The right 3D software, need advice

Psygnosis

Psygnosis

New Member
Hi guys,
I really wanted to start learning 3D modelling for props. I know a bit of Blender but free form 3d modelling is not my sweet spot :(
So I started to learn Fusion, and wow, I loved it...but, it's so unstable, and the cloud thing sometimes is a problem where I live.
So...
I really want to start to spend my time on something that I love, something that maybe could give me also some opportunity.
Do you think I should start learning solidworks? or I've heard that someone use rhino? Stay with fusion? or go to something like Sketchup? I don't know, I trust your opinion more than anything I could read on the web.
Thank you in advance.
 
I keep trying to learn Fusion but it always annoys me, so difficult to do some simple things, and seriously not user friendly. So i feel your pain.
I use sketchup a lot, and it works for me and my style, but i know it lacks a lot of the power of the "proper" CAD applications.
 
I'm very happy with Rhino for 3D CAD and have done several sucessful models for 3D printing (and even a real 1:1 tank replica), and Blender for environment, organic and rendering stuff. Rhino also has a pretty good license for students, allowing you to use it also for commercial projects and after your time as a student. I have not found a better deal yet. Given it is a surface modeler, you have to be a little bit more careful than with solid modelers as I heard (never had the pleasure to work with one for comparison), but you can find a large amount of tutorials online. Rhino also has good tools for unfolding surfaces, it allows you to make templates for parts cut out of paper or plastic sheet.
 
Kingbob said:
I keep trying to learn Fusion but it always annoys me, so difficult to do some simple things, and seriously not user friendly. So i feel your pain.
I use sketchup a lot, and it works for me and my style, but i know it lacks a lot of the power of the "proper" CAD applications.
Click to expand...

I too am a big proponent of Sketchup. Unless you're after an organic look, it is very capable in doing prop drawings suitable for 3d printing. Tons of free plugins ready to use will help you compare them with some of the higher end products out there. A note though - As of the 2018 release, the free version is now an online cloud based tool that cannot be used with any of the plugins. You will need to DL the 2017 version and that likely will not have much support in the coming year or so. The 2018 pro version is over $600 USD!!
I feel your pain on the Fusion 360 thing. I have tried to use it a few times and it all seems overly convoluted to something simple. In the time it takes to watch a tutorial on a simple procedure, Ive drawn it in Sketchup already and moved on.
 
Rhino all the way. Solidwords is pro only, very expensive with a steep learning curve. I've been using Rhino since 2006 and I don't know what I'd do without it.
 
I Use modo a lot but I'm not too thrilled about them going a subscription model for payments.
You may also take a look at Moment of Inspiration.
http://moi3d.com/
Another alternative is Rocket 3F
https://rocket3f.com/

I guess it really depends on if your doing space ships parts or figures.
If your doing organic stuff I'd say Zbrush.
Bit of a learning curve but worth learning.
 
Hi guys sorry for the late answer.
So I "need to" chose between modo, Rhino and sketch up. Modo seems the most interesting for its interface. But i don't know... I didn't find a lot of tutorial while rhino and sketch up convince me a bit more. I will try them both in trial. Rhino is not so popular but I think it's a good half way between a free modelling and parametric.
In this day I studied a lot and many man ppl choose fusion. But really it doesn't forgive you any error and that is frustrating, plus it's cloud its not so comfortable.
If you have some book or video tutorial to learn rhino or sketch up I would be grateful
 
I use Rhino. there are probably better 3D modeling programs out there but I like it. I've used it for set design and 3d modeling of parts for the printer. I think if you're looking to do a lot of organic work Zbrush is a better option (the next program on my list to learn). Rhino's very good at hard surface modeling. Personally I hate Sketch Up and have no experience with Modo.
 
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It very much depends on what you want the 3D software for? Is it for 3D printing or designing or perfect replication (eg. where you have parts that you need engineering quality accuracy and where you have accurate measures).

Anything that needs to be engineering accurate you're going to want to use a specialist patch based modeller, such as Rhino, Solidworks, Moi or Fusion. Given those options I'd go with Fusion or Rhino for cost/benefit. So if you want software that can generate blueprints or create working screwthreads then this is for you.

For design work and where engineering accuracy is less important (so like where you don't need to create a working screw thread for example) then the other software might be more suitable and easier, such as Modo, Blender and the other more expensive (but likely overkill) software such as MAX, Maya and C4D. These programs are less concerned and less able to produce engineering quality models, however they are more flexible allowing you to work more to how you want, often using different modelling paradigms, such as NURBS, poly modelling and Subdivision surfaces - all depends on what you want to model.
Lastly you have ZBrush, which is for 3D sculpting. You'll need a tablet almost for certain (they aren't cheap) and it's primarily used for very organic subjects, in particular characters.

