3D printing questions

[TRX-1-3]

I am looking to get some parts printed in PCblend. I think I have one .stl file sourced already. But, another part I need is a variation/prototype version of what later became the production version. There is enough of a difference between the two that it just wouldn't look right if I used the production part. So anyway.....I am considering designing, but not printing the part. I have found a third party that is willing and able to print in PCblend.

I know I'm kinda screwed without printing myself then test-fitting, refining, printing, etc.

My question(s) to those that know far more than I....

Which program/software/"suite" should I be looking at to accomplish this?

Is it free?

It would need to squeeze off a .stl at the end of the exercise, obviously.

And I guess the learning curve is gonna be exponential.

Any advice?

Thanks a million.

[Frankentruck]

So I think you're asking what CAD software to use for designing your part. Correct? I use a very vintage version of AutoCAD that I have to trick modern computers to be able to run it. Several people here seem to like Fusion 360 but I have no experience with that program.

This PCblend you mentioned, do you have any more details on what it us? I would guess it to he a polycarbonate and nylon blend, but it sounds like a brand name.

[GoMachV]

Fusion 360 is insanely powerful but also has a very steep learning curve. If you think you will stick with it, choose this program. Its free for students and hobbyists.
If you just want to do it down and dirty, there are a lot of people that use tinkercad. Its a very simplified version of cad that doesnt really give you the power of cad at all, but lets you build objects good enough to print. It might be the way to go if you are just doing this one part.

[silvertriple]

If you start to work with a stl, I'm not sure Fusion360 is the best tool for this, unless you redo the model from scratch (unless you have paid version wich is supposed to help a bit on STL importation). Beside this Blender, MeshMixer and even some slicers may allow different things. It is all depending about what you need to do in terms of variations...

Personnaly, I tried modding stl when I started, and I finally gave up and did model from scratch at the end (because sometimes stl doesn't even match what it is supposed to do)...

[Dadio]

Just to eco what others have said , if your going to grow your skills and stick with it then the free version of Fusion 360 is excellent but has a huge learning curve , otherwise Tinker Cad is pretty easy to get started with , both have excellent YouTube tutorials .

[TRX-1-3]

Thank you for the replies. The other part is on Thingiverse, so I guess maybe I could use TinkerCAD to modify it. I put a .STL viewer on my phone. That's pretty neat.

[silvertriple]

Looking at the part, it looks quite easy to model... And a nice start to onboard within 3D design with Fusion360...