3D Printer drawing software

[Done-it-again]

I'm looking at getting a 3d printer to see what parts we can make. My questions is, what drawing program are people using? I can use cad, but thinking of getting sketchup for the 3d aspect.

Going to go with the Bambu Lab X1 series.

Note: never 3d printed before.

 

[outboard_256]

Fusion 360 or Solid works are the goto. They have a different way of doing things. I prefer Solid works but Fusion has a free version if you only work on one project at a time.

 

[BHC Vic]

I like sketch up a lot. I teach classes out at the international and sketch up usually sends out a rep to help me. I’m just getting started in the 3D printing but I’m out in Vegas in two weeks doing a class and that tasked me with printing some models so we’ll see how it goes

 

[Done-it-again]

Fusion 360 or Solid works are the goto. They have a different way of doing things. I prefer Solid works but Fusion has a free version if you only work on one project at a time.

Thanks... I'll look at both of those....

 

[Done-it-again]

I like sketch up a lot. I teach classes out at the international and sketch up usually sends out a rep to help me. I’m just getting started in the 3D printing but I’m out in Vegas in two weeks doing a class and that tasked me with printing some models so we’ll see how it goes

Sketch up looked pretty easy to work, un like CAD.

 

[Boozer]

I'm looking at getting a 3d printer to see what parts we can make. My questions is, what drawing program are people using? I can use cad, but thinking of getting sketchup for the 3d aspect.

Going to go with the Bambu Lab X1 series.

Note: never 3d printed before.

I’m not sure about the software since I don’t do any of my own designs but the Bambu is an amazing 3D printer. You’re going to be very happy with it. They are faster than most and don’t require all the tinkering many others require.

 

[Racey]

Sketch up looked pretty easy to work, un like CAD.

Fusion 360 and Solid Works are very easy to use.

Sketchup is kind of a funky program in my opinion, especially for smaller parts.

 

[Done-it-again]

Fusion 360 and Solid Works are very easy to use.

Sketchup is kind of a funky program in my opinion, especially for smaller parts.

Anyone you recommend over the other?

 

[rivermobster]

@RaceTec

 

[RaceTec]

@RaceTec

We across all of the companies use SolidWorks exclusively, I think that there are deals to be had for students and stuff? I love it but it is pricey!

 

[Flatsix66]

In addition, there are lots of pre-drawn objects and products that are free to download and send to the printer from Thingiverse and Printables. For printers the new Bambu Labs X1 Carbon is the hottest thing out right now.

 

[Racey]

Anyone you recommend over the other?

they both are very similar, everything is derived from base 'sketches' which are 2d relational drawings. Fusion 360 for personal use is free and easy to install. I would probably try it to begin with.

Once you understand how the relational part of the 2d drawings works it all starts to make sense. Basically i will kinda draw out a rough shape, then go back and add all the dimensions and relations, as you do that it starts to stretch and shrink the related areas as you apply more and more dimensions until the drawing is fully defined.

 

[Done-it-again]

they both are very similar, everything is derived from base 'sketches' which are 2d relational drawings. Fusion 360 for personal use is free and easy to install. I would probably try it to begin with.

Once you understand how the relational part of the 2d drawings works it all starts to make sense. Basically i will kinda draw out a rough shape, then go back and add all the dimensions and relations, as you do that it starts to stretch and shrink the related areas as you apply more and more dimensions until the drawing is fully defined.

I'll download Fusion 360 and give it a shot.... Thanks.

 

[Ryphraph]

I have been checking out OnShape.

 

[Maw]

My son uses Fusion 360, I use Draftsight and FreeCAD. We pass things back and forth without issue. Our latest printer is a Bambu Labs and it's several times faster than our other printers and handles multiple filaments and colors simultaneously. You'll also need a slicer program (freebies) to convert your step files to something the printer can work with.

 

[Done-it-again]

My son uses Fusion 360, I use Draftsight and FreeCAD. We pass things back and forth without issue. Our latest printer is a Bambu Labs and it's several times faster than our other printers and handles multiple filaments and colors simultaneously. You'll also need a slicer program (freebies) to convert your step files to something the printer can work with.

Do you use the slicing software from Bambu?

 

[Flatsix66]

With Fusion 360 you can output your design directly into Bambu Studio for slicing and printing.

 

[Done-it-again]

With Fusion 360 you can output your design directly into Bambu Studio for slicing and printing.

Thanks for the confirmation.

 

[BingerFang]

Solidworks is awesome but Fusion 360 was by far my favorite for both CAD & CAM in one software. Solidworks was better for flow and strength testing & analysis.

I've been out of that world for almost 10 years now though.

 

[outboard_256]

Do you use the slicing software from Bambu?

I use Cura for slicing. It is very tweakable and you can watch different YouTube videos for settings to increase speed, or increase print quality, etc.