Customs: whats the best software for modeling transformers for shapeways?

Discussion in 'Creative General Discussion' started by griffn29, Jul 18, 2014.

  1. griffn29

    griffn29 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 1, 2012
    Posts:
    1,260
    Trophy Points:
    227
    Likes:
    +302
    Im just wonderin'
     
  2. chroma23

    chroma23 Well-Known Douchebag

    Joined:
    Jul 2, 2013
    Posts:
    401
    Trophy Points:
    162
    Likes:
    +156
    Facebook:
    there's no real best software out there per se. in the end it's all about what YOU feel most comfortable with. just make sure the software can reliably export in a file format that shapeways can accept

    i use maya myself FYI
     
  3. griffn29

    griffn29 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 1, 2012
    Posts:
    1,260
    Trophy Points:
    227
    Likes:
    +302
    Uh, ok. Um also, I guess, how much prep do you do for each set if at all? Like on paper. Do you concept it first and then make blueprints for the design? Also, do you scratch build a mock up or anything before modeling? Should I do that too if you do?
     
  4. griffn29

    griffn29 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 1, 2012
    Posts:
    1,260
    Trophy Points:
    227
    Likes:
    +302
    I just have a toy design idea that I was thinking of advancing to an actual shapeways 3d model but I've never done it before and have been having trouble modeling it on inventor so I was just wondering if there was a better way to do it. I'm thinking of posting the design to ask for feedback.
     
  5. chroma23

    chroma23 Well-Known Douchebag

    Joined:
    Jul 2, 2013
    Posts:
    401
    Trophy Points:
    162
    Likes:
    +156
    Facebook:
    during my first several months, i had to draw things out

    now? everything just goes through my brain without the need of any paper drawing if you concentrate and focus well enough
     
  6. chroma23

    chroma23 Well-Known Douchebag

    Joined:
    Jul 2, 2013
    Posts:
    401
    Trophy Points:
    162
    Likes:
    +156
    Facebook:
    that may be a better idea, coz without a pic we cant say if its even feasible to model that thing you have in mind

    if its just a simple one-piece thing like a part or a gun, should be simple to do. if it involves fitting or moving parts, then thats much more complicated

    start small at the beginning and dont be over ambitious at the start
     
  7. griffn29

    griffn29 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 1, 2012
    Posts:
    1,260
    Trophy Points:
    227
    Likes:
    +302
    Ok that makes sense. I probably won't post the design, though. I need to work on it a bit more :) 
     
  8. chroma23

    chroma23 Well-Known Douchebag

    Joined:
    Jul 2, 2013
    Posts:
    401
    Trophy Points:
    162
    Likes:
    +156
    Facebook:
    its perfectly okay to keep the design to yourself so people dont rip your ideas; i never post my stuff unless my test print is okay enough to be presentable.

    but of course, you are entirely on your own without much outside help. for small parts, sure give it a try. save the bigger and more ambitious projects for later when you start to feel comfortable enough.
     
  9. Insane Galvatron

    Insane Galvatron is not insane. Really!

    Joined:
    Nov 26, 2002
    Posts:
    16,730
    News Credits:
    10
    Trophy Points:
    387
    Likes:
    +1,348
    Solidworks is the absolute best out there. It's the industry standard. It's what Hasbro, and any other large company uses. The downside is that it's not cheap. You're looking at $4,000 for the bottom end. I've used the student edition ( which is only good for 12 months at a time ) and it's spoiled me. I've tried multiple other programs since and they are all lacking.
     
  10. Superquad7

    Superquad7 OCP Police Crime Prevention Unit 001 Super Content Contributor

    Joined:
    May 19, 2003
    Posts:
    52,441
    News Credits:
    16
    Trophy Points:
    447
    Likes:
    +7,310
    Twitter:
    For someone feeling frisky, making some Shapeways tutorials would be really cool to resource here. :D 

    Just sayin' :wink: 
     
  11. Omega495

    Omega495 Mostly Harmless, aspiring Mistake Not

    Joined:
    Mar 17, 2010
    Posts:
    423
    Trophy Points:
    182
    Likes:
    +489
    Sketchup is an easy to use software for beginners and it's free.
    google it, there are tons of tutorials available for it.

    It can also export to shapeways' file format but it might need some tweaking. e.g. look at
    SketchUp STL export tutorial - Shapeways