3D Models / Printing Random Retro Bits

[bold stelvis]

I do this sort of thing professionally (3d) - for ease of use shapr is awesome and I would highly recommend it for anyone looking to jump into a bit of cad work
Autodesk's fusion 360 is also great but much bigger learning curve and more complexity

both you can use for free with some restrictions and annoyances (to actually export out of shapr you will need to pay but its monthly sub and not too bad)

 

[bold stelvis]

to be honest Blender might be fine for simple stuff as well (though it has a great 3d polygon modeler its not really a CAD program)

 

[MSYT]

What are you using for the modelling? I ended up bodging a thumbie cover using the basic editor on Prusa slicer and the shape gallery.

Inventor.

 

[novocaine]

Freecad does everything I need.
Ex fusion user
Ex professional draftsman.

 

[bold stelvis]

Freecad does everything I need.

true but the UI is nasty - especially for someone NOT used to 3d stuff

 

[novocaine]

true but the UI is nasty - especially for someone NOT used to 3d stuff

May compared to fusion or auto desk products. Still better than turbocad, rhino and a few others.
Agree its not the best, but I think it's OK for beginners if it's all they've known.

 

[bold stelvis]

yeah agreed - not a high bar though
shapr really does rock though - makes CAD style modeling really fun and effortless