Solving A Molding Conundrum: How to Really Print Sphere Molds
Learn how to model sphere molds in CAD so that it minimizes undercut.
cad
US Legal Lessons from Canada’s First STL IP Infringement Case
Public Knowledge’s Michael Weinberg translates the key legal principles regarding digital files, 3D printing, and intellectual property and breaks it down from a US legal perspective.
How CAD Empowers Kids: Carl Bass at Maker Faire
The chief executive at Autodesk obviously prepared this talk for kids, and he arrived at Maker Faire dressed for the part: wearing a baseball cap, t-shirt, jeans, and sneakers. Not what he wears when he’s talking to shareholders about fiscal year 2013. But Bass can pull it off: he has a marvelously casual style, and a real passion for making. The result: this is a fantastic primer on computer aided design (CAD) for kids — and for anyone who would like a very easy-going intro to some of the most basic, free tools and services available.
Tinkercad Is Back! Autodesk Is Buying It
Autodesk announced today they’ve signed a deal to acquire Tinkercad and revive the popular web-based 3D design tool and its growing community of makers and educators.
Catching Up With Sketchfab Co-founder Alban Denoyel
Sketchfab, a website for uploading and sharing 3D models for free, is a great way to easily add an interactive element to your web content. Their model viewer can be embedded in almost any webpage, and they’re adding new features on a fairly regular basis. I caught up with co-founder Alban Denoyel to check in on their progress.
Free Alternatives to Tinkercad
Creators of Tinkercad announced earlier this week that they would no longer be developing the popular cloud-based CAD tool. We’re fans of Tinkercad here at Make, having written about and praised it on the blog and in our Ultimate Guide to 3D Printing, so this is sad news. The free version is still available to use between now and the end of April, and paying customers will have access until the end of 2013.
Here are a few other free alternatives to TinkerCAD, starting with what I think is the most beginner-friendly and ending with the least beginner-friendly.
Tinkercad to Close Shop
Tinkercad, an extremely popular web-based 3D modeling tool, announced it will discontinue development and shut down. The company will shift its energies into a new 3D modeling environment and hardware service called Airstone.
