I’m planning on starting a furniture company with the maslow 4
what software would be best for building a 3d product that can break it into sheets for cnc cutting?
I am looking for an affordable option. also would i need to work out a cam software aswell or would this software be a part of the maslow 4 setup?
The first thing you need to do is to figure out a CAD program that works with
the way you think. There are different options that work differently.
Once you know a CAD program, converting your CAD to cutting is a much easier
thing to do. In many cases, in CAD you will specify your components to be the
plywood thickness that you intend to use.
personally I like Onshape, others like Fusion360, others like solidworks
(similar to Onshape), others FreeCAD, and there are many other options (it’s a
common topic)
David Lang
phew, thats some pricey options.
thanks for your response, hoping to find something closer to $700 usd to own the program
I’m working on a free CAD/CAM option. I’m not sure that it will be ready in time before we ship, but it is in the pipeline and will hopefully be out not too much longer after.
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FreeCAD is free
Onshape is free if you are willing to allow your designs to be public (they
don’t have to be named to be easy to find, but the license allows others to
clone the designs)
Fusion360 has a free version for learning and hobbiests, but as a business you
would have to pay
Solidworks is pricy. Onshape was created by former Solidworks people so works
very similarly
sign up for the free versions and give them a try, go through the vido
tutorials, figure out what works with your thinking, the decide what you need to
buy. I don’t think any of them are going to model cushions and padding well.
David Lang
anyone tried v-carve pro?
v-carve is designed to make patterns on the surface of things, not to create 3d
objects and cut them out (at least as I understand it)
We do see a lot of people doing engraving via v-carve pro.
David Lang
other contenders are blender, plasticity, and rino 3d
Blender has a function where i can have two duplicate versions of each sheet
one can be on the model and the other can be flat. slowing me to change the 3d model leaving flat sheets at the size i need
As a startup business (1st 3 yrs), you can apply for a free Fusion 360 license.
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In onshape there is a function available to put things into sheets. In one of my
designs I have a checkbox that switches the view from the full 3d model to the
sheets.
What I’ve heard of blender is that it’s great for graphics stuff, but when you
need to make things exact dimensions like you tend to need for CAD it becomes
much harder. But I’ve also heard of people who do it anyway and love it.
this is part of the ‘different tools work with different mindsets’ that I was
mentioning.
David Lang
very cool
exactly what I’m looking for
do you know if that function is within the free licence?
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yes, I only use the free license.
David Lang
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argh, just read the “non commercial” part
and $15k a year is a bit out of my comfort zone…
what program do you use bar?
anyone tried sketchlist3d?
looks pretty cool, $850 for ownership
Cut2D Pro Product Page | Vectric
$450. also check out open desk furniture designs.
Furniture designed for inspiring workplaces - Opendesk
VCarve (I have desktop, not pro, but the 3D capabilities are essentially the same other than a 24x24"/60x60cm limit) does do 3D. I tried to post a few pics (which I know you probably can’t see with your email following) but they errored out. Probably something to do with this chromebook and Discord, and not the pics, since I’ve posted them in non-Discord places before.
VCarve’s 3D is limited, although more than adequate for my needs, to their clipart and and a single stl file, you can remove this by paying big bucks (or your favorite local currency unit) for Aspire. I got it bundled (at extra cost) with a rotary axis machine but it works fine on my currently operational XYZ routers as well
the original poster was talking about a furniture business, can you design 3d
objects of that scale well?
David Lang
Alright I have found my solution…
Shetchlist3d really should have been the answer, but then I discovered vectary.com
it is not designed for cnc, and yes I will eventually have to sus out a cam software
but seriously check vectary.com out
its like a affordable version of fusion 360 (basic version is free and pro version $20 per month)
and for marketing it is unbeatable. you can share 3d models with a link or even embed them into websites! there is an ar button! couple of examples
Voske Hairdryer
Flott Støl
and it offers the ability for the end user to play with the models
Change materials or even animate it (the dyson hair dryer click on an atachment)
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