My Primitive CAD System Needs More

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posted in Community by globemaker

Hello xyz team,
Please recommend what software I should get to modernize my CAD system for designing globes of planets and moons. At the present time, I use the Perl programming language to create .stl files for globes. I have an Acer Aspire One computer netbook and DVD external drive.
After the .stl files are written to disk, I view the resulting 3D model using my three Viewers :
1 Solidview, free copy
2 Autoview from Cimmetry Systems, was $450 in 2004
3 MiniMagics from Materialise, free copy

Those programs cannot edit the .stl files. They only let me view the images and rotate them. There is a good program for $1800 for 3D CAD, but I want to read about your recommendation for a lower cost program.

I will use a new CAD program to cut the globes in half. The 3D printers can handle a hemisphere better than a sphere.
Also, I want CAD software to automatically add supports to hold up spikes that protrude over empty space.

9 years, 9 months ago

mhagan - When I cut your globes in half I used the free version of Netfabb to do it.

You may want to look into Blender. If you are comfortable programming, you can pretty easily write scripts to do what ever you want.

9 years, 9 months ago

kstichno - Meshmixer from Auto desk is a free program that let's you manipulate STL files and add support structures. It's a little slow and buggy still, but definitely worth a look. In fact, Auto desk has a large selection of free software for use with 3D scanning and printing. They also off educational licenses of Inventor, one of their 3D CADing packages

9 years, 9 months ago

elpulpo - Think the packages I'd recommend have all already been mentioned. Netfabb, Blender and Meshmixer. All free. If all you want to do is cut a globe in half, you might do well to try TinkerCad. Just make up a rectangular block of the Z height you want to cut off, make it a hole, put one over the other and make 'em a group and you're done. So long as your globe file is less than 20MB, that is. TinkerCAD has an upper limit on import file size. And there's SketchUp too, which I find can be most useful when you want to do some really close-up tinkering.

9 years, 9 months ago

vinnie90 - I also agree with everyone. I dont like to work with stl, I find it is a little hard to get precise work to it. I personally use netfabb, meshmixer, and used to use sketchup.

I think sketchup will be your best bet, you can do tons of things to it, and they have tons of videos online. It used to have a free version, but when I downloaded the new version it it only last like 80 hours. I screwed myself.

Anyone has an extra copy they want to give to me for my bday?? Even though my bday is in January....lol

9 years, 9 months ago

mhagan - Please do not use Sketchup for any sort of 3d printing or fabrication applications. It is meant to be an architectural rendering tool and will allow you to do all sorts of impossible geometry such as double faces, flipped normals, and creating non manifold parts. Even with all of the plugins for 3D printing it is just barely functional.

9 years, 9 months ago

vinnie90 - I havent had a problem with it. I have found sketchup to be a life saver sometimes. It just seem easier to do what you want to do with pretty good precision.

Everyone has their likes and dislikes.

9 years, 9 months ago

show 5 more comments

globemaker - Thanks for the info, I downloaded Blender. It imported my .stl file and I looked at a thousand options. Please advise me about automatic scaffolding put on my mountain peaks. When I made 3D printouts in 2004, the 3D Systems printer SLA5000 made supporting filiments for my models . This can be added to your MakerBot and home 3D printer if it is not present. I can write a Perl program to add material to support peaks that exist over empty space. But I am hoping that Team XYZ can direct me to an automatic function.

9 years, 9 months ago

mhagan - generally support is generated by printer software. There shouldn't be a need to write a script to include it. That is, unless you are really bored.

9 years, 9 months ago

connon - I recently thought that it is necessary to get good software structure for my own website, so I think you will have to acquire knowledge in this area, my friend. Also, when I became more interested in this topic, my programmer's friend decided to advise me to use this resource https://internettablettalk.com/how-to-write-beautiful-code/ where I learned know how to write beautiful code to build better application, website or program. I guess every person who creates their own app should know these tips.

2 years, 2 months ago