Question to 3D designers out there.....?

Zerogee

Zerogee

Clencher's Bogleman
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Hi all,

I'd like to ask a question to those of you who do 3D design work, either as hobby dabblers or semi-professionals...... This is for someone I know in another hobby, who has been doing a little work with (I think) the free version of Sketch-up (?) to learn the principles - I only wish I had the time to devote to trying to learn it myself, but I can't even find the time to get my track laid..... anyway, I was wondering (on his behalf) if anyone could recommend a program or package that builds on the basics of what the free Sketch-up will allow him to do without actually costing an arm and a leg? Something that will let him do a bit more than what he's playing about with at the moment, but not costing thousands like the "professional" suites seem to?

I don't understand this stuff myself, but it appears from what he's said that the free stuff he's using won't allow him to create much in the way of curved objects - if he needs to do something cylindrical, he has to create it as a very large number of very small faceted flat areas very close together, it doesn't seem to allow him to simply make a smooth cylinder or part of one.... does that make any sense?

I don't think he'd mind paying a reasonable price (maybe up to a couple of hundred quid?) for something suitable, but he's not looking for a full bells-and-whistles pro toolset, just something to work on hobby designs with.
Oh, and he uses a PC, not a Mac.

Any thoughts, recommendations or suggestions.....?
Thanks in advance!

Jon.
 
Long time since I dabbled with the lower end stuff so out of touch with what is available nowadays, there must be a few that don't cost an arm and a leg. I use 3ds MAX full time and you can model anything you can dream of with it, he could always download it and try it for free for 30 days, theirs also an education version of it, same software just cheaper license if you can prove you are in education and using it for educationally use, if he has kids
 
I always use 123d app. (free). No problem with cylindrical objects or curves and very easy to use once you get into its way of seeing the world. However, download it now because the producers have said that they are going to withdraw it. I think the plan is to merge it with Tinkercad (also free) which is mainly for children and rather more limited, although some operations such as resizing objects, are simpler. A Beta version of the new development is available, but not a lot of use for serious users as far as I can see
 
Thanks for the advice so far, chaps - anything more from anyone else?
Fridge: Re the 123d app, thanks for the suggestion but I don't think he'd want to spend a lot of time getting into something that's no longer going to be supported - though I will pass the idea along!
Sid: I don't think he could get away with claiming educational use, sadly, and the costs of 3ds MAX are exactly what I mean about him not being able to afford a "pro" package for simply dabbling around as a hobby - though if you're making a living from it then I'm sure it is a great investment and well worth the cost.

Jon.
 
The basics of 3D modelling are the same whatever software you are using.

Autodesk Fusion 360
 
Hi Jon
I Dabble, Teach and work Professionally and semi professionally with 3D modelling and 3D printing. there are a number of options available to your friend, Firstly the Free options, forget sketch up it is to agricultural and wont provide the resolution in 3D prints, my recommendation is to go with the AutoDesk or Solidworks packages both are available for FREE as a student download from the net and are licensed for a 3 year period which can be renewed. I use AutoDesk Inventor professional. if you wish to Purchase a program that is highly functional with the ability to construct assemblies and test your ideas at a very reasonable price I would recommend Cubify Design, it operates in a very similar way to inventor and has been designed by a 3D printing company to compliment their printers at around $200.00 US its a worthwhile investment
Inventor can be obtained here http://www.autodesk.com/education/free-software/all
Cubify Design Can be obtained here along with tutorials http://www.3dsystems.com/shop/support/design/videos
I hope this helps and good luck to your friend he is embarking on a steep learning curve.
Alan
 
I too started with Sketchup and used it for two years, mainly for buildings which it is very good at. However when I started drawing locos and rolling stock it became very tedious. I started using 123D Design and, once I had got over the initial familiarisation, found it very good. I think it was free, I don't remember paying for it.

Regards
Peter Lucas
MyLocoSound
 
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