ask who this would speak to. In my experience, people who usually pay monthly/annual are either (a) companies/schools (at which point you have to ask whether they would just go for more expensive and powerful software like SolidWorks, AutoCAD, Rhino, etc.) and (b) people who use the software all the time (eg Dropbox, in which case you have to ask yourself what will keep your customers coming back).

I've been thinking about TinkerCAD since they shut down, and I have a difficult time figuring out how they conquered each of the areas I mentioned above.

Is this the feedback you are looking for?

Re: doing 3d cad online (what do you think)

null@example.com (nickythegreek) — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 16:14:49 +0000

More web-based examples:

http://www.publishyourdesign.com/modeler
http://shapesmith.net

Re: doing 3d cad online (what do you think)

null@example.com (coleke) — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 13:56:27 +0000

I agree- TInkercad started out as an entry point online software for non-professionals to learn the moves. Sad to see it turn its ways and hock up the price out of the hobby range. Now it's gone, presumably to be replaced by an even more expensive option. Not online, but http://www.freecadweb.org/ and http://thancad.sourceforge.net/ are where I am looking. Blender is a bit too intense for me just now.

Re: doing 3d cad online (what do you think)

null@example.com (jefferysanders) — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 13:31:46 +0000

I wouldn't pay anything...I know I had a legacy account at tinkercad and could do pretty much anything I needed w/o ever paying...so paying when there are free options would be pointless...

Re: doing 3d cad online (what do you think)

null@example.com (nickythegreek) — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 12:41:41 +0000

That is what tinkercad.com is, they just closed down. There is a hole in this market.

3dTin.com and Autodesk 123D Make are other Saas options in this area.

I'd easily pay $5/month for a new tinkercad-esque offering.

doing 3d cad online (what do you think)

null@example.com (dubbsd) — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 09:55:16 +0000

what do you think about a website where you would pay a monthly or annual fee and be able to log in to design your 3d
parts and save them till you are ready to print.

please give me your thoughts on this.