A question of software...

I use openSCAD for simple stuff.

But I do prgramming for a living so the interface is something I'm comfortable with.

Fusion 360 is free for enthusiasts  you just need to sign up and register as an enthusiast.

It is free for a limited time and they don't tell you that. I had the free for enthusiast copy and after about 6 months I got an email saying my copy was expiring and now they want money to renew it.

Fusion360 licencing is strange, they claim that you download the free trial, then in the install process, select the free (link) and then answer the question(s) and you get evaluated for the software.

They say it will always be free for enthusiasts.

The only thing I see on expire issues is the educational licence, not my problem, I am not in education.

Still, all useful in the learning curve and all that..

Just tried Tinkercad.

Too fiddly, can't get the view I want, mouse moves too sensitive, putting together a basic shape was fine, rendering with holes, impossible, they NEVER lined up where I was putting them, make one minor change, the whole design was all off. Gave up on it.

So, on to the next.

Spend time go through their online lessons. It takes about one hour, there are video and some keyboard shortcut that can be very handy. I do find some other apps that is more powerful than tinkercad, but never see one that is easier to use than tinkercad.

https://www.tinkercad.com/learn/

The keyboard shortcut list should be able to help you get the view you want. If mouse is too sensitive, change mouse speed in your system settings/control panel. Also try different internet browsers such as google chrome. Also as Carl mentioned, change the size of grid should help you put object wherever you wanted. You can also use the align function after select multiple object then select where you want them align against.

I have a "Start Up" License. I do not have to pay until I hit $100,000 gross income with my business. When I get to that point I will be happy to pay them the license fee.

It may take some trying but you can get F360 for free. I do think you have to re register every so often.

I also am learning Design Spark because I do not expect F360 to always be there. It also does its best to keep your work on their cloud. I have no Idea if they respect my Intellectual Property. I do expect to fully transition to Design Spark because it is stand alone on my computer. The only thing F360 has over Design Spark is that is has a stone simple tool for creating usable threads. It also has a  CAM program which is an expensive piece of software. Think of it as a slicer for your milling machine. There are so many tools in F360 I will never have any use for.

I still use my DesignCAD 2D to start off designing any part with critical dimensions or interactions and movements. 3D software can do that but I do not have the time to climb that learning curve especially if the software can be taken away from me at any time. I own my DesignCAD software and do not need to be connected to the internet.

The best thing about F360 is that I learned most of it in one evening.
This Udemy course is worth paying for if you value your time:
https://www.udemy.com/designing-for-3d- … 4/overview
If you poke around the web you can get it for $10. You get discounts regularly on his other lessons.
Vladimir Mariano the teacher has other web sites so just do a search for him.

I know EXACTLY what you mean! I do not like the cloud based stuff either. I live out in the country where internet access is pretty limited.. and often has issues.

123D Design is probably going to be the easiest to learn and is visually not too bad. Would probably be a good option for your son. You can change the color of various parts with a couple of clicks.

I have made some rather complicated parts using 123D and while it is not a "perfect" solution, it is very capable.

Hi Mark
I wish you and your son the best with this project.

I went with Fusion 360 (F360) after I took a Udemy course that tough me how to use it in one evening.

I am transitioning to Design Spark Mechanical (DSM) which I believe is just as good and stays on my computer and does not use the cloud. The transition requires lots of googling to find out how Design Spark does some functions differently such as repeat pattern. DSM is not as elegant a F360 but is just as good.

I do not think I would be using Design Spark if not for Vladimer Marinos F360 course on Udemy.

I will always keep F360 for its Thread modeling tool and its CAM module.

F360 only needs to connect to the internet for license verification. It also stores your files and version information to the cloud which in a corporate environment is good. I export all my completed production files to my own computer in STL, OBJ and F360 proprietary format. Internet connection is a deal breaker for me but it is the compromise I have to make for free CAM and Thread Modeling.

Blender is open source and was my hope for years while I was building my CNC equipment. But when I really needed 3DCAD and CAM, I had to drop my ideology and go with what works. I would probably still be screwing around with Blender instead of trying to get my product out the door today. All my trade magazines are filled with adds about the"Internet of Things" and having every piece of equipment connected to the internet. Seems like a great recipe for disaster and IP theft.

Just FYI https://all3dp.com/1/best-free-cad-soft … s-design/.  Some basic information about free CAD software. Personally using Onshape and Blender (long ago).

about 18 years ago when I had a Machine shop I bought Bobcad and that was a mistake because they still call me weekly and send
me emails wanting me to upgrade.

Thanks
Dale