Likelihood to Recommend I have found that Autodesk Tinkercad is best for creating simple 3D models for printing. I use it to add text or modifications to 3D models of artifacts for my museum, including labels and support structures for artifacts to stand on. I also use it to create promotional materials, like 3D models of artifacts with our logo on them, which we can print and pass out at events. I would not use Autodesk Tinkercad for more complex 3D modeling or editing 3D models. It's really designed for basic creation and modification, and in those areas it is extremely useful!
Read full review TurboCAD is well suited to a smaller budget, it is by no means the best there is but for the money, it fills the gap. Being an
AutoCAD &
DraftSight user I find the user interface a little old and the lack of common drafting industry shortcut keys a bit of a hindrance. However this product, TurboCAD gets the job done, other packages like
DraftSight do not even come with an active 3D option on the cheaper end, standard license whereas TurboCAD does, even though it's a little clumsy to use.
Read full review Pros Tinkercad is a great baseline CAD program. This program is easy to implement and train people in. After on a short period of time my students are able to create complex forms using Tinkercads pre-generated shapes and holes. The Tinkercad provided projects aid in pushing the learning experience even further and reinforce the ideas that I train on and help my students explore the program before designing their own complex sculptural forms. Read full review Produces accurate drawings to scale, and with several ways to show the "views" to people in need of them at our factory. Relatively easy to use, once you understand the toolset. You can draw anything with it. Sending files to CNC machine shops to produce parts is easy with this program. Sending to mold making companies works out well. Just ask them what file format they want and TurboCAD can give it to them. James Arjuna Factory Engineer, Design Engineer, Research and Development Engineer
Read full review Cons The tutorials could be more easily readable and easier for younger students Sometimes confusing how to use the mouse tools vs on an iPad Less professional, not often used in career fields Read full review Hard to get onto your computer Bad UI Rendering Read full review Alternatives Considered Tinkercad is free and easy to use. It's a great place for people to start learning about 3D Design before they invest time and money in professional-level tools.
Read full review TurboCAD is a well-priced solution for a small business, it comes standard with 3D modeling compared to
DraftSight which does not. The user interface could be updated along with industry-standard shortcut keys but for the number of drawings we do, this package fills the gap. The DXF / DWG feature could be worked on too, as above, trying to get in line with other packages like
AutoCAD &
DraftSight would make the whole package better. All in all, I believe that TurboCAD has a valid foothold in the CAD industry.
Read full review Return on Investment I should definitely say that Tinkercad has no negative impact on my business. It shortened my 3d design process for my many simple projects. Tinkercad is a free tool, no investment needed. I suggest it to my customers who don't know 3d design, but desperately needs a 3d file for their projects. Read full review Having issues with new employees learning how to build our products. The images are extremely helpful, in terms of training and making sure the products are built to our high standards. Saves untold time, because our factory is in Holland and many employees speak different languages. The photo renderings, speak everyone's language. Improved prototyping. We send parts out t0 be made by CNC and they come back nearly perfect for our needs. We have not used the 3D printing technology yet. Been waiting for that to develop better. The only negative impact is that people are reluctant to learn it because it takes a certain degree of intelligence to understand it. But if you are an engineer, it is easy to understand. James Arjuna Factory Engineer, Design Engineer, Research and Development Engineer
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