CAD

The world of CAD design can be an intimidating one, but it’s also a gateway to so many incredible possibilities! Whether you’re a beginner just getting into the world of 3D design or an experienced maker looking for helpful tutorials and inspiration to take your creations to the next level – these blog posts are here to give you all the essential tools and knowledge that you need. In these blog posts you’ll find everything from basic CAD design techniques to advanced tips for creating complex projects with ease – no matter what skill level you’re currently at. So if you’re ready start your journey into 3D designing excellence– let’s dive in!

Free Alternatives to Tinkercad

Free Alternatives to Tinkercad

Creators of Tinkercad announced earlier this week that they would no longer be developing the popular cloud-based CAD tool. We’re fans of Tinkercad here at Make, having written about and praised it on the blog and in our Ultimate Guide to 3D Printing, so this is sad news. The free version is still available to use between now and the end of April, and paying customers will have access until the end of 2013.

Here are a few other free alternatives to TinkerCAD, starting with what I think is the most beginner-friendly and ending with the least beginner-friendly.

Continue Reading Eric Weinhoffer59
SXSW Hardware Startup Meetup

SXSW Hardware Startup Meetup

This afternoon, more than sixty hardware hackers, makers, movers, and shakers defied the drizzle to gather under a large tent at Autodesk’s SXSW Create pavillion for the official SXSW Hardware Startup Meetup. Organized and hosted by Ryan Brown and Bartley Gillan, the main event was a panel discussion and open Q&A with SF Hardware Startup Meetup organizer Nick Pinkston and the founders of four active hardware startups representing some 1.75M in pledged crowdfunding dollars among them.

Continue Reading Sean Michael Ragan
Top 3D Services: Part 1

Top 3D Services: Part 1

Let’s be honest, 3D CAD (computer aided design) is challenging to learn. Training your brain to manipulate and visualize parts in three dimensions is a learned skill. So where do you start? Thankfully, there’s a multitude of free tools available for everyone to try their hand at 3D design. And many of them don’t even require a download anymore. A simple web app will get you pretty far.

I’ve compiled the best resources I know of for dealing with 3D parts and I will list them here in two parts. This week I’m going to focus on 3D part creation and slicing, the two first steps in printing out a part on a 3D printer. Everything listed is free to use (at least to a certain extent)

Continue Reading Eric Weinhoffer34
Digital Fab Tools for Schools

Digital Fab Tools for Schools

ShopBot, creator of a line of popular CNC router tools, have collaborated with CAD powerhouse Autodesk to create a program that aims to bring digital fabrication tools into more schools around the country. Fifty ShopBot Desktops were set aside for teachers and educators in the US to claim through the promotion, “Digital Fab Tools for Schools,” and vouchers of $2,500 are available based on a first come, first served basis from 100kSchools.org.

Continue Reading Eric Weinhoffer6