Over the last year I have been working on a free 3D modeling tool that runs in the browser. SimCAD 3D allows users to model, print and share their designs all in one place. I have designed the app to run on mobile and desktop devices.
This tool is still in development and the beta is schedule to launch by the end of this fall. I think a tool like this could be a game changer for those of us in the maker community. I am a huge fan of the Arduino ecosystem and community and I want to help that community by providing tools that directly benefit those of us who love to create.
If you would like more info on this project or want to help bring this project to market, please consider supporting my Kickstarter campaign.
UI
I have spent much of the last year agonizing over the interface, and how to present these tools to the users. What I have landed on is very clean and simple. The design works well on both mobile and desktop screens.
(SimCAD 3D - UI screenshots from an iPhone (left two images) and a desktop (right))
Modeling and Dimensioning
Modeling happens entirely in 3D. This makes for a very intuitive work space. Users can add or subtract various primitive geometries from their model. SimCAD blends the best of parametric and polygonal modeling. I have developed a comprehensive dimension tool. This tool allows users to apply dimensions, and assembly constraints all in the same environment.
(SimCAD 3D - Image of various models created with SimCAD, and in-progress shots of various dimension tools)
Built in Slicer for 3D printing
The app has a built in 3D slicer which is powered by a WebAssembly port of the CURA engine. This means that users can model and print without having to export the file to a new extension and open a different application.
(SimCAD 3D - Integrated slicer window preview and a capture of user panning down layers)
Built in Asset Store
I have also developed and integrated an asset store which allows users to share their designs for free or sell them. You can either share individual assets or whole projects. When sharing projects you can attach notes and pdf documents if you want to provide your customers with extra details or information for integrating the model into a larger project. (For more details and images check out the kickstarter or my website).
About Me
I have 15+ years of experience working with almost every type of CAD application on the market, from high end pro apps to free-ware. I have worked as a CNC and CMM programmer at various points in my life. My degree is in Physics, and I have always been passionate about programming and mathematics. I am also an avid user and fan of the Arduino eco system and I love dabbling in automation.
Thank you
I hope you all like what you see and I would love to hear any feed back as to how I can fine tune this app to better serve this community.
-Nate Rose
I'm impressed. I'm really impressed.
It is okay to show your website here, even if it is only slightly related to Arduino.
However, I would like to play with the alpha version. Your only goal seems to be to collect money for your Kickstarter campaign. Now you have put yourself in the position that this is a 100% commercial post and it is not about Arduino.
For moderators: My suggestion is to keep the post. It might be a valuable contribution to the maker world.
Hey all, Thank you for your feedback. I apologize if I am not posting this in the correct place. Trying to run this campaign is honestly a bit overwhelming. I can't wait to get back to development!
To answer some questions, yes this is a post to promote my Kickstarter and bring attention to the project I have been working on. I am self funding everything so I thought reaching out on forums would be a good way to promote the campaign. I hope I have not broken any rules in doing so!
Second, SimCAD is going to be free. The way I will generate revenue to keep the tool running is through the integrated asset store. There will be ads in the asset store, and if you sell stuff through the store I will be collecting a 5% fee.
Third, I think SimCAD has a few benefits over Fusion360. First is price, all modeling tools in SimCAD are free. Second is accessibility, since it runs in the browser you can open your projects on your tablet, phone or other PCs. And third is that you can slice your models in the same environment.
There is a ton of information on my website www.simcad3d.com if you're interested in finding out more!
If Fusion360 or OnShape are used to sell small things for a few dollars, then the license is a serious problem, it costs a lot. Fusion360 has also serious limitations for the free version.
When using those products in a company, the costs for the license is peanuts for the great tool that you get.
There are other online 3D designer tools, but they have the same license problem.
I think there is still room for yet another online 3D designer tool for beginners that is free to use.
TinkerCad is free and integrates into fusion360. Fusion360 does have a free cripple-ware version.
Built in web slicer is great, but Cura is a free slicer with lots of options over the process.
It's a neat looking product, but neither first, nor unique, in the market. Sorry.
Hey! I appreciate the feedback. You are correct that TinkerCAD offers some of the same functionality. I would say that the biggest differences are the target audience and goal for the app. While I want SimCAD to be user-friendly enough for everyone, I am not specifically targeting the education market.
I am focusing more on a simple way to provide free access to pro-level tools. I want users to be able to create large assemblies, create custom tooling that they can share with others, and create drawing sheets if needed. I have worked with small shops and startups that cannot afford commercial software and have been seriously limited. I think that's a large group that has been kind of left out in the rain. Eventually I want to allow users to assign full GD&T to models, which is something that is only possible with paid apps.
I think what is unique about this application is the level of functionality in an app that runs in the browser, combined with the fact that there are no concerns about licensing for commercial use. These other apps also tend to intentionally limit their free software to encourage users to buy their premium, which is not something I am interested in doing.
