Adventures in 3D printing...

[Dave Ward]

Software! I started my CAD experience with a programme called CADAM - it was a 2-D system, originally produced by Boeing this ran on a mainframe, with dedicated workstations, I had in house training for this, then this moved up to CCD, an upgrade of CADAM easy to move onto, and would work on PC's ( albeit top range machines ). The big jump came with CATIA V4, from Dassault Systems - this was a full scale 3-D software suite - it had parametrics, analysis, animation - this ran on a mainframe, again using dedicated workstations ( IBM RISC 6000 ). I dabbled with this, then went on several training courses to learn the best way to use it. The first component I actually designed was a camshaft. I did all sorts of mechanical bits & pieces, having more advanced training, before moving onto larger bits - cast iron crankcases & cylinder heads. CATIA V5 was introduced, which would run on a PC, but was a different beast to V4 - again, training. My next employer had several 3-D system, CATIA, IDEAS, Autodesk Inventor, again a bit more training.
OK, this was serious commercial business, but the time needed to become proficient, working full-time, was quite alarming - months, not weeks, and this for people who were already proficient with earlier systems ( Indeed some guys never made the progression ).
I inwardly smile, when I read people glibly saying they can knock up 3-D CAD files for modelling! It's like comparing a paint-by-numbers piece to the Mona Lisa!
Dave

[boatman]

Software! I started my CAD experience with a programme called CADAM - it was a 2-D system, originally produced by Boeing this ran on a mainframe, with dedicated workstations, I had in house training for this, then this moved up to CCD, an upgrade of CADAM easy to move onto, and would work on PC's ( albeit top range machines ). The big jump came with CATIA V4, from Dassault Systems - this was a full scale 3-D software suite - it had parametrics, analysis, animation - this ran on a mainframe, again using dedicated workstations ( IBM RISC 6000 ). I dabbled with this, then went on several training courses to learn the best way to use it. The first component I actually designed was a camshaft. I did all sorts of mechanical bits & pieces, having more advanced training, before moving onto larger bits - cast iron crankcases & cylinder heads. CATIA V5 was introduced, which would run on a PC, but was a different beast to V4 - again, training. My next employer had several 3-D system, CATIA, IDEAS, Autodesk Inventor, again a bit more training.
OK, this was serious commercial business, but the time needed to become proficient, working full-time, was quite alarming - months, not weeks, and this for people who were already proficient with earlier systems ( Indeed some guys never made the progression ).
I inwardly smile, when I read people glibly saying they can knock up 3-D CAD files for modelling! It's like comparing a paint-by-numbers piece to the Mona Lisa!
Dave

WELL Dave i think you have hit the nail on the head with your post here as in my opinion its all been made out to be easy just load the machine with what it requires an press the go button an hey presto you have the bit you want that how it seems to me anyway i'll always use my two hands or buy the bits i need but im old fashioned i suppose its ok i suppose for the youngestes who understand an can learn quickly
chris

[Guest]

Most of the software is made for nerds by nerds. That's my realm and I'm ticked off with how unfriendly blender is.

Blender has low user-friendliness? No!

I gave that program a couple of tries and dragged it to the trash in frustration every time.

It's THE software to use for 3D modeling and it's entirely built around keyboard short cuts with mazes of menus and weird icons to work through else where.

Don’t forget what’s probably the stupidest decision made by anyone in software development in the last 30 years or so: left-click doesn’t select the thing your mouse pointer is over. Unlike in, oh, just about 100% of other software released since the Xerox Alto.

Resin is the only way to go for model making unless you're looking to make internal skeletons for things on a FDM printer than cover it completely afterwards.

I’ve seen it used for the outside of large models of remote-controlled ships. These are not intended to be seen up close, so it kind of works, but I wouldn’t want to use it for the kind of models I build (mainly 1:35 and 1:72 military vehicles, the occasional 1:72 aircraft and the odd odd subject).

Resin is an annoying material to work with

Like I said earlier, this is one of my main reasons for not having bought a resin printer.

