Sketch Up or other 3D software

[Jean Shimp]

What's the most user friendly software program for designing signs in 3D. I've used Sketch Up's free version and am not too excited about it. I want to buy a program that's intuitive for sign making. I would like to be able to import designs from Corel, drop onto a sign shape and create a 3D file that I can email out to my client. Any suggestions?

 

[oldgoatroper]

I recommend SketchUp...

SketchUp is ubiquitous, and for your customers who don't have a copy of SketchUp to view the 3D file you want to email to them, there is always the free SketchUp viewer.

Besides, what would make a 3D prog "intuitive" for signmaking? If you don't like SketchUp, spend a couple hours browsing the TONS of youtube tutorials on SketchUp -- you might change your mind about how easy it is to produce stuff -- especially compared to other 3D applications.

 

[Gene@mpls]

The Roper is probably right, Jean. I have and am proficient at Vectric Aspire which is aimed at CNC routers and such, and I am really struggling with the other programs I have tried. I am into lasers and 3D printing now and need to be able to produce 3D models myself to print... it is not easy.

 

[asd]

you can also try fusion 360 from autodesk they have a trial version

 

[WildWestDesigns]

For 3D, I like Blender, but it does take awhile to get used to it. I mainly use it for 3D animation though and more personal projects then for production use.

 

[oldgoatroper]

For 3D, I like Blender, but it does take awhile to get used to it. I mainly use it for 3D animation though and more personal projects then for production use.

Blender is an awesome program, but as you say, there's a much, much steeper learning curve. SketchUp is dead easy, relatively speaking, and is plenty capable for 95% of what you'd need to do for signage. Plus, SketchUp actually works in real-life units, whereas Blender works in generic units which are whatever you want them to be.

If one needed advanced rendering, though, it's possible to get a SketchUp model into Blender to use Blender's Cycles rendering engine, although there are a few decent reasonably-priced, add-on renderers for SketchUp...

 

[ams]

Blender is my go to. I've been using it for about 9 years. Easy to pick up and learn, thousands of videos on it. There is also a course on udemy that is like $20 and has 48.5 hours of videos, they walk you through from being a first time user all the way to professional level.

 

[Big Rice Field]

If you are a military veteran, you can get a free educational license to use Solidworks for one year:



The SolidWorks Student Store - 3D CAD Software for Students