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Ask HN: Can you recommend modeling software?

18 points by bobblywobbles ↗ HN
I'm looking for some advice; I'd like to make collapsible steps in order to more easily enter my attic space. I'm looking for a tool that I can use where I can lay out 2x4s, and place hinges or other screws/nails in the wood and see how the steps might lay/collapse before I actually attempt such a build. Are there tools out there that would allow me to tinker with the design?

12 comments

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navane
Onshape is my favorite modeller. You'd need to do quite some tutorials if you have no prior experience.
karolzlot
+1. Onshape is free and it has very good documentation, I learned 3D modeling with it.
tomthe
Pen and paper is quite good for this. Really!
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hnaccount2001
Software seems like overkill for mechanism. I were doing this I’d model the mechanism part manually, maybe a scaled-down mock-up out of foamboard, pins, tape, glue etc. if you’re unsure about a certain connection prototype it with scrap wood.

For the dimensioning, Rhino or Sketchup. Really any 3d cad. You probably can get by with grid paper though.

If I really wanted to geek out on the mechanism in a cad modeller I’d probably do it in Grasshopper which is a plug-in for rhino.

rainbowzootsuit
This has been bacronymed to CAD: Cardboard Aided Design and I agree with your suggestion.
bmitc
Fusion 360 has a free version for personal use. I'm not sure how limited the simulation capabilities are though.
mft_
Creating a basic model to scale would be easy in Sketchup, and would likely take less than an hour to learn.

Creating a fully-working, articulating model in a CAD program would be very hard indeed, IME, and learning the total skill set would likely take days to weeks.

habitatenergy
Onshape is good.

If you're code inclined - you might try CadQuery or OpenScad

simne
If I understand you right, this is where Blender is not bad (rumors said, it copied all interface from Maya 3d, first implemented on SGI machines). This type of functionality could been found by google "blender bones and armatures".