What 3D Software Do You Use  

Re: What 3D Software Do You Use

I use 123Ddesign, slic3r, Kisslicer and simplify3d
not necessarily in that order

regards Joan

Re: What 3D Software Do You Use

At the moment i can use Solid Works which works quite well for me, but sadly i only get to use it for 2 more years as it is bound to me being in my university 😥

Re: What 3D Software Do You Use

Fusion 360. They have a hobby license that lets you use it for free so far.

Re: What 3D Software Do You Use

SolidWorks and Simplify3D.
I use TinkerCAD when I want to do a very simple design, especially when I want to edit a sculpture. I sometimes use Meshmixer for the same reason...

Re: What 3D Software Do You Use

Solidworks because I have access to it, and know it well.

And simplify3D because I am constantly doing strange things, and it is the best as far as I can tell for being versatile and user friendly still. So it seems like the benchmark even though others are presumably and reportedly catching up.

I always see interesting features from cura, but never really hear users saying they get better results.

I almost never even hear Slic3r PE mentioned.

And there are several notable slicers floating around, but honestly I have never seen enough information to help me ascertain exact,ey what each are better at than the others.

So for me support community and versatility are king ATM, but am completely open minded.

Re: What 3D Software Do You Use

Inventor but moving to Fusion 360. SketchUP for quick simple models - Because I have been using the programs for years and know them.

For slicing I use Slic3r (Prusa edition), have tried Simplify3D but it is not precise for engineering models as Slic3r. I am planing to try the new free IceSL Slicer as it looks promising and has other features.

Re: What 3D Software Do You Use

What about "Slicers & 3D Printer Hosts"? Is the idea of moving the 3D design from your computer to the printer supposed to take a hop over to a "Slicers or 3D Printer Hosts"? Why this extra hop and not directly from the computer you made or have the design stored on?

Re: What 3D Software Do You Use

Inventor but moving to Fusion 360. SketchUP for quick simple models - Because I have been using the programs for years and know them.

For slicing I use Slic3r (Prusa edition), have tried Simplify3D but it is not precise for engineering models as Slic3r. I am planing to try the new free IceSL Slicer as it looks promising and has other features.

Is there a place to read about using Slic3r PE ? A community or forum that explores its usage in more detail?

Not a lot of interaction or thorough discussions and problem solving here from what I can tell...

It doesn't even have its own dedicated section, it's just tossed in with anything that falls under the heading of "software" ...

One of my favorite things about S3D is the elaborate explainations and detailed usage cases that help me explor what the software is capable of doing better given the motivation to learn and explore what others are doing...

I don't see any of that from the Slic3r PE perspective in my limited experiences. I amlmost never even hear it mentioned except that it exists.

Re: What 3D Software Do You Use

Maybe I'm not the right person to ask - been using Slic3r for too long...
Slic3r is an open source project and the Prusa version is based on that. Some links:

- On GitHub: https://github.com/alexrj/Slic3r/wiki
- There is the Slic3r wiki: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slic3r
- Homepage: http://slic3r.org/
- Youtube search: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=beginner+slic3r

Re: What 3D Software Do You Use

What about "Slicers & 3D Printer Hosts"? Is the idea of moving the 3D design from your computer to the printer supposed to take a hop over to a "Slicers or 3D Printer Hosts"? Why this extra hop and not directly from the computer you made or have the design stored on?

Can't answer the reason fully but you export your design to an STL format. STL contains the objects geometry. A Slicer processes that geometry into indivitual layers, along with additional parameters (Temperature, Print Speed, Supports etc) into instructions the printer can understand to print the object(s). No reason why a design program couldn't include a built in slicer, some printers ship with proprietary software that do just that but you may have a favorite design software with really crappy or limited or incompatible slicing capabilities. Also slicers take slightly different approaches and results can vary depending on object, filament etc, why restrict yourself. Not to mention not everyone is a designer, lot of people don't even have cad like software installed and simply enjoy taking distributed work shared by others, slicing them to their printers specs and printing out the object(s).

Re: What 3D Software Do You Use

Fusion 360 primarily. Very powerful, parameterizable, works for 3D printing (dump to STL) or tool paths for a shopbot (at least before my Techshop folded!)

Openscad for quick/simple geometric designs and test structures.

Re: What 3D Software Do You Use

I've mainly been using OnShape for my own designs.
It's an in-browser CAD program, no need to download and install latest version because it's always up to date, pretty easy to get into, parametric like Fusion 360 so you can create multiple features from just one sketch, and you can even work together with people in real-time in it.
In a few hours I taught my dad how it works, and a couple of days later he sends me some very advanced models that I should print for him. For a guy who never touched a CAD tool before, I was thoroughly impressed!

For slicing I've been using Slic3r PE, I haven't tried other slicers yet, but I'm starting to experiment.

Re: What 3D Software Do You Use

I plan on using Modo to do the base model.

I'm guessing that I'll be able to export OBJ files from Modo into Fusion 360.

Is there anything special to load the model on the MK3?

From the kit, how does the RPI Zero factor in? Do you push the (STL?) model to print through the RPI?

Or do you use an SDK card to transfer the file? How does it work?

Re: What 3D Software Do You Use

Creo Parametric, I’ve been using it since 1990 but have only printed a couple of things through shapeways.

Re: What 3D Software Do You Use

+1 for AutoDesk Inventor

If you're a student you can get a free 3 year license. It took me a few hours of tinkering before I had my first model dimensioned and modeled correctly.

Re: What 3D Software Do You Use

I plan on using Modo to do the base model.

I'm guessing that I'll be able to export OBJ files from Modo into Fusion 360.

Is there anything special to load the model on the MK3?

From the kit, how does the RPI Zero factor in? Do you push the (STL?) model to print through the RPI?

Or do you use an SDK card to transfer the file? How does it work?

Using Octopi, it creates a webservice. You access it by typing in the ip address of the raspberry pi on your network. From there you have options. Let the pi slice it, (cura is built in, slic3r available). Or you slice it on your computer and then transfer it. You can drag and drop any file you want, .obj, .stl or the full .gcode ready to print. You need to set slicer settings when you setup the raspberry pi if you want to let the pi do it. You pick a profile, like PLA 0.2mm layer height with support, or PETG 0.2mm layer height without... etc. Its just the slicing engine, not the full feature software with the GUI and everything. I slice it on my computer which is WAY more powerful than a raspberry pi.

Re: What 3D Software Do You Use

Alibre design https://www.alibre.com/ . Less powerful and expensive than Pro/E. They used to have a hobby version titled "Cubify design" which would be my recommendation if you still can get it. You still find this product on some shops although it is discontinued officially.

Currently learning ZBrush (trial 45 days) and most probably getting Zbrushcore when trial is over.

Re: What 3D Software Do You Use

I've been doing a lot in 3d Builder. It is a solid little program for windows that I personally find easier to work with than tinkercad. I don't hear much talk about it and I feel it is a bit underrated.

Re: What 3D Software Do You Use

I use Fusion 360 and Simplify3D and Slic3r.

Fusion 360 is easy to learn and you can get a free license.

The Slicers.... well.... i've been using simplify3D for years now.... it gave me the best results back then and i just went with it.... Havent tried Cura since then.

Slic3r seems to be quite good aswell... used it in the past but prefered S3D, now i'm giving it another chance with the MK3.