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3D Modelling Software Recommendations

spannerspencer

Morning all!

 

has been posting some superb tweets that follow the progress of his Pi IoT design challenge, which include some great 3D models that (I assume) he then sends to the 3D printer. Is that right, Enrico?

 

And often makes great use of some 3D diagrams for exploded views of his amazing projects, like the HAL-CAM 9001 – Building a New Security Camera he just posted.

 

I've not much experience with 3D modelling software, which is my real obstacle to entry when it comes to playing with... er, I mean making use of, a 3D printer. It's not the hardware that's stopping me -- it's the software. Years about I used to dabble with Lightwave, but I was wondering what software you guys use to build your 3D models for printing (or for any other maker tasks, for that matter), and if you had any recommendations for beginners.

 

Maybe if you guys could sound out the popular platforms, we could then run a poll to see which ones people prefer? That being said, if you're already familiar with all the popular options, do feel free to put a poll up and we can get opinions that way, too.

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  • Over the past few years I have tried lots of software, but the one that suits me the best is OpenSCAD.

     

    I have tried Tinkercad, Sketchup, Autodesk 123D, FreeCAD, and many more but I still find I can do what I want quicker and easier with OpenSCAD.  I put this down to the years I spent programming in Assembler and C and OpenSCAD is to me just a programming language.    However, whatever suits you is what you use.

    Being "old school" I was taught engineering drawing using pencil, paper and drawing boards. I originally did circuit designs with pencil on paper or pen on film and PCB designs with tape on film. Those were the years BC - before CAD image  but I am not a stranger to CAD software either, I worked 8 years for a CAD company.

     

    Anyway, to continue:-

    For slicing software I have used Cura, Slic3d, and Simplify3D (an expensive commercial product).  Simplify3D is written in C/C++ using Qt framework and for me has produced the best results so far and the speed performance just blows everything else away.

     

    For my printer I have two... My original was a ReprapPro Tricolour Mendel (ReprapPro is no more and this printer is currently dismantled to make space). My active printer is of my own design, I experimented with cube designs using CoreXY and H-Bot mechanics and also Delta designs such as the Kossel but I ended up with my own variant of the Mendel arrangement using 20x20 aluminium framework.  The drive electronics on my original was dual  Melzi cards and on my experimental machines I used RAMPS 1.4 (Arduino Mega base)  I am now using RADDS which is Arduino Due based

    For the printer firmware I started with Marlin but I am currently running with Repetier firmware (easy to configure for various designs with their on-line configuration tool)

     

    Driving my printer, originally I used Pronterface I have also tried Cura, Simplify3D, Repetier Host and remote software OctoPrint and Repetier Server.  I am currently using Repetier Server on a small PC connected to printer which is in another room. I will be replacing the small PC with an SBC built into the machine may be RPi, BBB or similar not decided yet. Repetier Server is written in C/C++ and is available for Intel and ARM hosts and I think it is better than OctoPrint but thats my opinion.

     

    My current workflow:

    Design in OpenSCAD - export STL or obtain STL if already designed  (thingiverse etc)

    Slice with Simlify3D - export GCODE

    Upload GCODE to printer server using web interface and PRINT

    I can monitor the printer from anywhere and I automatically get a notification on my mobile when print completed.

     

    I think that's all, hope I haven't overdone the links image

  • in reply to bwelsby

    If you have the misfortune of using openscad in a windows environment, be very diligent about hitting ctrl-s.  The other day I was gifted by an OS 'upgrade' overnight.  An allowed prior update flipped my 'ask first' switch.  This necessitated an unbidden reset and I lost a day's work.  Openscad is not very vigilant when it comes to auto-save.  Another downside is that it doesn't tag all parse fails and sometimes silently ignores improper code.  Great deal, though.

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  • in reply to bwelsby

    If you have the misfortune of using openscad in a windows environment, be very diligent about hitting ctrl-s.  The other day I was gifted by an OS 'upgrade' overnight.  An allowed prior update flipped my 'ask first' switch.  This necessitated an unbidden reset and I lost a day's work.  Openscad is not very vigilant when it comes to auto-save.  Another downside is that it doesn't tag all parse fails and sometimes silently ignores improper code.  Great deal, though.

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  • in reply to D_Hersey

    A good tip regarding regular saves, something you learn from experience.   Yes I have had windows auto reboot on me too, fortunately I didn't loose anything but it was very annoying.

    I run Lubuntu for most things and only use windows when there's no other option.  OpenSCAD is available for Windows, Linux and Mac it's open source and written in Qt which is a big plus for me.  Yes it has some quirks and bugs but it is ongoing development, again part of the Google Summer of Code in collaboration with BRL-CAD so we should see some good enhancements.  I was first introduced to BRL-CAD many many years ago at a conference on Parallel Processing for Computer Vision and Display where I met Mike Muuss and also  Jack Bresenham. ..  that's enough name dropping image  at that time it was only available by request on Mag Tape for DEC Vax ... oh happy days.