Now and again, I’ll throw something up there. Some of the mine models were done for pay, others just for play.

Being deeply interested in 3D modelling for structural geology, well versed in AutoCad, I had to introduce myself and learn more about their product. Nice folks, great conversation, one guy had a parrot on his shoulder. That’s just Boulder.

I went to their office with a check the next day to buy the Pro version so I could use it in my business. And it was a good investment. It allowed me do things far easier than AutoCad. But AutoCad was much better at doing other tasks.

I was actually featured on the SketchUp Blog many years ago.

But, Trimble has ruined it. Trying to make it an online program as opposed to a program on my computer. Having me sign in to a program I own. SketchUp used to be easy, now it is a pain in the ass.

So often, it takes more than one program to accomplish our goals.

I don’t think I have shared with y’all some examples of my modelling. Here’s my YouTube channel:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoEkOBEOwqoj0wAPwMFbvEA

JMS Geologic

Some thoughts on CAD software. Please feel free to comment.

3D printing opened a world of options we didn’t have before. It used to be common to lay up parts like NCs, transitions, and boat tails with fiberglass, but it’s messy and very time-consuming.

Everything changed when affordable printers hit the market. All you had to do was learn a design program and away you went.
The problem is, learning how to create 3D designs can be intimidating, and each CAD tool has its own learning curve.

I started a long time ago with SketchUp, designing things other than rocket parts. It was fairly intuitive and did everything I wanted. Unfortunately, when Trimble acquired SketchUp, they gutted the free version and I can’t recommend using it.

I tried Fusion 360 and could see how powerful it was but didn’t have the patience to learn it. I’m currently working in Tinkercad, which is very beginner-friendly and fun to use. It would be a good one to start with to get a feel for the 3D environment. You can pretty much do anything you want with it, but it is limited. I found it clunky to have to create shapes to make cuts. And I’m not fond of the “Sketch” tool. I tried, but it wouldn’t allow me to input dimensions, even when it gave me the dialog box. I’m most likely doing something wrong, but it’s not intuitive—and it should be.
I haven’t tried, but I think forming compound curves would be a pain in the ass. Still, it gives you a selection of cones with different geometries, including ogives. If all you want to do is print NCs and fins, Tinkercad might be the one for you.

This brings me to where I’m at now. I was watching Joe Barnard’s video, “My $2000 Rocket Nozzle Mistake,” and he endorsed Onshape. I was happy to find how easy it is to sign up and get started. I didn’t even have to hunt for the free version because it’s right there in front of you.

Looking around the GUI, I saw all the tools I was looking for. The only thing that’s a little confusing is the project (document) tree, but that will come with time. There are plenty of video tutorials to teach you how to use it properly—unlike Tinkercad, where they show you “tricks” to make Tinkercad do what you want it to.

So, for the foreseeable future, I’ll be sitting down in the morning with a cup of coffee and watching the YouTube tutorials a few at a time. I think it’s going to be a pleasant experience.

I wrote back, “how are those cherries you’re picking taste?” He wrote back with “Fuck you asshole don’t ever speak to me again!”

Now I am assuming he somehow interrupted my comment to mean something like: “we killed your dude because you suck so eat shit” or some such wild misinterruptation. Of course I was simply stating that he was cherry picking his data as there are many many case of recent rightwing political violence.

Rob’s comment: “do you ever read a sentence you wrote that made perfect sense to you, but you see where someone might not get the same meaning?” really hit home to me there.

I just want to keep up with y’all; to seek out and develop my own voice. Sure, my literary influences are there. I’m trying to blend them.

As a young man, aside from my journalling, I focused on poetry. How to write with rhythm and rhyme without being obvious. Those things should be subtle in prose. And finding that balance between boiling down a sentence without over cooking it. I try to think of every sentence that way.

One should struggle with every sentence. There are those times, though, when you find your voice, that words do flow without thought. Magical moments not often found.

Practice. Then more practice. My poetry professor in college – I took three semesters from her – talked about her apprenticeship as seven years of practice. Then she threw away all of it and started over.

Do you ever read a sentence you wrote that made perfect sense to you, but you see where someone might not get the same meaning?
Do you wonder if more words would make it clear, or if less words would do the trick?

You try to put yourself in the place of the reader who has no cues from knowing you personally or how you speak.

A good example is in the sentence above. Would it have been better to say “in the reader’s place” rather “in the place of the reader”. I should have said “rather than”? Actually, “instead of” would be even better… “better yet”.

I struggle with every sentence. You win some and you lose some, but once you send it out, it’s too late. I’d like to get to the point where there is no struggle, where sentences just flow out effortlessly. Maybe then the paragraphs will follow suit.

PS should I have said just “flow” rather than “flow out”.
When I wrote about our level, is just “same” ok, or would “same one” be better.
Just now should I have said levels or level? Did I need all the quotation marks?

See what I mean?

But thank you for the kind words.