Software for 3d printing
An Overview Of The Best 3D Printing Software Tools
Every 3D print begins as a 3D model generated in a modeling program. Years ago, we had to spend lots of money and time to acquire and learn modeling software. Now, there are many easy-to-use modeling software options available, many of which are free. This list includes some of the best options and is sorted by price, with the free ones sorted alphabetically.
The list also indicates whether the software uses solid modeling, a type of 3D modeling that always generates models that are “manifold” or “water tight.” A manifold model is one in which all walls of the model have some thickness, which is necessary for 3D printing. By contrast, software that uses polygon modeling can generate walls that have zero thickness; that’s fine for creating computer graphics for games and movies but not useful when 3D printing the models. Manifold models can be created with polygon modeling software, it just takes more steps and experience. All the software in this list can create 3D printable models, but every model that comes out of solid modeling software is 3D printable.
Additionally, we’ve noted what skill-level of user each software is designed for: beginners, amateurs, advanced users, and professionals. In general, the easiest to use options are near the top and the most powerful options tend to be near the bottom, though there are some outliers found throughout. Most of these software can be tried for free and there are free tutorial videos available for all of them.
3D Modeling Software
These tools are all about creating models for 3D printing. Some of them are pretty easy to use while other programs are only suitable for professional users with years of experience.
Shapr3D CAD Modeling
Price: Free, $299/year for professional
Solid modeling: Yes
Intended for: Beginners and Professional
What makes it special: An intuitive multi-device CAD experience allows you to design anywhere with ease.
Tinkercad
Price: Free
Solid modeling: Yes
Intended for: Beginners
What makes it special: It’s designed to allow anyone to create 3D printable models and serves as an introduction to solid modeling.
Blender
Price: Free
Solid modeling: No
Intended for: Amateurs and advanced users
What makes it special: It’s open source, feature-rich, and includes tools for sculpting, animation, simulation, rendering, motion tracking, and video editing.
BRL-CAD
Price: Free
Solid modeling: Yes
Intended for: Advanced users
What makes it special: Developed and used by the US Army to support ballistic and electromagnetic analyses. Also includes ray tracing and geometric analysis tools.
DesignSpark Mechanical
Price: Free
Solid modeling: Yes
Intended for: Amateurs and advanced users
What makes it special: A library of 3D models from industrial suppliers and the ability to generate a bill-of-materials for designs. Electrical and PCB CAD tools are also available.
FreeCAD
Price: Free
Solid modeling: Yes
Intended for: Amateurs and advanced users
What makes it special: Models are fully parametric and recalculated on demand with an undo/redo stack. Other features include robotic simulation, architectural tools, and a path module for CAM (Computer Aided Manufacturing).
OpenSCAD
Price: Free
Solid modeling: Yes
Intended for: Amateurs and advanced users
What makes it special: Designed for programmers, models are generated through typing scripts.
Wings3D
Price: Free
Solid modeling: No
Intended for: Amateurs and advanced users
What makes it special: Polygon modeling enables the creation of more organic shapes. Standard tools can be accessed through a right-click menu.
3D Slash
Price: Free web version; Premium license is $24/year and a Commercial license is $240/year
Solid modeling: Yes
Intended for: Beginners and amateurs
What makes it special: Models are created through “slashing” 3D blocks away to shape them as desired.
SketchUp
Price: Free web version; Pro version is $299/year
Solid modeling: No
Intended for: Beginners to advanced users
What makes it special: Intuitive and powerful, with a library of user-generated and manufacturer-produced models.
Fusion 360
Price: Free for personal use and startups, $595/year for commercial license
Solid modeling: Yes
Intended for: Amateurs to professionals
What makes it special: Lots of features, such as tools modeling and sculpting, generative design, simulation, assemblies, collaboration, 3D printing, and CAM.
MoI 3D
Price: $295
Solid modeling: Yes
Intended for: Amateurs to advanced users
What makes it special: Can create smooth meshes from CAD models and is pen-tablet friendly.
Rhino3D
Price: $995
Solid modeling: No
Intended for: Advanced users and professionals
What makes it special: Very powerful and full of features for modeling, analysis, rendering, 3D capture, CAM, and 3D printing.
Modo
Price: $599/year or $1,799 for Perpetual license
Solid modeling: No
Intended for: Amateurs to professionals
What makes it special: Procedural modeling and artist-friendly tools for modeling, animation, texturing, and rendering.
Cinema 4D
Price: $720/year or $3,945 for Perpetual license
Solid modeling: No
Intended for: Amateurs to professionals
What makes it special: An intuitive interface, parametric modeling, and procedural workflow.
SolidWorks
Price: $1,295/year or $3,995 for Perpetual license
Solid modeling: Yes
Intended for: Amateurs to professionals
What makes it special: Powerful editing tree and tools for manufacturing, assemblies, simulation, cost estimates, CAM, and 3D printing.
Maya
Price: $1,545/year
Solid modeling: No
Intended for: Advanced users and professionals
What makes it special: Procedural effects and powerful world and character creation tools.
3DS Max
Price: $1,545/year
Solid modeling: No
Intended for: Advanced users and professionals
What makes it special: Advanced users and professionals
Inventor
Price: $1985/year
Solid modeling: Yes
Intended for: Advanced users and professionals
What makes it special: Tailored specifically for product design and engineering applications and loaded with tools for simulation and manufacturing.
