Whether you are designing, modifying, or repairing a 3D file yourself, there are always days when a happy owner of a 3D printer wonders what 3D software to use. Because it is difficult to choose among the many existing programs, the Belgian firm i.Materialise has unveiled a TOP 25 of the most popular design software in the world of 3D printing. A good 3d printer is only useful if you have a sound quality tool to draft your design. Djay pro windows free download. In this article, we will tell you which are the top 10 best 3d printing design software tools for your creative additive manufacturing process. 10 best 3d printing software tools for 2020 you must use 1. Netfabb is one of the most popular tools when. Tinkercad is a free, easy-to-use app for 3D design, electronics, and coding.
- What Software To Use For 3d Printing Shapes
- 3d Printer Software For Beginners
- What Software To Use For 3d Printing
- What Software To Use For 3d Printing
When choosing any 3d software, you need to find one that is easy to learn and use, especially if you're beginner. And you should choose one that is going to perform the task you want to and at the level of quality you want to reach. Most professional 3D software is expensive, however there are always some free software that you can use and create the magic. Below is the list of popular 3D software, free or paid 3D software.
Inventor 3D CAD software offers an easy-to-use set of tools for 3D mechanical design, documentation, and product simulation. Makers Empire: Maker's Empire Pty Ltd. Beginner: Freemium: Makers Empire 3D is very easy to use 3D design and printing software. It is built to be usable by kids as young as 5.
Most of 3D printers require that you use 3D computer graphics software that saves objects in the STL(stereolithography) format.
Free 3D modeling softwares:
- Google SketchUp - This Google SketchUp is fun and free, and is known for being easy to use. To build models in SketchUp, you draw edges and faces using a few simple tools that you can learn in a short time. With with Push/Pull tool you can extrude any flat surface into a 3D form. Furthermore, it works together with Google Earth, that you can import a scaled aerial photograph directly from Google Earth, or use SketchUp to build models which can be seen in Google Earth.
- 3DCrafter - 3Dcrafter is a real-time 3D modeling and animation tool that incorporates an intuitive drag-and-drop approach to 3D modeling. The standard version of 3DCrafter is freeware. Paid versions (3DCrafter Plus and 3Dcrafter Pro) are available.
- 3Dtin - The simplest 3D software. You can draw directly from your browser.
- Anim8or - Anim8or is a 3D modeling and character animation program.
- Art of Illusion - Art of Illusion is a free, open source 3D modelling and rendering studio. Art of Illusion is more as a 3D design system for animated computer graphics than as an engineering CAD tool.More information about Hints on Using Art of Illusion for RepRap is available online.
- Blender - Blender is the free open source 3D content creation suite, available for all major operating systems under the GNU General Public License. Blender was developed as an in-house application by the Dutch animation studio NeoGeo and Not a Number Technologies (NaN). It is a powerful program contains features that are characteristic of high-end 3D software.
- BRL-CAD - BRL-CAD is a powerful cross-platform open source solid modeling system that includes interactive geometry editing, high-performance ray-tracing for rendering and geometric analysis, image and signal-processing tools, a system performance analysis benchmark suite, libraries for robust geometric representation. BRL-CAD has been the primary tri-service solid modeling CAD system used by the U.S. military to model weapons systems for vulnerability and lethality analyses for more than 20 years. It became an open source project on 21 December 2004.
- Creo Elements/Direct - formerly CoCreate - is a complete design environment that offers direct 3D CAD modeler, along with 2D CAD, CAE and integrated product data management (PDM).
- DrawPlus Starter Edition - 100% free and simple, with Accurate vector drawing program, realistic brush, pen, and pencil tools, text on a path, blend modes for advance artistic effects.
- FreeCAD - FreeCAD is a general purpose Open Source 3D CAD/MCAD/CAx/CAE/PLM modeler, aimed directly at mechanical engineering and product design but also fits in architecture or other engineering specialties.
