3D Model to 2D Net

[KevNak]

Good day everyone.

 

I have no experience whatsoever with CAD/AutoCAD, but I find myself in need of some software that will allow me to design 3D models and then flatten them out into a net design that will allow me to print them and construct the 3D model with paper/card.

 

Specifically I'm wanting to make a 3D Octagon with a diameter of 4cm on the top and 5cm on the bottom.

 

It will be used as a platform for a gun turret in a tabletop wargame.

 

I'd appreciate any advice you could give, but bear in mind that I really don't want to have to spend any money on software and I've never used CAD before so I'd prefer something that is beginner friendly.

[Tiger]

If you are a student, you can get a free student license of AutoCAD.

 

There's SketchUp from Google that is a free 3D-program, fairly easy to get a hang of imo.

 

As to how you go about getting your model done - think you need to get started first and then you can come back here with questions and I'm sure someone will be able to help.

[Interior]

I would say the same but Google sketch up is certainly the easiest cad program but very difficult to print from to scale but there is a printing program (layout) avalible with the pro version but its not free. i did a lot of sketch up before autocad so if you do go for it and have any questions please feel free to ask. hope this helps MK

[stevsmith]

Sketchup is, as everybody says, an easy program to learn quickly.

And it's FREE. how cool is that.

 

 

Although does it do development patterns? I dont think it has that ability, but I may be wrong.

[ReMark]

Free 3D CAD software.

 

Get a 30-day trial of Alibre Design professional 3D CAD software here:

 

http://www.alibre.com/promos/online/personal.asp?ovchn=GGL&ovcpn=GoogleXpress3DCADforPersonalUse&ovcrn=&ovtac=CTX&GCID=S17431x001&KEYWORD=free%203d%20cad&_kk=free%203d%20cad&_kt=aaa60095-f79f-4261-8efd-f7bcd42d1d72&gclid=CK3pm_qnyJoCFQOcFQodMw0S2Q

 

There is a link to download it on the right hand side of the page. You'll have to provide some inofrmation beforehand.

[ReMark]

IronCAD also has a free 30-day trial version of their 3D CAD program available at:

 

http://www.ironcad.com/product/index.html

[KevNak]

I've managed to create the solid object using SketchUp, took me back to the days of building Quake2 levels.

 

Now that I have the object I want in the right size is it possible to export it so that it can be turned into a net/map/mesh, sorry, I'm not sure exactly what the correct term is.

 

Unfortunately I am not a student, so AutoCAD isn't an option and I'd prefer not to use any trial only software as I don't think I'll use it often enough to warrant purchasing a licence.

 

Can anyone help?

[ReMark]

I do not use SketchUp thus I cannot offer any advice. However, I think if you post your question in the SketchUp forum someone should be able to answer it.

[Interior]

With your download of sketch up did you get layout?

[KevNak]

Layout is disabled in the version I have, it is only available in the Pro version.

 

Would that do the job?

[Interior]

You wont be able to print to scale then it