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FrozenGate by Avery

Design Software?

IsaacT

IsaacT

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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
 





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

pen-and-paper-890x342.jpg

It costs about $0.10 :p


Also, you need this add-on downloaded, but it's not free unfortunately:
480.2983.jpg
 
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 :P

Isaac
 
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:
Calipers7.jpg


It has reduced functionality but people say it's more robust, bug free and doesn't crash. Cheap as dirt, too.
 
The beta version is superb, it has a metric to imperial converter 'app' and works instantly without any lag.
 
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.
 
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