3D modeling software question ?  

Re: 3D modeling software question ?

That really depends on what do you plan to do.
Mechanical parts or free-form shapes?
Do you feel comfortable writing scripts?

Re: 3D modeling software question ?

A few you can check out:

Very easy to use, but only online: TinkerCAD (many tutorials on youtube)

For installation on a mac or pc: (but to needs an internet connection for all the files you create are in Adobes cloud)
Fusion360.
It is free for personal use and small business use (<$100,000).
Also many tutorials on youtube.
You need Meshmixer to export it to STL format that you can import in slic3r.

EDIT: oops, missed the not cloud-based.

--pascal

Re: 3D modeling software question ?

I use freecad
https://www.freecadweb.org/wiki/Download
Merry xmas!
Jon

Re: 3D modeling software question ?

It's not conventional CAD, but it's one of the only truly "open source" and self contained ways to do modeling without "the cloud"; even if the software is open source, the designs are code based and by nature parametric, and because they are code they can be diff'd and forked, and kept in version repositories without just being a "binary blob".

And it just so happens to be the software used to design all of the Prusa parts, it has been this way since the beginning.

OpenSCAD, don't say I didn't warn you.

Re: 3D modeling software question ?

But, because of patents, it must be standalone and not cloud based... for copy write purposes...

This is something I don't understand. In Fusion360 whatever I'm uploading is only accessible and visible by me. From the legal perspective there should be no difference if I'm using FreeCAD on my PC or Fusion360 (uploading the file to my cloud account). If I'm modelling/modifying an object illegally it also doesn't make a difference where I'm doing it.

Maybe someone can answer this question if there is any legal difference (not a personal preference).

From the Fusion360 TOS

2.1 Your Content is Yours. You maintain ownership of and responsibility for Your Content and responsibility for Your conduct while using the Service Offering. You agree that Your Content and Your (and Your Authorized Users) conduct in using the Service Offering will comply with all applicable laws, rules and regulations, the Rules of Conduct and all other Policies. By creating, submitting, posting or otherwise making Your Content available to Autodesk and/or others, You acknowledge and agree that: (1) You will evaluate and bear all risks associated with Your Content; and (2) under no circumstances will Autodesk Parties be liable in any way for Your Content as You upload or submit it, including, but not limited to any errors or omissions. Without taking away from Autodesk’s obligation to provide the Services as described in Your Entitlements, You are encouraged to practice effective content retention practices, to maintain copies on Your own computer or local network, to use the latest encryption and other security technology to protect Your Content and to back up and protect the security and confidentiality of Your Content, as applicable to the Service. Autodesk personnel will not access Your Content except (a) as part of providing, maintaining, securing or modifying Services, (b) at Your request or with Your consent as part of addressing or preventing a service, support or technical issue, or (c) in connection with legal obligations or proceedings in accordance with Section 2.4 below. Use of Your Personal Information will be as set forth in the Privacy Statement. Autodesk does not own Your Content. You acknowledge that provision of the Service necessarily involves technical access, processing and transmission of Your Content and Metrics related to use of the Service.

Re: 3D modeling software question ?

Fusion360.
It is free for personal use and small business use (<$100,000).

Note, there is a time limit on the "free" part. I think it's 1 year for business and 3 years for education. After this period is expired they expect you to pay like anyone else, which is fair enough. However it is still an annoying marketing ploy I think.

But while F360 has some quite nifty features it also has some significant drawbacks. The biggest being cloud operation (IMO). There are also a number of antiquated processes and missing features that even the most basic drawing programme should have.

Re: 3D modeling software question ?

I have heard blender is pretty popular as a free option. I used it and found it to be pretty unfriendly. I did find a pretty good option though. It is Hexagon 2. From what i understand it was originally made by Daz3d but they abandoned it and it was picked up by the community. Seems to be pretty friendly aside form the occasional crash. But i rarely run into it. Exports to .obj .stl. It seems to only be able to import an obj and not stl.

Here is a link https://www.daz3d.com/hexagon-2-5-download-version?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=DSA&utm_content=all%20webpages&utm_term=&utm_matchtype=b&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIzv__19-33wIVBbjACh2LGgULEAAYASAAEgIzk_D_BwE

Re: 3D modeling software question ?

[...] Note, there is a time limit on the "free" part. I think it's 1 year for business and 3 years for education. After this period is expired they expect you to pay like anyone else, which is fair enough. However it is still an annoying marketing ploy I think.

Have not hit the 1 year mark myself, but everything I've read indicates you can just renew at the end of your 1st year with no change in terms or cost.

Re: 3D modeling software question ?

