I’m curious why I don’t hear more about mattercad here or elsewhere? It’s free (not FOSS), and for me really fills the gap between tinkercad and most professional cad software. I often see questions about people wanting to move beyond tinkercad but being intimidated by the learning curve and the fairly large jump between it and higher powered software. Mattercad fits so nicely in this space. Yes it’s a bit slow once shapes get more complex, and it has some frustrating bugs that I don’t think will ever be fixed, but it’s both powerful and simple. I’m curious if there are places people think it falls short or if you think I’m wrong and there is a better intermediate software package I should be considering?
20 or 30 years ago? Sure
These days? And ESPECIALLY for 3d printing? Fusion 360 IS the intermediary step between TinkerCAD and professional software… and is the professional software too. And OnShape isn’t THAT much of a step if you understand the basics from TinkerCAD et al.
Stuff can get VERY complicated if you are trying to make stuff for different processes (e.g. CNC) or want to run physics simulations (essential for any “real” part). But if you are just making a model to get sliced? TinkerCAD teaches you more or less everything you need to know to get going and the UX of Fusion and OnShape are insanely good.
And if you really DO want to go free: FreeCAD exists and is almost kind of usable these days (moreso if you have already learned the fundamentals of CAD in a more friendly tool).