3D Software to assist scratch builds?

honestly, just use google sketch-up, it is the easiest and is also free. once you understand the basics, then you can do some trials of other things if you need to, and have a proper idea of what you are comparing against.

I would agree wiht this, in that its' free and allows you to play around. Solidworks is expensive, and I would hate to give the impression that this is what would work best for you, that and the aforementioned steep learning curve. but in my mind, if you can do it in solidworks (or a very similiar parametric modeling system) you can do anything.

I really need to set some time aside to try Sketch-up out, I have a friend who swears by it. but when you do modeling work all day, it's hard to wind down with more of the same.

Randy!

Just checked out Google Sketch-Up and it seems that would probably be best for you.

The one problem I see with the free version is that it does not export 3d files, only 2d. If you only intention is to see how things will look before you make them, then this will work for you, if you plan on designing something and sending it off to be rapid prototyped, you will have to get the pro-version, about $500.

is this supposed to be a WIP thread, or a Discussion thread?

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You kow is kind of funny, but i think I got that solid works program and never use it.

If anyone's interested, I made the triplechanger below in Sketchup. I'm not much of an artist, though, so it's lacking in greeblie features and texturing. And articulated hands. Should function as an actual toy, though.

I've found Sketchup to be OK, but it bugs me that there's no built-in animation option in the free version other than static flythrough.

I figure the perfect Transformer-designing 3D app would not only have transformation animation abilities and interpenetration checks, but would also allow you to open a new realtime window on each mode when painting the design, so you could see the effect in both (or more) modes at the same time. It'd also be nice to be able to import vector drawings for paint apps.

Okay. I've been checking up on solidworks. It seems like it's the program I'd like to use, but right now, I'm using win7 beta. Does solidworks work with win7 beta? I've seen a few people say yes, but hundreds of posts saying they can't get it to work. The drawing I see above from Sketch up appears to be very simplified (can't see joints, etc) and I'm wanting something that I can pretty much make my toy in. I doubt I'd be able to fund a rapid prototype, but I can sure as heck cut my own plastic in the right lengths/sizes just like I've done for 4 customs now (5 if you count the one I've made twice).

I have no idea on win7 beta, sorry.

As for making your parts, I think you could still get a lot done with a regular cad program. What I was doing for a while was printing off my designs 1:1, using spray adhesive to glue it to styrene, and then I just cut my parts out following the lines.

That's how I had done it. The only issue was sometimes what looked good in 2D, translated horribly to 3D b/c of stupid things I forgot to check. If I do it all in 3D, then it will take no time at all to make the 2D version and I won't have to worry about "fit" testing really. That will mostly be done.