TLDR = what’s a good next step after kid-friendly 3d creation tools?
Solved = Fusion360 is voted as winner, we even got a nice tutorial playlist.
Hi all - I’m still very much a new user. Highly skilled in IT but just getting my feet wet in 3D printing, since a month or so. I love the possibilities! I can physically create anything I can image, it’s amazing.
So far, I’ve used mostly TinkerCad and done lots with it. The learning curve is practically non-existent, and it has sufficient features to do a lot.
But of course it’s not perfect. Obvious example: can’t do fillets, except in roundabout ways using negative blocks.
I’ve tried OnShape, OpenScad, Fusion 360, but found them quite a steep hill to climb.
Are these good choices, or is there something in-between that would make it easier for me to advance?
I think it depends on how you want to make your models. TinkerCAD looks to be more like making models with Clay, drag, drop pre-made shapes to make your models. If you are looking for more of that then perhaps you are looking for Blender or Maya. Both of these softwares can make the models that are 3D Printable.
Most of the advise you will get from those who 3D Print are machines, who want their designs to be mm perfect. Exact lengths and exact shapes dictated by measurements. Which is something that most CAD software like you’ve listed do very well.
For beginners who want to learn this kind of CAD, from my experience Google Sketchup and Fusion 360 are great starting points due to the treasure trove of online resources. But from my personal usage, FreeCAD fits my design style perfectly, allowing me to make everything I could in Fusion with a lot more precision.
TL:DR You might be looking for software like Blender or Maya, vs CAD software like Fusion or Google Sketchup. All these software will do what you are looking for, but I think it depends on how you want to make models.