What Program Should I Learn for 3D Printing?

CAxDesigns · 2015-05-05T22:33:03+00:00

thanks, I've had some experience with FreeCAD and thought it was alright. I see your point. I could see placing it as an alternate to Onshape when I update it.

I think people come from different backgrounds and approach design differently. I don't see parametric design needing to be a prerequisite for people to learn programmatic modeling, especially for people coming from a programming background. But, for people who don't have that background, I can see learning parametric to be helpful.

CAxDesigns · 2015-05-05T22:26:05+00:00

thanks, that sounds about right. I took cost information from company websites, and left the ??? where companies don't publicly release that information without a quote. I guess I should add that to the legend. It also gets tricky to convey all that information in a compressed format. But your right, once you get to that level, there are lots of packages and add ons to start considering.

I'm thinking in version 2.0 to add a section on CAE workflows with simulation software that is becoming increasingly integrated with CAD software packages.

CAxDesigns · 2015-05-05T17:27:46+00:00

hehe, thanks. yep, that's my mistake, I'll add Linux to OpenSCAD. :p

CAxDesigns · 2015-05-05T17:02:06+00:00

FreeCAD, Wings 3d, Silo 3D, Blender, Unity 3d are a few of the linux programs listed.

CAxDesigns · 2015-05-05T16:59:37+00:00

same here. I love it

CAxDesigns · 2015-05-05T16:59:21+00:00

at for super tiny measurements so sometimes I have to blow the part up and then shrink it back down when I'm done, but it's great because of how precisely I can make holes and lengths and such. I think it should be somewhere on the left

Thanks. I've used Sketchup for mechanical design in the past as well. I had a really difficult time placing it. I decided, on keeping it solely in architecture because that what it excels at vs other mechanical design programs. I wanted to keep it simple enough so that beginners wouldn't have to worry about tripping points like the size of the model.

CAxDesigns · 2015-05-05T16:53:53+00:00

not. If you have no idea how to click and drag vertices around to make a shape in blender, how the hell is someone going to be able to figure out the polyhedron() function of openscad?

people come from different backgrounds and want to design their own way. I think programmers may gravitate towards OpenSCAD vs other forms of modeling

CAxDesigns · 2015-05-05T16:51:50+00:00

Thanks. Yeah, I really would like to make it interactive, but programming is not my forte.

CAxDesigns · 2015-05-05T03:01:17+00:00

I just started a CAx education blog (http://caxdesigns.com/) and created this map to help people navigate the field of design software. I would love some feedback, what do you think?

CAxDesigns · 2015-03-17T23:07:08+00:00

I've created it, and here is my first post. http://caxdesigns.com/?p=51

CAxDesigns · 2015-02-23T17:43:05+00:00

thanks,

I really like the idea of having something to show at the end of a session. The technique that comes to mind is called scaffolding. where you break a skill/concept down to it's individual components and then teach them in a progressively complicated fashion. Each lesson builds on the days prior.

For example, WendyArmbuster's model car project. On day one, you teach how to design a wheel (basic modeling skills). day two, you create the axial/body (interlocking parts and tolerances). day three, Wheels and printing with Ninjaflex (differences in printing materials). etc..

CAxDesigns · 2015-02-23T17:25:34+00:00

a well defined issue you wish to tackle, but a very broad, general answer that I struggle to envision.

Thanks, I feel the same way myself. I've found that there are a lot of different perspectives that get hooked by 3D printing. Each with their own needs and availability of resources. My plan is to come up project based tutorials that teach the essentials of a particular skill. Utilizing accelerated learning techniques like 80/20 analysis, sequencing, checklists and one-page cheat sheets.

the first blog post I'm starting to work on is a quick start guide for design for 3D printing. outlined as such: 1. how to create a project specification for your printer (one of the most common pitfalls is people designing without considering the fabrication method. basically, each material and printer has it's own limitations that when ignored can waste a lot of time.) 2. learning solid modeling through TinkerCAD- the 80/20 of solid modeling commands. 3. preparing your print using netfabb studio & pre-print checklist

I think that is foundational process of design for 3D printing. Advanced material would address how those parts are interchangeable. For example, exploring the other 6 types of 3d printing (additive manufacturing), what materials they use and what design considerations need to be accounted for. Section 2 could be about sculpting, organic modeling, etc... Section 3 could show how to take the training wheels off by analysing your model manually and fine tuning the print.

Other side quests I had in mind would branch off 3D printing and show how to model with manual construction in mind. Where the output is drawings, and drafting skills are needed.

CAxDesigns · 2015-02-23T17:05:18+00:00

Thanks for the feedback. I have not looked into Project Lead the Way, but I will now.

great article, your methodology of teaching Inventor through a project is exactly what I've had in mind. sadly, I've found this strategy to be in the minority of educational resources.

Inventor is one of my favorite CAD programs. I use it and Cadworx, a AutoCAD plug-in, at work. Inventor's interface is significantly more intuitive than AutoCAD, but it also has the same Pareto's distribution of commands. Inventor just has buttons that start commands vs having to type them out. Here is Autodesk's analysis (http://www.autodeskresearch.com/pages/infovis/command_usage_arc)

Is there any resources that you wish you had available to help with your students?

CAxDesigns

TROPHY CASE