Free 3D CAD Suggestions?

[JuDaG1]

I recently moved to another city for a project, and I have left my laptop in storage because I will be moving back in the next couple of months. The issue is that the laptop has my lifetime copy of Fusion 360 installed on it, and I don't have the time or funds to travel back there to retrieve the laptop. Since I am using my mini desktop PC, I would like to know if anyone has any recommendations for free 3D CAD software that is almost as powerful as Fusion 360. (Also, Autodesk won't let me move my license to this PC as they no longer sell lifetime licenses, and they are not transferrable. They would rather sell me a monthly/yearly subscription.) I have heard of TinkerCAD, Blender, and FreeCAD. But in my opinion, Tinkercad is a little too restrictive in terms of its design faculties. While FreeCAD and Blender (bender in particular) don't really seem to be geared to precision 3D design, at least not without learning them extremely well first. However, with my current schedule and secular responsibilities, investing time into truly mastering a new CAD is not really a valid option. I would appreciate suggestions anyone could share with me.

Thank you in advance
Sincerely, JuDaG1

 

[thedrew]

You could get Fusion 360 for free for personal use. I have been using it for a few years now.

https://www.autodesk.com/products/fusion-360/personal

 

[JuDaG1]

You could get Fusion 360 for free for personal use. I have been using it for a few years now.

https://www.autodesk.com/products/fusion-360/personal

Thank you for the recommendation TheDrew. I will probably have to ask my brother to see if he would create an account and then let me use it. As I have a paid account with them already for my other licensed laptop they will not allow me to use the free version when I inquired about it yesterday. Even if I create a different account with another email they will ask for my name, and DOB and then decline to give me access to the free version (that is if I keep my morals and stay honest). But I do truly appreciate the suggestion, I will look into it.

 

[JuDaG1]

I have downloaded the free version of Fusion and tried using it unfortunately it seems that I cannot accomplish one of the tasks I was aiming for. I have been trying to revise one of Wesk's Ashida STL models for a shell I want to print. However, I need to convert it into a STEP model, but I can't use the prismatic conversion mode for easy modification of the mesh as it is stuck behind a paywall. I have tried the standard faceted parametric mode but it has been trying to calculate all the mesh triangles for about 30 minutes now (honestly, I think it just crashes due to the sheer complexity of the model). I can subscribe for a month if necessary to accomplish this STEP, but I want to exhaust all possible options before adding another expense. Any suggestions as to how I could convert the STLs to STEP models?

 

[Mr Game & Cube]

You could potentially use a online converter tool, though I don’t know how well that works.

what are you planning to do with the files?

 

[JuDaG1]

I planned on CNC machining an aluminum faceplate to hold the OLED screen for the Portable. This will be done on a desktop CNC machine I have, but it only takes solid material files with STEP files being the easiest to initialize for machining. Online tools seem to be having the same issue I am having and put out an error code even after I run it through the repair tool in FreeCad.

 

[Skibub28]

You could ask @Wesk if he would be willing to share the non-mesh file of the Ashida (If it exists, though I'd assume it does as mesh files are a pain to edit).

 

[Wesk]

The Ashida is mesh only as I built it directly from 3D scans.

 

[Wesk]

FreeCAD should be able to import the STL and export it as a STEP

This will not convert the model to a parametric model, it will still only be a mesh.

 

[JuDaG1]

I have Tested A List of Different Free CAD Software and might post a review with the pros and cons each CAD possesses later today, as currently it's 3 in the morning. I was also able to convert the Optimized Files STL file of the Ashida shell into .step format. Based on Testing though there is an error with the solid body due to the way it was converted so I need to attempt another method because as of this moment the step files cannot be used in Fusion, and a few of the other CAD software. I think it would be more beneficial to make this into a more detailed mini work log so the information and methods I used are available for others to recreate and learn from.

