I've borrowed a Anycubic Mega S 3D printer, best CAD program?

As the title says I've borrowed an Anycubic Mega S 3D printer, and downloaded both Fusion 360 and Freecad, which is the most user friendly CAD program? Interested in personal experiences.

Tony

You'll get any number of answers! What seems easy/logical to one person may seem obscure and complex to another. We'll all probably advocate for whatever system we each use.

I'd suggest that a lot depends on what you want to create - no point choosing a really capable, but complex program that'll take ages to learn, if you only need basic functions. On the other hand a very basic program will only frustrate you if you need sophisticated capabilities.

Consider if you'll need to produce 2D drawings from your 3D models (some systems are more limited). For 3D printing you'll need STL export, but really all systems should offer that.

If you expect to import and modify existing STL files, you'll be very limited for choices.

The friendliest cad programme I have used is Designspark Mechanical. The basic version is free, with the option of pay per month for upgraded versions. I am starting to get to grips with SolidEdge community edition, which has better features than DS, but it is hard going. I am still waiting for a version of FreeCAD to be released that has the features I want. F360 requires an internet connection (I believe) and my cad computer is an internet free zone. Alibre seems to be the go to cad used by many here, and seems to be getting better with each new release.

Speaking personally and purely thinking about ease of use, I would put OnShape at the top of the list. At least, when I started using it some years ago. However, I now use F360 for 3D printing - more powerful but a bit more difficult to learn. I also use Solid Edge for more complex engineering modelling - even more powerful and even more difficult to learn. Tried FreeCAD way back but found it awkward and inconsistent. Probably lots better now but I've taken a different route.

l am not going down the it's not open source/it doesn't run on Linux/DOS/Windows 95/Raspberry Pi/they will draw you in and then make you pay/they suddenly take all the best bits out of the free version/it puts money into Bill Gates's pocket/they want to steal your ideas/it's in the cloud/it's not in the cloud rabbit holes. But I confidently expect them to come up...

For starters try downloading some stuff you find useful from Thingverse or one of the similar websites. You can at least try out the printer and make something. The learning curve for any 3D cad program is pretty steep if you have not used them before.

I personally use MoI 3D modelling, its far from free, but it is the one that I find most intuitive and quickest to use to knock up objects I want to print and as a design tool for things I want to make.

I don't have a mech eng/drawing office background, so I find the majority of the CAD programmes that use that paradigm don't fit my way of thinking. MoI does, although even that has a steep learning curve.

There are several free versions of CAD software ( MoI has a 3(?) month free trial). I would suggest downloading a few and trying them out - see which one works best for you.

For a beginner I would recommend Onshape as the easiest to learn. It is free and runs in a web browser so no complicated installation needed and it works under any operating system. It has just been upgraded and comes with a series of online courses called the learning centre.

Russell

Another vote for Onshape considerably less intimidating and complicated than f360, also doesn't require as much in system requirements to run. It may not be as capable as f360/solid edge but you would have to reach a very advanced level to notice. Also has the benefit of having apps you can use on your phone/ tablet to actually start/alter/modify designs most others are simply viewers. I've done all my designs using it since acquiring my printer in June. Also free to use without restrictions.

Edited By iNf on 03/10/2023 19:01:20

Well, there are a few. There is a paid version.

The free version restricts you making designs public on line (as read only), it also lacks FEM which is unlikely to cause you a problem. If you need FEM it is available in Freecad and used to be available in F360 but I'm not sure if it still is.

Russell

Onshape works for me, I did not like Freecad probably due to it crashing often, for whatever reason.

Free version fully working version for "home use". Good documentation and plenty more available with a google search.

Pete

Edited By Pete White on 04/10/2023 09:19:09

Thanks guys, I will give Onshape a go.

Tony

Trouble with ignoring issues is they often matter! Easy to break an ankle in a rabbit hole!

Tony asked for the 'most user friendly CAD program'. First problem is all CAD programs are hard work - none of them are friendly. Second problem is what individuals find intuitive varies enormously, and we've no idea what Tony's mind-set or previous experience is. Previous experience in 2D draughtsmanship, or a different 3D CAD package can be killers because they require unlearning, which is extremely difficult. Expect learning CAD, any CAD, to be a significant challenge and persist.

I recommend choosing one and sticking with it. Switching is liable to confuse and muddle learning.

Dave

I use Shapr3D and Cura slicer with my Anycubic Mega S.

When I was deciding which to go for; not many CAD programs worked on Apple devices, but Shapr3D does, and you can turn off the cloud part and keep your designs locally. I have a paid copy and they keep developing and adding features, rather than taking them away. You can also directly email the designers, who will reply, which is great. They ask for feedback and do consider suggestions. One time, a designer made and sent me an animated video of how to do a certain thing, which was terrific service.

Any CAD program will take time to learn - like transferring to a different airliner type - you have to spend several weeks learning how the new one works and how to operate it, even though the basics of what they do are the same.

Shapr3D has a discrete little banner for every function, so if you have a design open and click on a function, e.g. shell, you could if you want, click on the little banner to watch a short animated video of how that function works and how to operate it - without having to leave your design and go down a rabbit hole to learn how to use the function. This is a great feature.

Start with very simple projects and prints to learn how it all works. e.g. simple one-piece brackets or spacers.

PS, put your printer somewhere where it will not keep you awake during an overnight print, and "feed" it with an SD card. Don't use the Ethernet link to your computer - when I did that my printer would pause when the computer screen saver came on, which compromised the prints !

.

Edited By John Doe 2 on 04/10/2023 11:30:40

We've all assumed that Tony wants to print engineering objects,

And he isn't a fantasy fan:

Almost all 3D-CAD software will do the crank thingy. Not many CAD packages are strong on arty stuff, for which other software is better. Model railway layouts should be full of miniature figures, kiosks, seats, weighing-machines, clocks, lamps, and trolleys

The 3D driver of this engine needs re-printing - he and the locomotive are on different scales:

Dave

When I purchased my 3D printer, a friend suggested that I designed my printed parts with Open SCAD Tony.

Open SCAD

At first glance it might seem complicated but it is very easy to actually produce useful results and the learning curve is very gentle. I was producing useable parts in my first evening (something I never managed with any other CAD system). I did all of my early 'workshop' part designs in SCAD (pipe adaptors, small jigs, tool holders, PCB cases etc). It is very easy to make your designs 'customisable' by using named variables for key dimensions and features. Designs can also be shared (and adapted) by other users as they are just simple text files. A good number of designs on Thingverse are written in Open SCAD and these can be 'adapted' to your own needs...

Thingiverse - SCAD

So SCAD is well worth a quick look. Depends what you need a 3D CAD system for (?) of course but some of my Gauge '3' colleagues are producing some very interesting 3D prints using it... Have a look at these STL files, all produced with SCAD...

GWR 'Siphons' - STL files

Regards,

IanT

Edited By IanT on 04/10/2023 17:10:28

SOD, yes I do want to print engineering and other 'useful' objects.

Tony

To modify STLs you can use Blender. I find it VERY hard to use for all but basic operations, but people do amazing things with it.

I've discovered scanning, and found that if I need 'crew members' I can dress up a 1970s Action Man (with gripping hands, realistic hair and eagle eyes, no less!), pose him, scan him and print out a smaller version.

Look out for more details in a future MEW!

Here's a teaser - this is a 3D scan not a photo, it can be rotated in three dimensions. It even captured his flat-ended nose (as a result of an accident forty-odd years ago).

Neil

You still got your action man stuff?

My brothers inherited mine, many fun hours spent with action man

Bagful here, all became my little brothers...

N.