Thread: Free 3D CAD

I got this after 30 or so mins, after viewing the tutorials and a lot of huffing and puffing. Some bits have me stumped, can't push/ pull curved surfaces and sometimes won't push/pull past a certain point on model but i reckon the last bit's me not using the software correctly.
The chair isn't well proportioned, I was learning technique rather than style.
Not sure how to do boolean operations (eg join, subtract), might be time to RTFM. Might have another go tomorrow.

Dont let Rocker see that one tonysa, Rocker will fall of his chair.

LMAO
So what's wrong with my design huh ????
ok so maybe i don't want an honest answer ... best thing would be to quietly put it out of its misery and delete it.

Tony,

Not a bad effort for an evening's work; but I think it needs quite a bit more work before it qualifies for the prize I would like to see a drawing from which people could recognise my rocker and distinguish it from, say, a Maloof rocker, or a Hal Taylor one.

Rocker

For those learning this tool, there is another thread where tips are being posted, it may help a bit.

Ok here you go, not great but after an hour not too bad, to improve on it' I'd probably really have to start again from scratch.

It looks a little bit like your rocker anyway

Cheers

Dave

Nice job Dave!

Originally Posted by Groggy

I find the same thing. I wonder if a tablet device would be a handy thing to use, or would it be a real PITA, having to save, attach etc - probably. Anyone comment?

Groggy, some of the Telstra field staff use a laptop called a "Tough Book". It is probably size of a ream of A4 paper, is a lot more robust than standard, has a proper keyboard and touch screen bit the really trick part is that you can swivvle the screen around so that it works like a tablet.

I will now shutup and get flamed by the darksiders

Jon

Dave,

That is not a bad attempt; but I don't think it really meets the standard of a prize-winning effort. It looks like a generic rocker, but doesn't have the key features that would distinguish my rocker from other makers' rockers. In particular, the back legs, the front legs, the backslats and the rockers in your drawing are all parallel to the vertical plane of symmetry of the chair, whereas in my chair none of these elements is parallel to that plane. In my chair, the rockers converge towards the back, the back legs and backslats are splayed out upwards, and the front legs are splayed out downwards. Also you have not been able to repesent the rounding-over of the chair parts well, or to produce the smooth transitions between the legs and the rockers.

I think that my client's success in building an accurate copy of my rocker, using accurate 2D plans produced by a true Cad program, contrasts with the difficulty you are having in producing a faithful representation of my rocker's features in 3D with Sketchup, and demonstrates my contention that 2D CAD is more suited to producing plans for woodworking projects. I prefer the convenience of having a built-in user-defined grid in to which the lines can be snapped. For projects which are entirely rectilinear, or at least do not include compound curves, Sketchup can work; but I still think I prefer a true CAD program.

Of course, if you are an expert in a high-end CAD program like AutoCAD, it would be possible to produce an accurate 3D representation of my rocker. But it would probably require a couple of years' experiece in learning AutoCAD, and a big outlay for the software. I don't think the end result would justify the effort and expense. Photographs provide a much more convenient method of 3D illustration.

Rocker

Yep point taken Rocker and I wasn't really trying to win the prize, Given time it would be possible to do, but I lack the inclination. Also from your description the photograph provided clearly doesn't do your chair full justice, top, front and side photo's would be need to get it even close.

I do think you are missing the point of Sketchup though, It's not intended to be a drafting program capable of being used to reproduce an item using CAD-CAM techniques. After all woodwork (or at least my woodwork) is a free flowing art and unless I try very hard two items are never totally identical.

Simple overall dimensions and proportion are all I need to create any item in wood. I can see though that if you are selling plans accurate drawings are essential.

I can knock up a conceptual drawing that people can easily understand and get the feeling of a solid object extremely quickly with Sketchup, but like all good software there is a learning curve to negotiate.

If you look at the Sketchup site they primarily intended the software to be a conceptual design tool. That concept has sort of expanded and somewhat grayed the area between CAD and 3D software

Anyway if your happier working in 2D either computerised or with a pen and paper stick with it.

All the Best


Dave

I use a 3D modelling program that is for use with microsoft Railway modeller. There are the usual 5 or 6 different basic object shapes, and co-ordinates are typed in to obtain dimensions. In addition there is a move tool and nodes that can be pulled about. Finally actual jpeg photographs of the object can then be pasted on the the shapes to give authenticity to an object created.
3 D is created by having 4 windows to view each orientation plus a moving 3D model can be put to all views.
Around 6 years old the software and supplied by Abacus.

PS and you can have moving pieces (wheels going round etc.)

Originally Posted by jow104

I use a 3D modelling program that is for use with microsoft Railway modeller.

GMAX?

Originally Posted by Skew ChiDAMN!!

GMAX?

Gmax I think is more advanced and the formats are more universal, plus it was an expensive program.

Ah, I was just wondering 'cos I use GMAX to model locos & rolling stock for Auran's Trainz.

I also use Maya & Lightwave for my other modelling... now they are expensive! :eek: