Mike James
Posts: 2528
Score: 100
Joined: 1/19/2002
Last Login: 11/8/2009
From: Anchorage,
AK, USA
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The money issue...
Short version: Do some very careful "window shopping", comparing software, then buy the best tools you can afford.
I'm a person who would love to have some of the hugely-expensive software packages. But, I've always felt forced to give this a lot of thought, and to make the most of whatever tools I could afford. For many years, I used "Carrara Studio", with brief periods including AutoCad and LightWave. The one I settled on last year was Luxology's "modo", ( http://www.luxology.com ) which is a modern, and in my opinion, brilliant set of 3D modeling tools. ( My work with it modo is at http://www.mikejamesmedia.com ) There is a "line" of sorts, at the other end of the spectrum, which is that if you go "too cheap", you'll just end up frustrated. Be wary of software that produces only it's own proprietary file types, for example. If that company folds, you've got trouble. And, there's a reason, as a rule, that some of the major companies offer cheaper versions of their software. They don't have the features you probably will want later, forcing you to upgrade. "Blender", in my opinion, is the exception to that. It's a GREAT set of tools, free, including all kinds of advanced features... even particle effects. (http://www.blender.org )
When it comes to RC and other fabrication-oriented projects, most people want to create the model very easily, and then push a button to export useable drafting-style (2D) plans. That's understandable, but that's what differentiates the software too. Some are "3D modeling applications", and some are "drafting-style applications". BUT... There is a workaround, when you want to create great 3D models, but don't want to use (or can't afford) the drafting-style packages. I've done it for years, which is how I know it works.
If you're an RC-er that's competent enough to design your own planes, then you've probably seen MANY plans, and understand how RC planes of different types are built. So... Every 3D program I've used has the ability to view the model through an orthographic (no divergence or convergence) camera, and to print out images of those views, at whatever dpi you need. So, print out a top, side, and bottom view of your model, at the scale you like. (This is cheap, especially if black and white, at places like "Kinko's".) then trace them onto vellum, and make your plans, based on the accurate outlines and cross sections you'll have. It's not that much work, and is a good alternative to spending several hundred, or even several thousand more dollars. Using a pencil also gives you the opportunity to change things that might not have been obvious in the design. You can also make different versions of your design... One for balsa, one for molding, for example. All you need is a flat surface, some long straight edges, and perhaps some other basic drafting tools, such as French curves.
One of the advantages (to me) of 3D modeling applications, over some of the 2D drafting applications, is that it lets you visualize the model more realistically, before settling on the final design. You can change the exterior shapes, check how the control system and other RC gear will be installed, and even experiment with color schemes. In the marketing world (not just including RC planes) that kind of flexibility is vital, to show clients proposed changes, before going to the manufacturing stage.
Anyway, there are some things to think about. You might be able to accomplish what you want, with a 3D modeling package that's much less expensive than some of the "CNC-ready", and expensive packages. And, although it sometimes requires some extra steps, most common 3D file formats can be converted to machine-ready files, by the people that use CNC machines for a living. (I've had it done with some of my past projects, from dxf, obj, and 3ds files.)
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Mike James
RC Design and Building - www.nextcraft.com
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RE: Modeling Software - 
