Re: 3D Design Software
Posted: Mon Apr 03, 2017 2:33 pm
You might find this helpful : http://birkbinnard.com/blog/parametric-modeling/
Simplifying the 3D Experience!
https://forum.simplify3d.com/
That was a very nice description of parametric modeling. I learned something new today, thanks! It sounds like FreeCAD is designed for parametric modeling, which is a totally different skill-set than, say, other forms of modeling. I'm not quite sure which side I fall on, because right now, I'm just sifting through the three-quarters of a million objects on Thingiverse (and other sources with the help of Google), trying not to re-invent the wheel.bbinnard wrote:You might find this helpful : http://birkbinnard.com/blog/parametric-modeling/
It's weird...I know intuitively that Adobe Illustrator is one of the most popular and arguably the best vector-based application out there. I also know that Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom work great for my photographic workflow. I can't imagine using any other tools. Many professionals agree with me.brian442 wrote:Blender, TinkerCAD, Fusion 360 - there's a lot of options. Just try them out and pick one that seems intuitive to you.
What made you decide to switch from DesignSpark Mechanical to Fusion?tonyno wrote:I had been using Designspark Mechanical and just started using Fusion.
I wish I knew the difference between these two? If I had to guess, I'd say "organic" because I don't build a lot of engineered parts or whatever? I'm 3D printing for fun. Small items/toys to give away to kids and staff at the library where I volunteer, weird solutions for things around the house (like, I'd enjoy remixing a tripod/mic stand top, with a Raspberry Pi [in case] holder on top of that, with a camera module holder with ball-joint on top - no one's made one of those combinations before - but all of those things are available and I imagine, easy-ish to put together?).tenaja wrote:You did not say what you hope to print. If you want to make organic models, the software is not the same as mechanical models.
See, with the Adobe products, there's a steep learning curve, but once you've mastered it, you're considered an expert, a pro, you can charge money for being a Photoshop, Illustrator or Premiere expert. I don't know the 3D Design world that well yet. None of these names mean anything to me like, say, Adobe, Quark or CorelDraw do.tenaja wrote:I design mechanical parts. About 15 years ago, my local SolidWorks sales rep was so offensive that it caused me to google alternatives; that's how I ended up using Alibre, now Geomagic Design. (Not to be confused with Geomagic Design X!) It still crashes when I try to do section views with assemblies, especially if some of the parts are complex. It's easy to use, and common enough that it is not a tiny niche product.
It's so weird. When I work with my professional 2D stuff, it works 99% of the time. It doesn't crash. There are very few quirks - I mean, hardly any that I notice, and I'm a fairly heavy user. I wish there were a reasonably affordable 3D design package that meshes up well with Simplify3D and my new printer.tenaja wrote:As for 3d printing, it has a quirk with its STL export. It uses a common third-party solid model kernel, ACIS. Its quirks are well documented, because every CAD program that uses it shares the quirks. It regularly flips a triangle. I have not seen this be an issue with Simplify3d, but with some of my suppliers who use software typically importing SolidWorks files often do.
See, this is the weird part: I never had any fear learning the Adobe suite of products. They work great. I pay for a subscription annually, and I'm okay with that. I'm seeing a lot of people say "I used X, but then I used Y, and now I'm using Z." It feels like the 3D Design world either hasn't matured enough (I guess that means weeding out the bad ones? Less competition? Maybe that's a -bad- thing?) or maybe the products haven't? If a 3D design package were awesome, why would you switch? "Well, this one has this feature" or "it crashes less" or "it has fewer quirks...." I mean, if I'm going to pay $100-300 for a 3D design program, I want it to "just work," and I want it to be intuitive, and NOT quirky. Not one bit. Quirks are bugs that should be fixed. That's why I usually prefer to pay, because Open Source Free (as in freedom)/Free (as in beer) is often quirky, and people just accept (or fix themselves, if they're programmers) the problems. I feel like I've never had to compromise with any of the Adobe products. Maybe Adobe needs to come out with a 3D design application as a part of the Creative Cloud?tenaja wrote:A consultant I know uses a half dozen different professional CAD packages so he can keep any client happy; he said they all have their weak points, and Alibre is not the only one that crashes regularly.
I read an article about Rhino3D or something, and have yet to check it out, but there's a lot of products with cool names out there. Maybe we should compile a FAQ of all the products with their stats? I know there's at least a few comprehensive 3D printer comparison and review sites. I wonder if 3D design software has a similar thing?tenaja wrote:I was impressed with IronCAD's demo; check it out too.
Interesting option, but not a fan of actual design-in-the-cloud packages. I have "Creative Cloud" but that's basically just the applications and updates pulled from the cloud. They don't actually run in the cloud. Eek.upsm wrote:https://www.onshape.com/
I'm seeing a lot of votes for Fusion 360. Oh, is that cloud-based too?mroek wrote:Onshape has no privacy whatsoever for the free subscription. Anything you do can be freely viewed and copied by others. Previously free users could have some private documents, but not anymore. Personally, I ditched them and started using Fusion 360 instead.
Neat! I'll go check that out. Coupon codes...wonder if they have a student/educational discount?Mogal wrote:I've been using ViaCAD pro.
Currently $250, but there are coupon codes out there...
Its also off line, no connection required. Full purchase price. I hate this rental crap.
It has its issues, but for the price I find it fantastic.
(I see the upgrade for me is 99 bucks... I'll be picking it up later tonight)
I've seen the term "organic" thrown around a lot here. Is there a good description of that somewhere? Sorry, I just...can't tell the difference between "organic" and "in-organic" especially when I need to try and map that to what it is I've been doing, and what I want to do in the future.AK_Eric wrote:If you want to do anything hard surface/ CAD related (non-organic), and you plan on making this a legit hobby, I'd recommend Fusion 360. Free for causal users, amazingly powerful. I've never used OnShape, but I've heard good stuff, from a group of peeps that split off from Solidworks.
For anything organic, you can't beat Z-Brush. Steep learning curve, and there's a cost, but it's what all the pros I work with use.
If you want to dabble in organic, then you should start off with Meshmixer.