3D Modeling

People new to CAD will want to start with Autodesk Tinkercad, a web-based program that's free to sign up for and use. Click Create a Personal Account to get started. 

You can use the built-in tutorials to learn how to build objects out of primitive shapes and negative spaces, and even import your own custom shapes drawn as black and white .SVG (Scalable Vector Graphic) files.

The SVG technique can be especially powerful because it allows you to bring in text, QR codes, logo drawings - anything 2D can be made 3D! Websites like convertio.co will change your black and white .png or .jpg images into .SVG files for free.

Experiment with Tinkercad's tools and you'll be surprised by how much you can achieve!

Autodesk, the biggest CAD company in the business, offers almost all of its pro products for free to students! All you have to do is create an Autodesk account and then confirm that you are a student by confirming your Stetson email address. Free student licenses need to be refreshed once a year.

Once your account is set up, you'll have access to the whole suite of Autodesk projects on your personal laptop or on the Innovation Lab PCs. The next step up from Tinkercad in terms of complexity is the cloud-based program Fusion360 - you can teach yourself how to use it using official tutorials, or find plenty of videos on youtube.

For even more advanced projects, programs like AutoCAD, Maya, or Inventor should fit the bill. All of these can be installed and accessed using the Autodesk for Education license!

The Innovation Lab offers non-Autodesk 3D modeling resources as well.

• Microsoft 3D Builder is a simple app for the most basic modifications and adjustments to STL files. It can also fix mesh issues to prepare objects for 3D printing.
   
• Blender, a 3D animation program which may be familiar to Digital Arts students, is installed on the PCs
   
• Online resources like the Lithophane Maker can let you make specific types of 3D files - in this case, ones that resemble monochrome images when illuminated from behind.
   
• Various Chemistry utilities allow for the 3D modeling of specific molecular structures.
   
• If there's a favorite software you've used before to make 3D files, let the Lab Manager know - we may be able to acquire and install it for you on the Lab PCs!