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I picked up an Ender 3 for a good price and have printed off a few test pieces. There's a ton of cool stuff on Thingiverse, but I'd like to make some of my own designs. My main interest is making industrial themed terrain. A few years ago I designed a few pieces with Solidworks since I had access to it via my previous employer. That's not an option anymore, so taking stock of what I have access to gives me the following options I'm aware of:

Inkscape
Tinkercad
FreeCAD
Blender
Fusion360 (for hobbyists)

I'm in school for a masters degree, so I could possibly get an educational discount on some pro software. I've heard good things about Rhino 3D, so I was thinking about that.

Here's some of what I did a few years ago with Solidworks.




I pieced together a simple platform with Inkscape and Tinkercad to see what the process would be like:



I'd like to be able to create with accuracy, but also freedom to just toss some stuff around as well. Hopefully I can get some feedback here so I can figure out what programs to invest time into learning.

Thanks!

Looks like you have the general skills already, so hopefully you can pick up any new system.

I can't recommend anything specifically, I have been using Blender and Meshmixer, but I am really only dabbling thus far!

Blender seems to rely on knowing all the keyboard shortcuts, so something you probably have to commit to.

It all depends on what you're looking to do with 3D modelling software sculpting, or only CAD. Or both.

The best of the 3D modelling/sculpting software on the planet is Zbrush, Maya, and 3Ds max, Blender, Houdini

Zbrush being the very best on the market. It's also very easy to pickup given you get access to the Brush classroom hundreds of specific video tutorials that helps you learn the massive program effectively. The videos are more specific information about the software then anything you can find on YouTube. However many of the industry giants that made Zbrush class room content also provide YouTube content so you get the best of both worlds.

Zbrush is the go to software for making miniatures. Easy to use. Yes

Massive amount of study material to become a sculpting god. Yes

Industry standard. Yes.

Recommended Yes.


Okay now for CAD based software. SolidWorks and Shaper3D

Two of the very best you can get.

However you should honestly use and learn all of the programs. As the majority can work together.

The three that I use is Marvelous designer for clothes physics, Zbrush and Blender.

I'm currently working towards opening up my budget and time to include shaper3D and solid Works.

I also strongly suggest lessons in 3D modelling. I offer a course that can save you hundreds of hours of study that's specific to commercial reproduction of miniatures that can be customized to your needs. I suggest it not only to speed up your learning Time =Money but it also includes information that isn't easy to find on YouTube or in the Zbrush classroom that's specific to miniatures.

Regardless I wish you well on your journey and can provide you with information or direct you to it if you're ever stuck.

Thanks, all. I decided to give Fusion 360 a shot since I'm familiar with parametric modeling from Solidworks.

I put together a container as a test and am attempting to print it out now to see how it looks. This was constructed as all one body, but from what I gather I need to work towards making parts and then assembling from there.

Rhino is a solid semi-open source 3d modeling software with plenty plug ins you can explore down the line. Organic sculpting is not as fluid in Rhino, but once you're fluent in the program it's still doable.

Also, based on the softwares you're familiar with, I'm assuming you're in AEC - if you have the chance I would also check out 3dsMax if your school computers have it.