Anycubic Photon

[daniel_leavitt2000]

This is so frustrating to me. There are so many projects I would like to do, and the hardware is finally here. But I can not draw CAD to save my life. I've tried. I failed. I tried again. I just don't get it.

I can build tons of stuff in Lego Digital Designer, but I just can't do free-form designing.

I wonder if TRW would be a good place to have a CAD/STL file repository for model related creations.

[narrowminded]

This is so frustrating to me. There are so many projects I would like to do, and the hardware is finally here. But I can not draw CAD to save my life. I've tried. I failed. I tried again. I just don't get it.

I can build tons of stuff in Lego Digital Designer, but I just can't do free-form designing.

I wonder if TRW would be a good place to have a CAD/STL file repository for model related creations.

It can take a while but stick with it.  If you were to graph the learning curve it would be a long minimally rising line and then it will click and turn a nicely radiused 90 degree vertical.  Whatever program you're going to use, do the tutorials and do them again.  Expect to do them several times but one day there will be the eureka moment, the epiphany, and you'll be off and running. 

[thomasjmdavis]

It can take a while but stick with it.  If you were to graph the learning curve it would be a long minimally rising line and then it will click and turn a nicely radiused 90 degree vertical.  Whatever program you're going to use, do the tutorials and do them again.  Expect to do them several times but one day there will be the eureka moment, the epiphany, and you'll be off and running. 

I am in much the same boat as Daniel.  Big question is software selection.  I get what you are saying about eureka moments, but truth be told, I find a great many tutorials are, well, not intuitive for me.  And the assumption on the part of the software companies seems to be that either I want to design a house in full scale with animated walkthroughs, or I want to make costume jewelry.  What I need is a tutorial targeting modeling- for someone who uploaded the software yesterday, who has some CAD experience, but from a time when Autocad ran on a machine with 256K of memory (say, 1985).  I felt pretty good when I found some Sketch Up files and got them to print out in N scale in 2-D.  But no clue on how to convert that into a 3D printable file.

In terms of the way I learn, I need a step by step project that will result in something I can use.  So, say, a tutorial that shows me how to do a 3-D printed garage in scale, or N scale underbody details for a passenger car, or something along that line- where I learn the tools I need, but not the 300 tools that I don't need, would be a big help.  Can anyone recommend some?  And which software packages are targeted to, or most easily adapt to, scale modeling?

[CodyO]

Have you printed two parts that must fit together with a physical interface? Like a lid to a box or a shape into a hole of the same shape? Or something that must fit an off the shelf model, like an MT roof replacement?

In curious about this. Shrinkage was the big problem John and I had with shapeways when he did some roofs. If this could print roofs with very minimal shrinkage that would be awesome!

[peteski]

In terms of the way I learn, I need a step by step project that will result in something I can use.  So, say, a tutorial that shows me how to do a 3-D printed garage in scale, or N scale underbody details for a passenger car, or something along that line- where I learn the tools I need, but not the 300 tools that I don't need, would be a big help.  Can anyone recommend some?  And which software packages are targeted to, or most easily adapt to, scale modeling?

When I tried out ScetchUp few years ago, there were oodles of online video tutorials showing lots of sample designs (including houses).  I can only imagine that there are many more available now. They give you some ideas, but will not be something that will suddenly make you an expert - for that you need to play with the software continuously and gain your own experience.  I dabbled in ti from time to tome and by now lost it. I would have to start from the beginning.  Just like with music or sports, you need to practice, practice, practice . . .

Just do a Google (or maybe even Youtube) search for SketchUp tutorials .

[Mark W]

I've been modeling in 3D for 20+ years and it still takes about a month to learn a new software package.  The concepts are the same yes, but with vastly different workflows things get confusing and frustrating. 

The first thing you want to master is navigating the 3D space.  How to pan, tilt, orbit, and importantly how to 'focus' your point of reference.  Say you're working on the end sills of a passenger shell; navigating can be extremely difficult if your 'focus' point is at the other end of the shell. 

Once you master navigation, you want to memorize hot keys for switching between editing in point mode, plane mode, and line mode, and hotkeys for translating, rotating, and scaling.  Those 6 modes and navigation is all I use for 95% of modeling. 

But again, different software use completely different methods for implementing these tools.  Figure it out for whichever app you want to use, and stick with it.  Unfortunately, switching programs half way through will more than likely set you back even further than starting from scratch, because now you have to un-learn the first one.  Better to stick with it and get a good handling on one program before branching out to try others. 

[haasmarc]

But again, different software use completely different methods for implementing these tools.  Figure it out for whichever app you want to use, and stick with it.  Unfortunately, switching programs half way through will more than likely set you back even further than starting from scratch, because now you have to un-learn the first one.  Better to stick with it and get a good handling on one program before branching out to try others.

Exactly why I got my Photon back in the Spring and am only now working on projects.  I took a while to evaluate cad tools.  I finally settled on ViaCAD Pro 10.  I got a trial version which worked for 2 weeks (still works but you can no longer save your work).  Worked on my first project, did a test print and then finally bought it.  Since I had to call and request the trial version, I got the name of a person in support who was very helpful.  I played with it for a few days and had a list of questions.  Then I called him up and we went through the questions together while using the tool.  Very helpful.

