3D Printing Software

[omorah]

Hello folks,

I see Fusion 360 is a good recommended app for 3D Printing.

I have full version AutoCAD 2023. Would AutoCAD alone be enough to create 3D Printing models, since I am already very confident with it, or Fusion 360 would be preferable?  By the way, I am planning on purchasing a 3D Printer for small hobbies.

Cheers

[TheCADWhisperer]

Stl is stl.

Doesn’t matter if you create the geometry in AutoCAD or Fusion 360.

If done properly (most isn’t) there should not be any difference between the originating geometry (geometry is geometry). 
If you use AutoCAD set facetres as high as it will go before stlout. 

Personally - I recommend that you learn to use Fusion rather than AutoCAD as it is farrrr easier to use once you get over the initial learning curve.

Ask questions early and often. The experts here will help you climb that hill.

[omorah]

Thanks for your reply, well appreciated. Insteresting to know.

According to your comment, would Fusion be "automatically" in high resolution for what it is made for, higher or equal to the highest resolution AutoCAD would? Just curious.

Cheers

[TheCADWhisperer]

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@omorah wrote:

…would Fusion be "automatically" in high resolution for what it is made for, higher or equal to the highest resolution AutoCAD would? 

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Are you referring to the native geometry or to the stl faceted planar triangular output for 3D printing?

There is a huge difference between native geometry and stl - stl is basically rubbish.  The native geometry is high resolution - precise out to 15 decimal places or so.

Fusion and AutoCAD use the same ASM (Autodesk Shape Manager) kernel - so the native geometry is (mostly) identical.  For stl you need to set the resolution in AutoCAD and in Fusion.  It is not automatically set to output the highest possible resolution by default.

[omorah]

Thank you so much for all the 3D printing education from you.

I kinda lean toward using AutoCAD since I have into the 3D practices in the past few years; been constantly using AutoCAD for over 38 years now, so I have been pretty comfortable with it, unless you advice otherwise.

[TheCADWhisperer]

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@omorah wrote:

I kinda lean toward using AutoCAD ... I have been pretty comfortable with it, unless you advice otherwise.

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@omorah 

I have used AutoCAD 3D since the beginning.

I have taught AutoCAD 3D back into the last century.

I have published AutoCAD 3D article in AUGIWorld magazine.

I have presented several AutoCAD 3D sessions at Autodesk University (one example Attached) going back more than a decade. (Note the facetres tip on page 21 for stl printing.)

Note the last line in the document.

I am telling you that 3D modeling AutoCAD is painful compared to Fusion 360.

My advice would be to start learning Fusion 360.

[omorah]

I got the message 'loud' and clear.

I downloaded Fusion 360 and it's currently installing.

I saw the comparisons between the paid and the personal use versions, so the later would do just right. I don't need a 3D Printer for anything but my hobbies; starting with some car parts.

Now the software is settled, next is the hardware. Which forum would you recommend for 3D Printers? With zillions of them, I just finally decided on which to purchase, or else I'll wait forever. The sad thing is, the company only have support by email and no phone support, and not in the US. Am kinda disappointed.

For the software, Fusion 360, I know I will be here for advice. Just installed it. I have a question for clarification. Please see attachment.

Thanks a bunch.

[omorah]

To be honest, my fear is, after learning using Fusion 360, Autodesk would stop the for-personal-use version, then I'll be stuck. 😟

[g-andresen]

Hi,

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@omorah wrote:

To be honest, my fear is, after learning using Fusion 360, Autodesk would stop the for-personal-use version, then I'll be stuck. 😟

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1. are there any current statements on this?
2. which applications guarantee you permanent availability?

Günther

[omorah]

Really good point.

[omorah]

About the hardware forum question. Any recommended site?

Does the current version of Fusion 360 have option for toolbar dark mode?

Do you have a 3D Printer, if "yes", what model?

[g-andresen]

Hi,

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@omorah wrote:

About the hardware forum question. Any recommended site?

Does the current version of Fusion 360 have option for toolbar dark mode?

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NO!

günther

[omorah]

Thanks.

[TheCADWhisperer]

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@omorah wrote:

Do you have a 3D Printer, if "yes", what model?

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@omorah 

Enjoy >>A Walk Around the Lab<<.

[omorah]

I see your studio, that's on a different level to my standard.
I also visited your YouTube channel.
Awesome really !

[omorah]

Hello folks,

I forgot to give an update. I decided to switch back to AutoCAD 3D which I already know my ways around it. So, I'll be using it from now on.

Thanks everyone for all your help, well appreciated !!!