How do I start with 3d??

[T_Dubs]

Full disclosure, I'm using Fusion 360 so maybe won't get much help and as far as I can tell, other software is more friendly/capable of doing this type of stuff.

I'm not trying to do anything super complex, but I am still baffled thinking how people do the cad for 3d shapes. Not just drawing 2d and extruding type 3d (if that is even what it is) but things like animal heads, statues, etc. Don't even know where to begin with stuff like that.

What I want to do is (I think) relatively simple. I have a small part that I want to have organic curves that flow nicely and naturally but within a given sketch perimeter. I've tried use the "form" tools inside fusion, which I have been successful with, but I havent been able to figure out how to do that with a given starting shape. It makes me start with a form shape, like a sphere or cube type thing.

Does this make any sense? Anyone have any pointers of where I can start to learn this kind of thing? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!!

 

[Herding Cats]

I'm guessing what you are trying to do would be a loft with guide curves, or that is what Solidworks calls it. I seem to remember Fusion having a loft feature but I don't recall if it has guide curves.

As far as models for heads, statues and whatnot, I'm pretty sure most if not all of that stuff is 3D scanned.

 

[Vancbiker]

I don't know anything about Fusion so.....

Might be a lack of tools. These took me a couple hours each to get what I wanted/needed. I am seriously a CAD rookie too.

Doing things like body parts usually involves importing point clouds generated by a CMM or better yet, a laser scanning device.

 

[Plastikdreams]

We use what's called 3d capture(blue light) when we have to replicate things that don't have a model. We also use it to compare parts with models to see how close they are. This would be the point cloud Marcus mentioned.

When I make models I use extrude, cut, revolve etc. A lot of times you have to start with lines to get what you want. I've modified plenty of mold cavities that way. Machining it is very easy.

 

[T_Dubs]

Thanks for all the input. Makes me feel better that I wasn't missing as much as I thought. Cad rookie here for sure. 3d scanning makes sense.

Fusion does have loft and I've successfully used it with guide lines, etc. Guess I'll just have to create a ton of different planes with guides and see if I can get what I want. I'll play around with it and post what I come up with and see if anyone can tell me an easier way to do it.

Thanks!!

 

[Plastikdreams]

Thanks for all the input. Makes me feel better that I wasn't missing as much as I thought. Cad rookie here for sure. 3d scanning makes sense.

Fusion does have loft and I've successfully used it with guide lines, etc. Guess I'll just have to create a ton of different planes with guides and see if I can get what I want. I'll play around with it and post what I come up with and see if anyone can tell me an easier way to do it.

Thanks!!

The easiest way is to let someone else do it...

 

[DavidScott]

In Fusion the semi-freeform way is sculpting. I used it to make a salamander soft bait so know a little bit about it. I also used it to make some knife scales. It is actually pretty neat. I have been meaning to post a list of videos and other stuff on learning Fusion but have been sooooo busy putting out fires, that just keep getting worse, that I have been putting it off. Also, most of my video list was about sculpting, so I guess this is the clue to get on with it. I will do it in the morning.

You can also do Nurbs in Fusion but if your designs are not exact sculpting is really neat. Here is one of my favorite videos on it.

Video

 

[T_Dubs]

Thanks for the video. That's exactly what I want to do but wish I could figure out how to constrain the edges of my shape to a projected sketch geometry.

 

[Barbter]

As a general rule....I was taught to always (when sketching/drawing):-
2Draw your square/rectangle/triangle etc = i.e. construct your lines
Add your largest rads
Add your smaller rads
Extrude
For filleting...Add your large fillets
Then add your smaller fillets.

Basically, work large to small, and this *should* drastically reduce any modelling errors from happening....
This is obviously for prismatic type/shape parts.
But the process of creating the 2D geo works well for revolve etc too IME.