- GLC Player - GLC player is a free application used to view 3d models (COLLADA 3DXML OBJ 3DS STL OFF COFF Format) and to navigate easily in these models. With the album management, capture and multi-capture capabilities, html export and navigation possibilities GLC_Player is the accurate tools to review a lot of 3D models and to create illustrations. GLC_Player is a cross-platform application (Mac, Linux and Windows). It is lighter than regular modelling software so very handy.
- LeoCAD - LeoCAD is a CAD program that can be used to create virtual LEGO models. It has an easy to use interface and currently features over 3000 different types of pieces created by the LDaw community.
- Netfabb Studio Basic - Netfabb Studio Basic provides mesh edit, repair and analysis capabilities. Its compact size of only a few megabytes allows a quick download, an easy installation and the handling of STL and slice files within seconds.
- K-3D - K-3D is free-as-in-freedom 3D modeling and animation software. It features a plugin-oriented procedural engine for all of its content, making K-3D a very versatile and powerful package. K-3D excels at polygonal modeling, and includes basic tools for NURBS, patches, curves and animation.
- OpenSCAD - OpenSCAD is a software for creating solid 3D CAD objects. It is free software and available for Linux/UNIX, MS Windows and Mac OS X. it does not focus on the artistic aspects of 3D modelling but instead on the CAD aspects.
- Tinkercad - Tinkercad is a new and faster way of creating designs for your 3D printer. With only three basic tools you can create a wide range of useful things. Once your project is ready simply download the STL file and start your 3D print.
- Wings 3D - Wings 3D is a subdivision modeler. It has been developed since 2001. Wings 3D offers a wide range of modeling tools, a customizable interface, support for lights and materials, and a built-in AutoUV mapping facility. There is no support in Wings for animation.
Commercial 3D printing softwares:
- 3DS Max - High-end commercial 3D modeling tool
- Alibre - One of the cheapestCAMprograms.
Free STL software:
- MeshLab - Opensource software forprocessingand editing ofunstructured3Dtriangularmeshes. Italso hasan extremely fast slidefunction.
- Google SketchUp plugin - Apluginscript to import and export STLfilesfor GoogleSketchUp. Supports bothbinaryandASCIIimport and export.
- STL-viewer - Display andmanipulate thecontents ofstereolithographyor STLfile.
- Netfabb Studio - a free Windowsprogram for3D printingtoview, edit, analyzeandrepair STLfiles.
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Now that you have your handy 3D printer, you must be excited to get started! However, to begin your printing projects, you will need to invest in 3D printing software. This will enable you to print various objects. There is a wide selection of 3D printing software available; however, to get the most out of your 3D printer and to print the most flawless 3D designs, you need the best 3D printing software, which this review will help you with.
The following 3D printing software options have been approved by both professionals and beginners alike as the best 3D printing software in the market.
What is 3D Printing?
3D printing is a process of making three dimensional solid objects from a digital file.
What Software To Use For 3d Printing Shapes
The creation of a 3D printed object is achieved using additive processes. This means that an object is created by laying down many layers of material until the final object is created. Each layer can be seen as a very thinly sliced horizontal cross-section of the final object.
3D printing is the opposite format of subtractive manufacturing, which involves cutting out or hollowing a piece of plastic or metal using machinery such as a milling machine.
3D printing allows people to produce very complex shapes using much less material than the traditional manufacturing methods.
How Does 3D Printing Work?
You start off with a 3D model. This is something that you create yourself on your computer. When you create your own 3D model, you will need to use a 3D scanner, an app, a code, a haptic device, or some 3D modeling software. Our list below shows you some of the best 3D modeling softwares that are available on the market today.
1. Tinkercad
Tinkercad is considered one of the best 3D printing software programs for beginners due to its easy learning curve, and it only contains three easy tools that enable you to print a wide range of 3D designs, including prototypes, home decor, toys, Minecraft models, and more. It even enables you to make 2D geometrical shapes and change them into 3D models, and it utilizes STL file format, which is the most common file used in 3D printing, so it can be used by a wide range of users.
Tinkercad is an online 3D design and 3D printing app that is available for free, so all you need is a web browser.
Download: Tinkercad.com.
