Where do we begin?

[red Dog]

I'm sure I'm not the only one in that situation: looking with envy at 3D modelling but wondering whre to start? 

 

So let's see what you guys can recommend...

 

- Amongst these basic requirement, we need to assess our capability to use 3D software. At least a little bit and/or learn it from the ground up.
Nobody says beginner have to start with full scale models. I have a little bit of experience with 3D, much more in 2D. But I am willing to learn.
 

- What software? Are software somehow linked to 3D printer or is it like any regular printer, you can use whatever software fits your style and whichever printer you can afford?
 

- What 3D printer? One to start with but also give you good enough compromise to learn that part of the hobby and not too quickly be limited?  

 

- What material to start with? 

 

- I'm sure I miss many questions for now and I will probably have many more - but I would like to try to get my modelling skill one setp further and after designing my own decals and masks, this might be the next step.

 

Many thanks for your input, as always

 

 

[Maxim61]

If you are going to buy a printer, buy the biggest unit you can afford. You will not be limited to what you print.

I have been printing for about 6 months and the learning curve is steep. I use a SLA printer which gives very fine detail compared to a FDM printer that uses spooled thermo plastic.

Resin can be problematic and change resin types and start all over again with settings. Find a good resin then stick with it.

I use a Anycubic Photon M3 Max which has a very large print plate. I tend to use Siraya resin and get good results and it has no odor.

I have been printing a 1/24 scale LM and CSM as below which has very fine detail that you could not get with a FDM printer. In the pic below is the result of over 100 hours printing. The bigger it is, the longer it takes. 

You can use just about any 3D design software as long as you can save it as an STL file for printing.

Note: Be sure to wear good chemical gloves at all times as the resin is nasty. I have now become somewhat allergic to uncured resin if touches my hands. My fingers will break out in blisters and then peel.

 

Edited August 2 by Maxim61

[BiggTim]

That's good advice from Maxim! My current printer is a 4 year old Anycubic Photon, which has worked quite well for me for most things, though a bit too finicky at times. It does not like very small things.

 

However, I just pre-ordered this: https://www.anycubic.com/collections/lcd-based-sla-3d-printer/products/photon-mono-m5s?variant=43587459645602. I am very excited to see how much the technology has improved since my first one came out. It was an excellent package deal that I couldn't pass up, especially now that I'm printing more of my masters for products.

 

Tim

Edited August 2 by BiggTim

[Juggernut]

Watch prices on sites like Amazon.  I don't know  if you've got it in Belgium but prices are coming down on 8k and higher 3d resin printers.  Having said that........

 

The STEEPEST part of the learning curve is learning the 3D modeling software you need to create the models you'll slice in the slicing software (that usually comes with the 3D printer - Mine came with Chitubox).  Learning the slicing software is the easier of the two... If you're already adept at 3D modeling software than you're all ready ahead of the curve.  I use Fusion 360 (Hobbyist license is free but requires annual renewal - and requires you to subscribe to marketing emails [which go in the junk folder]).  There are tutorials out there for Fusion 360 and various one-off videos on how to do specific things.  There's loads of peeps here with that knowledge to help you when you get stuck (whichever 3d Modeling program you may choose).

[Out2gtcha]

7 hours ago, BiggTim said:

That's good advice from Maxim! My current printer is a 4 year old Anycubic Photon, which has worked quite well for me for most things, though a bit too finicky at times. It does not like very small things.

 

However, I just pre-ordered this: https://www.anycubic.com/collections/lcd-based-sla-3d-printer/products/photon-mono-m5s?variant=43587459645602. I am very excited to see how much the technology has improved since my first one came out. It was an excellent package deal that I couldn't pass up, especially now that I'm printing more of my masters for products.

 

Tim

 

 

The 12k M5 is what I have on pre order as well, hopefully to arrive this month.

 

I too need to figure the main issue out, and that is the software, and as Juggernaut said learning/implementing it will for most (me included) be the tallest mountain to ascend. 

 

I have a bunch of F360 tuts, as well as some Blender tuts, but have not had the gumption to start into them yet without any equipment of any kind.

 

[BiggTim]

54 minutes ago, Out2gtcha said:

 

 

The 12k M5 is what I have on pre order as well, hopefully to arrive this month.

 

I too need to figure the main issue out, and that is the software, and as Juggernaut said learning/implementing it will for most (me included) be the tallest mountain to ascend. 

 

I have a bunch of F360 tuts, as well as some Blender tuts, but have not had the gumption to start into them yet without any equipment of any kind.

