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Resources to learn FreeCAD
(slrpnk.net)
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this post was submitted on 21 Nov 2024
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3DPrinting
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JokoEngineering had some good videos though they are starting to be dated.
CAD CAM Lessons
OffsetCAD
Deltahedra
Adventures in Creation
FCB Lounge
Katt Kushol
Thank you!
For someone with zero experience (meeeeee!!!), which would you recommend?
I'm not an idiot but I have no idea where to even begin. I have a 3D printer and I will need to make small, somewhat simple parts for a couple of projects I'm working on.
Simple parts for 3D printing can be done with TinkerCAD. A free and basic CAD program that can do what you want. It runs in your browser window so it's platform agnostic also. Though I will tell you phones and tablets are very poor tools to do CAD work in. Larger screens and a mouse are virtually a necessity if you intend to not get frustrated.
After that, Fusion 360, (Windows only and a bastard install of local and cloud requirements), is popular with 3D printer enthusiasts. It's a stripped down version of AutoDesk's professional tool. There is also OnShape, another full CAD program that has a free license that runs in a browser window like Tinker CAD. The UI is a bit harder for newbies to navigate than Fusion. But there are limitations to hobby users.
FreeCAD is open source and a local install with support for Windows, Mac, and Linux. Newbies tend to find the CAD concepts difficult, (mostly because they are based on more proper workflows and design knowledge. FreeCAD will often punish sloppy workflows of beginners). And newbies tend to find the UI confusing. But they are working on it. The latest 1.0 release features a lot of improvements that user have complained about for years. But the learning curve is still steep and it takes some effort for those without real CAD experience and an unwillingness to practice the craft.
I can't say one or the other definitively, I think it depends on who you like listening to the best. What I would do though is try to do one short tutorial a day for a while instead of longform videos. That tends to yield better learning results.
That said I forgot 3kkk which has a nice 100 quick tutorial. They are pre V1.0 but should still be useful!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCk0gfSbL5xF9kv7_lc2Ob_A