Having been part of the transition from the drawing board to computer aided design (CAD) systems I can attest to the difficulties some people have with CAD. It can be overwhelming.

Fortunately part of the transition was going from paper to a 2D CAD. The next step was bigger, 2D to 3D ("wire frame"). Then came 3D "solids" which was a major hurdle back in the 1990's. The programs were clumsy and expensive and usually required upper end hardware to run on.

I retired in 1997 and skipping forward two decades 3D modeling was somewhere between free to a affordable price for the home user. One didn't need a higher end computer and the printers for home use also became affordable.

I use a free, no longer supported program (app) called 3DDesign by Autodesk. Quite easy to use, it is a vast improvement over the clumsy parametric solids modeling of 30 years ago (yikes!!!).

As for the expense, if you already have a decent PC you are more than half way there. A decent lower end printer can be purchased for about $US 500.

My 3D system allows me to make things I could not do with a few hand tools and a large assortment of wood pieces... and faster!

Now I know that this is not everyone's cup of tea, but I suspect it might not be the nightmare some think it is.

Lew

Hello every one,
I've been following this topic with interest and like to express my thoughts on the matter. 3D printers, whether filament or resin, are only tools . and like any tool they have good points and bad points. Take for example the deckhouse or cabin on a ship, it might have flat sides. in that case it might be better to use plasticard, wood or similar as a filament printer will always leave some sort of striation which could be difficult to remove. With a resin printer you will get much better results but it might be too brittle or too big to print. a resin printer will produce superb results, filament printers will give good results. not as good as resin but much stronger.
There is nothing to stop you making a cabin of plasticard, then producing fine detail with a resin printer and glueing it on. It's what artists call mixed media.
Essentially you are using the best material for the job. Using 3D printers you can make a good quality item and then make a mould and produce copies in epoxy, white metal or whatever. One thing to bear in mind though is some resins and filament are hygroscopic and biodegradable, so some sort of protection is always advisable if you want them to last. but then , isn't that true of most plastics. I will send a photo of a resin gun that I have designed and printed next post to show you what can be done.
Best wishes Tim

I'd like to join in on this conversation. Alessandro gave 3 categories of 3D printer people. I guess I am in a 4th category. I had a pretty clear idea of what I wanted, but no 3D printer or CAD capabilities. I DO, however, have a young friend who does. I approached him last week with my concept and some pictures, explaining what I wanted to achieve.
I had two Midwest Boothbay Lobster Boats and intended to modify one of them into a "Tour Boat" that I had seen a version of.
My friend jumped at the challenge. I am attaching pictures of the before and after. A lot of 3D pieces were created for this transformation. I believe 3D printing definitely has a place in modeling.
Dave B
PS "Centennial Lakes Park" is our club's home pond, so I thought "Centennial Tours" was appropriate signage.

Taking of 3D printers, I have an Anycubic Photon Mono2 resin printer and wash/cure unit, completely unused if anyone is interested..

Thank you very much Nick.

Hi Pat, in reference to your initial question, I've already expressed my opinion on the use of 3D printers, but I could add a final comment.
In my opinion, they're certainly a valuable tool, and it can be very fun and stimulating to design and create pieces with them.
If I could, I'd certainly buy one. I have tons of projects I need to print (related to games I've invented) in addition to ship modeling.
However, if someone were to ask me the question: "Do you have to give up one of the two? Would you prefer to continue building only with 3D printers or with the traditional method (wood and the like)?"
I'd definitely answer that I prefer the traditional method and would give up 3D printing.

There's no problem. Both exist, and everyone is free to use them as they wish.

Furthermore, I don't think the use of 3D printers compromises traditional modeling. In fact, for pure naval modeling, arsenal modeling, and admiralty modeling, 3D printers are completely useless.
It is impossible to build some types of ship models (like the ones I have made so far and the one I am completing) only with the 3D printer.

Here you go Alessandro. There are loads of tutorials on YouTube..
https://www.rs-online.com/designspark/mechanical-software

Nick wrote: " It's all good, clean fun, whatever way we build our models..."
I totally agree with you.

Designspark Mechanical, I should remember that. I've never heard of it, interesting, I'll look it up online, thanks for the info.

Hi Allessandro. I use a program called Designspark Mechanical because it is the only CAD program I have been able to master, all the others go way above my capabilities. For slicing I use Simplify 3D, I use Light burn for laser cutting and Vectric V Carve Desktop for the cnc router tool paths. It's all good clean fun whatever way we build our models...

Hi Nick, congratulations on your work. Sorry, I didn't know you used 3D printing too.
What program do you use for the original 3D design?

In my humble opinion 3D printing is another tool at our disposal so it is a case of moving with the times.
For example power tools, like scroll saws made cutting out far quicker, now we have laser cutters. I think that modellers need to move on and embrace the tools at their disposal and not impose their ideas on other modellers, each to their own limits and skills.
Just my opinion for what it’s worth.

