bomonike

To create stuff using 3D printers

Overview

Learning CAD (Computer-Aided Design) is a valuable skill for engineering, architecture, product design, and manufacturing.

Here is a structured, step-by-step guide to get you started, regardless of your background.

NOTE: Content here are my personal opinions, and not intended to represent any employer (past or present). “PROTIP:” here highlight information I haven’t seen elsewhere on the internet because it is hard-won, little-know but significant facts based on my personal research and experience.

Begin with simply

I wanted to use 3D CAD to precisely plan out my van build and create stuff using 3D printers. The workflow:

Select a pre-made model STL/3MF file on Printables.com or Thingiverse to print. A lego brick, a small rectangular box.
3D mesh Modeling (CAD) modify https://www.autodesk.com/learn/ondemand/curated/mesh-modeling-with-fusion-360
Slicing → Convert the 3D model into printer instructions (G-code)
Preparation (optional) → Fix models, add supports, optimize

CAD file Formats

A large number of vendors have developed design products to meet the demands of both horizontal and vertical industries.

Dedicated CAD packages for mechanical design, civil and industrial buildings, architecture, infrastructure, and GIS were developed.

There are 50 CAD file formats on the market. The main ones:

STL (Standard Tessellation Language or Standard Triangle Language) is a file format used to describe the surface geometry of a three-dimensional object without any representation of color, texture, or other common CAD model attributes. It was invented by 3D Systems founder, Chuck Hull, in 1987. There are two types of STL files: ASCII and binary. Binary STL files are more compact and commonly used.
OBJ files
formats suitable for model sharing like STEP, IGES, and DWG.
fdm
printer overhang
chamoher on base to prevent element being squeezed on bottom
https://www.autodesk.com/learn/ondemand/curated/additive-fff-and-sla-technologies = Additive FFF (fused filament fabrication) and SLA (stereolithography) technologies

Material

PETG softens at ~80°C, PLA at ~60°C.

https://www.reddit.com/r/cad/comments/khivlb/best_cad_program_for_3d_printing/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J–QVhGheP4&t=445s

See who is available to teach. Community college

Software to choose

Product	$/year	Notes
Onshape	free	browser-based in cloud
Blender	free	Best for organic/artistic models. Huge learning curve but incredibly powerful.
SolidWorks	free
SketchUp	$119	Good for architectural models.
Autodesk Fusion 360	$495 [s]	30-day trial. industry standard
AutoCAD	$2,340
CATIA	?

[s] = Free for students.

* OpenSCAD uses Python programming
* Autodesk
* TinkerCAD (web-based, open-sourced for absolute beginners/kids). 
* FreeCAD (parametric, open-sourced more advanced).
* Revit (Autodesk) is industry standard (harder). 
* SketchUp is easier for beginners.

Architecture, Building, and Infrastructure (BIM)

The most popular CAD software in China:

Dassault Systèmes SolidWorks (Global, for mechanical design)
ZWCAD (Chinese domestic, for general 2D/3D drafting) Almost identical to AutoCAD in commands and interface. The most strategically important and fastest-growing is
CAXA (Chinese domestic, for engineering/ manufacturing in state-owned factories.
Zhongwang 3D Another domestic contender, gaining traction.
Solid Edge (Siemens)

https://www.simscale.com/blog/2016/06/best-cad-software-how-to-choose-it/

https://www.lifewire.com/top-free-cad-packages-485330

Parametric modeling

Before drawing anything, understand Parametric Modeling used by Fusion 360, SolidWorks, Inventor:

Sketches: start by drawing 2D shapes (lines, circles) on a “plane.”
Constraints: You tell the computer relationships (e.g., “this line is horizontal,” “these circles are concentric,” “this edge is 10mm long”). This makes it smart.
Extrude/Revolve: You turn the 2D sketch into a 3D shape.
Features: You create holes, fillets (rounded edges), and chamfers (beveled edges).
1. Assemblies: Combine multiple parts together (e.g., a gear and a shaft).

Onshape

https://www.onshape.com/ Onshape (free for public and educational use)

Onshape is a free browser-based CAD program with much of the functionality of installed applications like Fusion360 and SolidWorks.

Onshape is the first and only full-cloud 3D CAD system that lets everyone on a design team work together using any web browser, phone, or tablet. The whole team has secure and simultaneous access to a single master version of their CAD data without the hassle of software licenses or copying files.

