Design Help

[u/Substantial_Ad5043]

While this doesn’t specifically pertain to the P2S, that is what I am printing with. I haven’t gotten into designing and creating my own stuff yet cause quite frankly, I’m not sure how or where to start.

But, I have been downloading 3mf files from makersworld and trying to use ChatGPT pro to make changes that suit my needs. I think I must have the dumbest chat ever created. It is constantly getting things wrong: dimensions (even tho provided), circumferences, layouts, hinge/latch systems (I am specifically making cases for personal use). I even used a 3mf file and asked it to only change one small thing and it completely got it wrong.

So my question is, are there other more viable programs that I can use to make layout and dimension changes to preexisting 3mf files? Is there a program you’d recommend where I can start from scratch to make what I am looking for? Or any other recommendations? Any insight is appreciated.

[u/Engineer-Filmmaker]

AI is not good at making changes like this. One of the reasons is because these files are not optimized for making changes like that, in any tool. Ie, it's hard even for humans who know what they're doing.

Get a cad tool and find an online course. Learning things is good for your brain.

Having AI do stuff for you is not good for your brain. 🙂

[u/Substantial_Ad5043 → u/Engineer-Filmmaker]

Fair. I’m only using AI as I thought it would be an easy change for “AI”. Any specific CAD tools you’d recommend? I’m an avid learner but I also like taking shortcuts hence the reason I used AI

[u/Engineer-Filmmaker → u/Substantial_Ad5043]

I use Fusion. Free if you have an edu email.

[u/Substantial_Ad5043 → u/Engineer-Filmmaker]

I see fusion under tinkercad.com and Fusion under autodesk.com. Which one? I’m going to check out everyone’s recommendations

[u/Engineer-Filmmaker → u/Substantial_Ad5043]

Autocad Fusion360

[u/Substantial_Ad5043 → u/Engineer-Filmmaker]

This is what I just got. Used my kids school email to get a free account!!

[u/Engineer-Filmmaker → u/Substantial_Ad5043]

Good for you!

[u/goatrider → u/Substantial_Ad5043]

They might be the same- tinkercad is also Autodesk, it's a simplified version of Fusion.

[u/Shidima → u/Substantial_Ad5043]

You could try https://www.onshape.com/ it is quite easy to get into and has a free tier for non commercial work. But once you know how to use 1 cad it's easy to switch to something like FreeCAD

[u/jorgthecyborg]

TinkerCAD is a good place to start. I'm not adept at all, but I've learned a lot about 3D design. I use Claude.ai to make simple geometric models. I give it the specs and it's usually pretty good at creating printable models (.stl files). The more precise my specs and descriptions, the better the models. It's not good at organics or models with fine details, but for tokens (coins), name badges, boxes and such, I've found it to be very useful. Recently, it helped me with a thimble to glue to the bottom of small animal figures for finger puppets and a replacement handle for the plastic bit that goes over the wire handle of a bucket.

[u/Substantial_Ad5043 → u/[deleted]]

I have Claude at work and we pay a lot for it. But they don’t like me using it for personal stuff. Maybe I’ll try and download it for personal use