1 Topic by asteinmark (edited by asteinmark 2014-08-07 12:48:08)

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Topic: Mac 3D Modeling Programs

Hello all. I am relitively new here (joined yesterday) and just preordered a Solidoodle Press. I have extensive experience with a Makerbot Replicator 2X and I used Soldiworks to design all of my models and I have to say I am in love with that program. Unfortunately, the charging port and trackpad broke on my Toshiba laptop and I got fed up because I had already replaced the connection. I got a new Macbook a couple months ago but have been too busy to research modeling software. Can anyone suggest a good program for Mac users which is similar to Solidworks? Thank you very much.

XYZ Printing Da Vinci 2.0 Duo
Experience with Makerbot Replicator 2X, Up! Mini, and Prusa Mendel i3
Mechanical Engineering student at NJIT
Preferred modeling program: Solidworks

2 Reply by exineport

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Re: Mac 3D Modeling Programs

Everything I have modeled has been in 123D Design from Autodesk (http://www.123dapp.com/design) at it's been an absolute pleasure to do so.

Solidoodle 2 Pro - 3mm Glass Bed

3 Reply by asteinmark

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Re: Mac 3D Modeling Programs

exineport wrote:

Everything I have modeled has been in 123D Design from Autodesk (http://www.123dapp.com/design) at it's been an absolute pleasure to do so.

What kind of items do you design?

XYZ Printing Da Vinci 2.0 Duo
Experience with Makerbot Replicator 2X, Up! Mini, and Prusa Mendel i3
Mechanical Engineering student at NJIT
Preferred modeling program: Solidworks

4 Reply by IronMan

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Re: Mac 3D Modeling Programs

asteinmark wrote:

Hello all. I am relitively new here (joined yesterday) and just preordered a Solidoodle Press. I have extensive experience with a Makerbot Replicator 2X and I used Soldiworks to design all of my models and I have to say I am in love with that program. Unfortunately, the charging port and trackpad broke on my Toshiba laptop and I got fed up because I had already replaced the connection. I got a new Macbook a couple months ago but have been too busy to research modeling software. Can anyone suggest a good program for Mac users which is similar to Solidworks? Thank you very much.

I have searched fairly far and wide for a Solidworks equivalent for the Mac to no avail; and as good as 123D is on the Mac, you will be ultimately dissatisfied with it as a prior SW user...my suggestion is to get VMware or Parallels and a copy of Win 7 and run a virtual Windows session for SW.  I did this and use Google Drive to sync all files between my Macbook and my workstation.

SD2 - Stock - Enclosure - Heated Bed - Glass Plate - Auto Fire Extinguisher
Ord Bot Hadron - RAMPS 1.4 - Bulldog XL - E3D v6 - 10" x 10" PCB Heated Build w/SSR - Glass Plate
Thanks for All of Your Help!

5 Reply by asteinmark

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Re: Mac 3D Modeling Programs

IronMan wrote:
asteinmark wrote:

Hello all. I am relitively new here (joined yesterday) and just preordered a Solidoodle Press. I have extensive experience with a Makerbot Replicator 2X and I used Soldiworks to design all of my models and I have to say I am in love with that program. Unfortunately, the charging port and trackpad broke on my Toshiba laptop and I got fed up because I had already replaced the connection. I got a new Macbook a couple months ago but have been too busy to research modeling software. Can anyone suggest a good program for Mac users which is similar to Solidworks? Thank you very much.

I have searched fairly far and wide for a Solidworks equivalent for the Mac to no avail; and as good as 123D is on the Mac, you will be ultimately dissatisfied with it as a prior SW user...my suggestion is to get VMware or Parallels and a copy of Win 7 and run a virtual Windows session for SW.  I did this and use Google Drive to sync all files between my Macbook and my workstation.

I was considering that. I have Parallels but lost my copy of Windows 7. I was hoping not to have to rebuy it but it seems like that might be the best option. Did you have to buy extra google drive space? And do you use Windows 7 to print or OS X?

XYZ Printing Da Vinci 2.0 Duo
Experience with Makerbot Replicator 2X, Up! Mini, and Prusa Mendel i3
Mechanical Engineering student at NJIT
Preferred modeling program: Solidworks

6 Reply by IronMan

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Re: Mac 3D Modeling Programs

Google Drive came with 15GB standard...only using 4 at the moment.  I use Win 7 to print.  Got an Intel 5 processor netbook with SSD which is pretty fast.

SD2 - Stock - Enclosure - Heated Bed - Glass Plate - Auto Fire Extinguisher
Ord Bot Hadron - RAMPS 1.4 - Bulldog XL - E3D v6 - 10" x 10" PCB Heated Build w/SSR - Glass Plate
Thanks for All of Your Help!

7 Reply by asteinmark

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Re: Mac 3D Modeling Programs

IronMan wrote:

Google Drive came with 15GB standard...only using 4 at the moment.  I use Win 7 to print.  Got an Intel 5 processor netbook with SSD which is pretty fast.

