1 Topic by thunderboltcuter

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Topic: What is the best or easiest 3d modeling software?

I just wanted to get some feedback on what that best 3d modeling software is.  I just started looking at BRL-CAD.  What software are you guys using?

2 Reply by 2n2r5

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Re: What is the best or easiest 3d modeling software?

I have been using openscad, sketchup and solidworks. Sketchup is nice and easy but should be shipped with a copy of netfabb. Sometimes you just can't seem to figure out why the hell your model isn't closed.

SD3 w/ mods:
Glass bed with QU-BD heat pad upgrade, threadless ballscrew w/ 8mm smooth rod, spectra line belt replacement, lawsy MK5 extruder, Lawsy replacement carriage, E3D hotend, Ramps 1.4 w/ reprap discount controller, DRV8825 drivers, 12v 30A PS, Acrylic case, Overkill Y-idlers, Filament alarm, Extruder fan + more.

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3 Reply by Krythis

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Re: What is the best or easiest 3d modeling software?

2n2r5 wrote:

I have been using openscad, sketchup and solidworks. Sketchup is nice and easy but should be shipped with a copy of netfabb. Sometimes you just can't seem to figure out why the hell your model isn't closed.

Solid inspector is helpful in Sketchup, but for some reason I still need to put most models through the netfabb cloud before they'll slice properly.
http://sketchucation.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=30504

E3D-v4 Hotend, MK5 carriage with round plastic wire conduit , 3/16" tempered glass,  Well nut, SureStepr SD8825 1/32 Extruder Driver, PowerEdge 2650 500W PS, QU-BD heated bed, circuit board fan, hinged plexiglass enclosure with plastic tray top. Other than that mostly stock SD3

4 Reply by 2n2r5 (edited by 2n2r5 2013-06-03 13:34:28)

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Re: What is the best or easiest 3d modeling software?

Krythis wrote:
2n2r5 wrote:

I have been using openscad, sketchup and solidworks. Sketchup is nice and easy but should be shipped with a copy of netfabb. Sometimes you just can't seem to figure out why the hell your model isn't closed.

Solid inspector is helpful in Sketchup, but for some reason I still need to put most models through the netfabb cloud before they'll slice properly.
http://sketchucation.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=30504

I like it, have you tried cleanup? I will find a link tomorrow but I also got it from sketchucation. It works like 30% of the time make items manifold.

SD3 w/ mods:
Glass bed with QU-BD heat pad upgrade, threadless ballscrew w/ 8mm smooth rod, spectra line belt replacement, lawsy MK5 extruder, Lawsy replacement carriage, E3D hotend, Ramps 1.4 w/ reprap discount controller, DRV8825 drivers, 12v 30A PS, Acrylic case, Overkill Y-idlers, Filament alarm, Extruder fan + more.

2n2r5's Website

5 Reply by Krythis

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Re: What is the best or easiest 3d modeling software?

No I haven't, Solid Inspector was the only thing I found when looking to solve the issue I was having with solids. Would be interested in checking it out if you find the link. thx

E3D-v4 Hotend, MK5 carriage with round plastic wire conduit , 3/16" tempered glass,  Well nut, SureStepr SD8825 1/32 Extruder Driver, PowerEdge 2650 500W PS, QU-BD heated bed, circuit board fan, hinged plexiglass enclosure with plastic tray top. Other than that mostly stock SD3

6 Reply by 2n2r5

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Re: What is the best or easiest 3d modeling software?

http://sketchucation.com/forums/viewtop … 87#p193587

SD3 w/ mods:
Glass bed with QU-BD heat pad upgrade, threadless ballscrew w/ 8mm smooth rod, spectra line belt replacement, lawsy MK5 extruder, Lawsy replacement carriage, E3D hotend, Ramps 1.4 w/ reprap discount controller, DRV8825 drivers, 12v 30A PS, Acrylic case, Overkill Y-idlers, Filament alarm, Extruder fan + more.

2n2r5's Website

7 Reply by LdyMox

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Re: What is the best or easiest 3d modeling software?

I don't know if it just me, but I didn't find Sketchup easy at all and I am good with such thing. Maybe I need to try it again.

