The first time I took on modelling a replacement part, I took as many measurements with a caliper as I could, fired up Fusion 360 and just went for it with no prior experience. It is actually really intuitive and all you need to do is visualize how simple shapes like circles and squares can be used to construct the object. Basically, don’t be scared of starting out and try to break down the object into simple and approachable parts.
My first object was a kind of transmission cog, so a very cylindrical object, much like yours. All you really should need is the diameters of different “circles” comprising the model and the cylinder heights.
To me it became easy once I realized that Fusion 360 is not Blender. You’re not sculpting a model. You’re essentially just writing mathematical equations (“constraints” in CAD lingo) that produce the desired 3D object. For example, let’s have a flat circle as a base with diameter x, then we extend it into the third dimension with length y, and so on. Once I realized how it works, it became much clearer to me what to do, because I literally just need to express my goal to the computer et voilà. I’m having a difficult time translating what I mean into words, but perhaps you can remember doing some kinds of geometric constructions in elementary school like a perpendicular line through the middle of another line. That’s exactly what CAD feels like to me.
That’s very clear, thanks. I’ve done some before but only in Google Sketchup which in my opinion is incredible, and a shame it’s not available on more platforms for free. Anyway thanks it sounds pretty straightforward.
I know there’s also something free online that’s a web-based creator; I forget at the moment which it is but it looked pretty easy.
The first time I took on modelling a replacement part, I took as many measurements with a caliper as I could, fired up Fusion 360 and just went for it with no prior experience. It is actually really intuitive and all you need to do is visualize how simple shapes like circles and squares can be used to construct the object. Basically, don’t be scared of starting out and try to break down the object into simple and approachable parts.
My first object was a kind of transmission cog, so a very cylindrical object, much like yours. All you really should need is the diameters of different “circles” comprising the model and the cylinder heights.
This sounds like a great path for me, I love driving in head first. I appreciate you!
There are lots of things I would like to fabricate I just suck at 3D software. Fusion 360 easy?
To me it became easy once I realized that Fusion 360 is not Blender. You’re not sculpting a model. You’re essentially just writing mathematical equations (“constraints” in CAD lingo) that produce the desired 3D object. For example, let’s have a flat circle as a base with diameter x, then we extend it into the third dimension with length y, and so on. Once I realized how it works, it became much clearer to me what to do, because I literally just need to express my goal to the computer et voilà. I’m having a difficult time translating what I mean into words, but perhaps you can remember doing some kinds of geometric constructions in elementary school like a perpendicular line through the middle of another line. That’s exactly what CAD feels like to me.
That’s very clear, thanks. I’ve done some before but only in Google Sketchup which in my opinion is incredible, and a shame it’s not available on more platforms for free. Anyway thanks it sounds pretty straightforward.
I know there’s also something free online that’s a web-based creator; I forget at the moment which it is but it looked pretty easy.
Thanks, I appreciate your response.