What CAD software should I use for 3D design? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / projects

author: microbug
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 05, 2017, 04:15:21 pm
content: Hi,I'm building a robot for my EPQ. Part of this involves creating a 3D mock-up, and I might end up 3D printing some parts.I need software for this, preferably free or <£50. I'm a student with an educational email so I can take advantage of any free software offers etc. What would you recommend? I'm looking to go into electrical engineering in the future so it would be good to learn to use industry standard software.Thanks in advance

author: jm_araujo
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 05, 2017, 04:29:37 pm
content: For free the best right now has to be Fusion360 from Autodesk!You can find lot's of tutorials online!

author: Bicurico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 05, 2017, 07:46:02 pm
content: Another option besides Fusion 360 would be OnShape.If you are a student, chances are you can register at Autodesk and get free access to Inventor, AutocCAD, etc.Cheers,VitorPS: Cumprimentos, JM Araújo

author: Warhawk
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 05, 2017, 07:49:53 pm
content: Fusion 360 is the right one. I had to do some basic stuff and could learn basics pretty fast.

author: TechnicalBen
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 05, 2017, 08:06:02 pm
content: How do these shape up against theclikes of sketchup? Though iirc Autocad also does 30 day trials. That stuff is the bees knees and even though I only made an amateurish attempt at a Lego to usb adapter socket... the software was a dream to use.

author: slicendice
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 05, 2017, 08:12:58 pm
content: The last time I checked AutoCAD products I got a 3 year student license for any product I requested (AutoCAD, Maya, 3DS MAX, and some other tools). The school I was in was not registered with Autodesk. If I remember correctly, I only registered at Autodesk, filled in some personal information and agreed to their license agreement. Then I just downloaded whatever I wanted. Maybe it has changed, but make sure you check out what options you have at Autodesk web page.

author: TechnicalBen
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 05, 2017, 08:53:29 pm
content: Oh. I just realised that my post looks rather silly comparing Sketchup to Autocad. I only meant in the 'back of the napkin' style design or project. I very much see sketchup as the digital version of scribbling down an idea.But if you are looking to put the extra time into the project, Autodesk will look a ton more professional and do an awful lot more.

author: cjdubea
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: January 05, 2017, 09:05:17 pm
content: To pile on, Fusion 360 is far and away the best free 3D modeler out there. It's not without it's foibles, but for most part they are acceptable for the hobbiest/enthusiast/small business.With all due respect, SketchUp is not a 3D modeler. SketchUp can make some very pretty images that pretend to be models. Do a search on 3D printing of SketchUp models on the innerwebs to see what I'm talking about. I used SketchUp for years. Yes you can bash together a quick layout. Don't expect to take that into any sort of manufacturing process without a lot more effort. I no longer do any new work in SketchUp and typically use F360.I've used SolidWorks for over 20 years and am slowing switching my personal projects over to F360. For paying, production work I still use SolidWorks as F360 is not quite there yet. But it's only a matter of time and AutoDesk has acknowledged the weaknesses and has published a development timeline.Show me another 3D CAD vendor that does that.Good luck,Chris

author: microbug
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 05, 2017, 10:00:30 pm
content: Thanks all. I can indeed get AutoCAD for free, and I have it downloaded to mess around with, though I never got far. However, Fusion 360 looks great for my purposes so I'll take your advice and try that.Thanks!

author: tpowell1830
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 05, 2017, 10:41:43 pm
content: As a student, you could get Inventor or Inventor Lite from Autodesk. If you are going to go into a professional office, Inventor works much like Solidworks, Solid Edge for parametric modeling. Abit of a learning curve if you have never used them, but a leg up in a professional office if you learn. I don't reccomend AutoCad 3d because it does not map out the same as the others as far as operation is concerned. Autocad will make good 3d, but if you want a more standard methodology, stick with Inventor.PEACE===>T

author: NivagSwerdna
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 05, 2017, 11:15:05 pm
content: Quote from: microbug on January 05, 2017, 04:15:21 pmI've just started making things and Fusion 360 is just awesome! The CAM features allow you to export for milling, 3D printing, or simply flatten and laser cut parts out.

author: MickM
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 06, 2017, 08:58:07 am
content: I use openscad.http://www.openscad.org/Lots of tutorials on youtube.Mick M.

author: cjdubea
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: January 06, 2017, 12:38:08 pm
content: Quote from: microbug on January 05, 2017, 10:00:30 pmFor the non-students out there looking for a good 2d drafting system,http://www.3ds.com/products-services/draftsight-cad-software/is far and away the best free app out there.

