I want to build some custom loads for my flat cars, but I have NO idea on where to start with CAD for shapeways. Are there any experts in the house on where people like me (the back of the class, the metal shop kids) can learn or get a basic structure and then start working on things from there? I was wanting to make a few circus wagons and then some things that the James Strates shows use.... Like the tilt-a-whirl semi, ferris wheels, etc. Also where do you guys start when scaling things down from real life to N scale? Because obviously you can't use a scale ruler on a screen.... TL;DR: Where do the non CAD people get started?
Where do non-CAD people get started: For starters, find software that is FREE so you don't lose an arm and leg paying for something you may find too much of a hassle. Sketchup is very popular. YoutTube will be your best friend on figuring out how to use it (or any software, really) Just do a search in YouTube "how to [insert your queston] in Sketchup" and you'll get several videos walking you though it. For scale, I use a program I wrote to input real-world measurements and it converts to the HO or N scale equivalent in milimeters. You'll want to get used to working in milimeters right from the start, as that's pretty much a standard with 3D printing even though Shapeways will let you upload in inches. You could easily create something in Excel that does similar calculations. Having a tool to convert automatically, for me, is a huge time saver. Once you're done figuring out how to make the models, you'll need to learn the ropes with Shapeways materials. Learn what you can get away with (detail wise), learn the limitations of the materials, and also familiarize yourself with the pricing structure for each material. Each material is different and you may find ways to save a few, or several dollars by changing the design of your models. That covers some of the basics to get you started.... Cheers -Mike
Would calipers be a worth while investment if copying another design to modify it for my own use? Or just use a conversion chart? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
You should definitely get calipers if you're needing accuracies to the hundredth or thousandths of a millimeter. For example, when making something that needs to mount to an existing fixture or chassis that you know wouldn't fit if measurements were off. I find my calipers indispensable for my work. PRO-TIP: Initially I got the cheap digital kind and realized that I had to change the batteries too frequently for the amount of use I was getting. Apparently the cheap ones draw juice even when they're off. So, I bought a dial caliper with both English and Metric readings - no battery required and it always works when I need it. Wasn't that expensive, either. If you're doing HO or N scale I've just uploaded my scale converter to my website here you can use: http://www.alwayssolutions.com/RapidPrototyping/scaleConverter.php it's bare bones but gets the job done. -Mike
I found a decent set of digital ones on Amazon that seem to be well regarded... YouTube user AvE (arduino vs evil) recommended as well. That guy knows his stuff so I'm confident in them Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
From a 50 year metal shop kid... Sounds like you're on the way down the right road so far. The calipers are essential, although I still use an old school pair of Verniers and still work in inches. (Old machinists never die- They just stand in the way of the metric system.) Shapeways doesn't make it difficult to use inches and I personally can't imagine using the metric system to model something made in the inch system. It's easy to find the length of a scale inch or a scale foot- just divide by your scale factor. For example 1"/160=.00625 (the length of one N scale inch) or 12/160=.075 (One n scale foot) In HO scale, I round to 3 places (.138") on the foot and 4 (.0115") on the inch. Yes, many people do use Sketchup, but having experience with AutoCAD and SolidWorks, I chose an Autodesk product called Fusion 360. A commercial license is inexpensive and an enthusiast license is free. It does include tutorials, but basically, once you learn to select a plane, produce a 2D sketch, and extrude or revolve, you're well on your way to designing for 3D printing. Other operations like sweeping and lofting can come later when you are more accomplished and want to print projects with irregular geometry. Just dive in, get started and have fun. After all, if you make a mess of an electronic model, it's free. Just delete it and try again.
