New member of the MakerGear family...

[wmgeorge]

Thanks everyone! Looks like the time frame is significantly less than expected... I just received order notice of the printer being ready for pick-up. Unexpected! Would have headed out this afternoon but the work emergencies take priority. Tomorrow i'll head out early afternoon. Thought I had two more weeks to work out a potential alternative to SolidWorks, which how long i'll have access is of question. Cubify Design is in my look into list, and still hunting for other alternates.

Dale, Lem
I'd be happy to fork in for drinks/chips/etc.

I am not a M2 owner yet, but on 3D software I have used AutoCAD in the past for 2D and was pretty good at it. When it came to 3D I was lost. Went through a lot of try this and try that. Started with TinkerCAD but very limited as to what it can really do. Ended up with 123D, there is little or no documentation other than videos. But you can design in 2D sketches and then Extrude into 3D and then put together. It works, not perfect but it works. Exports STL files and aside from crashes, Save early and save often I use with success.

[DarkPrince]

Should I be concerned that the Dark Prince is coming to the shop?

Perhaps we should wear turtlenecks tomorrow!

I'm sure you're fine.

I am not a M2 owner yet, but on 3D software I have used AutoCAD in the past for 2D and was pretty good at it. When it came to 3D I was lost. Went through a lot of try this and try that. Started with TinkerCAD but very limited as to what it can really do. Ended up with 123D, there is little or no documentation other than videos. But you can design in 2D sketches and then Extrude into 3D and then put together. It works, not perfect but it works. Exports STL files and aside from crashes, Save early and save often I use with success.

Thanks for the note on that, i'll run through a few different ones and see which sit the best. I have a preference of the software supporting assemblies, but not required. And if it is good software that is stable, I'm happy to pay for it.

[Jules]

....I have a preference of the software supporting assemblies, but not required. And if it is good software that is stable, I'm happy to pay for it.

I was directed to Rhinoceros when I started looking around - it's very powerful. (I don't always create nice little geometric designs.) Rhino handles just about everything I can throw at it, and the ones that do crash are no doubt due to beginner errors, not the software. It really does everything.

[jsc]

If you're coming from AutoCAD, give Autodesk Fusion 360 a try. It has a fairly standard workflow (extrusion of parameterized sketches, design history), and you can use it for free for personal use. Also does assemblies. Here's a fairly complex assembly I put together (http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:844167):

eggbot_v2_preview_featured.jpg (49.32 KiB) Viewed 14328 times

Also, OnShape is similar.

[Dale Reed]

Should I be concerned that the Dark Prince is coming to the shop? Perhaps we should wear turtlenecks tomorrow!

Hmmmm.... I was thinking "Dark Knight" and was going to get my "boy wonder" costume out... HA! Actually, I have a Dilbert Halloween mask head with necktie that would cover your neck quite nicely, if you're worried about bloodsucking customers. (Sounds like a support issue...)

So, Rick, when is the next M2 party at MG HQ? You picked a great day for the last one --- sunny, overhead doors opened up, etc. Think you can outfox the Cleveland weather gods twice?

[rpollack]

Dale - was that on Manufacturing Day (Oct. 2)? Yes, we should have another open house. I will set one up for fall...

Thanks,
Rick

[DarkPrince]

So I got my machine today, picked it up close to 5pm est. Fantastic! It is as solid as I was expecting. I've printed... a cube. Sorry, no bracelet for me. Now thingiverse is down (or acting very odd) so i'm going to have to call it a night. I am impressed by qualities of the print thus far. Looking forward to tinkering with the settings, etc. And using it to fab my own designs.

If you're coming from AutoCAD, give Autodesk Fusion 360 a try. It has a fairly standard workflow (extrusion of parameterized sketches, design history), and you can use it for free for personal use. Also does assemblies. Here's a fairly complex assembly I put together (http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:844167):

eggbot_v2_preview_featured.jpg

Also, OnShape is similar.

I've only had experience (as little as it was) with SolidWorks, but I will add it to the list. I started the 15-day trial with Cubify so i'll start there.

Also, how much should I be worried about moisture ingress? I mean, I figure I should keep the unused spools sealed all the time, but the active one, even it is just for overnight should I close it out in a sealed container with desiccant packs? I may run through the material fast... may not. I'll have to see how addicted I get.

[jimc]

i should come out to the next open house if you have one in the fall. its not too terrible of a drive. something to do for a day or 2

[Jules]

....Also, how much should I be worried about moisture ingress? I mean, I figure I should keep the unused spools sealed all the time, but the active one, even it is just for overnight should I close it out in a sealed container with desiccant packs? I may run through the material fast... may not. I'll have to see how addicted I get.

For long term storage, if you live in a humid environment, store PLA & ABS in a closed container (i use 5 gal buckets with Gamma-seal lids) and throw in a bag of rice with a bunch of small holes poked in it. Really works. Four months of the most humid (as in raining every freaking day for the last 2 months) conditions short of living under a waterfall, and no problems at all. If i'm using a spool I leave it out for as long as I need it (days), and when I'm done, I throw it back into a bucket and it dries back out again. PETG doesn't absorb moisture. (Which is good because I've got way too many 5 gal buckets in my office now.) Four spools will fit in a bucket easily, five if you are not afraid to sit on it to get the lid screwed down.

[Vprints]

Another vote here for Fusion 360 -- it's not perfect, but works pretty well. FreeCAD isn't the most user-friendly thing out there, but it's got some aspects to it I like too. Also take a look at OpenSCAD -- sometimes, just typing a few lines of code is the fastest & easiest way.

Avoid Sketchup, though -- not bad for on-screen designs, but prone to issues when you try to actually translate into printing.

Edit: Oh, and Blender for organic/freeform stuff