 

[JuDaG1]

Sorry for the lack of updates. Life got pretty busy there for a week. Despite the unusual spike in summer business in my Secular work, I have exhausted all free methods of converting the mesh file to STEP, and the same errors are present after repair and conversion. There are some internal issues with rendering the mesh from STL that I can't locate with manual repair tools like Meshmixer, Blender, and MeshLab, and the automatic repair processes offered by CADs and such Mesh tools don't seem to be pulling them out either. Ultimately, I need to sketch up a new parametric model in Fusion. It will be hard to do this, though, as it takes anywhere from 2 to 30 minutes on my MinisForum TH50 to render a single frame of movement with the Mesh file loaded, and I would need this for dimensional accuracy. It will probably take me about 1-2 weeks to complete if I can finish the model before too much information crashes my computer when I try adding new shapes to it with this method. Or I can 3D print the STL Files first, then take pictures of them next to a square and upload them into Fusion. However, I will probably need at least 8 different angles of high-definition images with the measuring tool in a frame (of both the top and the bottom pieces separately, and maybe a few of them assembled), and with the nooks and crannies this form has, that will also tricky. Unfortunately, I have not had time to start writing up that review on the different FreeCads, but I will write it after I have completed this task. I have also gained some interest in a potential new project involving NES/SNES/GB emulation on a Raspberry PI Pico (I finally found a use for that 1.8-inch TFT I was gifted). However, this project will require some heavy research as there is not much in terms of Portable Emulation articles written for the PICO. I will likely need to edit the MicroPython Code for Stationary Pico emulation projects to run on commonly available small parts and screens instead of Keyboards and HDMI. Once I have learned and compiled enough info, I will start a work log in the Raspberry PI Section of this Forum. For now, this will remain on the back burner until I can finish the STEP file of the ASHIDA Remix faceplate first.

 

[Kamp]

I'm not sure exactly what you need for your CAM software, but if all you need is the mesh straight converted to a STEP file, you'll need to reduce the quality quite a bit before conversion.
Here's a step file that I reduced, repaired, and converted in Fusion using the faceted convert option: Ashida1_5Res.zip

This was reduced to 1.5625% mesh quality and it didn't take too long. Might be able to get away with higher quality, but you can experiment with that.
After reducing, I repaired it using fusion's automatic stitch and remove repair option.
Obviously it doesn't look great and it might not be worth the cost of machining, but if that's what works for your CAM software, then maybe you can clean up the model/smooth it out by hand after machining.

If you need a properly surfaced model for CNC machining, I'd suggest reducing the mesh to 6.125%-12.5% and keeping it as a mesh for reference.
You can use the Gamecube Controller CAD model to help as well (I don't have a link handy, might need to google around for this model)
Best of luck!

 

[JuDaG1]

I'm not sure exactly what you need for your CAM software, but if all you need is the mesh straight converted to a STEP file, you'll need to reduce the quality quite a bit before conversion.
Here's a step file that I reduced, repaired, and converted in Fusion using the faceted convert option: Ashida1_5Res.zip
View attachment 34781
This was reduced to 1.5625% mesh quality and it didn't take too long. Might be able to get away with higher quality, but you can experiment with that.
After reducing, I repaired it using fusion's automatic stitch and remove repair option.
Obviously it doesn't look great and it might not be worth the cost of machining, but if that's what works for your CAM software, then maybe you can clean up the model/smooth it out by hand after machining.

If you need a properly surfaced model for CNC machining, I'd suggest reducing the mesh to 6.125%-12.5% and keeping it as a mesh for reference.
You can use the Gamecube Controller CAD model to help as well (I don't have a link handy, might need to google around for this model)
Best of luck!

Thank you for your insight, @Kamp. That was the problem. I was trying to keep the quality as high as possible so there would be less processing down the line. I recall lowering the quality down 2% once in Fusion and FreedCAD just to try successfully converting it, but my PC still wouldn't put out the result, at least not after waiting for a couple of hours and then closing the processes with the task manager. With this slightly higher step resolution, it will be faster and easier to work on modding the solid body model before machining; this way, I need to smooth out the result a bit. Also, I concur with your notion of cost efficiency; machining the entire front is not at-all cost-effective. I am only machining part of the front because I have a machine and means to acquire aluminum to make what I believe is a more secure base to attach a 7-inch screen (I will be modding the body to fit the screen, too). A more cost-effective way to mount the screen more securely would probably be FDM Printing with Nylon or PC, or metal forming/pressing, but I don't have the tools to metal press with any deal of accuracy. I also don't have an FDM Printer here that is capable of printing these thermoplastics. But I will post the resulting files and pic the finished faceplate once it is completed. Again, thank you for your help converting and sharing the file, as well as the luck; it is greatly appreciated!