Robert Stuart Posted October 26, 2021 Share Posted October 26, 2021 What CAD software do you guys use? How affordable is it for hobby use? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bootneck Posted October 26, 2021 Share Posted October 26, 2021 Hi Robert, I am very much an amateur at CAD and I use Fusion360. It is free and, after receiving help from members on here and watching a few tutorial videos, I get good results with it. Mike 4 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Stuart Posted October 26, 2021 Author Share Posted October 26, 2021 Thanks Mike Those drawings look much more advanced than anything I can do with the software I have tried - will give Fusion 360 a go Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bootneck Posted October 26, 2021 Share Posted October 26, 2021 The drawings can easily be exported to STL and you can get some nice fine prints from them: For me, the best Fusion360 tutorial for an absolute beginner was this one: Learn Fusion 360 in a few hours. It comprises of 16 video episodes and I learned all the basic, and complex, needs easily with this. After that, I started following Lars Christensen's tutorials online but I think the 16 episodes above should be followed first. Mike 4 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Stuart Posted October 26, 2021 Author Share Posted October 26, 2021 Thanks Mike Right now, I'm having problems with the program not starting ... see if I can get it onto an SSD drive which has oodles of space rather than the C drive which is cramped. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Stuart Posted October 26, 2021 Author Share Posted October 26, 2021 OK, I'm in. Took three or four goes installing. I'll take a proper look at the software this evening. Mike, @bootneck, that array looks stunning (radar?). I presume it is a resin print? I'm not sure that I could deal with the fumes in my small workroom - I have to share the room with the printer as it is working. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bootneck Posted October 26, 2021 Share Posted October 26, 2021 2 hours ago, Robert Stuart said: Mike, @bootneck, that array looks stunning (radar?). I presume it is a resin print? I'm not sure that I could deal with the fumes in my small workroom - I have to share the room with the printer as it is working. Yes, it will eventually be a double bedstead radar and will fit onto the masts of my Ark Royal model. I have the same setup, the printer is beside me whilst I am working on other stuff. The trick is to use plant-based ECO resin, which the models above have been printed with. There aren't the noxious fumes that are associated with the standard resins; plus, you don't need a wash and cure kit, just warm soapy water. I clean my prints using two sealable mugs, the types used for microwaveable soups etc., from B&M or similar. I half-fill one with warm soapy water and the other with warm clear water. On removing the print from the printer, I pick up the printed piece with a pair of tweezers and lower it into the soapy water mug and tightly seal the lid. Then I shake the mug, fairly vigorously, for about a minute, then transfer the part to the clear water and give it a rinse for a similar time. That's all that is needed and, if it is a sunny day then I just place the print in the sunlight to cure. If it is dark, I place the part in a simple home-made UV box to cure. cheers, Mike 2 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Stuart Posted October 26, 2021 Author Share Posted October 26, 2021 ECO resin? Thanks for the tip @bootneck. I'm using a cheap(ish) FDM printer, but really admire what can be done with resin. Knowing there are safer options with resin means I can plan moving over. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andreas.R Posted October 27, 2021 Share Posted October 27, 2021 22 hours ago, bootneck said: The drawings can easily be exported to STL and you can get some nice fine prints from them: For me, the best Fusion360 tutorial for an absolute beginner was this one: Learn Fusion 360 in a few hours. It comprises of 16 video episodes and I learned all the basic, and complex, needs easily with this. After that, I started following Lars Christensen's tutorials online but I think the 16 episodes above should be followed first. Mike Wow! This is a very good print, which slicing software did you use? Which settings did you use for this print? I still have trouble with my new Phrozen Mini 4K printer. The resin i use is Phrozen aqua 4K, a sticky smelly, caustic stuff that reduced my enthusiasm for 3D printing to almost zero! Regards Andreas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bootneck Posted October 27, 2021 Share Posted October 27, 2021 Hi Andreas, the prints were sliced using the free slicing software from Chitubox with a layer height setting of 0.05mm and printed on an Anycubic Photon-S 2K printer. Settings: The resin was Anycubic's plant-based ECO (non-toxic or smelly) UV resin. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeffreyK Posted October 28, 2021 Share Posted October 28, 2021 14 hours ago, Andreas.R said: Wow! This is a very good print, which slicing software did you use? Which settings did you use for this print? I still have trouble with my new Phrozen Mini 4K printer. The resin i use is Phrozen aqua 4K, a sticky smelly, caustic stuff that reduced my enthusiasm for 3D printing to almost zero! Regards Andreas What troubles do you have with the SM4K? I did quite a lot of additional setup work and added stuff to it, the latest being Phrozen's own upgrade kit for the Z axis. I use Epax Hard Grey resin btw, I found Phrozen Aqua too viscous at normal room temperatures. For even lower viscosity, try Siraya Tech Fast Grey. But I find I get better detail sharpness with the Epax resin. You can mix in some Siraya Tenacious (10-20%) to make the resin just slightly elastic which helps with very thin parts and takes away the brittleness. Yes, the resin odours are there, but I found that after printing a few times you get used to it very quickly...You still need to ventilate your print area well of course and wear gloves at all times when handling resin, cleaning alcohol or parts that aren't cured completely. J 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