Onshape is a pay-as-you-use alternative – no license or upgrade fees, no additional or hidden costs.

https://www.onshape.com/en/blog/

Discovery program for 6 months free

Buying a Pro license gets you:

Built-in PDM (Product Data Management) that tracks every change made to models
Release management
Simulation
Rendering
ECAD/MCAD

OnShape’s YouTUbe channel:

https://www.makerbot.com/stories/3d-printing-education/educational-3d-design-apps/ Onshape offers free professional level 3D CAD to students and teachers through its Education plan. “It’s one of the most powerful 3D modeling programs available online. Its very similar to Solidworks, which is a professional program,” Lyttle explains. Onshape uses in-program tutorials to give students a thorough understanding of all the options they have to build out models. It has a version control feature to ensure that the latest version of your work is always saved. It’s also compatible with other CAD systems, so you can import work from other programs and continue to work on it in Onshape. This program includes everything you need to begin exploring professional 3D design work.

https://www.simscale.com/blog/2015/12/introducing-simscale-connector-app-for-onshape/ Onshape and SimScale Connector App provides a complete design workflow―CAD design, meshing, simulation, and results―right in the web browser.

https://www.simscale.com/ is a cloud-based 3D simulation platform enables designers to optimize their product designs in a virtual environment instead of using a costly physical prototyping process.

VIDEO: For a Keyboard shortcuts cheat sheet, click on Share blue button.

VIDEO:

Set Variable value layer height in mm.
Set nozzle size. The most common nozzle size is 0.4 mm. Set walls a multiple of that variable.
If a part is too large, split it to print separately.

VIDEO: Featurescript

Blender (free)

Blender is open-sourced with a massive selection of different tools and a sizable community to contribute additional plug-ins and techniques.

So Blender has among the steepest learning curves of any 3D modeling program.

Autodesk Fusion 360

Autodesk Fusion360 is a full featured CAD/CAM suite by a compnay that’s been around since the 1970s. See https://www.autodesk.com/products/fusion-360/overview

Fusion360 unifies design, engineering, electronics, and manufacturing into a single software platform. It can be used for 3D design and for generating toolpaths for CNC machines.

The free hobbyist version has all of the capabilities of the paid professional version. Pro versions have a 30-day free trial period, then

$2,190/ YEAR for Pro design capabilities
$2,040/ YEAR for Pro manufacturing capabilities (CNC)

PROTIP: Know the pro capabilties buzzwords. Fusion360 integrates CAD, CAM, CAE, and PCB software. Transition to the manufacturing workspace to learn everything you need to know about milling, turning, toolpath creation, multi-axis machining, and inspection.

On MacOS, the Homebrew cask (unofficial)
```
brew install --cask autodesk-fusion360
```
Direct download from Autodesk from: https://autodesk.com/fusion-360-personal

Step 1: Get a Free License
In a browser, go to address:
```
https://www.autodesk.com/products/fusion-360/personal
```
Autodesk’s “Getting Started with Autodesk Fusion” video series https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sw4001eqi_o&list=PLmA_xUT-8UlJYjo3X_xUAR057IfpvvbkB
Click “Get started free”
Sign up or log in with an Autodesk account tied to a 3rd-party such as Apple.
Confirm email.
Select “Free for personal use” (this is the hobbyist/student license)
Complete the registration
Click “Download Now” for macOS for a .dmg file
Double-click the downloaded .dmg file “Fusion Client Downloader.dmg”
Double-click “Install Autodesk Fusion 360.app
Click the pop-up
In Finder notice what was installed:
- Autodesk Fusion.app
- Autodesk Fusion Service Utility.app
- Remove Autodesk Fusion.app
- Autodesk Fusion.app REMEMBER: Use the “Remove” app.
Click “Autodesk Fusion.app”
Click “Sign in” with your Autodesk account when prompted
Check “Always
Wait for the download (it needs ~5-10 GB of components)
Fusion 360 will appear in your Applications folder
It also creates a menu bar icon for quick access
Create a hub. “wm1”
Do not allow discovery.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7lKpzGtoQX0&pp=ugUHEgVlbi1HQg%3D%3D 31:24 Fusion 360 Year 2026 | Beginners Guide | 30 minute Guide to 3D Design | Step-by-Step Design Forge

by Product Design Online

https://www.classcentral.com/course/youtube-fusion-360-for-3d-printing-53787/classroom How to 3D Model a Beer Bottle - Learn Autodesk Fusion 360 in 30 Days: Day #2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DrLOPJq_stc How to 3D Model a Lego Brick - Learn Autodesk Fusion 360 in 30 Days: Day #1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5bc9c3S12g&list=PL40d7srwyc_PUk-XisDh54N-hVtLg5p6u by Lars Christensen

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mRvfoHxLgqE&pp=ugUEEgJlbg%3D%3D

https://www.udemy.com/course/designing-for-3d-printing-with-fusion-360/?couponCode=CP260817G1 Designing for 3D Printing with Fusion 360 Learn to design for 3D printing with my easy to follow video lessons using Fusion 360