2. SOLIDWORKS
SOLIDWORKS 3D CAD software is used by over 2 million engineers and product designers across the globe. It has 3 different packages available for the beginner, the intermediate, and the pro and is rated one of the best 3D printing software programs due to its strong design operations with intuitive user interface, which allows for a speedy design process. It also includes CAD animation, PhotoView 360, revision control, and more.
SOLIDWORKS packages vary in price; however, free trials are available. For more details concerning the cost of SOLIDWORKS, you will need to contact a sales representative.
Download: SOLIDWORKS.
3. SketchUp
SketchUp is rated one of the best 3D printing software programs for pros and intermediates due to its wide range of tools for geometric objects. In fact, users report that it is the perfect combination of simplicity and operation. This makes it easy to use and why it is rated as one of the best 3D printing software programs available. And since it utilizes STL files, it can be used by used by a number of users.
SketchUp is available for free and is compatible with Linux, PC, and Mac systems.
Download: SketchUp.com.
4. Blender
Blender is one of the most powerful computer aided design (CAD) software programs you can use, which is why it is often recommended for professionals or those with advanced skills. However, it also has one of the largest communities of followers who are big on sharing resources, via various popular online sites, to help make it easier to navigate.
Blender is available for free and can be used with PC, Mac, and Linux systems.
Download: Blender.org.
5. Cura
Cura 3D printing software makes it easy to mange much needed 3D settings in a simple interface. This slicer software was originally designed for use with Ultimaker 3D printers; however, it can also be used with other 3D printers, including Witbox, RepRap, Printrbot, and more.
Users love this software for its ease of use, which includes a “Basic” mode that enables swift configuration of print qualities, while the “Expert” mode allows for more control over the print quality settings. It can also be used as 3D printer host software for direct control over your equipment.
Cura is available for free and is compatible with Mac, PC, and Linux systems.
Download: Ultimaker.com.
6. Repetier
Repetier takes your 3D printing to the next level with multi-slicer support via plug ins, multi-extruder support, and support for just about any FDM 3D printer available, which is just perfect for the intermediate to advanced user. And with the Repeteir Host, you can use your tablet, PC, smartphone to control your 3D printer from anywhere.
Repeteir is a free download and is for use with PC, Mac, and Linux systems.
Download: Repetier.com.
7. Slic3r
Slic3r is open source slicer software that includes an awesome honeycomb infill that is generated in three dimensions, which can significantly increase the strength of the interior infill of your final design. It is also well known for its bleeding edge features that are unmatched. Another benefit of this software is that it can be directly integrated with OctoPrint.
Slic3r software is available for free and can be used with PC, Mac, and Linux systems.
Download: Slic3r.org.
8. MeshLab
MeshLab allows you to change or make repairs to your 3D print model. With MeshLab’s advanced STL editing tool, you can fix holes, delete portions of your 3D model, or even merge two models into one for the perfect design. It also helps with raw data processing produced by 3D digitization tools or devices.
MeshLab is available for free and is compatible with PC, Mac, and Linux systems.
Download: MeshLab.
9. MatterControl
MatterControl is considered the granddaddy of all 3D printing software programs because it features three of the major slicing engines, including Slic3r, Cura, and Matterslice. This allows users to experiment with each feature and compare the results.
This 3D printing host for your desktop computer is very well structured for ease of use. It also enables you to preview the complete process layer by layer, so you can fix any issues in your print. It also includes an advanced mode, which includes features like mesh repair, and a basic mode where you can adjust the fill thickness, layer height, and more. You can also save the settings for future prints.
3d Printer Software For Beginners
MatterControl is a free download for use with Windows, Mac, and Linux systems.
Download: Matterconrol.com.
What Software To Use For 3d Printing
Summing Up
What Software To Use For 3d Printing
In the end, the 3D printing program you choose will ultimately help shape your 3D printing experience. Don’t be afraid to try various software until you find the best 3D printing software for you. A good 3D printing program will also provide different levels of use, which will allow you to get a lot of use out of it before moving onto more advanced software.