How a borrowed iPad, a helicopter model, and a pricing change shaped a decade of 3D design
From a young age, I had a deep fascination with art, computers, mechanical engineering, and robotics. While I ultimately pursued a career in computer engineering, I have explored all of these fields over the years, mostly as a hobby rather than a professional endeavor. CAD and 3D modeling became one of those hobbies that stuck, and the tools I chose along the way shaped how I approach design today.
This is the story of that journey, from first contact with Shapr3D on an iPad Pro, through press features and community contributions, to building a workflow that combines the best of multiple platforms.
The Beginning: Shapr3D on iPad Pro (2017)
My journey into CAD began when the iPad Pro was first released, along with an application called Shapr3D. At the time, I did not own an iPad Pro, so I borrowed a smaller model to try out the app. After just a few days with the trial version, I was hooked. I quickly ordered a 12" iPad Pro and subscribed to Shapr3D's paid plan (the lowest tier available at the time).
For six straight months, I dedicated my evenings to learning CAD and pushing the software to its limits. I became an active member of the Shapr3D community, contributing under the name Robotics Hobbyist. During this period, I worked on various projects, including a detailed model helicopter that became one of my signature pieces.
Featured in the Press
Shapr3D was breaking new ground at the time, bringing industrial-strength CAD to the iPad Pro powered by Siemens Parasolid technology. My work as an early community member got picked up in several publications and media features during 2017-2018:
- YouTube Feature - April 20, 2017
- Eureka Magazine - "How user-friendly software is changing the way everyday people approach rapid prototyping" - April 24, 2017
- YouTube Feature - July 21, 2017
- 3DPrint.com - "Shapr3D Mobile 3D CAD Modeling" - December 11, 2017
- Architosh - "World First: Shapr3D Brings Industrial-Strength Siemens 3D CAD to iPad Pro" - December 12, 2017
- All3DP - "Shapr3D Introduces Powerful CAD Modeling Into the iPad Pro" - December 13, 2017
- Digital Engineering 247 - "Shapr3D, Siemens PLM, Tech Soft Team Develop Mobile CAD Application" - December 13, 2017
- Architosh - "Why Shapr3D Changes the iPad Pro Story from Toy to Tool" - March 1, 2018
It was a unique time. Shapr3D was proving that a tablet could be a legitimate design tool, and the early community played a real part in demonstrating what was possible.
Hitting the Limits: The Need for Rendering
As my models grew more complex, I ran into a wall: Shapr3D had no rendering capabilities. I could design detailed parts and assemblies, but I could not produce photorealistic images or visualize materials and lighting. For the helicopter project alone, this was a significant limitation.
That led me to Autodesk Fusion 360. I exported my project from Shapr3D and attempted to use Fusion 360 with a traditional mouse and keyboard, but the experience was cumbersome. Navigating 3D space with a mouse felt clunky after the intuitive touch-based workflow of Shapr3D.
The SpaceMouse: A Game Changer
That is when I discovered 3Dconnexion and the SpaceMouse. The SpaceMouse is a six-degrees-of-freedom input device designed specifically for 3D navigation. You push, pull, twist, and tilt the controller cap, and your model responds in real time. It sits alongside your regular mouse and handles all rotation and panning while your mouse handles selection and editing.
I purchased a Wireless SpaceMouse, learned how to use it, and within a few sessions I was navigating Fusion 360 as naturally as I had been working in Shapr3D. The combination of SpaceMouse for navigation and mouse for editing was a massive improvement over either tool alone.
My workflow at that point became: design in Shapr3D, render in Fusion 360. Each tool played to its strengths.
The Pricing Problem
Over time, Shapr3D significantly increased its pricing. When the app launched, the hobbyist tier was reasonable. But as the company grew and targeted enterprise customers, the pricing model shifted dramatically. I was grandfathered into the original pricing, which kept things affordable.
Then I missed my renewal window.
I was moved to the new pricing tier, which was substantially higher and no longer viable for hobby use. The free version at that point was too limited to be practical. So I left Shapr3D and transitioned entirely to Fusion 360, which offered a free Personal Use license for hobbyists and non-commercial work.
Autodesk offers a free Personal Use license for Fusion 360. It has some limitations compared to the commercial version (reduced export formats, limited cloud storage), but it includes the full modeling, rendering, and simulation toolset. For hobbyist work, it covers everything you need.
Tools of the Trade
Here is a comparison of the tools I have used and what each one does well:
| Tool | Best For | Limitations |
|---|---|---|
| Shapr3D | Touch-based modeling, quick concept sketches, intuitive interface, Apple Pencil support | No rendering, expensive for hobbyists, limited free tier |
| Fusion 360 | Full parametric modeling, rendering, simulation, CAM, free hobbyist license | Steeper learning curve, cloud-dependent for some features |
| FreeCAD | Fully open-source, no licensing concerns, parametric modeling, active community | Less polished UI, steeper learning curve, fewer integrated tools |
| 3Dconnexion SpaceMouse | 6DOF navigation for any desktop CAD tool, eliminates awkward mouse orbiting | Additional hardware cost, takes time to build muscle memory |
Looking Ahead: FreeCAD
More recently, I have started exploring FreeCAD. The motivation is the same instinct that drives most of my technology decisions: reduce dependency on proprietary platforms. Fusion 360's Personal Use license is generous today, but licensing terms can change. Shapr3D taught me that lesson firsthand.
FreeCAD is fully open-source, runs locally, and has no cloud dependency. The learning curve is real, and the interface is not as polished as Fusion 360 or Shapr3D. But the community is active, the tool is capable, and having a CAD workflow that nobody can take away from you has real value.
I am not abandoning Fusion 360. When I need to design something unique or custom-fit, it is still my go-to. But learning FreeCAD is an investment in flexibility, and it fits the same philosophy behind self-hosting my own servers, running my own Git instance, and choosing open-source tools wherever the quality is there.
What I Learned
After nearly a decade of working with CAD tools on and off, here is what stuck with me:
- The tool matters less than the workflow. Shapr3D for design, Fusion 360 for rendering. SpaceMouse for navigation, mouse for editing. The best results came from combining tools, not picking one and forcing it to do everything.
- Start with what excites you. I did not start with a course or a certification. I started with a borrowed iPad and a helicopter model. The motivation to learn came from the project, not the other way around.
- Pricing models change. If your workflow depends on a subscription, have an exit plan. Export your files regularly, learn the open-source alternative, and do not let a renewal deadline hold your work hostage.
- Community matters. Being active in the Shapr3D community led to press features and sharpened my skills faster than solo learning would have. Find your people.
- Invest in input devices. The SpaceMouse transformed my desktop CAD experience. Good hardware pays for itself in hours saved and frustration avoided.
Resources
- Shapr3D - Touch-based CAD for iPad and desktop
- Autodesk Fusion 360 - Full-featured CAD, CAM, and rendering
- Fusion 360 Personal Use License - Free for non-commercial use
- FreeCAD - Open-source parametric 3D CAD
- 3Dconnexion - SpaceMouse and 3D input devices