I am already familiar with Rhino and grasshopper, but I do not have much experience in any other software. I am finding it difficult so far to move over to other programs a default to rhino and grasshopper so I need to practice a bit more discipline with regards to this.
We had a great class with Aldo Sollazzo using grasshopper and some of the recursion plugins.
BLENDER
I have started some tutorials using this program. Rhino has a lot of mesh functions, but not the clay-like modelling that I can find in Blender. I have seen some amazing models and renders created in this program and I would like to get good at this over the next few weeks.
SOLIDWORKS
I really like the possibilites with this program. I have heard about it a lot and having been taught a bit here and some extra tutorials it does not dissapoint. The interface and workflow will take a lot of getting used to, but I feel like I have a time machine on my screen. Extending that analogy all the way to the butterfly effect where I go back in time and hope I don't mess anything up in the future
ANTIMONY
I love the look of this program, it seems to create objects in adifferent way to the programs I am used to, but has a similar workflow and interface to grasshopper. I run windows however so I need to overcome the Linux hurdle to be able to lay on this.
INKSCAPE
This looks like a good program for vectors without the complexity of a program like adobe illustrator. I am currently working on a parametric recursive file to be able to print using the vinyl cutter.
UNITY + CINEMA 4D
As with blender, these programs look very interesting in creating and also animating models. I like the power of unity to create VR ready models and environments and what that means for pre production and review of designs.
I decided to try out Inkscape for my 2D CAD as it works on any operating system, is free and opensource. You can download it here. It allows you to create vector files similar to adobe illustrator. I followed these two turtorials and made a doughnut which introduced me to lots of interesting tools and capabilities of the program.
For the 3D software I used Blender and followed the tutorial below to make a propeller. I wanted to make something I considered would be difficult in the programs I already know.
