Balsa Plans to 3D printing

I have a few balsa plans for different models. Whilst i have a machine I can laser cut, or shape pieces with a cnc router, but i'm keen to 3D print some of these plans. I can see the benefit of creating ways to put planes together for transport, and storage which becomes a unintended benefit when 3D printing parts. Plus with more parts 3D printed, after a crash, replacing the affected parts, rather than a whole model is appealing. So what I really want to know it, does anyone know how to draw/design the 3d models to print from?

corsair_pilot said:

So what I really want to know it, does anyone know how to draw/design the 3d models to print from?

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The only person I know that might be able to help you is Tony. He has a 3-D printer and design for me quad skid pads. I'm still using them from a few years ago.

Hey Jonathan! There are a number of ways you can create 3d models. My go to is Fusion 360, which for a hobbyist, is free. However for commercial use, it's quite expensive. I just use that to make basic shapes and combine where needed. If you want a severely cut down version of Fusion 360, the same company owns TinkerCad (Tinkercad) This program for me is harder to use mainly because I like chamfers and fillets, which are super easy to do in 360. In TinkerCad though, you have to actually create the negative part that will cut away or remove the item you want. It's a little harder, but the base principal is much easier. The learning curve is also less.

Those are really the only two that I use. Most everything can be made on a 2d surface, and then extruded to make a 3d part. Then you just export it in a file format your slicer will understand and load it in the slicer to get ready to print.