Designspark 2.0

[ronan walshParticipant @ronanwalsh98054]

Just downloaded the latest issue of this excellent free software and i cannot use it as it won't let me sign in. Has anyone else had this problem ?

[ronan walshParticipant @ronanwalsh98054]

[ronan walshParticipant @ronanwalsh98054]

The problem has resolved itself, please disregard. thanks.

[MuzzerParticipant @muzzer]

Interesting! That looks pretty good. Hope you'll tell us how you get on with it!

It appears to be a cut down version of Spaceclaim. I've no experience of that myself but it looks as if it's a pretty capable professional 3D CAD system.

Murray

Edited By Muzzer on 18/12/2014 12:47:25

[Ady1Participant @ady1]

.msi only, no .exe

thought i'd warn anyone who has old XP software and hasn't downloaded the 1gb NET framework

[Roger WoollettParticipant @rogerwoollett53105]

Installation does seem to be a bit suspect. I also had problems logging in but after a few tries it worked.

On Vista it claims my operating system is unsupported but it still seems to work. No problem on Windows 7,

They have tidied up the user interface and I think now support Sketchup 2014 (but not 2015). Has anyone found any actual improvements?

Roger Woollett

[Ady1Participant @ady1]

I downloaded designspark version 1 and upgraded to MS net4.0 (The last windows xp NET version)

The 3D rendering is very slick and impressive indeed(only looked at it for an hour)

I had to downgrade my video card 3D settings to "balanced" in start/control panel/display/advanced

Well worth a look if you're after a functional 3D freebie

[Ady1Participant @ady1]

It's very intuitive.

I've yet to look at any help files and can create and manipulate 3D widgets with ease

[Ady1Participant @ady1]

[Ady1Participant @ady1]

Helix threading within 24 hours of my first look

Apparently the files can be saved in that 3D printing format, STL

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Posted by Ady1 on 20/12/2014 12:52:15:

Helix threading within 24 hours of my first look

.

Now that is very impressive, Ady

MichaelG.

[John Stevenson 1Participant @johnstevenson1]

Could have done with that last week when i had to make 16 brush caps for some obsolete servo motors.

Made these out of Corian as it takes a thread better than Tufnol. Need to learn this 3D CAD.

I was booked on a Turbocad course at the start of December with Paul [ the CAD ] Tracy but he got taken ill and had to postpone it.

[Grizzly bearParticipant @grizzlybear]

Nice, Ady1

Question for J.S.

John, How did you get the knurls/finger grips on those brush caps. Nice work.

If the answer is a knurling tool, my apologies for a silly question.

I'm not familiar with Corian.

Regards, Bear..

[Roger WoollettParticipant @rogerwoollett53105]

I agree DSM is easy to use.

I have used it for 3D prints very happily. For this design I create 2D dimensioned views and take them to the workshop. They would not satisfy the purists but they work for me. It is still work in progress as you may be able to spot.

Roger Woollett

[ronan walshParticipant @ronanwalsh98054]

So Ady, what is different in this version of the software , compared to the last ?

[VersabossParticipant @versaboss]

Posted by Ady1 on 19/12/2014 15:27:39:

I downloaded designspark version 1 and upgraded to MS net4.0 (The last windows xp NET version)

…

Well worth a look if you're after a functional 3D freebie

Hi Adi,

could you explain with some more words? I found and got and installed that Net 4.0, but when trying to install Designspark it Insisted it needs version 4.5

The error message was:

Prerequisite check for system component Microsoft .NET Framework 4.5 (x86 and x64) failed with the following error message:
"Installation of the Microsoft .NET Framework 4.5 is not supported on this operating system. Contact your application vendor."

So how exactly did you overcome that obstacle?

Regards, HansR.

[Ady1Participant @ady1]

I used the old original version 1, not version 2

The file you want if you use xp is designsparkmech32_20130918.5.zip

I got it from software informer

**LINK**

[Ady1Participant @ady1]

I've been looking for a simple reliable 3D cad which can do 3d printing for a while

Just for a rainy day, if I ever need it, which is possible in the future

This definitely fits the bill, pretty amazing that it's free as well

Edited By Ady1 on 21/12/2014 11:43:21

[peter ravenscroftParticipant @peterravenscroft57700]

hi

i have just downloaded desighnspark but cant run it as i do not have a sold to number how do i get one

regards

peter

[Ady1Participant @ady1]

You must have version 2, or the full retail version

I never got asked for anything except a general email registration with version 1

[blowlampParticipant @blowlamp]

Can someone please list the file formats Designspark 2 is able to load and save to.

Thanks.

Martin.

[Roger WoollettParticipant @rogerwoollett53105]

Peter – there seems to have been problems with registration. If you have managed to register a user name/password I suggest you lo in to the DSM website and edit your profile. I have my job title as Hobbyist.

Save the profile, wait a couple of minutes and then try again to start DSM.

If you have not managed to register at all then do so through the website and then try to start DSM

blowlamp – The open menu shows ECAD, OBJ, SKP, STEP and STL. So pretty limited.

Save as offers AMF DXF OBJ PDF SKP STL XAML JPG and PNG

Roger Woollett

[Ady1Participant @ady1]

The PCB helpfile is here but I couldnt find a mechanical helpfile

However, there is an STL import/export option in DSpark mechanical 1

So if your own package can do STL I presume you can transfer stuff over in DSpark 1 and 2

Edited By Ady1 on 21/12/2014 13:09:43

Edited By Ady1 on 21/12/2014 13:11:01

[blowlampParticipant @blowlamp]

Thanks, Rodger.

Being able to import STEP files is quite good as that's a Nurbs format (mathematically accurate to the original design). It's a shame that no similar export option is included as it only seems able to output mesh approximations, which are fine for 3D printing etc, but no good if you need to transfer to another mechanical CAD package.

However, it's free so no point in complaining.

@John S.

Do try out MoI v3 as it's designed to be easy to use with only a little practice. Don't underestimate its power though – it's interface is very deceptive.

Martin.

[Bodgit Fixit and RunParticipant @bodgitfixitandrun]

I'm just learning FreeCad. never used any modelling sofware to any depth before. This is also free as the name suggests and has lots of forum support. it can crash though so regular saving of work is important.

[Author]

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