Kiki

Hey #3dPrinting nerd bubble, what #CAD software do you use for making your own 3d models?

I'm starting to get really annoyed by the limits of OpenSCAD, and the only other 3d modelling software I've ever really used is Blender... which is kinda slow on my computer, and feels like the wrong tool for modelling mechanical parts anyway.

Any recommendations for something nice that is not too slow to run on a macbook from 2017 (*staring angrily at inkscape, which is not even 3d*)?

Jun 12, 2024 at 4:31pmWeb
Show threadAndy Warburton ❌❌❌Jun 12, 2024
@flauschzelle have you tried TinkerCad? It’s browser based… it’s somewhere between Blender and “real” CAD in terms of functionality. It’s not perfect but my brain works funny and I just cannot get my head around proper CAD applications.
Show threadDaniel BohrerJun 12, 2024
@flauschzelle I've heard people who used openscad in the past are using solvespace today… but I've never used it myself
Show threadblinryJun 12, 2024
@flauschzelle Yeah, @bleeptrack has also told me good things about SolveSpace! @daniel_bohrer
Show threadMarián KyralJun 12, 2024

@blinry @flauschzelle @bleeptrack @daniel_bohrer

I'm using Solvespace and I love it. It has some limitation, but works for me.

Show threadKikiJun 12, 2024
@mkyral
@blinry @bleeptrack @daniel_bohrer
I'm trying solvespace right now, but so far it feels way more confusing than openscad ever did... O.o
I'm not sure if I'm patient enough to learn it without a teacher that I can ask :/
Would anyone who's already good at using solvespace like to help me?
Show threadMarián KyralJun 12, 2024

@flauschzelle @blinry @bleeptrack @daniel_bohrer

They have tutorials and forum on website.

it helped me a lot.

https://solvespace.com/tutorial.pl

SolveSpace - Tutorials

Show threadKikiJun 12, 2024
@mkyral @blinry @bleeptrack @daniel_bohrer
I had seen the tutorials, but many of them are labelled as outdated, and the ones I read were quite confusing.
I hadn't noticed the forum... looked into it now and even found some other people having a similar problem, but there doesn't seem to be a solution :/
Show threadKikiJun 12, 2024

@mkyral
@blinry @bleeptrack @daniel_bohrer

I'm trying to make a ring-like object.

I have a group of line segments that defines the outline of a 2d cross-section through one side of it, in the correct distance to the y axis. I want to rotate it around the y axis to make a ring, but it seems I can only rotate it around line segments.

So I drew a line segment on the y axis and rotated around that. But now it won't let me delete that line segment any more. And my ring doesn't look solid O.o

Show threadMarián KyralJun 12, 2024

@flauschzelle @blinry @bleeptrack @daniel_bohrer

If I understood correctly, you need change your line to construction line.

Show threadKikiJun 12, 2024

@mkyral @blinry @bleeptrack @daniel_bohrer
The forum says that's probably impossible:
https://solvespace.com/forum.pl?action=viewthread&parent=2840&tt=1571184127

At least I found out how to make all the other lines not be construction lines any more. But they're still just lines, no solid to be seen anywhere O.o

SolveSpace - Forum

Show threadKikiJun 12, 2024
@mkyral @blinry @bleeptrack @daniel_bohrer
Ah, I think I got it right now O.o Something about which group was "active" ... now at least I have something that looks like a solid.
Show threadNightsky SystemJun 12, 2024
@flauschzelle we primarily use Onshape these days. Before we used fusion 360 (which is free with limitations for personal use, even though Autodesk tries to hide that option well), but Onshape felt like their business tactics aren't as awful as Autodesks.

Onshape is a browser based tool, I know that is a no-go for some people, but we don't mind. Everything will be stored in their cloud and while we see how that can be a curse, for us it's mostly convenient so far x)
It's not open source either, otherwise we'd self host it to avoid their cloud.

But still, the usability of Onshape is pretty good and it's "free" (besides the fact that your files are stored in their cloud), so we'll stick with it for the foreseeable future.

🌌
Show threadnusseJun 12, 2024
@flauschzelle have a look at a recent (development) version of #freecad.
Show threadGina HäußgeJun 12, 2024

@flauschzelle I use @FreeCAD these days (though currently still the LinkStage build, until RealThunder's changes are merged). For smaller stuff also still OpenSCAD and sometimes CadQuery (https://github.com/CadQuery/cadquery).

This roughly sketches out my FreeCAD setup: https://gist.github.com/foosel/4165616cde7a901af106c55afd6f98ba

GitHub - CadQuery/cadquery: A python parametric CAD scripting framework based on OCCT

A python parametric CAD scripting framework based on OCCT - CadQuery/cadquery

GitHub
Show threadanubis2814Jun 12, 2024
@flauschzelle tinkercad is my go to but i have simple needs, super easy to learn though
Show threadMark FraserJun 12, 2024
@flauschzelle I've been using FreeCAD for a couple of years now and I find it OK for my designing requirements.
Show threadTobi Weh · NDSJun 12, 2024
@flauschzelle I use #Onshape, which ist browser/cloud based an thus runs on „every“ machine.
Show threadJephJun 12, 2024

@flauschzelle I am enjoying tinkerCAD and fusion360. It feels like Autodesk want these to be the entry-level free software but I'm never confident they aren't going to be rug pulled away from hobby makers.

I usually start with tinkerCAD unless I KNOW it's going to be a project with chamfers and filets.

That said, I am usually in a 2D Vector image editor before jumping to 3D but that's usually bc I start with a huge extrude as step 1.

Show threadBenjamin MonjoieJun 12, 2024
@flauschzelle I have successfully used #OnShape thanks to #TeachingTech's series of videos
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLGqRUdq5ULsONnjEEPeBxxStEsobDKAtV
Bevor Sie zu YouTube weitergehen

Show threadH4ndyJun 12, 2024
@flauschzelle I loved the usability of Shapr3D but the paid tier is prohibitively expensive for personal use at $25/month
Show threadJamie BoothJun 12, 2024

@flauschzelle

Curious to see what gets recommended. I used Google SketchUp for years until they sold it. I've tried FreeCAD but with little success. My brain doesn't work that way for anything moderately complex. Shapr3D is ok but still has some weirdness I haven't figured out.

Show threadRobee? Na! 🌈Jun 12, 2024
@flauschzelle I do like Fusion 360 which is free for non commercial use, with some inconsequential limits.
Show threadbrettJun 13, 2024
@flauschzelle In the same position, I started using SolveSpace and it's completely replaced OpenSCAD for me.
Show threadSteve GenoudJun 13, 2024
@flauschzelle I have built https://replicad.xyz if you are into code cad!
replicad | replicad

The library to build browser based 3D models with code.

Show threadMarta 🌿🍃Jun 13, 2024
@flauschzelle Usually FreeCAD, but I tried Dune3D, which uses the same core with different UI, and omg, it's so much better.
Of course FreeCAD is so much more than PartDesign, but for most stuff that we just sketch, extrude, revolve and punch holes in?
I only followed one tutorial so far, so not a bunch of experience.
I also tried Solvespace once, looked friendly, but I kept getting an error I couldn't get rid of, and it blocked all the other actions, so haven't tried more.