By Roopinder Tara, Tenlinks.com
Autodesk is today lifting the veil off its new 123D consumer design product. Targeted towards the hobbyist, craftsman, tinkerer, inventor,it will be available for a very popualr price: $0.
Here is an early look of the UI. Graphics and descriptions are preliminary and were supplied in advance of the product release.
(click for bigger picture)
The interface.
With commands for Extrude, Constrain, etc., it doesn't seem dumbed down enough for your average Joe
(Update: 123D is based on Fusion.)
123D appears to be based on a solid modeling engine, as commands such as Sketch and Extrude are shown. According to Autodesk, a shelling command will be available to save material for parts that will be sent to 3D printers.
A generous number of common objects will be included as editable models, and so uses can either start their designs using the models as a base or use the models as is in assemblies. Also included are scenes that can serve as backdrops.
About 2,000 fasteners are included, as well as a couple thousand structural shapes, tubes, pipes, and other hardware. Again, very generous of Autodesk. Note that the parts are in DWG format.
Ikea or Autodesk? Piece your 3D shape with cardboard, a little glue and and an Exacto knife.
This dolphin pattern sells for $45.
Some designs, like this chair, will be available for free.
If you just want to make something from an existing design, you can pay to download some projects from Autodesk partners, but some simple projects are made available for free.
123D is Windows-based. But I expect a Mac version is not far off. More information at www.123dapp.com.
{Reprinted with permission of CAD Insider.]
How does it compare to SketchUp?
What files can it import and export?
What are its CAM abilities? (For Autodesk's information, desktop CNC mills are quite popular among the "Maker" mob).
Posted by: Tony | May 19, 2011 at 08:04 AM
You can check for yourself by downloading the software from www.123dapp.com -- for 32- or 64-bit windows.
Posted by: Ralph Grabowski | May 19, 2011 at 08:35 AM