Low cost solid modeling software  

RE: Low cost solid modeling software

Blender. There’s a learning curve like with any software capable of modelling but it’s free, massively under constant development and there are loads of tutorials available. For 3D modelling/printing purposes you don’t need to learn most of it either, just the modelling side. 

RE: Low cost solid modeling software

I've just started using Design Spark Mechanical and getting to like it a lot. Freeware as well.

It's actually Ansys Spaceclaim under the hood with some functionality shaved off. 

RE: Low cost solid modeling software

I've finally came round to the realisation that Blender is the ultimate one stop shop for modelling once you get over the hump in learning it, the strides the team have made in the past few years with the interface and built in tools is insane. Geometry nodes on their own are an incredibly powerful tool.

RE: Low cost solid modeling software

Let's not forget FreeCAD which is open source, free, runs on Windows, and works well.  It has been very long time since I played with Blender but FreeCAD was easier to learn for me.

jwv 

RE: Low cost solid modeling software

I use Fusion 360 from Autodesk. Free for hobby use.

RE: Low cost solid modeling software

Posted by: @jwvaughn

Let's not forget FreeCAD which is open source, free, runs on Windows, and works well.  It has been very long time since I played with Blender but FreeCAD was easier to learn for me.

jwv 

-agree.

Blender is exceptional software. It really depends on what kind of stuff we design for 3D printing, but in general, Blender isn't the best choice for that. For 3D printing, parametric CAD software is preferred and because of that, I recommend FreeCAD -especially for those, who never created 3D objects before.

RE: Low cost solid modeling software

I agree that starting out with parametric is better/easier for hard surface models, if that's the type of stuff you want to design, its  way easier to learn.  However you can do hard surface in Blender, its been mainly what I've done in the past.  You can do precision.  Its just a different way of doing it.  Until very recently that is all I used it for.  I had previously tried Freecad and Fusion too, as well as tinkercad.   
While tinkercad is a great tool, its a bit limiting.  Fusion I dropped once they altered the terms and Freecad just kept crashing all the time for me.  Admittedly that was an older version and I hear they have made improvements since.

While Blender was harder to learn I found it much better for modifying existing stl files.  Which is what I was originally doing when I first got my 3d printer.  The ability to modify and FIX stuff downloaded from the usual sites should not be underestimated 🙂  By the time I had graduated to designing my own stuff it was just much easier to continue using Blender.

Then over the Christmas holidays I had a project that was more suited to sculpting.  I modelled the base hard surface using my usual techniques and then switched to using the sculpt tools for the first time.  Another learning curve there but all the basics were still applicable and now I'm really glad I use Blender as I didn't have to learn yet another program.  Just some tools I hadn't used before.  My Crysknife model came out quite well I think 😉  https://www.prusaprinters.org/prints/107821-dune-2021-crysknife   

RE: Low cost solid modeling software

another vote for Freecad. That is my first choice for model design

RE: Low cost solid modeling software

I'm a FreeCAD fan too.

It was the one used several years ago at our local makerspace when I took my first 3d print classes.

It's available free, and it's universally available on Windows, Mac, and Linux/Unix systems and I regularly use it on both Windows and Linux and have no issues going back and forth between the platforms on models.

It's not perfect, but it does 99% of what I need.

There is a learning curve and there are a number of tutorials for it out there on the Interwebs.

RE: Low cost solid modeling software

Also an opportunity is Onshape (www.onshape.com). It is cloud based software. FreeCad has already been mentioned.

I would like to use it more (FreeCad), but so far I haven't found a way to design the parts directly in the assembly using part references like in Onshape in the design process. Anybody with some tutorials for that?

Best regards, Clemens

RE: Low cost solid modeling software

I keep a 'library' of commonly used items that I will import and position as needed into projects.

RE: Low cost solid modeling software

Blender if you're into organic shapes & free-hand aesthetics. Fusion 360 if you want precision geometric & functional designs. Both have a fairly steep learning curve. Fusion 360 was the fit for me, so I didn't really invest myself into learning Blender.

RE: Low cost solid modeling software

If you are into organic shapes, FreeCAD is not a good choice. I happen to use LightWave for that but it is not free and is not easy to learn. I use it because I have history with it from when it was first introduced for the Amiga. If not for that, Blender would probably be my tool of choice.

Regarding the stability of FreeCAD - it is really quite stable these days. Every version has been more stable and with few idiosyncrasies (I am using version 0.19 build 24267).

As far as versatility, the image below is one file in FreeCAD where the circuit board was imported by FreeCAD directly from KiCAD. As jsw said, I have "library" of parts that I tend to use a lot so the rotary encode, OLED, and jacks are just merged into the file and placed. It all makes box layout much nicer and when I’m done, I only have to create stl files for the box and lid.

RE: Low cost solid modeling software

For me:

Fusion 360 for engineering and electronics type of work. Free, with some limits for amateurs (non commercial).

Blender for more artistic type of work. Free.

Both have loots of support groups and online help.

Both will require you to spend some serious time to get comfortable but that knowledge will still help you also if you decide on other options.

RE: Low cost solid modeling software

Agree 100%.

Another example:

Posted by: @jwvaughn

If you are into organic shapes, FreeCAD is not a good choice. I happen to use LightWave for that but it is not free and is not easy to learn. I use it because I have history with it from when it was first introduced for the Amiga. If not for that, Blender would probably be my tool of choice.

Regarding the stability of FreeCAD - it is really quite stable these days. Every version has been more stable and with few idiosyncrasies (I am using version 0.19 build 24267).

As far as versatility, the image below is one file in FreeCAD where the circuit board was imported by FreeCAD directly from KiCAD. As jsw said, I have "library" of parts that I tend to use a lot so the rotary encode, OLED, and jacks are just merged into the file and placed. It all makes box layout much nicer and when I’m done, I only have to create stl files for the box and lid.

 

 

RE: Low cost solid modeling software

There is also OpenSCAD.  It works differently from most other CAD programs: you basically write a program that describes your model.  It is open source and free.

https://openscad.org/index.html

RE: Low cost solid modeling software

LOL, OpenSCAD is too much like work!   😉

RE: Low cost solid modeling software

Fusion360 mainly because I'm working on building a Voron and that's what they use. So I had to get & learn their preferred tool to access the CAD for the printers. It helps that it's broadly similar to SolidWorks that I have access & exposure to through work.

Now I see it might be worth looking at FreeCAD--I see there's a whole Fusion360 to FreeCAD tutorial in their wiki.