CAD tool for Shapeways novice?

[nickelplate759]

I am working on making an N-scale Model Power USRA 2-8-2 more mid 1950s NKP-like, and one thing that stands out on most of these engines is that the smokebox front has flying number boards, a headlight and a Mars light.     The  model has a one-piece smokebox front casting with the headlight cast into it.  It occurs to me that the easiest way to modify the front would be to replace it entirely with one that has the desired details, and Shapeways looks like a way to make one.

I've no experience as a CAD designer, and don't want to buy design design software at this point.   I know that Shapeways lists some free software as useful for designing and submitting models, but also know that not all free software packages have similar capabilities.     

Any recommendations for a project like this?

George

[peteski]

You might want to start with SketchUp. It has a simple and intuitive GUI.  But it is unlike the "real" 3D CAD programs, so in the future if you need more advanced features, you might have to re-learn how to use those other CAD programs.  But I still thing that for getting your feet wet SketchUp is a good CAD program.

[jimmo]

George I had a similar dilemma not long ago watching all these models being made and printed in 3D--I had to get in there somehow. One day I was poking around in Shapeways and there was a "getting started" link. I found myself looking at a couple of online (free) design apps or programs. One of them caught my attention so I decided to check it out. Now I'm not one of those guys who took CAD classes in college (or anywhere else) so I'm about as green as they come. The program is called TinkerCAD and after watching about a half hour (or less) video of a young lady demonstrating the basics, I was off and running.

Now TinkerCAD (like SketchUp) may not be a "real" CAD program (as Pete says) but the fact is, I am making "real" models with it. You'll probably have to do your drafting on a separate program (I use Adobe Illustrator) since (I'm told) that this is a "surface modeling" program and lacks a lot of those basic CAD tools.

Here's one of many projects I have done since starting this adventure.

[ Guests cannot view attachments ]

I realize it's not a steam loco but my only steam loco project was a tiny 16" park loco.

[sizemore]

Sketchup is annoying to use, TinkerCAD is surprisingly good.

The S.

[jimmo]

Sketchup is annoying to use, TinkerCAD is surprisingly good.

The S.

+1. I actually have fun using TCAD.