Blender vs 123D & SketchUp

[rajib1971]

I have fair knowledge with 123D and SketchUp. Is it necessary to learn Blender if I like to proceed with 3d printing? I’ll use my 3D printer to print ‘maker-parts’ (like Raspberry Pi enclosures, etc).

I know the app is a matter of personal preference, but which app do you recommend while creating these kind of objects?

[wudupdogz]

Personally, I use sketchup with these extensions: STL import/export, Align, Solid Inspector² and, Shell. I can design most things an FDM printer can reasonably create. Solid inspector is a must have. Another trick is to build in meters aka 1000 times bigger than you actually want. then simply export generic "Units". When importing into the slicing program use millimeters as the import units setting.

Edited May 12, 2015 by wudupdogz

[PnDB]

For simpler 3D printed parts (Pi housings, mounts for electronics, etc, even clockwork mechanisms), it's really a matter of personal preference; just about any of the freeware 3D modeling packages will do what you want. I would go ahead and start with Sketchup and see how far you can push things in terms of design. If you find you can't get something to work in Sketchup, see if Blender can do it instead.

For particularly complicated objects, I've been using Rhinoceros v5 as my modeling package of choice. The downside is that Rhino costs dollars. Blender just couldn't handle the design of a 3D printable aircraft wing with internal trusswork, servo mounts, spar tubes and cable routing; Rhino didn't even break a sweat. I'm sure something like SolidWorks or Catia would have done equally well or far better, but at much higher price points.

[sumghai]

[MOD - Moved to The Space Lounge, as the topic at hand is about modelling software for 3D printing, rather than making add-ons for the game]