What do I need to learn to become a designer?

Cdtflb said:
Quizlet is great too!! That and there may be a dental app.. there was one I used that would show functions and excursions and a close up of each tooth.
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Second Quizlet. I used it over a year ago for my CDT studying. It stands out due to the extensive collection of users flashcards that did the heavy lifting already and complied all the information. I read the Air Force manuel and didn't feel like I was truly retaining the information. Hoped on Quizlet and felt the difference in retention right away.
 
KingGhidorah said:
If you’re going to waste your money on a crappy training course I’ll do it for half the price and teach 3shape better.

In all seriousness I doubt it’s any good, who knows though. I went to a training that zahn does, a 2 day one and I learned a couple tips and tricks, but ultimately you learn it just by using it, and looking up videos when you’re lost on something.

Also whoever said that there’s not a lot to know because 3shape gives you the smile design libraries must have never seen someone design who has no knowledge of tooth morphology. Yeah you get the basic anatomy, but you do have to know the correct way the teeth should be interacting with the opposing and adjacent teeth.
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@Chrischung probably worth it to pay Mr Ghidorah given you are having difficulty with 3unit bridges
 
Chrischung said:
3shapeacademyonline.as.me

Schedule Appointment

Schedule your appointment online
3shapeacademyonline.as.me

If you turned this into a youtube series, how much you want?
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Which stuff are you trying to learn?

Also for the record, so other people don’t call me out, you can probably find the majority of this on YouTube already if you’re willing to jump from video to video, but if you’re looking to hand out money I ain’t gonna say no.

Also what version of 3shape are you on?
 
KingGhidorah said:
Which stuff are you trying to learn?

Also for the record, so other people don’t call me out, you can probably find the majority of this on YouTube already if you’re willing to jump from video to video, but if you’re looking to hand out money I ain’t gonna say no.

Also what version of 3shape are you on?
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I'm trying to learn everything from the "Dental System Complete Restorative Training."

I'm on the latest version. 2021 I think..

If someone turned this into a Udemy course, they'd make bank.
 
Try the ZirkonZahn training centers.
 
Loads of good info in here, but I'll add my two cents and point of view.

I've been working as a -mainly- CAD designer for 3 years now. My father owns the lab (mostly fixed and implant work), so I kinda grew up in here. So I knew how to pour and prep models and a few other basic things since I was 14-15.
After I finished with uni (dental tech degree) I started working as a CAD designer on exocad. With zero experience on the software, and minimal experience on tooth morphology and occlusion. We all know that what they teach you at uni/college/whatever isn't enough and you have to learn morphology yourself by studying it and working.
My exocad reseller provided a few hours -more like, two afternoons- of basic training. Crowns & bridges, both anatomical and frameworks, and how the implant module works.
And then it was all youtube. In the beginning, I did call my reseller a few times to ask for explanation on how to do things, but soon I realised it was easier/faster to just look online. Youtube, and the Exocad Experts fb group (before it became a big advertisement and pretty much useless). Exocad (and 3Shape I assume) helps with morphology, since there are countless teeth libraries available. You look at the shapes all day, see what fits, which shapes are similar. Working in a lab with other people, has the benefit that you can take a second opinion on a difficult case (be it weird occlusion or shapes).
It didn't take long to get a good hang of exocad, and I'm pretty sure my knowledge on morphology and occlusion just gets better case by case.

So, to directly ask your question "What do I need to become a good designer?"
Doesn't matter which CAD software you choose. You need to learn how to use it. Both main competitors offer basic videos online. It helps if you're handy with computers, but even if you aren't you can do it as long as you're willing to learn.
And same goes for tooth morphology and occlusion. You will have to learn, by studying and by seeing all the different cases day by day.
Since you have done zirconia fitting, and gotten into glazing/porcelain, your knowledge isn't zero. I'm pretty sure you can do it.

Quick question. Since you're currently working in a lab, why do you want to go directly into freelancing? Could you ask for a CAD designer post there? Or at least show interest in it, see if they can show you the basics, see if it is for you.
 
It's hard to be experience. I've been on 3Shape since the later part of 2008. I've seen all the new tips and tools it has to offer and it really comes down to the same from version 2008-2021 and beyond. Get to know the software and keyboard shortcuts. It will make you a more efficient designer, trust me. No one is just born great at something, it takes time and hard work. Put it in and you will do fine. Ask a lot of questions too to your mentors and peers. I could continue this much more but I feel this should be enough to get it going.
 
Chrischung said:
Is 3shape's Dental System Complete Restorative Training worth it? It costs $2,400.
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IMO you could sit with videos, and get more out of it.
get 2 screens so you can pause and work. you can learn more this way and then decide on something more specialized for training

you can learn EXOCAD with the training dongle, they run 200 and are well worth it, with links to videos as well...
im currently moving from 3shape to Exocad, and am pretty comfortable after a month with the training dongle.

also, if you plan on having your own software, Exocad would be my preference for several reasons.. mainly because its open and the cost
also, as a new designer, it would be more "intuitive" for you, but that's based on my extensive experience with 3Shape and limited experience with EXO
 
Whip Mix puts out a ton of content on youtube. but only for 3shape and they do others for printers and such
 
whipmix occlusion seminar from chicago years ago is still one of the best Ive seen.
 
Bluesky Plan! amazing free software. It is certainly not the best but a great way to start learning design. I started designing dentures with it and it is a bit cumbersome at first but will teach you how most software's will generally work.
 
Learn to use a 3d mouse early and you'll save a ton of time, worth every penny. I use a 3d Connexion space mouse, not sure if there are good competitors, but the most stripped down wired version you can get is ~$150 but will save you a lot of time once you're comfortable with it.
 
HonestAbe said:
Learn to use a 3d mouse early and you'll save a ton of time, worth every penny. I use a 3d Connexion space mouse, not sure if there are good competitors, but the most stripped down wired version you can get is ~$150 but will save you a lot of time once you're comfortable with it.
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Couldn't agree more, some say they are faster with their mouse, or pick up the 3D mouse and say they cant even use it. Use it for like a week straight and you will never go back. And it doesn't stop at just the design software, 3D nesting software or other CAD software are navigable with a 3D mouse.

Been using one for 6 years now and never looking back.
 
Looked at the 3d mouse. Looks very helpful...
 
LuthorCorp said:
Couldn't agree more, some say they are faster with their mouse, or pick up the 3D mouse and say they cant even use it. Use it for like a week straight and you will never go back. And it doesn't stop at just the design software, 3D nesting software or other CAD software are navigable with a 3D mouse.

Been using one for 6 years now and never looking back.
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As long as you get one with alot of hotkeys, you want to be able to assign, the S, A, shift, control, Z, +, -, and the * buttons, and F and G. at least for 3shape, if you get those hotkeys assigned, and you have a 3d mouse itll make your workflow super quick.
 
MoosetheGoose said:
As long as you get one with alot of hotkeys, you want to be able to assign, the S, A, shift, control, Z, +, -, and the * buttons, and F and G. at least for 3shape, if you get those hotkeys assigned, and you have a 3d mouse itll make your workflow super quick.
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Yeah I started with the basic 2 button one, switched to the 15 button one within the next year haha, rebind hotkeys and macros save a lot of time.
 
LuthorCorp said:
Yeah I started with the basic 2 button one, switched to the 15 button one within the next year haha, rebind hotkeys and macros save a lot of time.
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agreed, I dont know how people design without hotkeys, I love never having to look at either the right or left side bar
 

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