 

Strangely enough, I still bounce back and forth between softwares. Here's my take on them:

 

Fusion 360 - hard to learn, but very, very powerful and able to do almost anything. The free "startup" license is a huge plus, though you have to renew it from time to time. It has most of the functionality of the paid license, with only a very few minor things that I haven't missed. If they ever drop the free license, I will drop Fusion, as it's way too expensive otherwise. My favorite Youtube channel for Fusion tutorials is https://www.youtube.com/@ProductDesignOnline

 

Rhino - I purposely tried to use the Rhino trial for the first time to do a little project without watching any tutorials so I could see how intuitive it was. I was able to jump in and do what I needed without any major help at all. Unfortunately, the STL files I exported had serious issues when I tried to print them, because even though the mesh looked good in Rhino, it was not completely closed. I had to actually open it in Fusion to discover the issue, which was apparent instantly in Fusion. I wound up modeling the same thing in Fusion, and it worked without a hitch. So, maybe it was me, maybe it was Rhino, but that was my experience with it. It does NOT have a free license, but the professional license is reasonably priced and is a lifetime purchase, so it would be my next choice if Fusion is on longer available.

 

Sketchup - yes, I said it. Sketchup is a toy compared to the others, but it's really simple to learn and use, and can do a lot more than most people give it credit for. It's also has a free version that can export to STL, but the difference between the free version and the pro version (which is not horribly priced) are pretty big. For basic shapes, you can crank stuff out wicked fast in SKP and it doesn't require a screaming PC either. I did those revetment walls recently in it just to see if I could, and it worked great. If you're just testing the water, I'd highly suggest giving it a shot.

 

Form-It - This is Autodesk's version of Sketchup. I have it at work just because it comes with our Revit license package, so I tried it. It's not as intuitive as Sketchup or Rhino (which is typical of most Autodesk software) but it can do a lot. However, with lots of better options, I dropped this one pretty quickly.

 

Revit - This one only applies to you if you happen to have it for work (which I do), since it's horrendously expensive. The Revit Architecture version I use is crazy powerful, so I tried modeling a few things in it that were not architecture related, and found that it was surprisingly versatile, and it can export to STL. I have yet to 3D print anything from it, but someday I will. 

 

So, my number 1 is Fusion 360 startup license. Use the tutorials I linked above. If you're really struggling, do the Rhino free trial, but remember it only lasts 90 days. If you just want to tinker with something easy so you can try our your printer, try Sketchup free version. 

 

Good luck!

T

 

[Maxim61]

8 hours ago, BiggTim said:

Strangely enough, I still bounce back and forth between softwares. Here's my take on them:

 

Fusion 360 - hard to learn, but very, very powerful and able to do almost anything. The free "startup" license is a huge plus, though you have to renew it from time to time. It has most of the functionality of the paid license, with only a very few minor things that I haven't missed. If they ever drop the free license, I will drop Fusion, as it's way too expensive otherwise. My favorite Youtube channel for Fusion tutorials is https://www.youtube.com/@ProductDesignOnline

 

Rhino - I purposely tried to use the Rhino trial for the first time to do a little project without watching any tutorials so I could see how intuitive it was. I was able to jump in and do what I needed without any major help at all. Unfortunately, the STL files I exported had serious issues when I tried to print them, because even though the mesh looked good in Rhino, it was not completely closed. I had to actually open it in Fusion to discover the issue, which was apparent instantly in Fusion. I wound up modeling the same thing in Fusion, and it worked without a hitch. So, maybe it was me, maybe it was Rhino, but that was my experience with it. It does NOT have a free license, but the professional license is reasonably priced and is a lifetime purchase, so it would be my next choice if Fusion is on longer available.

 

Sketchup - yes, I said it. Sketchup is a toy compared to the others, but it's really simple to learn and use, and can do a lot more than most people give it credit for. It's also has a free version that can export to STL, but the difference between the free version and the pro version (which is not horribly priced) are pretty big. For basic shapes, you can crank stuff out wicked fast in SKP and it doesn't require a screaming PC either. I did those revetment walls recently in it just to see if I could, and it worked great. If you're just testing the water, I'd highly suggest giving it a shot.

 

Form-It - This is Autodesk's version of Sketchup. I have it at work just because it comes with our Revit license package, so I tried it. It's not as intuitive as Sketchup or Rhino (which is typical of most Autodesk software) but it can do a lot. However, with lots of better options, I dropped this one pretty quickly.

 

Revit - This one only applies to you if you happen to have it for work (which I do), since it's horrendously expensive. The Revit Architecture version I use is crazy powerful, so I tried modeling a few things in it that were not architecture related, and found that it was surprisingly versatile, and it can export to STL. I have yet to 3D print anything from it, but someday I will. 

 

So, my number 1 is Fusion 360 startup license. Use the tutorials I linked above. If you're really struggling, do the Rhino free trial, but remember it only lasts 90 days. If you just want to tinker with something easy so you can try our your printer, try Sketchup free version. 

 

Good luck!

T

 

 

Agree, Fusion 360 is the best. If you are going to learn only one piece of software go with Fusion 360. It will do it all for you.I use Lychee slicer which I think is much better than Chitubox. Most of all have fun and yes you will get failed prints, even when you think you have it down pat.

[Out2gtcha]

8 hours ago, Maxim61 said:

 

Agree, Fusion 360 is the best. If you are going to learn only one piece of software go with Fusion 360. It will do it all for you.I use Lychee slicer which I think is much better than Chitubox. Most of all have fun and yes you will get failed prints, even when you think you have it down pat.