I use drive to backup al my photos because I currently don't have an external drive so I'm at 9GB but it says I have 25 so I should be fine.  I have and i5 and an SSD as well. Guess I have to rebuy Windows 7.

XYZ Printing Da Vinci 2.0 Duo
Experience with Makerbot Replicator 2X, Up! Mini, and Prusa Mendel i3
Mechanical Engineering student at NJIT
Preferred modeling program: Solidworks

8 Reply by eflyguy

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Re: Mac 3D Modeling Programs

Loaded 123D Design and am already loving it!

Stock SD4 with 3/16" glass attached to stock (kapton-covered) bed with Aquanet.

9 Reply by asteinmark

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Re: Mac 3D Modeling Programs

eflyguy wrote:

Loaded 123D Design and am already loving it!

Ever used Solidworks?

XYZ Printing Da Vinci 2.0 Duo
Experience with Makerbot Replicator 2X, Up! Mini, and Prusa Mendel i3
Mechanical Engineering student at NJIT
Preferred modeling program: Solidworks

10 Reply by eflyguy

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Re: Mac 3D Modeling Programs

asteinmark wrote:
eflyguy wrote:

Loaded 123D Design and am already loving it!

Ever used Solidworks?


No, it's not free..

Stock SD4 with 3/16" glass attached to stock (kapton-covered) bed with Aquanet.

11 Reply by asteinmark

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Re: Mac 3D Modeling Programs

eflyguy wrote:
asteinmark wrote:
eflyguy wrote:

Loaded 123D Design and am already loving it!

Ever used Solidworks?


No, it's not free..

I used to get it through my high school. Its the best program around and I've used dozens of 3D modeling programs.

XYZ Printing Da Vinci 2.0 Duo
Experience with Makerbot Replicator 2X, Up! Mini, and Prusa Mendel i3
Mechanical Engineering student at NJIT
Preferred modeling program: Solidworks

12 Reply by IronMan

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Re: Mac 3D Modeling Programs

asteinmark wrote:
eflyguy wrote:
asteinmark wrote:

Ever used Solidworks?


No, it's not free..

I used to get it through my high school. Its the best program around and I've used dozens of 3D modeling programs.

+1...I have access to it through my day job; heard there were associations around that issue shared licenses very reasonably...I will look around.  It's a truly awesome software platform!

SD2 - Stock - Enclosure - Heated Bed - Glass Plate - Auto Fire Extinguisher
Ord Bot Hadron - RAMPS 1.4 - Bulldog XL - E3D v6 - 10" x 10" PCB Heated Build w/SSR - Glass Plate
Thanks for All of Your Help!

13 Reply by asteinmark

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Re: Mac 3D Modeling Programs

IronMan wrote:
asteinmark wrote:
eflyguy wrote:

No, it's not free..

I used to get it through my high school. Its the best program around and I've used dozens of 3D modeling programs.

+1...I have access to it through my day job; heard there were associations around that issue shared licenses very reasonably...I will look around.  It's a truly awesome software platform!

Yeah I don't think I'll have access after this year.

XYZ Printing Da Vinci 2.0 Duo
Experience with Makerbot Replicator 2X, Up! Mini, and Prusa Mendel i3
Mechanical Engineering student at NJIT
Preferred modeling program: Solidworks

14 Reply by adrian

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Re: Mac 3D Modeling Programs

If you're a returned servicemen, solidworks offer a pretty good deal (you need to quote service numbers).
Their education stuff is reasonable as well.

But off the shelf 'for the rest of us' - its darn exxy really.. sad

15 Reply by IronMan

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Re: Mac 3D Modeling Programs

Found this in my searching...seems like a great deal; don't know if there are "strings" attached:

http://mqfjzkwufgmtfcdc.topsoftdealer.c … cpn=pasmag

I never could find that Automotive Club that shares Solidworks licenses to their members; but I'm sure they're out there.

SD2 - Stock - Enclosure - Heated Bed - Glass Plate - Auto Fire Extinguisher
Ord Bot Hadron - RAMPS 1.4 - Bulldog XL - E3D v6 - 10" x 10" PCB Heated Build w/SSR - Glass Plate
Thanks for All of Your Help!

16 Reply by eflyguy

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Re: Mac 3D Modeling Programs

I finished high school 30 years ago.. yikes

Stock SD4 with 3/16" glass attached to stock (kapton-covered) bed with Aquanet.

17 Reply by asteinmark

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Re: Mac 3D Modeling Programs

I'll apply for the student edition once I get my student ID. Hopefully it's cheap. 2009-2010 version was $150. That'll be justifiable if I don't have to buy Windows 7. I've been using Autodesk Inventor on my desktop and it's not half bad but I still like Solidworks better.

XYZ Printing Da Vinci 2.0 Duo
Experience with Makerbot Replicator 2X, Up! Mini, and Prusa Mendel i3
Mechanical Engineering student at NJIT
Preferred modeling program: Solidworks