🤔

I have several 3d printers and use them like any other tool. I have a 3/4 built Sirmar 105ft Motor Mine Sweeper. I made all the decks and superstructure on my Prusa about 5 years or more ago. Sadly it met with an accident, agust of wind blew a curtain which in turn knocked the job off the shelf and smashed the skeg clean off and busted up some of the fittings. It now sits gathering dust. That aside, I treated the job as if I was using ply or plastic sheet, except I re drew the parts into Design Spark Mechanical, saved as stl files and processed for printing with Cura and Simplify 3D. The results were rather decent for a first go. I agree, things do look a tad "Airfixy" but if you are pleased with the results then thr job's a goodun. What I do find very handy is the availability of practically instant brackets, custom servo mounts motor mounts etc. All in all a handy tool that compliments rather than replaces traditional building methods..

Many times I might use my 3D parts setup (PC, s/w, printer, etc.) just to make the particular part. However there are also a lot of times I use my 3D setup to design the entire model or at least a major portion.

Perhaps many people not that knowledgeable about 3D design and printing will miss this point:

Use 3D design to create parts from other parts.

Example: if I design a superstructure I can use that to break apart pieces for side walls, doors, interior, basically everything. I can see what it looks like as well as verify that the parts will all fit together. All this without physically making the first piece. Difficult to do on paper.

Lew

I agree at the detail of 3D print but do you not think it erodes the skills of the traditional boat builder. If we don’t watch it generation of people to come will think it’s the norm and will not know what a proper wooden boat is whether it be a kit or scratch built

I have been doing some 3d printing as of late. I agree with Alessandro about model of wood ships: classic wood model skills give the models the right character. However, I'm finding 3d print is a wonderful way to get scale details in the correct sizes -things such as tires, bollocks, life rings and such. After 50 years of modelling, I find all my models have become "mixed media" creations.

I have to admit that despite the weight, I love this 3D Printed monster that is currently consuming me...as witnessed by my build blog. Be that as it may, I am thrilled with 3D printed parts; crew figures, ships gunnery, radar masts and on and on. Although I am skeptical if I can get this Bluebird to plane. Time will tell.
👍😉

I agree with Lew. 3D modelling is a very significant part of the hobby for me, I spend many happy and rewarding hours drawing parts for my models. I have developed many useful techniques to be able to draw complex components for my models.

To simply buy a 3D printer and use existing designs is as far as I am concerned the same as simply buying parts and using them on models. To be able to draw your own parts and print them provides a certain freedom and creativity which greatly improves my hobby. I also use CNC to augment the 3d modelling that I do and this greatly improve the quality of the models produced. Once a part is produced you can determine if some components can be made using a CNC machine.

To sum up I have literally hundreds of hours invested in the 3D modelling skills I use in the hobby. I know many people who criticise 3D printing as cheating but I do not know of anyone who actually has the skills to do it and has this view.

Bob

Aha, you pressed my "must reply" button.

Having grown up with computers, my first was a Commodore Vic20 (whoa, isn't Commodore a nautical name?).

I'm 81 and still use my computer for more than just business. Without straying too much from your topic I will say I past on my drawing board for a 3D wire frame system in 1982. Next came "solids modeling" in 1995.

Jump to my post retirement. I use a 3D program and make just about anything on my 3D printers. RC model boats, tanks, vehicles, parts for my home, my car, and even tools.

For model boats as an example, I have made superstructures, motor mounts, mechanisms, and even propellers. Heck, even what was in a recent topic, Kort nozzles.

My belief is that a 3D pc-printer setup is a tool, kind of like jumping from a hobby knife to a Dremel tool, but even a longer jump.

Quality? I've seen some amazing things 3D printed. There are various type of technologies for 3D printing. High details, amazing strength, and fast (especially if one needs multiple similar parts).

As for me I like to scratch build models, usually based on the real thing. Virtually every model I now build has 3D printed parts on it. Sure, I might still use wood or fiberglass for big items like hulls, and metal for parts needing strength. However I very often inter-mix different materials with adhesives.

Do I think 3D printing is cheating? No. For me it is another tool. I know that unfortunately not everyone has the ability to do 3D work. Even the people I worked with had a tough time adapting to "the computer".

Lew

Hi Pat, I think you're partially right.
First of all, in terms of beauty, a ship built with classic materials like wood (mahogany, walnut, Tanganyika, lime, cherry, pear, etc.), brass, copper, and cordage is unparalleled.
However, we need to distinguish.
A scale model of a warship also works well in all-plastic.
Making a naval model entirely out of plastic yourself with a 3D printer is feasible and profitable only for certain types of boats.
3D printing yourself can, however, be an excellent aid for individual parts, not for the entire ship. It can, in fact, be useful for parts that aren't available commercially, or that aren't in the desired scale, or that you find but don't like.
For example, I made the gun carriages because I couldn't find suitable ones (period and type).
I also made other parts, but for one reason or another, I no longer used them and resorted to other methods.
I said "made by myself," but I'd like to clarify.
There are those who have a 3D printer and know how to use it, but they don't know how to draw or design independently, so they use existing designs.
There are those who know how to design 3D pieces but don't have their own 3D printer, so they have them printed by others.
There are those who know how to draw and have their own 3D printer that they know how to use, and are therefore completely independent.
I belong to the second category. I've had my pieces designed by myself made by others.
I really admire the work of SimpleSailor and Jerry Tod, who I know are successfully creating beautiful projects with 3D printers.