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61roFSkwAy4&pp=ugUHEgVlbi1VUw%3D%3D 10 tips for Fusion 360 that I wish someone told me sooner. by Austin Shaner

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5tp4QXciK4 Learn Fusion 360 or Die Trying LESSON 1: Introduction tutorial for Absolute Beginners https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qTcZ8ynk4U&pp=ugUEEgJlbg%3D%3D Paul McWhorter https://toptechboy.com/fusion-360-lesson-1-introduction-tutorial-for-absolute-beginners/

SketchUp

https://www.sketchup.com/ SketchUp: 3D Modeling for Everyone

SketchUp was originally developed by Google. In 2012, Google sold the product to Trimble.
It’s free to view 3D models. 30-Day FREE Trial.
Other plans:

$119/year SketchUP Shop to edit models on the web (not on laptop).

$299/year SketchUp Pro to edit models locally with a downloaded app on your laptop.

$55/year for educators.
https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/collection/b4cf1a0e-3eb2-4f4c-bf09-23923ce8f158/Van-Layouts?sortBy=modifyTime%20DESC&searchTab=model&hl=en 3D Van models in SketchUp format.
View this model to see Greg Vergoe’s Mercedes Sprinter LWB panel van conversion into an Off Grid Camper Van with rear garage for 2 racing bikes. A permanent king size double bed is over the garage.

VIDEO: How to draw your Camper Van in SketchUp Make, from scratch.

VIDEO shows use of SketchUp from scratch shows making components.

His parts list on Dropbox totals 15,158 UK pounds (including tools), all in metric from european suppliers.

Greg shared videos of his entire build on his YouTube channel.

It ran from the first video on 3 Sep 2017 to tour on 14 Jun 2019. What Would I Do Differently? on 14 Jul 2019 talks about the quiet Max Fan (from AirExcel) which have a motor with remote. Unbox and install.

Math and tiltable solar panels on the roof to power all electrical appliances.
- A wet room with shower and flushing toilet with cartridge.
- A kitchen with sink/ double burner gas hob combo
- electric fridge.
- Bench seating which will pull out and form another double bed so the van could sleep 4 people.
- VIDEO: Sealed compartment with external fill of LPG autogas for stove, water heat. With remote on/off switch. and leak drop-out on floor.
Professors in the Department of Civil Engineering at the National Taiwan University developed several courses on Coursera:
- Professor Jessy Kang 3D CAD Fundamentals A 14-hour video course on Coursera</a>
- 3D CAD Application A 14-hour video course on Coursera to build a 5-story model.

Professor Shang-Hsien Patrick Hshieh: BIM = Building Information Modeling using Autodesk Revit

BIM app including clash detection, quantity takeoff, and 4D simulation.

SOLIDWORKS

http://my.solidworks.com/ SolidWorks is the most popular option among professional engineers. This is the go to for many individuals and companies working on professional 3D modelling. It has the most full-featured design toolset, an expansive texture library, and a wide variety of different plug-ins,

SolidWorks Premium the ‘industry standard for 3D product development’, SolidWorks offers mechanical CAD, design validation, product data management, design communication, and CAD productivity tools in one single package.

The platform’s publisher, Dassault Systèmes, estimates that there are 3,246,750 SOLIDWORKS users on the planet, withan active online community. Join the EAA for $40 a year, and get a free subscription to Solidworks Education edition included: https://www.eaa.org/en/eaa/eaa-chapters/chaptergram-articles/2016-09-new-eaa-member-benefit-free-solidworks

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRmLnVaHsSAH0HkXfeoxG6w SolidWorksTutorials With Aryan

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wlEKAwpUX4 Ultimate SolidWorks Tutorial 2021 for Beginners (In depth explanation) Part 2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtgmGkEPXs8 2017 Ultimate SolidWorks Tutorial for Absolute Beginners- Step-By-Step

TurboCAD is $100

https://www.turbocad.co.uk/windows-range/turbocad-pro-platinum

with TurboCAD Pro Platinum you can create 3D models using parametric or direct modeling features. You can also use some advanced surfacing features to add curves and deform your 3D model to your specifications.

CorelCAD

CorelCAD 2019 Design and Drafting Software for PC/Mac $699

3DSMax (paid)

3DSMax is developed by Autodesk and a top pick for those working in both the product design and animation industries. Its toolset competes with that of Blender and is developed by the full time and experienced team at Autodesk. With professional texture libraries and rendering tools like Vray, 3DSMax is a top pick for industry professionals working on polished products and visualizations.

TinkerCAD

https://www.tinkercad.com/ is a 3D tool created for young students.

“Tinkercad is a free, easy-to-use web app that equips the next generation of designers and engineers with the foundational skills for innovation: 3D design, electronics, and coding!”

It is from Autodesk, the maker of AutoCAD for professionals.

