Simplified 3D and Design Software

[Springman65]

Guys,

I am printing on my CR-10S now with pretty good results - printing parts off Thingiverse and such.

And I have graduated into the start of designing my own parts for creation. I have been allowed to use a company Fusion360 license for my efforts, but it is a MONSTER...and, I have to wonder if I should possibly dial-it back a bit and start with a simpler design app - any suggestions?

I have also been told that I could get better prints if I would replace my CURA with Simplified 3D. Any thoughts or feedback?

Thanks,

Springman

[AlwynTurner]

Hi Springman I use Openscad and it suits my simplified approach to design. As to anything producing better quality than CURA I would be suprised but if it does and the software is free then that would be awesome as I am delighted with the quality from CURA.

Alwyn

PS I've just seen the price for simplify 3d - $150 - it would have to be beyond amazing for me to even think about buying that!

[wibblywobbly]

Cura lagged behind until a few months ago, Ultimaker then employed the designer directly, rather than use his skills on a contract basis. The functionality has improved immensely since then, and it's free! Simplify 3D costs an arm and a leg, and though it does some very clever things, Cura is now right up there as a quality product.

CAD software? Depends on how you like to work. I initially tried Blender but found it way too complex, others have found it ok. I tried most of the other programs but they all seemed a bit clumsy for complex parts. In the end I went for Openscad, and have used it ever since.

With all of the other programs, you create parts visually by dragging and manipulating shapes on the screen. They then create the code behind the scenes.
With Openscad you type those commands directly into the editor and the shapes appear on the screen. This makes it very quick as there is a reduced processing overhead.

It can seem daunting, but there are loads of tutorials on You Tube, some good, some atrocious, but once you get your head around how it works, it is a doddle to use, well for me at least. There is an Openscad group on Thingiverse, you can download the code with the model, that way you can edit it to your liking. Be warned though, some of these are written by geeks who seem to think that writing reams of unintelligible code that you require a degree to understand, is the way to do things. I have often written 1/10 of the code that does the self same thing.

[Springman65]

Hi Guys,

Just an update on my progress. I have looked at OpensCAD and will play with it a bit more in the future. I have been told by the designers at work that I should give Fusion360 more time as it will handle all my needs (ITHO...); and, since it is a free license thru work.....I will grind along on it for now....I did order a book on Fusion360 for that effort as well.

I am now working with Cura 3.2.1 and I have found that Fusion360 will port right into it.......so, I am mottling along without Simplified3D as a lot of people have suggested.

I am also starting to play with Autodesk's MeshMixer, as was suggested as well.

This weekend I upgraded my CR-10s with a Keenovo heat bed and the TH3D EZABL (auto-bed leveling) system. And, upgraded to TH3D's newest firmware to support it all. I just have to finalize all of it (finish setup and run through tuning it all). Sometimes, I just have to stop and relax or do something else.....or, I get a little loopy (GRIN!) I hope to finish Tuesday after work......so more later.

Another question: Have any of you ever worked with the 3D models from CGTrader.com?

Springman