 

Ive been wondering about "cutting" programs as well, like Lychee Slicer and Chitubox and Sli3cr.    I take it these are just programs that chop up the model as needed for smaller printing beds?

Also, I take it that F360 does not do any slicing?       Was and still am very curious about the need for the slicing program when programs like F360 seem to do so much. 

[SCRATCH BUILDER]

20 hours ago, Out2gtcha said:

 

 

The 12k M5 is what I have on pre order as well, hopefully to arrive this month.

 

I too need to figure the main issue out, and that is the software, and as Juggernaut said learning/implementing it will for most (me included) be the tallest mountain to ascend. 

 

I have a bunch of F360 tuts, as well as some Blender tuts, but have not had the gumption to start into them yet without any equipment of any kind.

 

I have the M5 S but i don't use it for the speed. and an M3

Also the New software i use is Plasticity, only issue i have with it is exporting,  I have to open it with 3D Builder and save to convert to the correct scale

https://www.plasticity.xyz/  

[SCRATCH BUILDER]

2 hours ago, Out2gtcha said:

 

Ive been wondering about "cutting" programs as well, like Lychee Slicer and Chitubox and Sli3cr.    I take it these are just programs that chop up the model as needed for smaller printing beds?

Also, I take it that F360 does not do any slicing?       Was and still am very curious about the need for the slicing program when programs like F360 seem to do so much. 

You need the slicer to create the code for the printer, I use the free version of Chitubox, it does the job, Lychee and the others are good program but not 100%, They do a good job with hard surface models but figures for any of those programs still needs input from you, they don't catch every unsupported island

[NigTT]

Apart from the printer and the software, what has always stumped me is how do you actually get what data you have, if there is actually any available, into the software in the first place? For example if I wanted to print parts for a WW1 aircraft, there may not necessarily be any plans or great detail out there, so what do you do, just guestimate the rough dimensions and place things in the software where you think they look right? How about a whole fuselage? Plans may show outlines but there are probably no end of subtle curves that could only be guessed at.

 

I will probably never get around to buying a printer or learning the software, but I am totally in awe of you guys who manage to produce such fantastic things with them.

[SCRATCH BUILDER]

46 minutes ago, NigTT said:

Apart from the printer and the software, what has always stumped me is how do you actually get what data you have, if there is actually any available, into the software in the first place? For example if I wanted to print parts for a WW1 aircraft, there may not necessarily be any plans or great detail out there, so what do you do, just guestimate the rough dimensions and place things in the software where you think they look right? How about a whole fuselage? Plans may show outlines but there are probably no end of subtle curves that could only be guessed at.

 

I will probably never get around to buying a printer or learning the software, but I am totally in awe of you guys who manage to produce such fantastic things with them.

Like my Jumo 004 in 1/18 scale i had a ton of material but was still missing 360 degree view of some of the components so i had to make my best guess about the side i could not see, myself i'm not a rivet counter so i do the best i can with what i have.  

[LSP_Kevin]

4 hours ago, Out2gtcha said:

 

Ive been wondering about "cutting" programs as well, like Lychee Slicer and Chitubox and Sli3cr.    I take it these are just programs that chop up the model as needed for smaller printing beds?

Also, I take it that F360 does not do any slicing?       Was and still am very curious about the need for the slicing program when programs like F360 seem to do so much. 

 

Software like Lychee and Chitubox take the output from CAD packages as STL files, and prepare them for 3D printing by 'slicing' those 3D models into layers. The 3D printer then uses those layers to print the model - layer by layer. As far as I'm aware, there's no ability in any of the free slicer programs to 'cut up' 3D models in any other way. For that you need a CAD package, or at least some other utility software that can manipulate 3D models.

 

And as far as I'm aware, there's no CAD package that will slice a 3D model ready for printing. For one thing, if the model needs supports (and they almost always do), then they need to be added prior to the slicing operation, and CAD programs don't provide that function. It is possible, however, to design the supports in CAD as part of the model itself, but I think that would require a lot of experience to get right.

 

Kev

[BiggTim]

4 hours ago, Out2gtcha said:

 

Ive been wondering about "cutting" programs as well, like Lychee Slicer and Chitubox and Sli3cr.    I take it these are just programs that chop up the model as needed for smaller printing beds?

Also, I take it that F360 does not do any slicing?       Was and still am very curious about the need for the slicing program when programs like F360 seem to do so much. 

The slicing software doesn't cut the model up into pieces that fit the print bed - you have to do that yourself in the model itself, and then export each "chunk" as a separate STL. Slicing software cuts the 3D mesh into layers that become the image the printer will project onto the glass to harden the resin. Fusion does not do this. 

 

PS - I see Kev and I were typing at the same time...! And BTW, your printer will come with it's own software for slicing, so it may be adequate enough.

Edited August 3 by BiggTim

[patricksparks]

I have an ANYCUBIC PHOTON MONO X printer , I use the slicing software that comes with the printer, it's not really good software and I do all my supports manually but it works. The ANYCUBIC slicer does give me the ability to cut-up existing/ purchased 3D files, I have cut up several purchased file sets and successfully printed the parts in larger scales.

 

Pat