The best software for beginners

[kimboz 0]

What is the best software to start producing 3D design for someone who has zero experience and expertise with CAD design?

[Smithy 517]

It depends what you want to design, but for technical designs, no sculptures, I highly recommend Fusion360. It is free for personal use and there are great tutorials and videos available to learn everything from scratch - it is not hard or difficult.

 

I would avoid "easier" solutions like thinkercad, because you struggle with the basics there, put a lot of time there to design something and if you want to make something more sophisticated, then thinkercad is not able to do that.

[geert_2 370]

Definitely *avoid* SketchUp: it will cause nothing but problems, because its models are not watertight: they are no solids, but sort of "cardboard models" with gaps in the seams.

 

I use DesignSpark Mechanical, a freeware limited version of the commercial SpaceClaim. For my technical models this is good enough. On Youtube you also find good tutorials for this. Go to the DesignSparkRS channel and scroll down to 3 and 4 years ago. It is easy to learn too. Not suitable for organic models or photorealistic rendering.

 

It depends a lot on your personal taste and requirements. I would recommend you take a look at demos of several programs, and choose the one you like most.

 

 

 

 

[danielkrice 4]

I can recommend Shapr3D if your using an iPad Pro 

[vitalsparks 8]

Do not be 'sniffy' about, or underestimate the power of Tinkercad, especially for technical models. I have used it exclusively for over 4 years to design over 200 objects of varying complexity without needing to find an alternative. It is often dismissed as being too basic to be of any serious use, but this must surely be the opinion of those that have never really tried to use it. It is bristling with features that soon become apparent when using it.

 

The learning curve is short and very easy and ideal for newcomers and seasoned users alike. Above all, it is highly intuitive.

 

As an engineer myself, I thoroughly recommend using this software.

 

Here is an example of a recent (two-piece) design I created to remove the stones from plums and slice them into 3 pieces ready for jam making. This is by no means the most intricate thing I have produced.

 

Edited March 10, 2019 by vitalsparks