Do I *need* to learn a 3D modeling software? - eviltoast

So, I’m trying to print some older models from thingiverse and I have discovered that basically all the files I want to print have glaring flaws in them.

Internal free floating structures, connector pieces and holes that are the exact same size… So on and so forth…

Do I need to learn a software like CAD or Blender to fix these? I seem to be able to do some basic stuff in Orca Slicer but it honestly seems like as much of a pain to modify the parts there as it would be to use a real software.

Is there one that’s easier? I think I messed around with SketchUp once upon a time.

I am worried this feels like opening a can of worms just so that I can make a thing that already exists in a dozen forms better.

  • GlenRambo@jlai.lu
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    1 month ago

    Gimp and PS made no sense to me. Ive learnt $d modling over time and don’t it fairly easy.

    Started with Tinkercad. Its fine for the basics. Square plus circle minis triangle etc. It dosnt have a timeline or parametric though, so small changes are pretty hard.

    Mixed to fusion360. Free if you can navigate the site. Heaps of tutorials non lone and really solid to. Basically draw in 2d and extend. Draw in 2d and cut. Heaps non other use full ways to modify things too. Its parametric so you can say one side is X long. And change X and the model will scale.
    Focus on the 2d shapes, fully constraining them and making them simple.

    Moved to Onshape. Its not got the 10active models that fusion has. And runs (surprisingly well) in browser. i can jump on any PC (work cough) and make edits. The tools (for most people) are on par with fusion and I found it more initiative.

    Watch heaps of builds on fusion and you’ll get the just pretty quickly.