Design Software?

IsaacT · Oct 3, 2012

Hey,

So I was thinking this morning about designing my own hosts and having a buddy of mine machine one or two for me. I was wondering if there were any good design softwares out there(preferably free) that are fairly straightforward to use.

Also, does anyone know where I could find the internal dimensions of popular hosts? I figure I could stick with a universal internal measurement and tweak the outer dimensions to fit with my ideas on what a good host should look like.

Thanks for any assistance in this matter. I know all of us are searching for "that perfect host". Maybe that means each of us sitting down and imagining the sexiest laser we could and just getting creative. Nobody knows exactly what we like except for us.

Thanks,
Isaac

hakzaw1 · Oct 4, 2012

good question Isaac and I wish you good luck

one member here already designs and makes from scratch what may be the best hosts -ehgemus. I dont know if he uses software or not but he may be the one to ask.

CAD is iirc what you want to use.
there are a few here who use CAD already.

It will not be esay nor cheap.

you missed a lot while gone-- One husband/wife team tried to break into this- they had what may be the sexiest hosts some in high polished copper-- however i think they did not do as well as I thought they would and that may have been due to the higher cost compared to modded LED flashlights...see the tutorial list of DTR-- he was involved with them and he may also be of help to you..I will try to send you a link

hak

IsaacT · Oct 4, 2012

I saw that host and by God it was the sexiest host I have ever laid eyes on!

As for CAD, there is actually a student version and I used to have it on my computer before my Hard Drive went to sh**. And I really don't want to make these for a profit, just since I know someone who can make them and really only charge me for the material, it would be hella more in my budget than a kit from a member here. I know their kits are very high quality but I just can't sling that kinda cash.

Thanks for the reply, I'll PM eghemus and see if he has any tips. :beer:

Isaac

EDIT: the student version is free btw, so if you are a student you can take advantage of that.

zeramant86 · Oct 10, 2012

Yes, as long as you have a .edu email address, you can download several autodesk programs as an educational version.

Another less common program would be alibre. There used to be a free version of it. It is more similar to Inventor rather than cad tho, so if you are unfamiliar with cad, I wouldn't recommend it.

Bionic-Badger · Oct 11, 2012

You can try using Google Sketchup. They have a free version, and there are plugins for exporting models. I think some people have used that here.

There is also Wings3D you can try.

IsaacT · Oct 11, 2012

Thanks for the suggestions, I'll check them out. I have been struggling to learn the CAD programs for a bit so far...I can make the 3D model but I don't know how to make holes. Somebody needs to tell these Design people to not be as confusing with their software.

Bionic-Badger · Oct 11, 2012

Well the thing with all design software is that once you learn all the shortcuts and tricks you have no need for the "intuitive" part of the program that is for beginners. I remember asking that of automated CAD tools and why their GUIs were so awful, and the answer was: because nobody uses the GUIs; they use scripts and just look at the numbers.

In your case, take a look at Boolean operations to try and make holes, so that you can define a plane or shape to carve out another. Wings3D is supposed to be pretty good for that kind of thing.

zeramant86 · Oct 11, 2012

In cad, you create a seperate part (tube) extruded through the original part, where you want it. Then click the subtract command, original first, then part to be removed. It essentially removes the overlapped areas.

With inventor/solidworks, you create a new sketch, and do much the same thing. Biggest differences is you deal with sketch planes instead of a floating UCS.

If you have trouble with the icons, just give it time. I've used it enough now that I struggle to remember what the commands are called, but I can tell you what they do and all the shortcuts for it.

Multimode · Oct 11, 2012

Hi,

Don't rule out 2D, all my stuff starts out as a 2D drawing and only converts to 3d if there is a real need.
Generally you'll use 3D if the model data is used directly in the manufacturing.
ATB
MM

Eudaimonium · Oct 12, 2012

The best "design software solution" I've come across yet:

It costs about $0.10

Also, you need this add-on downloaded, but it's not free unfortunately:

IsaacT · Oct 12, 2012

Haha, that looks like an expensive "app" unfortunately lol. But I guess that is very true...there is all kinds of software to simply replicate what we do by hand...and when I say we I mean other people

Isaac

Eudaimonium · Oct 12, 2012

Nah the add-on is like $15. I downloaded mine from DealExtreme, works like a charm, no bugs found.

Even comes with a spare battery.

You can also get the "beta" version:

It has reduced functionality but people say it's more robust, bug free and doesn't crash. Cheap as dirt, too.

Multimode · Oct 12, 2012

The beta version is superb, it has a metric to imperial converter 'app' and works instantly without any lag.

zeramant86 · Oct 17, 2012

If you're doing machining yourself, a good hand-drawn sketch with solid measurements will be just as good. As a general preference, i don't like the beta or digital versions unless I have to...good ole analog dial for me.

A good drawing with poor measurements won't be any good period, invest in a pair of your choosing, and then grab an edu version of cad.

Design Software?

IsaacT

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hakzaw1

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IsaacT

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zeramant86

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Bionic-Badger

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IsaacT

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Bionic-Badger

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zeramant86

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Multimode

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Eudaimonium

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Eudaimonium

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