Depends on what you mean with not breaking the bank, and if you are looking for a CAD software or a 3D modeller, but arguably the best 3D modeller out there is Modo. Very good modeling tools and exports directly to .stl.

Re: 3D modeling software question ?

[...] Note, there is a time limit on the "free" part. I think it's 1 year for business and 3 years for education. After this period is expired they expect you to pay like anyone else, which is fair enough. However it is still an annoying marketing ploy I think.

Have not hit the 1 year mark myself, but everything I've read indicates you can just renew at the end of your 1st year with no change in terms or cost.

That wasn't what happened to me. I was asked to renew via payment after the year was up (on the business/maker plan). Perhaps this was just another marketing ploy by them or perhaps I didn't "renew" correctly. ❓
Either way they make it very confusing and convoluted. Typical of the way Autodesk has always been run.

Perhaps someone else can chime in with their experience on renewing.

Re: 3D modeling software question ?

[...] Note, there is a time limit on the "free" part. I think it's 1 year for business and 3 years for education. After this period is expired they expect you to pay like anyone else, which is fair enough. However it is still an annoying marketing ploy I think.

Have not hit the 1 year mark myself, but everything I've read indicates you can just renew at the end of your 1st year with no change in terms or cost.

That wasn't what happened to me. I was asked to renew via payment after the year was up (on the business/maker plan). Perhaps this was just another marketing ploy by them or perhaps I didn't "renew" correctly. ❓
Either way they make it very confusing and convoluted. Typical of the way Autodesk has always been run.

Perhaps someone else can chime in with their experience on renewing.

I’m on my second year (1 renewal) and a friend of mine has renewed twice with no cost. Both of us are still under the hobbyist plan. After the first year was up the software locked forcing a renewal. I just picked the hobby license and accepted the terms again.

Re: 3D modeling software question ?

I’m on my second year (1 renewal) and a friend of mine has renewed twice with no cost. Both of us are still under the hobbyist plan. After the first year was up the software locked forcing a renewal. I just picked the hobby license and accepted the terms again.

Did you also get a renewal email requesting payment at the end of year 1? That's what happened to me. I just assumed that was the deal. Oh well 🙄

Re: 3D modeling software question ?

Fusion360.
It is free for personal use and small business use (<$100,000).

Note, there is a time limit on the "free" part. I think it's 1 year for business and 3 years for education. After this period is expired they expect you to pay like anyone else, which is fair enough. However it is still an annoying marketing ploy I think.

But while F360 has some quite nifty features it also has some significant drawbacks. The biggest being cloud operation (IMO). There are also a number of antiquated processes and missing features that even the most basic drawing programme should have.

The "free" license is issued on an annual basis. Every year you have to request the license to be renewed. I'm on my 3rd year of using it free.

Re: 3D modeling software question ?

Fusion360.
It is free for personal use and small business use (<$100,000).

Note, there is a time limit on the "free" part. I think it's 1 year for business and 3 years for education. After this period is expired they expect you to pay like anyone else, which is fair enough. However it is still an annoying marketing ploy I think.

But while F360 has some quite nifty features it also has some significant drawbacks. The biggest being cloud operation (IMO). There are also a number of antiquated processes and missing features that even the most basic drawing programme should have.

It was 30 days for me ... then they wanted money. I think they are grandfathering in old timers. My experience was downloading and installing in the past few months.

Re: 3D modeling software question ?

Designspark Mechanical 4.0. http://auto.designspark.info/exe/DSM_11_29.zip
Its free but only available for Windows.

If you prefer traditional CAD, you will like this, for tutorials look up SpaceClaim since DSM is a cut down version of this, but it only has things like simulation and materials removed which are not needed for 3D Printing.
You will have to register with RS Components, but this does not require any card info and they do not spam you.

Re: 3D modeling software question ?

I have been using Alibre for many years and I am very happy with it.
Regards

Re: 3D modeling software question ?

I am using Rhino3D for some years now for free form design as well as constructing mechanical parts. But the thing I mostly enjoy is a program that is implemented in Rhino called grasshopper. It is cheap for what you get but really cheap if you are a stundent (I guess 210 Euro for a lifetime liscence u can use commercially).
You can download a trial version for free. Ah yes and the while Programm does not need that much disc space and those not come with tons of trash that is going to be installed (like everything from Autodesk for example).

Re: 3D modeling software question ?

I have been using Alibre for many years and I am very happy with it.
Regards

Me too. The pro version got quite pricey though over the years.
There's an entry level version called Atom3D https://www.alibre.com/atom3d/ which is Fr. 350 here.
For organic sculpting, I am using ZBrush. Fantastic!

- Martin