So my friend’s son needs to use a 3d modeling software, he’s maybe 12-14yrs old, is Tinkercad still the young person’s standard? Or is it more of what ever works for him?
Try 123D as well
It’s certainly what works for him and which of the many free programs he can best understand. For just about every program on the 'net, you’ll also find YouTube videos and text tutorials to assist the user.
I’m fond of OpenSCAD, a scripting language that isn’t quite as interactive as TinkerCAD or that type, but gives one much greater control for technical creations.
Will these creations of the friend’s son be of a technical nature or a less structured sort? OpenSCAD isn’t so good for the less structured sort, such as amusingly distorted animal heads or cartoonish characters. Even though Blender can be very challenging to learn, once the basics are grasped, it’s a great program for creative people. Lynda.com has a very well done set of videos to teach Blender.
Meshmixer is also free and more easily learned than Blender and aimed to the organic creator. Far more intuitive than Blender, but less powerful, it’s also one that has many tutorial videos available.
Those three are my primary programs, and I expect you’ll hear from others with their favorites. SketchUp is seldom used, as it generates models that frequently will not print properly to a 3d printer.
I use also Inkscape with an SVG to OpenSCAD converter extension added. It allows me to transform a vector image to an extruded form of any desired thickness, at which point it can be modified and/or exported as an STL file.
I was thinking that to be a little more advanced than Tinkercad hence the reason I haven’t suggested it. Isn’t Tinkercad AutoDesk’s entry to CAD?
Yeah I’ve suggested Blender, OpenScad, and Tinkercad. Was wondering if I missed something that I should add.
I think it really centers on what the youngster is trying to accomplish and what he thinks is or will be fun to use. The easier to use Meshmixer might be simple enough to demonstrate “out of the box” while OpenSCAD requires a bit of typing to show off the features. If your friend or you plan to assist the youngster, it would be useful to be able to create some demo models, even something as simple as a couple of cubes, spheres, cones, etc. Then modify them within each program as a final step. One of them may catch his eye and you’re good to go. If none of them do, there’s something wrong with the initial assessment, perhaps.
Will you consider to post back the final result?
I think DesignSpark Mechanical is a really nice alternative,I didn’t think the learning curve was too steep either.
OnShape has a lot of tutorial videos, and a workflow that would be a useful introduction to pro CAD systems. That’s where I’d point someone looking to learn mechanical CAD for free.
123D is the best bet
Go full in and use solidworks
Does a 12yr old boy need the engineering magnitude of DesignSpark Mechanical or of an expensive and difficult to learn Solidworks? What if he wishes to design a model of a dog or horse or other simple toy? How do those programs accomplish easily such a model?
I’ve used DSM and have OnShape but was thinking it might be a little advanced.
I did ask my friend if he knew any details of this project but no info yet.
This project is a school thing and weather or not it will be shared is up to him. Another reason I’m alittle hesitant in suggesting AutoDesk 123D since you have to save model through their community. Tinkercad might be the same.
Once you know what the project is, I think you’ll know what software to recommend.
Hang on, if the school is assigning it, are they not providing the tools? Not even a recommendation?
Sketchup is a mess, but he’ll probably have to learn it at some point anyway. (and the ruby API can do some pretty amazing things)
@Dale_Dunn my wife said the samething.
It’s a Divorce/partial custody thing and I think not enough info has trickled down yet.
i don’t think there is any “young person’s standard” when i was bout 12 the first one i learned was inventor 2008. i personally think it’s a waste of time trying to teach kids to use a dumbed down CAD program… why not just teach them to use just a few features of a more feature rich one. that why when they outgrow their feature set they can simply learn more without having to go through the hassle of changing software.
I like autodesk inventor. Students can download a full version, for free.
It’s nice to conjecture what a 12 year old might like to use.
But I would love to hear from 12 year olds who have successfully used 3d modeling software, as well as see what models they are actually capable of producing.
Seeing practical results will lead to better judgements on software that 12 year olds are comfortable using.
@Paul_Gross Good point. My experience with my nieces then ages 5 - 12 is to go the 2D to 3D route is simpler. They draw something, be it on paper or computer, and you make a 3D model from that. Simple, and super fun for them.
Back to guessing: Minecraft is a tool many 12 year olds are familiar with, and which is simple to use. That could be a option, though limited.
My 5th graders just wrapped up a project with Tinkercad. Students were able to create simple or complex designs based on their interest and comfortability. Designs can be kept private and downloaded for printing-they don’t have to be shared although there is that option.