author: Warhawk
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 06, 2017, 01:51:06 pm
content: Quote from: cjdubea@gmail.com on January 06, 2017, 12:38:08 pmI second that! DraftSight is also excellent and free even for commercial use. Over and above Dassault Systemes is a reputable SW developer. I used to work with AutoCad and switching to DS was a question of a half day.Fusion 360 and DraftSight is the ultimate combination (at least for me)

author: Jay1011
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 07, 2017, 01:50:19 pm
content: Has anyone tried Fusion360 under Wine on Linux?There's a very long-running thread on the Autodesk forums  asking for a native Linux Fusion360 port, but no mention that I could find of whether the current Fusion360 works well (or at all) under a recent version of Wine.http://forums.autodesk.com/t5/ideastation-request-a-feature-or/linux/idi-p/4530727

author: slicendice
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 07, 2017, 02:56:35 pm
content: Quote from: Jay1011 on January 07, 2017, 01:50:19 pmI thinkTHISanswers your question!

author: Jay1011
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 07, 2017, 03:26:39 pm
content: Quote from: slicendice on January 07, 2017, 02:56:35 pmThanks for the pointer. Bummer that it doesn't even install under Wine. Guess I'll need to revive my Win7 VM to try it out.

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 07, 2017, 04:44:58 pm
content: How is Fusion 360 free? There is a free trial period, and a free educator/student license. But if you aren't either, how is this free?

author: Jay1011
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 07, 2017, 05:59:32 pm
content: Quote from: Lightages on January 07, 2017, 04:44:58 pmRead the fine print : "Free for students, enthusiasts, hobbyists, and startups."My reading is that the free edition is available to educators/students with a 3-year license. But it's also available to anyone else who promises that they are either not using it for commercial purposes, or are using it for commercial purposes but have annual revenue under USD 100K. For these uses, you need to recertify that you meet these requirements every year rather than every 3 years.If I understand the license terms correctly, those are really quite generous terms and kudos to Autodesk for offering them. =http://www.autodesk.com/company/legal-notices-trademarks/terms-of-service-autodesk360-web-services/autodesk-web-services-entitlements

author: slicendice
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 07, 2017, 06:31:48 pm
content: Quote from: Jay1011 on January 07, 2017, 05:59:32 pmHmmm...didn't it state somewhere that you get a one year license if enthusiast? And after that you can either choose to buy a license or renew the enthusiast license (or whatever one would call it) for another year, forever, while you meet the license agreement criteria. Either way, it's free to use for poor enthusiasts!

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 07, 2017, 06:46:40 pm
content: Quote from: Jay1011 on January 07, 2017, 05:59:32 pmThis is not clear neither. This is a generic licensing statement on "autodesk360-web-services". I cannot yet find anything on their site that states emphatically what the licensing terms are for Fusion 360 as you imply.

author: slicendice
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 07, 2017, 06:56:52 pm
content: This might help:How to get Fusion 360 for free foreverAnd see the attached image also.

author: balu
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 07, 2017, 07:18:26 pm
content: Hello,A realy useable tool for 3D design is DS Mechanical/DesignSpark 3D. You only need a DesignSpark account for download.https://www.rs-online.com/designspark/mechanical-softwareI use the tool for 3D printing (STL file export) and 3D mechanical design of prototypes (see pictures).

author: slicendice
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 07, 2017, 07:32:14 pm
content: OMG, I must DL and test all DesignSpark software. Very interesting. How have I missed this one? THX!

author: Assafl
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 07, 2017, 08:30:10 pm
content: Quote from: MickM on January 06, 2017, 08:58:07 amLikewise. Love openscad.But I am not a professional product designer / mechanical engineer so my design tend to be simple designs for printing. Expressing them as a compound of mathematical shapes is thus easy.

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 09, 2017, 09:52:22 pm
content: Quote from: slicendice on January 07, 2017, 06:56:52 pmOK that worked. I did have it installed and when the year came to an end all Autodesk did was ask me for money so I had uninstalled it. It looks like I had missed something.

author: TechnicalBen
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 09, 2017, 11:45:13 pm
content: Nothing beats DaveCad(TM):https://youtu.be/Ht48vv0rQYk?t=7s(I always forget how to post videos)

author: slicendice
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 10, 2017, 06:16:05 am
content: Quote from: TechnicalBen on January 09, 2017, 11:45:13 pmHahhah, only the imagination is the limit! No operating system dependencies!