3D CAD Software For 3D Printing 14.04

[coljohnhannibalsmith]

Hello,

Has anyone had the opportunity to explore 3D CAD Software for 3D printing. I'm interested in creating my own models, products, etc., and I know there are some apps for the Windows platform that allow building 3D designs from pictures and are very user friendly for those without CAD experience. AutoDesk makes some of these apps. Also, there are Linux compatible 3D printers available for as low as $369.00. I hope to own one of these in the not too distant future.

Link:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/261643221467?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

[brian-mccumber]

Well I don't really use 3d CAD software but I do use Blender for 3d modeling and my buddy in Australia uses it to make models for his 3d printer which he built himself. It has wire-frame, solid, and shaded views but it's interface takes some getting used to. It is in the Ubuntu software center if you want to check it out. And here is a link to opensource 3d CAD software for Linux OpenSCAD- http://www.openscad.org/

I am pretty sure that the 3d printer will have it's own software to run when printing objects so most likely it will be able to import a range of 3d model file types.

[coldraven]

I found this yesterday on the forum over at The Register
http://forums.theregister.co.uk/forum/1/2015/09/05/review_serif_affinity_photo_image_editor/


Robin 12: FreeCAD is a good indication of what is happening in the Linux domain. I have just learned how to use it but have used it for multiple 3D printing projects for work, including 3D printed ceramics. As FreeCAD works on Linux, Mac and Windows, it is a program that will be used by more at work due to cost cutting. Cannot justify AutoCAD prices for many of the sketches and small drawings we do.

[montag dp]

I use Moment of Inspiration (http://moi3d.com/) on Linux. It works without any issues on Wine, and it's a great 3D CAD software. If you've heard of Rhino, it's basically a cheaper version of that, made by one of the original Rhino developers. I'm not sure exactly what's required for 3D printing, but it will export in the typical formats (IGES, STL, etc.). There's also a free demo version (I think it lets you do everything except save) if you want to try it out.

[HermanAB]

Maybe see this:
http://www.aeronetworks.ca/2014/12/freecad.html

I've had some things made at Shapeways.

[coljohnhannibalsmith]

Maybe see this:
http://www.aeronetworks.ca/2014/12/freecad.html

I've had some things made at Shapeways.

Herman,

Thank you for the reply. I had a look over FreeCAD and decided that this would be a good app to test. I installed it without problems. I was not so lucky with Meshlab. When I tried to extract the .tgz I received the following error messgage:


An error occurred while extracting files.

Could not create the hard link file:///home/sophie/Downloads/MeshLabSrc_Allinc_v133/meshlab/src/external/CoMISo/QtWidgets/QtMISolverDialogBaseUI.ui

Can I work without MeshLab or is there another app that will duplicate its functionality?

Hannibal

[monkeybrain20122]

Meshlap is in the repo. For Trusty there is a ppa https://launchpad.net/~zarquon42/+archive/ubuntu/meshlab The ppa is more up to date and the binary installs in Vivid too.

[coljohnhannibalsmith]

Meshlap is in the repo. For Trusty there is a ppa https://launchpad.net/~zarquon42/+archive/ubuntu/meshlab The ppa is more up to date and the binary installs in Vivid too.

Sweet!!! Thanks.