Software suggestions for modeling a custom stand

[eag]

Hello! I am not a very experienced DIYer, but am embarking on a journey to build a stand with a mixing station in it. I'm starting with a store bought piece of furniture. Any recommendations on 3d modeling software for beginners? I know my way around a computer but I don't have any experience modeling.

 

[Reefer Reboot]

Very common and free, SketchUp. Latest version is cloud based but if you want to be able to work offline, download the 2017 version. There are lots of other programs which I'm sure others will be posting about soon.

 

[Red_Beard]

Fusion 360 is commercial grade free for personal use. That is what i use. It is a little more advanced and harder to learn but once you put in the effort to figure it out it is worth it.

 

[TheHarold]

Yeah, sketch up is easier but fusion 360 works well too.

 

[Reefer Reboot]

Quick question, has anybody had Fusion 360 for free for more than the 1 year time limit? (Sorry for hijacking the thread a little) Everything download link I've seen says it's for one year. Can you re-up it again after that?

 

[gray808]

Very common and free, SketchUp. Latest version is cloud based but if you want to be able to work offline, download the 2017 version. There are lots of other programs which I'm sure others will be posting about soon.

I thought the free version had a time limit? I know it is limited to online-only. I tried the desktop version, and liked it, for the most part. I think the user interface could use some work, as well as usability in general, but it was pretty solid for a free product. I liked it enough that I went to pay for it, so I could continue using it on my desktop... it's not with the 300$ they wanted unless you are doing a ton of projects. I went back to pencil, paper, and a straightedge.

If the 2017 version is still out there for download, I might have to grab it.

Here are some images of the workbench I built, using SketchUp to design:

--Gray

 

[TheHarold]

Quick question, has anybody had Fusion 360 for free for more than the 1 year time limit? (Sorry for hijacking the thread a little) Everything download link I've seen says it's for one year. Can you re-up it again after that?

Its free for personal use: https://www.autodesk.com/products/fusion-360/personal

 

[eag]

Thanks everyone for all the feedback!

Very common and free, SketchUp

Yes, I remember SketchUp from some time ago. I checked it out again quickly and looks to be alright... though time consuming I think! One thing that's clear is I probably need a mouse - this trackpad is really difficult to work with.

Fusion 360 is commercial grade free for personal use. That is what i use. It is a little more advanced and harder to learn but once you put in the effort to figure it out it is worth it.

Ok cool, I will have a look at this one too. What do you mean when you say it's "worth it"? What kind of advantages are there to be had over SketchUp?

Here are some images of the workbench I built, using SketchUp to design

Cool! About how long did it take you to model this?

 

[Reefer Reboot]

First off, @eag, I hope all this helps.
@TheHarold, thanks for the link. I was looking at this earlier and saw at the bottom the "Fusion 360 Personal FAQs,

Fusion 360 Personal FAQs

Is Fusion 360 still free for hobbyists or for personal use?

Fusion 360 for personal use, formerly known as Fusion 360 for hobbyist use, is free for qualifying non-commercial users as a 1-year subscription. Download Fusion 360 for personal use here.

How long is Fusion 360 free for hobbyists or for personal use?

Fusion 360 for personal use is free for 1-year for qualifying non-commercial users. A hobbyist user must generate less than $1,000 USD in annual revenue, using Fusion 360 for home-based, non-commercial design, manufacturing, and fabrication projects.

How do you get Fusion 360 as a hobbyist?

Hobbyists can download Fusion 360 for personal use here by signing-in or creating an Autodesk account.
I've used a few different CADCAM programs through work and would like to try this out. I just don't want to go through the learning process, make some models and then lose it all after the one year.
I know that SketchUp lets one download the pro version for a limited time and then once that it up, allows you to continue using their free version. Does Fusion 360 do the same thing?
@gray808, yes SketchUp 2017 is still available, https://help.sketchup.com/en/downloading-older-versions.

 

[User1]

What is wrong with traditional pencil and paper? I mean that is what was used to design the SR 17, Saturn Rocket.

Waiting for another "gee, your old" that was flung in an earlier thread yesterday :D

 

[Reefer Reboot]

But only as the crow flies!

 

[eag]

What is wrong with traditional pencil and paper? I mean that is what was used to design the SR 17, Saturn Rocket.

Is that still the way it's done? :)

 

[User1]

But only as the crow flies!

Lol - I do believe that was it.

