So, I’m trying to print some older models from thingiverse and I have discovered that basically all the files I want to print have glaring flaws in them.

Internal free floating structures, connector pieces and holes that are the exact same size… So on and so forth…

Do I need to learn a software like CAD or Blender to fix these? I seem to be able to do some basic stuff in Orca Slicer but it honestly seems like as much of a pain to modify the parts there as it would be to use a real software.

Is there one that’s easier? I think I messed around with SketchUp once upon a time.

I am worried this feels like opening a can of worms just so that I can make a thing that already exists in a dozen forms better.

  • the16bitgamer@programming.dev
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    16 days ago

    The commercial alternative to blender is software like Maya. But I too struggled with Blender, however I feel that’s because 3D modelling is different from CAD, since modelling is like molding clay into the shape you want it in, rather than accurately measuring it out like in CAD.

    • Obi@sopuli.xyz
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      16 days ago

      Yes 3D modelling like in blender can be quite precise but it’s a completely different mindset than CAD, much more about taking basic shapes and sculpting into what you want. Of course then there’s the whole animating/shading/lighting and so on which don’t exist in CAD at all.