davorin
Posts: 36
Joined: Wed Dec 27, 2017 1:25 pm

Recommend 3D modeling software for OSX

Good evening

I just came across this software when I was looking for a new 3D printer compatible with OSX.

Which OSX modeling software would users here recommend as a companion to Simplify3D?

Tried a demo software of ViaCAD 2D3D today but its user interface and its precision are unusable.


thanx in advance
richard
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AK_Eric
Posts: 103
Joined: Thu Dec 25, 2014 4:48 pm
Location: Belmont, CA
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Re: Recommend 3D modeling software for OSX

Depends on your use case; Tinkercad runs in browser, and while is very 'simple', is a great starting point for people.
Meshmixer isn't specifically for printing, but it's free, and provides a nice suite of freeform poly modeling tools (I used it on my mac in the past).
If you're looking to do more 'real cad' work, I used Fusion360 on my mac back in the day. Free for hobbyists, but extremely powerful.
OnShape also runs in your browser, but I'm not sure what the cost is.
Finally, Blender is free, runs on mac last I checked. Mainly for poly modeling, not cad, steep learning curve, but can do a lot depending on your needs.
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greybeard
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Joined: Mon Mar 02, 2015 1:23 pm

Re: Recommend 3D modeling software for OSX

For the past two years, I've been using Freecad for non-consulting engineering work and I recommend you give it a try.

Version 17 development is close to release and I find it much better than the released 16 version. I use the pre-release 17 version on OSX Serria and Freecad is fast. They have a good/helpful forum...

https://www.freecadweb.org/
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arhi
Posts: 483
Joined: Thu Oct 06, 2016 5:13 pm

Re: Recommend 3D modeling software for OSX

for me:
no1 onshape.com
no2 openscad
no3 freecad
gcodestat integrates with Simplify3D and allow you to
Calculate print time accurately (acceleration, max speed, junction deviation all taken into consideration)
Embed M117 codes into G-Code
Upload your G-Code directly to Octoprint
open source and unlicence
davorin
Posts: 36
Joined: Wed Dec 27, 2017 1:25 pm

Re: Recommend 3D modeling software for OSX

Thanks for the recommendations...

I finally ended up using openscad....though it seems it hasn't been updated for a while...
but much more control than the sluggish and imprecise GUI on ViaCAD (o;

I personally like the way that you model the design in a text editor...just like in the good old days on SunOS and render then in BMRT (o;

https://pasteboard.co/H0Utlac.png

https://pasteboard.co/H0UtX5b.png


Now I just have to find out why the first print on my K8400 is rubbish....have read that the original extruder steps/mm is wrong in Velleman's firmware.
billchurch
Posts: 6
Joined: Tue Oct 11, 2016 2:24 pm

Re: Recommend 3D modeling software for OSX

I've been really happy with Autodesk Fusion 360. Somewhat of a learning curve, but once you get over that hump there's so much you can do.
Bill Church
Saint Petersburg, Fl USA
Original Prusa i3 Mk3 Kit
My Models/Creations http://www.thingiverse.com/illc0mm/

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