1 Topic by Nerfz

  • Nerfz
  • Member
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2013-02-18
  • Posts: 43

Topic: 3D Modeling.

So about to start learning how to use cad/ 3d modeling software.
I know there are several out there. What is the best to get started with?
As far as learning tutorials and features?

SD4, Glass bed,(Soon to have) E3D v6, MK5 extruder

2 Reply by Krythis

  • Krythis
  • Krythis
  • Member
  • Offline
  • From: Depew, NY
  • Registered: 2013-02-27
  • Posts: 185

Re: 3D Modeling.

It depends on what kind of designs you plan on making. I learned Sketchup then Blender myself.

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

3 Reply by jawhn

  • jawhn
  • jawhn
  • Member
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2013-03-12
  • Posts: 77

Re: 3D Modeling.

I'm a total Sketchuphead. I knew nothing of 3D design, learned it quick with a "Sketchup for Dummies" PDF I found online. Now I'm completely comfortable using it. There was a learning curve, but it's free.

I need to play around with Blender at some point. It seems like a Ford vs. Chevy thing.  big_smile

Two SD3s - One with Sang, One with Printrboard, Fans on control boards!!! Do this!!!, Dual Glass Beds, Blacklight "EZ Bake Oven" - Improves Ambient Temp, Sketchup, Repetier, Slic3r. Graphic Designer & Makeshift Engineer. Drinks Lots and Lots and Lots of Rum.

4 Reply by SnakeEyes

  • SnakeEyes
  • SnakeEyes
  • Member
  • Offline
  • From: New Jersey
  • Registered: 2013-08-16
  • Posts: 190

Re: 3D Modeling.

I'm a gigantic fan of Solidworks.  I got started from youtube tutorials and then downloaded some other actual video courses (lynda.com is a very good site for software learning).  The only thing i absolutly hate about the software is that when you make bad geometry and try to use a feature, it doesn't tell you whats wrong, it just tells you that SOMETHING is wrong, and you have to figure it out on your own.   "i'm sorry Dave, i cant let you do that."  "why?"  "because."  "because why?"   "I'm not gonna tell you that Dave"    and that's what it feels like, but other than that, it really is an amazing program.

Overkill is underrated!!!

5 Reply by jabba400

  • jabba400
  • Member
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2013-11-01
  • Posts: 32

Re: 3D Modeling.

Its a bit of a horses for courses kind of thing.  As a  design newbie, I used Sketchup as a starting point for simple things.  Usually importing stuff from thingiverse that was pretty close, then tweaking it.

For regular shapes, or stuff that you are working to tolerances or sizes, OpenSCAD is fairly straight forward for simple (and fairly complex) stuff, depending on your background.  As a coder from way back, the concepts in OpenSCAD were fairly easy to grasp.  (And again, start with something a bit close, then tweak it).

6 Reply by Rincewind

  • Rincewind
  • Member
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2012-10-16
  • Posts: 334

Re: 3D Modeling.

FreeCAD. Nowadays it doesn't even crash too often smile