“The tutorials take students through the fundamentals of 3D modeling, giving them the skills they’ll need to create complex shapes for projects. It’s a great tool to introduce 3D design and 3D printing.”

AutoCAD

AutoCAD for students and faculty is free, with a watermark on plots generated.

AutoCAD LT (Light) is for 2D drafting.$1,099.95 from Adobe costs $195 per month ($2,340) https://www.amazon.com/AutoCAD-Architecture-Retail-Media-5-Seats/dp/B07M5QK13P/ Autocad Architecture $899 5 seats

AutoCAD Inventor ?

Mastering AutoCAD 2018 and AutoCAD LT 2018 1st Edition

https://www.linkedin.com/learning/search?keywords=autocad LinkedIn Learning has courses.

Design

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoc2ZM2cYas4DijNdaEJXUA 30X40 Design Workshop Published on Apr 12, 2018

Auto buying

https://gnomadhome.com/build-your-van/ calls itself “Ultimate Guide to Converting a Van into a DIY Camper for Life on the Road”

http://www.sprinter-rv.com/sprinter-rv-conversion-sourcebook/

https://www.pinterest.com/mattgamerlester/van-conversion-plans/

https://www.cargurus.com/ Atlanta

Ford Transit is more boxy (square) makes for easier conversion process. https://gnomadhome.com/build-your-van/

https://gnomadhome.com/dodge-promaster-for-van-life/ is the most square option,

Before insulating and putting in the ceiling, the high roof Transit is about 6’7”. After my build, it’s still 6’4”.

The width of a Ford Transit is about 67” wide. Anyone who is a little shorter (I’m 5’10”) can sleep width-wise instead of length-wise.

Any mechanic in the country can work on Ford Transit. If I break down or need maintenance/repairs, I can take it to the nearest mechanic. And parts are cheaper.

Process for Manufact

VIDEO:

The 7 phases to reach production via Engineering, Supply Chain, and Manufacturing.

Living

https://www.parkedinparadise.com/how-to-live-in-van/

https://www.rvrepairclub.com/video/how-to-use-an-rv-inverter-007979/

Lisa Jacobs (https://www.instagram.com/vacayvans/, https://vacayvans.com/)

What to 3D Print

https://cults3d.com/en/3d-model/gadget/lego-box-stackable-sorter Stackable box

https://cults3d.com/en/3d-model/game/lego-2-gang-light-switch-cover-plate LEGO-compatible two-gang light switch cover plate

https://cults3d.com/en/3d-model/home/lego-compatible-decora-light-switch-cover LEGO-compatible Decora light switch cover plate

https://www.mecabricks.com/

https://all3dp.com/2/3d-print-lego-fantastic-parts-minifigs/#google_vignette https://cults3d.com/en/3d-model/game/muneco-lego-para-personalizar Customizable Lego mini figure https://cults3d.com/en/3d-model/game/lego-compatible measurements https://www.reddit.com/r/3Dprinting/comments/12i6c81/3d_printing_entire_lego_sets/

https://cults3d.com/en/3d-model/home/lego-wall-hanger-andini LEGO wall hook

https://cults3d.com/en/3d-model/game/lego-compatible-12-x-16-base-plate 12x16 LEGO base plate

https://cults3d.com/en/3d-model/gadget/power-bank-kubik-lego battery holder (power bank)

https://cults3d.com/en/tags/lego?page=15 LEGO replacement bricks https://www.printables.com/model/135873-lego-brick

https://www.printables.com/model/25470-easy-print-lego-brick

Slicing

Cura (Ultimaker Cura) Free The most popular. Excellent presets for Ender 3, Anycubic, etc. Highly customizable.
PrusaSlicer Free Excellent for Prusa printers, but works great for any printer. Advanced features (tree supports, variable layer height).
Orca Slicer Free Fork of PrusaSlicer. Very modern, fast, and has calibration tools built-in. Highly recommended.
Simplify3D $199 Not recommended for cheap printers. Overpriced, slow updates.
Creality Slicer Free Modified version of Cura for Creality printers. Works, but Cura is better.

Step 2: Slice Software: Orca Slicer or Cura. Import your STL/3MF file. Select your printer profile (e.g., “Ender 3” or “Anycubic Kobra”). Adjust settings: Layer height (0.2mm for speed, 0.12mm for detail), infill (20% for functional, 5% for decorative), supports (if needed). Slice and preview. Check for overhangs, travel moves, and print time. Step 3: Print Export G-code to SD card (or send via USB/OctoPrint). Level your bed (critical for cheap printers!). Start print. Watch the first layer closely. Step 4: Post-Process Remove supports (use flush cutters). Sand, prime, paint if desired.

_{v019 apps @cad.md created 2020-09-09}