3D Modeling

[NZ00Z3]

I have been looking at getting into 3D modeling for a while due to:

• Have a few complicated woodworking projects on the go that actually need proper design work, not just a rough sketch and build it as you go.
• Thinking about getting a 3D printer, so I can make some of those plastics clips and blanking plates for the Z3 that seem to break whenever you look at them and they're insanely expensive to buy.

Downloaded FreeCAD. Had nil CAD knowledge and gave it a go. It was a big steep learning curve.

Thankfully, FreeCAD has very good support with:

• Whiki
• Tutorials
• Forum
• Youtube videos
• Facebook page.

Got stuck a couple of times and the forum sorted me out quickly. Great responses and resources.

Decided to do a 3D model of my Folding Arm Wool Swift that I make. Nice and easy to start with. Well, it has things that move and modelling things that move turned out to be a bit of a major learning point for me. After 2 weeks of work (I'm retired, so approx. 70 hours) and 3 rebuilds of the model, I finally got it right. See the attached animation.

The animation is just a collection of screen shots linked in a video editor. Nothing fancy.

I now class myself as a beginner and I'm ready to start designing the complicated projects. Expecting lots more learning as I work through them.

20210703 Swift FreeCAD 3D model.mp4

drive.google.com

 

[mrscalex]

Great stuff. Something that fascinates me but I shall have zero chance of mastering the design.

To be fair to BMW a lot of small bits are cheap enough. But my pet price hates are dash screw caps and the joining clips for the roof seal to the door seal.

 

[DrWong]

My brother has a 3D printer. When I refreshed my sills I was trying to convince him to print me some plastic clips to replace the metal prestal cages in the chassis that hold the screws for the outer sills. He never got round to it though, the lazy bar steward. The BMW clips were cheap enough but plastic would've been better (wouldn't rust etc)

3D printing is a really useful skillset to have for maintaining older cars IMO

 

[petecossie]

I've mentioned it on another thread that 3D printing is a going to be a very interesting way of manufacturing those hard to replace plastic items. A recent Car SOS had a console fitting made for a Ford Cortina that was NLA, they use a donor part for scanning to the computer. The finished item was indistinguishable from the donor item.
A few years ago I purchased a roof rail end piece for my Coupe from a guy in the States (worked out £25 for the two LHS/RHS items) - BMW wouldn't supply separate from a new roof rail at a cost of £120 for a complete assembly.