Anyone recommend using Autodesk 123d ?

I'm new to 3d printing, I've just ordered one of Nopheads Mendel machines.
I can use 2d cad but have struggled with Solidworks ( so much to take in!)
I've downloaded Autosketch 123d as its free. Have any of you used it and how did it work for you?
Regards Steve

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I tried it and I found it to be even more cumbersome than Solidworks. The user interface was not the most intuitive for me. I know solidworks can be challenging but after a few days using it learned most necessary functions. 123d just never really cut the mustard for me. Maybe I'll try it again in a few years after they refine it some more.

I've never used solidworks - just can't afford it.

123D beta 9 is a pretty functional program, but the new 123D design looks pretty poor unfortunately. But there is a free alternative - inventor fusion. I just started using it, but it seems pretty good.

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- akhlut

Just remember - Iterate, Iterate, Iterate!

[myhomelessmind.blogspot.com]

Inventor Fusion does look interesting. I'll have to check that one out.

A pretty strong contender to Solidworks for a fraction of the cost is Alibre. From what I can tell it has nearly all the same functionality for $70-$120.

I know SW is pretty pricey, I'm just lucky to work in a firm which has an unused license.

How do you get on with google sketchup? It's not the most advanced 3d software but if you can use CAD, you'll find it fairly simple (well I did!). I only ever draw 'blocky' type parts though so can't vouch for more complex contours etc but there's a lot in their 3d warehouse so it must be possible!

Stick with Solidworks - I use Alibre because I can't afford Solidworks.

Do the tutorials - after a while you should get a eureka moment and it will start to make sense - it's just 2D CAD that's either extruded or swept to create the 3D shape. You will be surprised how quickly you can draw stuff once you've got used to it and Solidworks will look better on the CV as well :-)

Ukrobotman Wrote:
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> I'm new to 3d printing, I've just ordered one of
> Nopheads Mendel machines.
> I can use 2d cad but have struggled with
> Solidworks ( so much to take in!)
> I've downloaded Autosketch 123d as its free. Have
> any of you used it and how did it work for you?
> Regards Steve

The fastest, and easiest way to learn Solid Works is to watch the tutorials on Youtube. There are a series of them put together as a training course, starting with beginner and working up to advanced. I learned the basics of Solid Works in one evening just sitting at my computer watching the videos one after the other. It is a great way to learn because all you see on your screen, is the instructors screen and everything he does with his mouse. I have Youtube downloader, so I just saved them all to my computer so that I can jump around the videos as a reference source. There is a similar course done up for Openscad too...