FYI, I've been working in CG for over 20 years and used most of these programs at one point or another. Currently I use Modo primarily (it's a great allround design and art direction tool, great modelling and rendering) with some of the others when I need them for specific tasks - but that's doing VFX crap.
 
I also recommend rhino and have been using it since the first beta back in '97 - If you want to 3D print or CNC the models you need something that uses patches not polygons. When you export to STL you can control the mesh density to ensure the physical model ends up smooth.

It makes me cry every time I see a poly model 3D printed and you can see every single polygon faithfully reproduced :(
 
Sketchup with plugins Quadface-Tools and SubD:
5_selkath.jpg Psygnosis: you can PM me for some advice in sketchup.
 
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I’m someone who struggled with 3D software for literally decades because of their clunky, archaic interfaces. Just this year I got Cinema 4D and I’m a master of it already. Have a shapeways shop and everything. It really is easy to use. Just need a few tutorials to get started. Give it a try if you can.
 
Sketchup is nice and simple, and as long as you work within its limitations, its fine for creating things for 3d printing.
My Omega Destroyer was done in sketchup:
e.jpg

And broken down into parts for printing.
a.jpg

b.jpg

c.jpg

d.jpg
 
The question "what's the best program for..." might be pretty subjective. In the tech world, sometimes things can change by the day. *Can* you use Program "X" to do this or that, the answer is probably "Yes." Take Sketchup for example -- yes, you can use it to make parts that you can 3D print. But, is it the best choice for that task? I would argue probably not, but others might disagree.

A better question to ask yourself might be this:

"If my goal is to create real-world objects using techniques like 3D printing, CNC-machining, and laser-cutting, what would be a good 3D program to use?"
Click to expand...

I have said, and continue to say, that while it's *possible* to use just about any 3D program to do these things, it's still *best* to choose one that's designed and intended for creating real-world output. What does this mean?

  • Has CAD precision
  • Can create "watertight" STL output for printing parts
  • Generates flat 2D patterns from 3D parts
  • Produces 2D drawings and views from 3D parts


When you start looking at specific requirements like this, I would bet that most programs designed primarily for rendering and animation (i.e. 3D Studio, Cinema4D, LightWave, Sketchup, Blender, etc.) are not the best choice for creating real-world parts. This doesn't mean you can't use those programs. It just means they might not be the *best* choice for the task at hand.

Again, programs come and go and things change almost by the day. I know for sure that Rhino 3D meets all the above requirements because that's what I use it for. You can make files for 3D printing, CNC machining, laser-cutting, waterjet-cutting, custom decals, blueprints and schematics, etc. Other programs might also offer some of these capabilities, but it might be a good idea to take a closer look before choosing which way you want to go. The learning curve for some programs can be steep and skills learned from using one may or may not transfer over to others.
 
I use LightWave, which is certainly not the best software to produce CAD models. But I've found it to be versatile in performing CGI tasks, from producing models and animation for TV and military simulators to making CAD masters and decal sheets. I may have had to jump through a few hoops to do things it wasn't really designed for, but it has never failed me in any job. Nice thing is there's a good community of users who provide not only help, but (mostly) free plugins to perform a wide variety of useful functions.
 
I've been a Solidworks user for quite some time and in industry it rules but all those things that make it so great are all things you may never need ( ie working in teams, tool box, stress analysis, the list is endless) I design in the film industry and need to communicate with everyone from my drafts men, carpenters , metal workers, structural engineer right up to hand over to CG. ( Solidworks makes very clean models). If your making models at home you'd be wasting your money ( basic starts a $7000 + yearly subscription)
PS people have been prosecuted for using copies.
I also have Modo, fantastic for modeling and CG work and 3d printing. I have Z brush but its such a unuser friendly program to learn I've never released its full caperbilatys.
The most popular in art departments is Rhino because its cheep at $700. its powerful and tones of video tutorials.
To all you Sketch up people yes its easy to learn but is despised in industry because you can't share its work flow ( it doesn't have one. you get what you pay for) that said if your working on you own in a workshop it could be ideal.
so if you want a program that work like the to pros but you don't have that kind of budget Fusion 360 can't be beat. it has everything including CAM and its free. ( yes the cloud thing is a pain) its my go to program for working on mesh's I cant use in solidworks. and the CAM is hands down amazballs.
 
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