The CAD thread

[kev211]

I don't like the idea of "cloud" programs, but I may have to check that out.

I have a yearning desire to make a 3D model of my house, but I don't have time at my work PC. And some of the other programs **cough** sketchup **cough****cough** leave a lot to be desired for me.

You can get trial versions of a lot of the programs, but SketchUp is actually a great program. Once you start getting into it, it can be a great tool. This rendering was done with SketchUp and twilight render, but I have recently upgraded to lumion as a renderer

View attachment 1493219558712.jpg

 

[NickTheGreat]

I feel the same way about cloud software in general, but for private, personal use, it's great. (Unless you care about privacy in some cases...)

If you are familiar with 3D design software, and especially Solidworks, I really recommend OnShape. It's basic "Create a sketch on a plane, draw a shape, extrude that shape, and voila!" Tutorials in OnShape are not GREAT IMO, but I didn't really follow the basic tutes since I already know the basics of SW. I was able to jump right into it and get frustrated with the tutes related to mating (which could be geared more toward those who don't know all of the terminology, and just better edited in general IMO.)

If I get a chance I'll post a pic or something of one of my models. I *really* want to build a small BIAB rig, but I have a few projects that need to be done up before I can start. I might just spend a little time here and there cutting steel and gathering the parts. I can cut the pieces out at work. My Harbor Fright Chop Saw sucks beyond belief, but we have band saws as work that are nearly automatic. (I really need to fix or toss that stupid HF POS...)

I messed with it a little bit this morning. It does behave similarly to Solidworks. Which is half the reason I couldn't use Sketchup; just too different.

It took me a LONG time to figure out how to rotate the model. RMB? Hmmmm

 

[NickTheGreat]

You can get trial versions of a lot of the programs, but SketchUp is actually a great program. Once you start getting into it, it can be a great tool. This rendering was done with SketchUp and twilight render, but I have recently upgraded to lumion as a renderer

Yeah I know lots of people do great things with Sketchup. I'm just too ingrained in other 3D modellers and Sketchup is just a enough different that I need to sit down and try to learn it. Rather than just messing with it for 10 or 15 minutes every year or so

 

[kev211]

Yeah I know lots of people do great things with Sketchup. I'm just too ingrained in other 3D modellers and Sketchup is just a enough different that I need to sit down and try to learn it. Rather than just messing with it for 10 or 15 minutes every year or so

True true. It is very different from other 3D so thats a bummer. I dont know if you ave used lumion before, but that program is a trip. Works more like a video game then a 3D oriented program

 

[Homercidal]

I messed with it a little bit this morning. It does behave similarly to Solidworks. Which is half the reason I couldn't use Sketchup; just too different.

It took me a LONG time to figure out how to rotate the model. RMB? Hmmmm

I still use the wrong buttons for the most common things.

 

[treacheroustexan]

Just played around a bit in OnShape at work. I really like it. Going to make a few small drawings when I get home!

 

[Homercidal]

Link to the BIAB rig I'm putting together. This is not the finished design yet. I'm just now working on getting real-life dimensions to fit requirements of the user (Kettle height, stand height for gravity needs, etc.) Also, I don't have the shelves modeled in this version, but they will be designed so that they hang on the mast and stick out to the sides of it. They will stack kind of like a spiral staircase so you can put a few on if you like. The side stand is also not modeled up in here. The whole rig can be broken down into component parts and nested inside the side table for transport or storage.


https://cad.onshape.com/documents/6...f58c2cb5163583793d/e/c6645055dac97330d7561030

 

[Homercidal]

Pics of a storage box idea I stole from somewhere over the rainbow a long time ago. Just got around to modeling so I can maybe implement this idea this summer. It pairs well with the Kreg Jig I bought last fall. Making the boxes should be pretty easy.

The design works well with open trusses too, but since I have an attic, I designed this one with an upper floor. The dimensions aren't perfect for my garage, as my trusses are 24" OC, and I didn't know this until I stopped home at lunch to grab a power cord. I took a quick measure and now have to go back and change the 16" OC dimensions to 24" OC, but that should be minimal work.

One of my implementations of this will be for LONG brewing items like hoses, mash paddles, etc., and maybe even a version for buckets and kettles, but of course those items will cause the box to sit below the truss, and I'll have to plan a latch device to account for that.

Link to Design: https://cad.onshape.com/documents/d...401bf79cd7660b2a00/e/36a6a22f576e7284dd9e438e

 

[GilaMinumBeer]

I do hobby woodwork and have used SketchUp for long time. It's decent for most of that type design plus there are nice cut-sheet plug-ins for it that make taking the design to wood a bit easier to plan.

But, lately, I have been really interested in more organic shaped pieces. Sculptural benches and maker style assemblies. I fail at Sketchup in this regard. I need to be able to design a freeform blob, or bubble and then slice out voids layer by layer. Working from the outside in. Just can't bring myself to spend monies for premium software to do this.