If your thing you are making is simple, tinkercad is awesome

Tammy
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E3Dv6 Hotend, MK5 v6 version, Glass Bed, Anti Z backlash slop nut, SureStepr SD8825 1/32 Extruder Driver, makeshift breakaway plexiglass case; . L-Cheapo 3.8 Watt Laser Attachment w/Custom built enclosure
From Buffalo, NY, USA

8 Reply by Ramon

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Re: What is the best or easiest 3d modeling software?

^^ Tinkercad

- www.absplastic.eu - 3D Printing Hub

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9 Reply by zacgibson21

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Re: What is the best or easiest 3d modeling software?

If you can get a hold of a copy and are willing to put some time into it solidworks is worth learning, and the basics are pretty easy to get a hang of

10 Reply by driggers

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Re: What is the best or easiest 3d modeling software?

Ramon wrote:

^^ Tinkercad

+1 to tinkercad (maybe soon to change names).

This held me over for my first several months of 3D printing.

SD2 Sanguinololu 1.3a atmega1284p, wood platform, lawsy's carriages, braided fishing line, pallet wood overhead spool mount, carboard/magnet enclosure, glass bed, E3D v6, bed levelling knobs, extended z-stop, 25A DC-DC SSR for bed heater, everything fixed to the SD2 frame, marlin firmware with some adjustments and extra failsafes enabled.  I'll never give up on you, little printer that could(n't)!

11 Reply by Briggs

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Re: What is the best or easiest 3d modeling software?

Geomagic design is a bargain if your work is sort of me mechanical in nature, or if you work in assemblies like I do. Say you draw and extrude a box. And in the middle of that box you draw a bracket. And now you want the holes from the bracket transferred to two sides of that box so you can cut extrude them through the box. This is simply a matter of projecting the features from the bracket (which will include the holes) onto the planar surface of the box. Then select cut extrude. Easy.

If you like to draw free form monsters, on the other hand, this is probably not going to be your first choice.

All 3d cad programs have a learning curve.

12 Reply by dkeeling728

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Re: What is the best or easiest 3d modeling software?

I use Blender. they even included some new 3d printing specific tools in the latest release (have to turn them on in preferences).

Its not the best solution for precision modeling, but if you pay attention to how you start your model off, you can get good results. just gotta learn to build in and use reference vertices with your cursor and your all set.

also, blender has no way to specify units like in a traditional cad package. everything is set to blender units. easiest way to work with this is to design in millimeters, were 1 mm is one blender unit. or work in decimal inches if you dont speak metric. where for instance .1 inch could be 1 blender unit. just have to remember the scale when it comes time to slice and print or your results will be all over the place.

13 Reply by Krythis

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Re: What is the best or easiest 3d modeling software?

One area SketchUp is definitely lacking is organic shapes. Is there free software out there for models like human shapes?

E3D-v4 Hotend, MK5 carriage with round plastic wire conduit , 3/16" tempered glass,  Well nut, SureStepr SD8825 1/32 Extruder Driver, PowerEdge 2650 500W PS, QU-BD heated bed, circuit board fan, hinged plexiglass enclosure with plastic tray top. Other than that mostly stock SD3

14 Reply by driggers

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Re: What is the best or easiest 3d modeling software?

Krythis wrote:

One area SketchUp is definitely lacking is organic shapes. Is there free software out there for models like human shapes?

yes, loads, but they are more complicated.  Blender was one of them, and maybe Wings3D.  These both have strong computer graphics user communities, they are free, and they have been around for a long time.

SD2 Sanguinololu 1.3a atmega1284p, wood platform, lawsy's carriages, braided fishing line, pallet wood overhead spool mount, carboard/magnet enclosure, glass bed, E3D v6, bed levelling knobs, extended z-stop, 25A DC-DC SSR for bed heater, everything fixed to the SD2 frame, marlin firmware with some adjustments and extra failsafes enabled.  I'll never give up on you, little printer that could(n't)!

15 Reply by Puck

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Re: What is the best or easiest 3d modeling software?

I agree with using Blender. Be sure and watch tutorials or you'll go mad.

16 Reply by mark.burhop

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Re: What is the best or easiest 3d modeling software?

I use Solid Edge but if I was looking for pure ease of use, I'd recommend TinkerCAD.

SD2, glass bed, MK5 setup with E3D lite extruder
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