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HagbardCeline
Student-Teacher-Student-Teacher



Registered: 05/10/03
Posts: 10,026
Loc: Overjoyed, at the bottom ...
Last seen: 17 days, 20 hours
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Suggestions for free CAD software and commercial 3D printing services 1
#27292229 - 05/03/21 02:55 PM (2 years, 8 months ago) |
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I have decided to build a prototype of my latest invention and see if there is interest from investors. Do any of you have experience with this?
The CAD offerings I have identified so far are OPENSCAD, FreeCAD, KiCAD, and perhaps TinkerCAD. Any others?
Experience with 3D printing services?
Also any product development experience and advice would be well received.
-------------------- I keep it real because I think it is important that a highly esteemed individual such as myself keep it real lest they experience the dreaded spontaneous non-existance of no longer keeping it real. - Hagbard Celine
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magviewer
newbie
Registered: 10/06/21
Posts: 4
Last seen: 2 years, 3 months
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Re: Suggestions for free CAD software and commercial 3D printing services [Re: HagbardCeline]
#27495027 - 10/06/21 03:43 PM (2 years, 3 months ago) |
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I used 3dcad to make a .step file ready for manufacture. it was tricky in the beginning, I really needed the youtube tutorials, but once in the swing it was great. and free!! : P
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magviewer
newbie
Registered: 10/06/21
Posts: 4
Last seen: 2 years, 3 months
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Re: Suggestions for free CAD software and commercial 3D printing services [Re: magviewer]
#27495033 - 10/06/21 03:46 PM (2 years, 3 months ago) |
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I've just noticed this is an old thread. sorry if it bumps up. but hey, 3dCAD software is awesome if you want someone to 3d print or CNC machine you a part!
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JohnS0N
Stranger

Registered: 03/09/14
Posts: 53
Loc: Slovenia
Last seen: 1 year, 3 months
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Re: Suggestions for free CAD software and commercial 3D printing services [Re: HagbardCeline]
#27593667 - 12/25/21 12:51 AM (2 years, 1 month ago) |
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I don't know if you're still doing it, but If it's a prototype then the free version of sketchup should be good enough probably. You can always upgrade if you need your model to be more complex.
Benefit is that you have lots of tutorials and learning resources freely available, which might not be the case for other more specialized (and expensive software tools).
You can export to cad from Sketchup.
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christopera
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Registered: 10/13/17
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Re: Suggestions for free CAD software and commercial 3D printing services [Re: JohnS0N] 1
#27595611 - 12/26/21 08:05 PM (2 years, 1 month ago) |
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Hard to believe nobody has suggested Fusion 360. The free version is likely the most capable of the CAD packages listed here, and the pay version, which isn't that expensive is off the charts. For 3d printing you just need a model that you export as a step file and then ideally slice in a good slicer. Easy peasy.
-------------------- Enjoy the process of your search without succumbing to the pressure of the result. A Dorito is pizza, change my mind. Bank and Union with The Shroomery at the Zuul on The internet - now with %'s and things I’m sorry it had to be me.
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catcake1
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Registered: 10/03/21
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Re: Suggestions for free CAD software and commercial 3D printing services [Re: christopera]
#27611320 - 01/08/22 07:06 AM (2 years, 19 days ago) |
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