I also want something that can translate over to a toolpath software for a CNC router. If I can get the designs right, it'll justify buying the machine.

Stuff like this;

The overall freeform shape is what I struggle with. If I can sort out how to create the "bubble/blob" in 3D to start from. I can create the slices easily.

 

[cegan09]

I'd look at fusion360 for that. (I have zero onshape experience). The scult tools in fusion are pretty good, and make freeform stuff like that really easy.


I've been using fusion for over a year now for anything personal outside work. Was very skeptical at first, but I hardly miss solidworks anymore. As long as you can get past the cloud aspect it's a fantastic bit of free software.

 

[kev211]

Not free, but not horribly priced IIRC, Rhino. With RhinoCAM it exports to CNC, 3D printer, etc flawlessly. I used it almost exclusively in school. Its a NURBS program so its excellent for creating organic shapes like that. Couple Rhino with grasshopper and its unstoppable for organic shapes

 

[GilaMinumBeer]

I'd look at fusion360 for that. (I have zero onshape experience). The scult tools in fusion are pretty good, and make freeform stuff like that really easy.


I've been using fusion for over a year now for anything personal outside work. Was very skeptical at first, but I hardly miss solidworks anymore. As long as you can get past the cloud aspect it's a fantastic bit of free software.

OIC. I did not realize that Fusion360 was free to use. ALL 3 of the CNC machine I have been coveting recommend Fusion360 and include licensure with purchase. Knowing that it is free to use changes some things for me.

Not free, but not horribly priced IIRC, Rhino. With RhinoCAM it exports to CNC, 3D printer, etc flawlessly. I used it almost exclusively in school. Its a NURBS program so its excellent for creating organic shapes like that. Couple Rhino with grasshopper and its unstoppable for organic shapes

Not horribly priced, no. But a bit too high priced for hobby work. Thank you for the suggestion tho'.

 

[kev211]

OIC. I did not realize that Fusion360 was free to use. ALL 3 of the CNC machine I have been coveting recommend Fusion360 and include licensure with purchase. Knowing that it is free to use changes some things for me.



Not horribly priced, no. But a bit too high priced for hobby work. Thank you for the suggestion tho'.

Looked it up after posting. Ya probably a little high for hobby. I bought my license a while ago so couldnt remember. Any chance you have a Mac? 645 isnt too horrible.

 

[GilaMinumBeer]

Looked it up after posting. Ya probably a little high for hobby. I bought my license a while ago so couldnt remember. Any chance you have a Mac? 645 isnt too horrible.

Nope. Don't have a MAC. Only way I'd consider going MAC is if CrawlBot opts out of developing for PC. they currently only support MAC and that is the machine I like most for MY interests/budget.

 

[gromitdj]

I don't believe Fusion 360 is free. They have a 30 day trial, but you have to subscribe after that. It is Autodesk after all.

ETA: I do see that they offer it to hobbyists/start-ups for free on a 1-year basis, as long as you make less than $100,000 a year. That's a pretty cool deal.

 

[GilaMinumBeer]

I don't believe Fusion 360 is free. They have a 30 day trial, but you have to subscribe after that. It is Autodesk after all.

"A free 1-year startup license is also available for hobbyists, enthusiasts, makers, and emerging businesses that make less than US$100,000 in revenue per year. At the end of 1 year, you can reselect the startup entitlement or transition to a commercial entitlement."

 

[gromitdj]

"A free 1-year startup license is also available for hobbyists, enthusiasts, makers, and emerging businesses that make less than US$100,000 in revenue per year. At the end of 1 year, you can reselect the startup entitlement or transition to a commercial entitlement."

I saw that shortly after my response. (hence the edit)

I have access to it at work, but have never tried it. I'll have to give it a go sometime.

It's great that Autodesk is providing that kind of use. In the past, they were not so friendly to the casual user.

 

[GilaMinumBeer]

I saw that shortly after my response. (hence the edit)

I have access to it at work, but have never tried it. I'll have to give it a go sometime.

It's great that Autodesk is providing that kind of use. In the past, they were not so friendly to the casual user.

Ayup. I started off with AutoCAD products thus they all have a familiarity. But they were all too cost prohibitive for hobby use. Switched over to draftsight for 2D stuff and learned SU for Basic 3D. But the more I do, the more freeform I want to go with designs and SU isn't working for me. It feels like I am pushing it uphill.

 

[cegan09]

Fusion is free for home use, education, and businesses that make less than $100,000/year.

When you install you sign up for a license, pick either hobbyist or educational. It's either a 1 or 3 year license, but you just renew at the end. They have promised it will remain like that forever. If you want to use it at a company it's like $300/year or something silly. The free version is the full 100% version of the software.

I use it at home, as well as at my local makerspace. It's fantastic to have CAD and CAM in one piece of software. I can go from thought, to model, to tool paths, to CNC mill amazingly easily.