 

[Chris333]

I'm way behind on 3D. I still import scale drawings into autoCAD and "trace" over them. Then I open Sketchup Make and toggle between the 2 programs. I get the dimensions off CAD and type them into Sketchup. And Sketchup won't go down to a smaller radius for curves.

Still don't know how you join 2 cylindrical objects together, like a boiler and a sand dome.

I want a better 3D program, but I'm just playing with trains so I don't want to pay a lot for it.

[timwatson]

For those of you just getting started in 3D modeling try TinkerCad. It seems rudimentary but for teaching you 3D modeling techniques it is really great and anyone at any level can learn it. I’ve designed a whole 3D printer with it.

It’s free it’s easy - it can get as complex as you need it to be. Oh and did I mention it’s all browser based no software to install.

https://tinkercad.com

You can make some pretty complex parts. This is the effector for my delta 3D printer I designed.
https://www.tinkercad.com/things/gSaT63q4Oo9

Also a note on sketchup - it hasn’t in the past produced “water tight models” really well. I think it’s gotten better but it’s been problematic in the past. Make sure your models are manifold. It’s more of an issue for an FDM slicer profile than it is for resin printers.

[reinhardtjh]

But again, different software use completely different methods for implementing these tools.  Figure it out for whichever app you want to use, and stick with it.  Unfortunately, switching programs half way through will more than likely set you back even further than starting from scratch, because now you have to un-learn the first one.  Better to stick with it and get a good handling on one program before branching out to try others.

Exactly why I got my Photon back in the Spring and am only now working on projects.  I took a while to evaluate cad tools.  I finally settled on ViaCAD Pro 10.  I got a trial version which worked for 2 weeks (still works but you can no longer save your work).  Worked on my first project, did a test print and then finally bought it.  Since I had to call and request the trial version, I got the name of a person in support who was very helpful.  I played with it for a few days and had a list of questions.  Then I called him up and we went through the questions together while using the tool.  Very helpful.

I started with ViaCAD at version 2D/3D 6 and at version 8 I switched to ViaCAD Pro. I have version 10 plus the powerpack now.  I haven't completed a single drawing.  Just can't get enough contiguous time to learn it.  I'd like to find someone that tells the basic setup - scale, origin point, etc. I get caught up in the details like that, feel swamped and then quit.  I bought the beta of RhinoCAD 3D for Mac as well but have the same situation.

[haasmarc]

I started with ViaCAD at version 2D/3D 6 and at version 8 I switched to ViaCAD Pro. I have version 10 plus the powerpack now.  I haven't completed a single drawing.  Just can't get enough contiguous time to learn it.  I'd like to find someone that tells the basic setup - scale, origin point, etc. I get caught up in the details like that, feel swamped and then quit.  I bought the beta of RhinoCAD 3D for Mac as well but have the same situation.

Have you looked at the built in videos in ViaCAD?  They have one that covers the basics.  The videos are by no means 100% coverage but they should get you started.

[chessie system fan]

I've been doing more research today.  So far, the internet has told me that extra non-stick film will be required.  You could buy the Anycubic variety for $25 each...

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07BJZBYTH/ref=ox_sc_act_title_4?smid=A1A5FQE7R5RISB&psc=1

...or you could get the same thing from here for $30 for six.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07CTT6JNR/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A22YURU0LVECCH&psc=1

And also, Anycubic is having a sale right now on Aliexpress. The machine plus a liter of resin is $450 (including the coupons) along with free shipping.   

https://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/ANYCUBIC-Photon-SLA-3D-Printer-Plus-Size-UV-LCD-Assembled-2K-Screen-Off-Line-Print-Impresora/721071_32846794715.html?spm=a2g1y.promotion-20181111.promotePruductList_5963883.1

I think it's time to start learning 3D design.   

[Chris333]

Adding to the suspense. 3D printers bay where I bought mine gave me tracking on the extra bottle of resin I ordered. Says departing Hong Kong and it will be here on 11/14. My printer is coming from CA and will also be here on 11/14 according to FedEx. In the e-mail it listed 3D Printers Bay address as:

23832 Forest Rd E
Deerwood, MN 56444, USA

That address doesn't exist. This is 23833 Forest Rd. E. and right across the street where 23832 would be is a bare lot:
https://www.google.com/maps/@46.4750753,-93.8982387,3a,32.8y,196.47h,92.77t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1svPc6Xq-XV3Op0cnRKcLROQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

Of course everything could show up just fine but 

[rodsup9000]

Adding to the suspense. 3D printers bay where I bought mine gave me tracking on the extra bottle of resin I ordered. Says departing Hong Kong and it will be here on 11/14. My printer is coming from CA and will also be here on 11/14 according to FedEx. In the e-mail it listed 3D Printers Bay address as:

23832 Forest Rd E
Deerwood, MN 56444, USA

That address doesn't exist. This is 23833 Forest Rd. E. and right across the street where 23832 would be is a bare lot:
https://www.google.com/maps/@46.4750753,-93.8982387,3a,32.8y,196.47h,92.77t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1svPc6Xq-XV3Op0cnRKcLROQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

Of course everything could show up just fine but 

Hey Chris

 Mine showed up this afternoon about 3:00 by Fedex, but I just got home from helping the wife at a craft show. The UV light also showed up in the mail. It'll probably be tomorrow before I can start playing with it though.

[Chris333]

Well that is good news!