Best 3d modeling software

[wacojoe]

Cubify invent looks similar to solid works. I have not used it yet, but I plan on giving it a try. I believe they have a free trail version, then its like $50.
Right now I'm just playing with sketch up and draft sight. I just got a 3D printer so I'm kinda just feeling things out right now.

[TMoore]

Cubify Design looks a lot like Alibre or Geomagic Design. For $199 I don't see where you can go wrong for hobby use. It works very similarly to SW in operation.

[mrultralite]

I'm looking for something cheap just to learn do some simple 2-d stuff. Does CAD always mean the drawing can be used to machine a part ?

[badfrog]

Originally Posted by mrultralite

I'm looking for something cheap just to learn do some simple 2-d stuff. Does CAD always mean the drawing can be used to machine a part ?

CAD is simply "Computer Aided Drafting" which means you can draw parts etc... once it is drawn, the drawing file (.DWG file in AutoCAD and many other programs) must be converted to a file usable by the machine (CNC router, CNC mill or 3-D printer; "CNC" means "Computerized Numerical Control). There are many software packages that can be used for controlling CNC machines, but at the end of the day they are the "user interface" (UI) to output G-codes to the CNC. 3-D printers generally use .STL files which, like CNC files require some program or "UI" to manage the file for output to the 3d Printer.
The UI's for CNC or 3D printing are simply taking the static CAD drawing and giving the capability to tell the output device what to do with it... for instance in CNC devices, where to start cutting, how fast to cut etc.. For instance take a circle drawn in cad... the CNC device needs to know do you want to cut on the inside of the circle, outside the circle or center on the path of the circle. If the material being cut is steel vs plastic for instance, the speed that the CNC device moves along the path will need to be different as the cutting tool will not move through steel at the same speed as plastic... this is all specified in the G-Code.

[mrultralite]

bad , thank you for explaining that.

i installed a free one called librecad [it won't draw curves i think] , it [ they] seems way to complex for what would be a simple task with photoshop. Im guessing this is done to create a 'barrier to entry' in order to protect a profession.

[heli_crasher1]

I started on sketchup, now I'm using Creo, and in a few weeks I'll get solidworks and try that out.

[JaggedEdge]

Freecad.

[kc8qpu]

Originally Posted by oliverporter100

I will be using bobcad, solid works and mastercam in our school, if you are not a business or have hit lotto, bobcad (ask for Nate) if money is not the obstacle solidworks and mastercam. You could design the shuttle or f 22 with it. Good luck.

Big O

Big O because your still in school you have a lot to learn yet. I will garuntee you have bobcad in your school because it is cheap and they probably have a deal worked out with a company that sells it. In the real world, you might find 10 percent of any good company uses bobcad.

And if you ever design an airplane with SW. Be sure to let us know. I will make sure I will never fly on it.

Again like stated previously, Catia and Siemens NX are by far the ones who drive the Solid modeling market. I have worked for Boeing and used Catia for while. The company I am at now has trained me to use NX. Huge difference in the quality of product from these two softwares compared to SW.

But to the original poster. Just remember you get what you pay for. With that being said, for just hobby quality stuff you do not need the super high end stuff.

[TMoore]

Originally Posted by kc8qpu

Again like stated previously, Catia and Siemens NX are by far the ones who drive the Solid modeling market. I have worked for Boeing and used Catia for while. The company I am at now has trained me to use NX. Huge difference in the quality of product from these two softwares compared to SW.

But to the original poster. Just remember you get what you pay for. With that being said, for just hobby quality stuff you do not need the super high end stuff.

That's an interesting comment that I'm not sure is rooted in the facts. From an install user base standpoint Solidworks is the market leader. Sheer number of seats confirms that. The fact that Boeing uses Catia is interesting in terms of the fact that Catia released a couple of versions that weren't even compatible from version to version. Boeing doesn't drive the CAD market. Siemens weren't even players until they bought Unigraphics. One thing about the CAD market is that it is constantly changing. History based systems that require you to draw, draw, constrain, constrain just to create a part will be around for a while but things are changing.

[badfrog]

AutoCad Fusion 360...
VERY intuitive... very powerful! outputs .stl files
Student version; $free!!!

http://www.autodesk.com/products/fus..._LkaAqcX8P8HAQ

[Soccerjay]

Oh so I guess I'd update you guys, I used inventor for a while and now I'm going to college for aerospace. The college uses Catia which is a part of solid works so that's what I'll have to learn soon enough.

[badfrog]

Originally Posted by Soccerjay

Oh so I guess I'd update you guys, I used inventor for a while and now I'm going to college for aerospace. The college uses Catia which is a part of solid works so that's what I'll have to learn soon enough.

Cool Soccerjay... Where are you going to school? I went to Middle Tennessee State years ago for aerospace... in those days it was velum paper and #2 pencils!! lol
I took Autocad at a local community college a couple years ago... by current standards it is like DOS compared to windows!

[Soccerjay]

Originally Posted by badfrog

Cool Soccerjay... Where are you going to school? I went to Middle Tennessee State years ago for aerospace... in those days it was velum paper and #2 pencils!! lol

I took Autocad at a local community college a couple years ago... by current standards it is like DOS compared to windows!

Hahaha did a little of that "old-school" in one of my engineering classes

I'm going to embry-riddle in Daytona beach, will be a tough program so I've heard, coupled with ROTC, my time will be cut but they have a nice rc club and I really want to play at least intramural soccer but depends on time. My roommate also flys helis so I'm super excited and we are both AE majors. We're planning on going to TORCHS every few weekends as it's an hour away in Orlando, overall I'm super excited for college and it's gonna be a ton of fun, and work. Haha

[badfrog]

Ask around at Embry-Riddle if they remember getting SPANKED by the MTSU Flying Raider flight team back in the 80's!!! lol I was Captain of the flight team - took first in the region that year (82??) then went on to nationals at the Air Force Academy - took 3rd (embarrassed the AirForce Academy boys!). Have fun... they have a great program.

[Soccerjay]

Originally Posted by badfrog

Ask around at Embry-Riddle if they remember getting SPANKED by the MTSU Flying Raider flight team back in the 80's!!! lol I was Captain of the flight team - took first in the region that year (82??) then went on to nationals at the Air Force Academy - took 3rd (embarrassed the AirForce Academy boys!). Have fun... they have a great program.

Haha sounds awesome! So you're a pilot? I was considering flight training but it's so darn expensive....

[badfrog]

Originally Posted by Soccerjay

Haha sounds awesome! So you're a pilot? I was considering flight training but it's so darn expensive....

I got my private the day we left for regional flight comp (think it was 82). I did the aerospace maintenance management program with pre-engineering. Got my A&P as part of the deal...
I used to fly quite a bit, but it is an expensive hobby!

[Soccerjay]

Originally Posted by badfrog

I got my private the day we left for regional flight comp (think it was 82). I did the aerospace maintenance management program with pre-engineering. Got my A&P as part of the deal...

I used to fly quite a bit, but it is an expensive hobby!

Touché! If I'm lucky I'll get the scholarship I applied for quite some time ago, I hear from them sometime this month and it would pay for a full privates and that would be sweet!

[badfrog]

that WOULD be sweet! good luck!

[Soccerjay]

Originally Posted by badfrog

that WOULD be sweet! good luck!

Haha little late for luck but hoping for the best, worst part is only the winner gets notified

[jangee]

I recommend freecad parametric modeling for rc cad and other cad.
Its free and it works.
Lots of professional people in industry use it for their cad modeling.