But since that’s not available, we’ll have to model the keychain from scratch.

If you have a good SVG file, this tool works well. I tried running the logo through an online SVG converter and the results were imperfect extruding the converted SVG file in Tinkercad resulted in this object.Ĭlose but no cigar. Tinkercad does have an SVG Extrude tool but we don’t have an SVG file of the logo. To demonstrate the differences between the two, I designed the same part (a keychain, of course) in both applications and then explored some of their unique tools and capabilities. There’s a lot going on under the hood of Fusion360, so it’s intended for more experienced users, or at least those aspiring to become more experienced users. Beyond 3D modeling, it also includes workspaces for 3D sculpting (labeled Create Form in the software), sheet metal fabrication, rendering, animation of assemblies and operations, manufacturing with CNC machines and lathes, and simulations of static and nonlinear stress, thermal stress, structural buckling, and shape optimization. Several tutorials are available to guide new users through their first models.įusion360 is a desktop 3D modeling program that uses cloud computing to assist with heavy computational loads like simulations.

Tinkercad employs a drag-and-drop method of combining basic 3D shapes to build more complex objects, making it one of the simplest 3D modeling options available. Its focus is on education and encouraging thinking in terms of three dimensional objects and their relative sizes, positions, and orientations. It’s designed to allow anyone to start making 3D models, featuring an intuitive browser-based interface that can be controlled entirely by a mouse. Tinkercad is catered towards younger users and those with no modeling experience.

Two of those options are Tinkercad and Fusion360, both of which are Autodesk products and free (to students, hobbyists, and small businesses). Now is the best time to learn how to 3D model because never before have so many powerful 3D modeling options been available for free. To unlock the full potential of any 3D printer, it’s necessary to know how to model. Every model in every online repository was modeled by someone, somewhere.

3d printing with fusion 360