Ok, so I am currently exploring Fusion 360. Definitely has a steep learning curve for the moment. The light bulb has not yet turned on for me. I pride myself on being able to figure out how to use a piece of software to suit my beginner needs. However, this software package is proving to be a bit more difficult as I'm struggling a bit. I'm very comfortable with most, if not all, graphics software. I decided to find some online tutorials to help speed my learning process. I found these to be quite helpful:

There are probably others that are just as good, if not better, but they filled the need. Still have much to learn though!

Is it actually free? I've been using Sketchup, but after watching tutorial videos on Fusion 360, I'm ready to migrate. It keeps talking about "trial" and "30 days", though. I also see $300 per year on one page. Is there a stripped down version that you're using?

Fusion 360 is a good piece of software. It was a steep learning curve for me as well, but once you get used to it you can make great, very 3d printable models. There is a free license. Once you get the trial you can select the free "hobby" license.

I think the CAM part of the software is the best part and use it to output gcode for my CNC machine as well.

-Jim

Autodesk is not exactly know for "user friendly" software - but boy if you can figure it out and spend the time, you work like an artist

I've been using Autodesk Inventor to design parts. It is incredibly powerful. But you're absolutely right, it's not easy to figure out just by playing around with it. You need to at least take some kind of intro course. Fortunately, there's lots of material out there.
Fusion 360 has a lot of similarities to Inventor (I assume it will eventually replace Inventor). I was initially annoyed at Fusion 360 because it looked like Inventor but didn't quite work the same.... I need to go back and give it another shot. Maybe I should start with those beginner videos!
Note that Autodesk provides free educational licenses for almost all of its software.

Ben heck interviewed at a 3d printer show.. The best is towards the end when he talks about the filament drag

Here is a list of usable (as in reasonably similar in appearance) factory pinball parts on Thingiverse found in a "pinball" search as of 1/14/2018. Not a bad list at all! Many aren't exact replicas but if you want to save money or don't care about the absolute details, this list will be helpful. It's also not all inclusive but covers at least 90% of the good models available.

Gottlieb C13150 Flipper Bat
Attack From Mars/Revenge from Mars Saucer
Sega Drop Target
Data East Drop Target
Stern Post
Gottlieb Lamp Cover/Plastic Nut
Bally/Williams Star Post
Addams Family Fester Chair
Williams Plastic Lane Guide
Bally/Williams Flipper Bat
Bally/Williams Jet Bumper Parts
Bally Drop Target
Bally Playfield Insert
Cabinet Leg Protector (Large)
Kickout Saucer
Light Weight Ball
Data East Flipper Bat (No Logo)
Bally/Williams Drop Target 03-8750
Cabinet Leg Protector
Bally/Williams Plunger Link
Data East Autolaunch Solenoid Pad
Rocky & Bullwinkle Hat Trick Mechanism Arm
Rocky & Bullwinkle Hat Trick Mechanism Rail Guide
Molex Pin Extractor Tip
Spotlight Lamp Reflector & Bracket
Bugs Bunny's Birthday Ball Ramp Protectors
Stern Spinner Washer
EM Plunger Parts
Solenoid Armature Link 03-8085 / 545-5293-00
Bally EM Chime Box
Chicago Coin/Hollywood Pinball EM Score Reel Wiper Arm
Chicago Coin/Hollywood Pinball EM Score Reel EOS Switch Spacer
Chicago Coin/Hollywood Pinball EM Relay Finger Support Bracket
Chicago Coin/Hollywood Pinball EM Ball Kicker 464-2514-R
Bally/Williams Flipper Opto Curtain
Bally/Williams Flipper Opto Interrupter
Apron Mount Replacement
Williams System 7 Corner Bracket
Millionaire Pinball Roulette Puck
Fire! Ladder Motor Trapezoid
Gottlieb Trough Switch Bracket
Williams Drop Target Catch B-11225 / C-11223-1
Gottlieb EM Insert
Williams EM Plunger Housing
Williams System 11 Flipper Bushing
Stern Drop Target Rest Ledge 545-6163-01
Gottlieb Flipper Bat
Gottlieb Drop Target
Bally Jeweled Posts
Allied Leisure PCB Clip
Bally/Williams Plunger Coil Stop
Stern Backbox Light Baffle
Party Zone Dancing Dummy Body
Williams Outhole Plunger Link 01-4251

wahoo! a couple of my makes made the list.

Brian

Mine too!

yeah that was good, thanks for sharing. I experimented with some drag / tension problems and believe I have solved it as with my printer the drag occurs inside the Teflon tube where the filament must grab so every 5-10 hours I remove the tube and spray some silicon spray down it and problem solved. Any silicon on the filament gets burnt off when going through the hot head and have not noticed any print failures.

Can't believe I didn't know about this video until now...

If anyone is looking into doing some 3d scanning, I found this program recently called 3DF Zephyr. No software is going to give you the detail and accuracy of a laser or white light scanner, but for photogrammetry this is the best program I've used (both in detail and ease of use):

Great looking solution! Do you use this and if so are you using the free, or pro version? Been looking for something like this thanks.

just started using free version. did a rough scan of my face which wasnt great, but i was just holding my phone and pivoting it around my head. if i had a track setup it should come out good. very easy to delete background artifacts.

Lots of new 3d printers at CES this year:

I posted a couple designs in the Metallica owners thread:

https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/metallica-owners-thread/page/246#post-4145512

https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/metallica-owners-thread/page/250#post-4201012

I have a few others I may eventually share too.

Here's one from me. A target fix for the Indianapolis 500 illuminated targets.

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3946367