speedy Posted December 28, 2021 Share Posted December 28, 2021 (edited) Ho folks, my wife bought me an Ender 3D printer for Chrimbo and I hadn’t dropped any hints at all, it was an inspired guess. I’ve set the printer up and have printed off a couple of things from the other thread listing go to places for STL files. This has got me comfortable with the machine whilst we’re still only days in. I’m now looking at the next step - how to create my own thoughts into design. So with the info above I’ll source that program and watch the videos. So brace yourself there will be questions. I predominantly do 1/32 kits and have a couple of ideas for years which now feel achievable. Edited December 28, 2021 by speedy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
STROP Posted December 29, 2021 Share Posted December 29, 2021 I started to use Tinkercad some days ago and I find it easy go learn with plenty of tutorials available. It is free and web based. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Stuart Posted December 29, 2021 Author Share Posted December 29, 2021 Nice one @speedy - I've had an Ender 3 v2 for a while now ... very pleased with it (though haven't planned any modelling with it yet). You'll find various recommendations for CAD software; experiment with a few free ones, and see what works for you. Personally, I prefer Autodesk Fusion 360, which is a professional level program that has a free option (it may take some digging to find the free option on their site). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
speedy Posted December 29, 2021 Share Posted December 29, 2021 Bootneck linked me and I’m one #1 of those tuition videos. I’ll have a 1/32 Jag by the end of the week….. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plastic Bonsai Posted January 4, 2022 Share Posted January 4, 2022 I have tried to get the free version of Fusion360 from the above link and I just seem to be going around in circles. Are there any suggestions as how I can access it please? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
speedy Posted January 4, 2022 Share Posted January 4, 2022 Here you go https://www.autodesk.co.uk/products/fusion-360/personal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plastic Bonsai Posted January 5, 2022 Share Posted January 5, 2022 Thanks Speedy but that link to the UK site is the one I am having problems with. When I get to the Download Now bit it goes back to Sign In and then you go around and around... However if you go to the US site it seems to be working correctly and it is setting up even as I type this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
speedy Posted January 5, 2022 Share Posted January 5, 2022 (edited) Oh, no idea. I’ve recently just gone through the process (UK) and it was fine. Drop them a line on the contract us or speak with a human, unless you’re happy with what you managed to do. There is a 16 part tuition video and I’m on #9. It’s not that daunting as some are only 6 mins. I’ve got it somewhere I’ll drop you a link. Edited January 5, 2022 by speedy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Stuart Posted January 5, 2022 Author Share Posted January 5, 2022 @Plastic Bonsai, you could try here: https://www.autodesk.com/products/fusion-360/personal At the top right-hand corner, next to the basket, should be a globe where you can pick your country (I hope) if you are not in the US. It might even suggest your location? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
busnproplinerfan Posted January 11, 2022 Share Posted January 11, 2022 On 10/26/2021 at 7:13 AM, bootneck said: The drawings can easily be exported to STL and you can get some nice fine prints from them: For me, the best Fusion360 tutorial for an absolute beginner was this one: Learn Fusion 360 in a few hours. It comprises of 16 video episodes and I learned all the basic, and complex, needs easily with this. After that, I started following Lars Christensen's tutorials online but I think the 16 episodes above should be followed first. Mike I have to look into this. I downloaded something, forget which now. Does this program let you draw in a vector style? Something like coreldraw or the adobe version of it? I understand vector drawings a bit since I draw decals. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bootneck Posted January 11, 2022 Share Posted January 11, 2022 Very similar; in fact, you can import vector graphics (.SVG) into your drawing as a start or as an add-on. You could produce a complete model just by sketching in 2D, as shown in the examples below. first, I draw a 2D sketch in Fusion 360. The relevant sections are then extruded from the sketch to make the body parts. Saved as an STL and sent to the printer Add a lick of paint and Voila! The completed model Mike 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam Poultney Posted January 11, 2022 Share Posted January 11, 2022 I am learning with CATIA which is made by Dassault Systèmes as part of my Aerospace Engineering course at uni. It's awkward and fiddley.... But worst of all.... it's French! Only joking we love our French neighbours Or do we.................. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
busnproplinerfan Posted January 11, 2022 Share Posted January 11, 2022 4 hours ago, Adam Poultney said: I am learning with CATIA which is made by Dassault Systèmes as part of my Aerospace Engineering course at uni. It's awkward and fiddley.... But worst of all.... it's French! Only joking we love our French neighbours Or do we.................. As long as you only make triangular shaped wing aircraft only you'll be ok, ha ha. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
busnproplinerfan Posted January 11, 2022 Share Posted January 11, 2022 6 hours ago, bootneck said: Very similar; in fact, you can import vector graphics (.SVG) into your drawing as a start or as an add-on. You could produce a complete model just by sketching in 2D, as shown in the examples below. first, I draw a 2D sketch in Fusion 360. The relevant sections are then extruded from the sketch to make the body parts. Saved as an STL and sent to the printer Add a lick of paint and Voila! The completed model Mike That'll help, sure beats trying to carve that radio from a block of something. Have to try this. When I do, good chance I'll be bugging with questions. You just used the free option right? Thanks, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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