I'm a bit surprised that more people haven't spoken out about their favourite 3D modelling tools given the size of the Element 14 community.

What tools are people using for slicing / validating / repairing of  3D models after design ?

I've heard that a number of  3D printing projects fail because of models which aren't 'water tight' solids.

balearicdynamicsOver 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   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

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.

I use Autodesk 123D Design - which is free. It has a very simple UI relative to most CAD packages, which means you don't have a large number of complex functions available with dedicated menu selection sequences. But it also means there is a lot less to learn and remember. You can still make complex designs - it just requires a little thought. I think it is great for users that don't do a lot of designs because the learning curve is shorter and it can be picked up after a layoff with minimal relearning effort. I wouldn't say it is totally intuitive for those of us who learned drafting with pencils and 3 orthogonal views, so you will need to watch a few Youtube videos. I have used a lot of different CAD packages and they almost always require an extensive commitment to learning in order to become productive. I find 123D Design to actually be fun to use.

Simple interface doesn't mean totally simple functionality - here are examples of its power:

LED Road Test - Dodecahedron Light Fixture  Blog 3 Nov12

3D Printed Phaser

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   at that time it was only available by request on Mag Tape for DEC Vax ... oh happy days.

Hi Enrico,

For the Pi IoT 'Dynamic Surface' project at PiIoT - The perfect reading place #19 [tech]: Dynamic surface, design and simulation  what was your 3D printing workflow for printing the 64 duplicate parts ?

Do you export a single STL for each component from the Rhino CAD software and then 'batch print' them on the printer one at a time with X & Y off-sets between each part, or do you create duplicates of the part in Rhino first and then export the batch as a single STL and print them all in one go layer by layer ?

I too am a linux guy, but I run WIndows on my laptop 'cause linux just won't take on it, I think because of unpublished vagaries of the video system.  I'm happier running linux and it seems that openscad is happier in the linux environment as well.  Other apps auto-save when notified by the OS of a pending shutdown, openscad just gives up the ghost without plaint.

I often use a successive suite of apps to generate my 2d perspective work.  I start with inkscape to draw 2d objects, extrude them into openscad and then arrange them and export as image.  This image I process in GIMP them it it's back to inkscape for the final touches.

Openscad is best if you are a mathematician, probably.

Very interesting inputs and here are my two cents worth.

The need to make a drawing stems from problems that need to be designed around. Example is the fan duct and there are many other examples in the Ben Heck Show builds. Today's 3D modelling tools can be confusing and can have a learning curve which is really not the issue. The focus should be to find out a workflow that works for you and then the tools that can assist.

Ben for example draws everything using illustrator and then makes 3D drawings in software. Shabaz sir uses power point and coincidently, so does my mother who is exceptionally well versed with those concepts.

I still have a white paper drawing book with me always and make pencil drawings all the time.

Once you have the basic idea, it can be converted into a model which is what the initial question was. Timble Sketchup is great for beginners but you can end up with shapes with zero thickness and hence unprintable objects. The upside is that there is a large amount ready made models out there and can be used as a base to build upon.

Autodesk 123D is also a user friendly software and Rick Winscott is someone I have seen build a Star Wars BB-Droid in it.

Andy of the workshopshed has preferred OpenSCAD which uses code to model objects.

I personally prefer Autodesk Fusion 360 because even though it seems a bit overwhelming at first but it has the ability to make incredibly complicated organic shapes using T-Splines.

Then there is Blended which is used for animated films but can also be used for 3d printing.

hope that helps.

cheers

ip

I'm using Solidworks for work, but is a bit pricey for tinkering at home.  So I've been having a go with OnShape, which is cloud based and free though you only get 10 Private documents. You can have more but they are made public.  I will have a look at the free Autodesk offering...

It's great to hear that you also do 3D modeling and you have great passion in it.

Every 3D modeler have their go-to software for designing their models and different slicers for preparing them for 3D printing. Personally I use SelfCAD to design my 3D models and slice them at the same time withing the program.

If you look at most of the popular CAD programs we have in the market, they are either complex, which require one to have 3D modeling skills in order to create something useful hence the novice users find it hard to get started with. Additionally, there are other 3D programs which are very basic and they are more popular to the kids. Even though they are very easy to use you find out that one can't be able to design something much complex or useful that's why SelfCAD software comes in now. It's easier to use and at the same time it's powerful. You can literally design almost anything in it.

We have designed and 3D printed various models in it as shown below.

DIY Decorative Vase

We designed and 3D printed this Decorative Vase in SelfCAD. You can use it to decorate you home. You can download the model here  https://www.myminifactory.com/object/3d-print-diy-decorative-vase-decor-ideas-95203

See the design process here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3iY7XCARSA&feature=youtu.be

Elephant 3D Printed Smartphone Holder

This is a ready to print Phone holder we still made in SelfCAD and 3D printed.

Download the files here https://www.myminifactory.com/object/3d-print-how-to-make-an-elephant-3d-printed-smartphone-holder-in-selfcad-88174

You can also watch the design process here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6F7IMvImqs&feature=youtu.be

Coffee Holder

This is a ready to print Coffee holder modeled and sliced in SelfCAD

We have designed many models in SelfCAD like the ones shown here https://www.myminifactory.com/users/SelfCAD.

If you would like to try out SelfCAD, you can check it out here https://www.selfcad.com

3D

1. Home & Garden>
2. Homeware>
3. Vases, pots and planters

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