[Robosmith]

WELL OK GUYS ive read through this whole thread an i admit that i understand point .99% of it so for me way to complex an for me scratch building with my own two hands is the way to go for me an either that or buying the kit an done with it as this is modeling is suppose to be a hobby to enjoy an 3D building in just my opinion the machine is doin all the building an not you so for me no thanks an i think the only thing ive got built in 3D is my water tank for my steam unit but this is just my opinion
chris

It's not fair to say 3D printing does all the work for you. It depends what you're printing. Eagle models started making 3D printing videos recently and prints entire kits on par with garage kits or some injection modeled kits. It's a lot of hassle to do but you can get niche kits you couldn't get other wise. 3D printing limitations stop you from printing entire models and popping them off the build plate ready to print. Even 28mm miniatures require you to fix scaring where supports connected the model to the build plate (can't print onto thing air). There is quite a bit of effort going into planning how to print the model so it's a bit more difficult than ordering a can of coke from a vending machine.

Software! I started my CAD experience with a programme called CADAM - it was a 2-D system, originally produced by Boeing this ran on a mainframe, with dedicated workstations, I had in house training for this, then this moved up to CCD, an upgrade of CADAM easy to move onto, and would work on PC's ( albeit top range machines ). The big jump came with CATIA V4, from Dassault Systems - this was a full scale 3-D software suite - it had parametrics, analysis, animation - this ran on a mainframe, again using dedicated workstations ( IBM RISC 6000 ). I dabbled with this, then went on several training courses to learn the best way to use it. The first component I actually designed was a camshaft. I did all sorts of mechanical bits & pieces, having more advanced training, before moving onto larger bits - cast iron crankcases & cylinder heads. CATIA V5 was introduced, which would run on a PC, but was a different beast to V4 - again, training. My next employer had several 3-D system, CATIA, IDEAS, Autodesk Inventor, again a bit more training.
OK, this was serious commercial business, but the time needed to become proficient, working full-time, was quite alarming - months, not weeks, and this for people who were already proficient with earlier systems ( Indeed some guys never made the progression ).
I inwardly smile, when I read people glibly saying they can knock up 3-D CAD files for modelling! It's like comparing a paint-by-numbers piece to the Mona Lisa!
Dave

It sounds like you have a wonderful knowledge of history most people can't even scratch the surface of. I only know the modern practical software and I can cover that quickly to help people understand how it works.

CAD software is engineer software, it's exact and very rigid. A free online one you could try is Tinkercad if you want to experiment with it. It's good for making mechanic parts and is relatively simple to use because it involves putting shapes together. You use your shapes like lego to build up the object you want, adjusting them as you need. I managed to pick up the basics of Tinkercad in a week and was able to create desktop tools like paint brush holders and various little bits around the house.

Blender/Maya is the stuff people make computer games and movies on. Where CAD software is very rigid, 3D modeling is very flexible. You can adjust single polygons to create any shape you need, add textures and all sort of stuff you want for creating life like creatures as well as mechanic parts. It's by far the most powerful and complex tool of the 3. To learn this takes months of study, years to get really good. It's also something you need to instinctively understand to get the most out of. Working in a digital space requires thinking that way which isn't going to click for everyone. CAD's more mechanical inclination makes it easier to work with as well as being much simpler to use software which something like Blender being less Legoy (for lack of a better term) requires a different skill set.

The third type of software is up and coming and entirely useless to people here I suspect. 3D sculpting in Zbrush is exactly the same as sculpting clay in real life. You add, remove, stretch, poke, prod and apply textures to a ball of "clay". For making organic creatures it's impossible to beat and artists who can switch to a digital sculpting method can knock out organic models that will blow your mind. It's becoming the go to walk to create game and movie characters going forward since it takes the traditional sculpting style of practice effects and makes it faster and easier to create in. If you want to mess around with it Sculptris is an older free software which is easy to use and get to grips with you can try completely free. If you can use a mouse you can give sculpting a try in it. It's hard to sculpt something good but it's very easy to mess around with, like play doh.

To put sum it up. In CAD you would design a car part, in Blender you would make an entire plane with a fully detailed cockpit and in Zbrush you would sculpt Godzilla.

[JR]

All very interesting esp the posts by guys that have used the professional models.
In years to come I'm sure it will be something that we use without thinking about it, meanwhile I shall stay with using Balsa wood and Foamboard.

[boatman]

It's not fair to say 3D printing does all the work for you. It depends what you're printing. Eagle models
(Bob qoute)
OK Bob each to his own if you enjoy it so be it but have fun doin it as that to me is what moddeling is all about
chris