Ancestors

Toot

Written by warthog9 on 2024-12-24 at 21:40

Going to try this on a couple of places: So I've got Sketchup, I generally like it for my 3D modeling needs, it works well enough. Few gotchas here and there but, solid.

Biggest problem is I'm on the last version before it went all wonky pricing wise, and it's starting to show it's age sigh

I was hoping for an obvious open source version, but I'm not really seeing it. Blender is infinitely too complicated for my quick needs, FreeCad might work out but I haven't tried to make something new in it.

What's out there, should I just accept I'm paying Sketchup even though I'd rather take that money and give it to an FOSS code base?

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Descendants

Written by Michael K Johnson on 2024-12-24 at 22:20

@warthog9 I was a sketchup user long ago, and now that I've learned FreeCAD I wouldn't go back. Direct modeling seemed easier until I learned how to do parametric modeling, and now I feel like direct modeling is harder. Surfaces getting detached and making non-manifold objects was the story of my sketchup experience. The most complex with I ever did in sketchup I could now do faster in FreeCAD.

Can you give some examples of things you might want to model?

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Written by warthog9 on 2024-12-25 at 02:49

@mcdanlj two things in the queue: pinewood derby cars so I've got a model to work from on mine and kiddos cars, and an ink holder for fountain pens (think a 5mm vial holder really).

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Written by Michael K Johnson on 2024-12-25 at 03:31

@warthog9 those are definitely things I'd want to do in parametric CAD. But sculpting organic shapes in FreeCAD isn't as easy as geometric shapes! That doesn't mean impossible, and if this sounds worth learning I can point you to tutorials that might help.

For the pinewood car, I'd probably start with modeling the stock and then model the operations to remove stock; that way you know you aren't creating an impossibility. 🙂

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Written by Jeff on 2024-12-25 at 00:20

@warthog9 have you tried OnShape? It’s free as long as you don’t mind leaving your models public. Being browser-based, it has limits, but they are pretty high for the average maker project. I have Rhino3D, but work mostly in OnShape because I prefer having things parametric and being able to change early decisions later and have things regenerate. I also like how OnShape can define mates for moving parts, like gears or sliders.

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Written by IPng Networks on 2024-12-25 at 09:14

@warthog9 /sub

Still using Fusion360 and I love the tool but I am worried it’ll eventually stop having an unpaid home use license. Never got FreeCAD to work beyond a hello world. If you do find a good alternative, or a FreeCAD for Fusion360 users reference, I’m in :)

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Written by Krayola 🌹 on 2024-12-25 at 15:29

@warthog9 freecad, openscad?

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Written by Nick 🦇🕸️🖤🖖 on 2024-12-31 at 20:49

@warthog9 try TinkerCAD and if it's too limiting then FreeCAD.

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