Priceless. And you - made my day again just for remembering and making me laugh :)

 

[Red_Beard]

First off, @eag, I hope all this helps.
@TheHarold, thanks for the link. I was looking at this earlier and saw at the bottom the "Fusion 360 Personal FAQs,

Fusion 360 Personal FAQs

Is Fusion 360 still free for hobbyists or for personal use?

Fusion 360 for personal use, formerly known as Fusion 360 for hobbyist use, is free for qualifying non-commercial users as a 1-year subscription. Download Fusion 360 for personal use here.

How long is Fusion 360 free for hobbyists or for personal use?

Fusion 360 for personal use is free for 1-year for qualifying non-commercial users. A hobbyist user must generate less than $1,000 USD in annual revenue, using Fusion 360 for home-based, non-commercial design, manufacturing, and fabrication projects.

How do you get Fusion 360 as a hobbyist?

Hobbyists can download Fusion 360 for personal use here by signing-in or creating an Autodesk account.
I've used a few different CADCAM programs through work and would like to try this out. I just don't want to go through the learning process, make some models and then lose it all after the one year.
I know that SketchUp lets one download the pro version for a limited time and then once that it up, allows you to continue using their free version. Does Fusion 360 do the same thing?
@gray808, yes SketchUp 2017 is still available, https://help.sketchup.com/en/downloading-older-versions.

I got in to Fusion 360 when they still had the personal license. They rolled that name in with the small business/startup category and sent me a notification which i thought i read, but didn't remember anything about a year term and you basically just gave me a heart attack. So, i went on an found this "At the end of one (1) year, you will have the option to re-select the startup entitlement of transition to a commercial entitlement." Which is more in line with what i remember reading when they kicked me off of the personal use license. The stated reasoning for that was that you could be a personal user and later want to sell your stuff, but under a non-commercial license would be a breach of contract. so now as long as you aren't making more than 100k annually with your business you are good to go.

Thanks everyone for all the feedback!



Yes, I remember SketchUp from some time ago. I checked it out again quickly and looks to be alright... though time consuming I think! One thing that's clear is I probably need a mouse - this trackpad is really difficult to work with.



Ok cool, I will have a look at this one too. What do you mean when you say it's "worth it"? What kind of advantages are there to be had over SketchUp?



Cool! About how long did it take you to model this?

Fusion 360 is a solids modeling software vs a surface modeling software for one. Fusion has a lot more flexibility with what you can do and how you do it, it also has a lot of 'smart' features like a timeline so that say you built something around another part that was x inches, but, turns out it is really y inches. you can go back and edit the base sketch and the whole model will update to reflect that change. There is a TON more but i am not an expert with it. I was a solidworks guy but i no longer have access to that software :,(

Yeah. you will definitely need a mouse lol. Ive been looking at them recently for my home office. i have the MX master for work, and LOVE the endless scroll function, but 100 bucks for a mouse.... anyhow, the logitec M705 has that feature and a couple others. And it is only 30 bucks.

 

[Reefer Reboot]

Thanks @Red_Beard, how long have you used the free version of Fusion 360 for?
@eag, FYI, there are a number of threads on here (I.E. https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/sketchup-models-post-yours.571193/page-3) where some of us have shared our sketches and there is also the SketchUp Warehouse where you can download all kinds of things which may save you some time.
(Ooops, I think my bias is showing!);)

 

[Red_Beard]

I think i am like 9 months in? They started the 1 year thing in June i think though so i am good till June 2021
I looked at sketchup once upon a time, it was just backwards from the familiar. I learned drafting on Autodesk Inventor then switched over to SolidWorks so that is what i was used to.

 

[gray808]

Cool! About how long did it take you to model this?

Once I knew what I was doing, and made myself a "2x4", maybe half an hour?

What is wrong with traditional pencil and paper? I mean that is what was used to design the SR 17, Saturn Rocket.

It works just fine for simple stuff. SketchUp allowed me to move it around in 3D when I was working on the patio table I built recently, really helped me figure out placement on some things, and when I decided the original plan was "optimistic", it helped me to bombproof it on the fly.

--Gray

 

[User1]

Once I knew what I was doing, and made myself a "2x4", maybe half an hour?



It works just fine for simple stuff. SketchUp allowed me to move it around in 3D when I was working on the patio table I built recently, really helped me figure out placement on some things, and when I decided the original plan was "optimistic", it helped me to bombproof it on the fly.

--Gray

Fully understand. I was just teasing but maybe left off a smiley face. Apologies if that came in a bit too hot :D