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Where is the Modelling Software for 3D Printing?

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Re: Where is the Modelling Software for 3D Printing?

#21

Post by minthd »

errantspark wrote: post #12

Designing and printing a 3D object is fundamentally much more complex than typing out an essay and hitting print. There's always going to be a big learning curve for someone trying to get into 3D printing/modelling for the first time. There's no way to get around that, it's especially hard for people who do not have a lot of spatial reasoning experience. The most important point in the article, and I think the most v…

I wonder if a simple way to teach people what are "printable" models is to build a library of good and bad examples , showing them some examples , and testing them on other examples whether they are good and why - while giving feedback after such example.

This should work because the brain is great at pattern recognition.

Have this been done before ?

Re: Where is the Modelling Software for 3D Printing?

#22

Post by Htsthbjig »

We used to teach little children to use OpenScad years ago along with programming(I volunteered for that). Kids learn fast.

Now we teach them FreeCAD, and python scripting for the advanced ones.

I have no idea what the author is talking about, designing a 3d editor is not trivial, most kids don't need very advanced 3D editing either. They will just ask the one who is good at it, or download it from the Internet from already made models.

There is a need for 3D curves in the Open source world. This will be worked on over time.

Re: Where is the Modelling Software for 3D Printing?

#23

Post by trumpetpunk42 »

candu wrote: post #6

I'm surprised they don't mention OpenSCAD [1], which in conjunction with a decent vector graphics editor works wonders for a wide range of objects. Yes, it has a programming interface, but I'd argue the visual/spatial context makes it much easier to pick up than most programming languages. I've seen it successfully taught to people who otherwise have little to no coding experience. (If I had to gripe about something…

And http://openjscad.org/ is a nice way to try it out without messing around with installing anything.

Re: Where is the Modelling Software for 3D Printing?

#25

Post by blacksmith_tb »

lambdaelite wrote: post #20

For parametric CAD, there's Solvespace. GPL'd as of version 2.0. I like it better than OpenSCAD, and the price is equally right. I don't know why, but it doesn't get much attention. http://solvespace.com

OpenSCAD is cross-platform (Win/Lin/OSX), Solvespace is Windows-only... not that a VM couldn't solve (pun intended) that problem, but still.

Re: Where is the Modelling Software for 3D Printing?

#26

Post by JeremyHerrman »

"The problem is that these requirements are not communicated to the user during the modelling process, so the model that the user designs is not well optimised to be printed, and must often be fixed with other software."

I couldn't agree more - finding out your design won't work after you've manufactured it is sort of like finding out your code won't compile after you've deployed. There needs to be better feedback during the design phase to make hardware as easy and fast as software.

This is exactly the problem we're trying to solve at Plethora, albeit with CNC milling instead of 3D printing. We have an add-in for 3D modelling programs that tells you manufacturability issues in real time as you design.

For those who are interested, check it out here: https://www.plethora.com/how

Re: Where is the Modelling Software for 3D Printing?

#27

Post by delhanty »

Animats wrote: post #8

Not sure what the author means by "freeform". He seems to use that term to refer to mesh editors, which do surfaces for graphics, vs. solid geometry editors, which understand volumes. Mesh editors are more for 3D graphics. Learning to use a constructive solid geometry system used to be hard, but Autodesk came out with low-end tools based on their their Inventor product line which make it easier. There's 123D, 123Make…

They also have Inventor Fusion, which is gratis (or at least used to be) on the Mac App Store - not sure what the Windows version costs. That and OnShape are probably the most capable $0 options for parametric solid CAD.

Re: Where is the Modelling Software for 3D Printing?

#28

Post by chrissyb »

Corun wrote: post #3
dmfdmf wrote: post #2

Another alternative I saw at the Maker Faire last weekend. http://www.sketchup.com/

Yup SketchUp is pretty good, but it's really not ideal for 3D printable objects. And it's still not easy enough to help enable the widespread adoptions of 3D printing.

I think there are free ruby addons you can add to make SketchUp models more printer friendly(adjusting wall thickness etc).

I don't have a link I looked at it a while back now.

Re: Where is the Modelling Software for 3D Printing?

#29

Post by stefanix »

lambdaelite wrote: post #20

For parametric CAD, there's Solvespace. GPL'd as of version 2.0. I like it better than OpenSCAD, and the price is equally right. I don't know why, but it doesn't get much attention. http://solvespace.com

Just checked it out...on Linux. Cross-plateform packages have been posted to their forum. Solvespace is fairly intuitive and quite functional. Happy to have found it.

Linux: http://solvespace.com/forum.pl?action=viewthread&parent=574

OSX: http://solvespace.com/forum.pl?action=viewthread&parent=586

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