3d Printing Cad Software Free – Modeling is one of the most important skills for 3D printing. Without it, you will not be able to use your expensive equipment, which will quickly turn into a useless toy that will collect dust in the closet. In this article, we’ll look at beginner and professional programs that will help you gain the skills to create 3D printing models.
The most popular software of this type is CAD (computer aided design system). This technology essentially replaced freehand drawing. CAD software allows you to model anything from a headphone clip to a rocket launcher. The technology works on the principle of geometry. It is based on a two-dimensional technical drawing of the object. The software automatically performs all mathematical calculations, making it easier for engineers, designers and developers. The advantage of this kind of software is the accuracy of the calculations required in mechanical engineering or in the design of technical elements where exact dimensions are important.
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The simplest automated design systems aim to create two-dimensional drawings and supporting documentation. More advanced programs allow you to develop a 3D object based on existing standard models.
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The most time-consuming programs go beyond CAD and fall into creative 3D modeling. Here we are initially dealing with a three-dimensional form, not a flat image. Using such programs requires professionalism, and at the same time provides more opportunities for solving complex tasks that are not provided by automatic algorithms, but often without clear reference to dimensions.
We open our review with a free program with a simple intuitive interface, available even for commercial use. With its help, we can design small details as well as the entire building. FreeCAD will be good for beginners in 3D printing. In this software, you create a 2D sketch and then export it to a 3D model. The program interface is divided into modules such as “Image”, “Visualization”, “Architecture”.
We have already mentioned a convenient working area with options such as: zooming, changing angles, camera control. The top panel has all the necessary modeling tools. On the left side you will find the switch modules. At the bottom of the screen are the model properties. It is convenient that you can open several drawings in different tabs at the same time and switch between them if necessary.
The set of functions of this software is not inferior to its paid counterparts. Moreover, it is an open source program. Advanced users can add additional options beyond the basic settings using the Python programming language.
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The obvious advantage of the program is its compatibility not only with Windows and MacOS, but also with Linux.
It should be noted that Freecad uses its own extension when saving files, so errors and inaccuracies may appear when loading projects from third-party programs.
If you have never built models, you will definitely be able to handle this software. It is designed to teach children about 3D parameters and is suitable for designing and 3D printing at home.
You don’t even need to download Tinkercad. This Autodesk service is available online. To get started, you need to sign up as a student, teacher or personal user and use the service for free.
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You can start modeling the service workspace using pre-existing patterns, or you can create a new project from scratch. Work in the application is accompanied by reference materials designed specifically for training. “Group”, “Adjust” and “Align” are the main tools. Moreover, the software stores the creations of other authors, most of which can be modified and then printed in 3D.
Users of this service work with 3D shapes, but you can also convert 2D sketches into 3D models. The program saves finished projects in the form of stl, obj and svg files. This is very convenient, because you can open them in another program, perhaps a more professional one. The stl format allows you to import the file into a third-party cutter for 3D printing.
In fact, Tinkercad is a free educational service for beginners that will be a guide to the world of more advanced CAD.
This is professional software from Autodesk, but it has a free license for students, personal users, and small businesses, as long as you use it for non-commercial purposes or make less than $100,000 a year as a startup. The license is issued for one year with the possibility of renewal. It should be noted that the personal and student versions do not have the full range of features available in the commercial version. However, their lack is not important for the average user.
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As for the interface of the program, it is convenient, but since the software is rich in various options, it will be difficult for a beginner to understand immediately. The program has wide possibilities for solid state modeling. The tools here are no different from the classic ones, but there is a timeline thanks to which you can return to any stage of the simulation and make changes to it. Here you can also get into spline modeling by manually controlling the parameters of the 3D curves or automatically setting the dimensions.
Fusion 360 is ideal for working with blueprints, which justifies its rating in our top CAD review. You can set the necessary drawing parameters. It is also possible to create specific models using mathematical functions. In this case, all elements associated with this value will change. Thus it is possible to create, for example, a gear by specifying the module and the number of teeth.
This software has a template gallery of the most popular engineering parts and the ability to import and edit a 3D scanned object.
Fusion 360 supports more than 50 file formats such as sldprt, sat, iges, step, stl and obj, but saves the project as f3d files.
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This software does rendering and animation and supports an engineering analysis feature where you can see the weak points of the model being used.
For 3D printing, this CAD software has its own cutter, that is, it cuts the model to prepare it for printing. Support for speaker printing has also been added here.
What is unique about it: a clear interface, access to a library of models created by other users.
This is a simple program popular among architects. People use it to design buildings and even cities. This software was previously owned by Google; most Google Earth designs are developed with it.
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This software has a free version for non-commercial use. The manufacturer offers a scaled-down version of SketchUp Make and a full but expensive version of SketchUp Pro.
All 3D objects in Sketchup are built on the basis of drawings, which consist of simple elements: lines, arcs, rectangles, etc.
Importantly, each step is accompanied by training materials, making it easy to learn the software. The virtual assistant will tell you what to do next. The user interface makes it easy to work in this program.
The resulting projects are saved as skp files. Software users can import and export dwg, ddf, jpg, png, psd, obj files.
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This software, like its counterparts, has a library of popular models that you can download for free. It supports additional plugins for exporting, rendering and creating physical effects. There are free Ruby extensions for Sketchup, but they are closed source software.
It should be noted that this software is not compatible with Linux, and its current versions are not suitable for 32-bit systems.
This free 3D editor is used not only for 3D modeling and rendering, but also for creating animations, sculpting and computer games. Yes, it has a game engine as well as brushes and animation tools including a skeleton; it also has textures, renderers for rendering, a basic video editor, and of course, great 3D modeling capabilities that Blender wouldn’t otherwise have on our list. While we’re discussing 3D modeling CAD software here, we won’t go into detail about the rendering and animation capabilities of the software.
This software has a rather complicated interface. It is not surprising, because it combines a huge number of options. But you can work faster if you configure shortcuts. The software works flawlessly on Windows, GNU/Linux and MacOS. The installation file weighs about 200 MB.
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Blender goes beyond CAD software. Here we can immediately work with 3D models. Among its options, you will find object design based on primitives. It is also possible to work with polygons or NURBS and Bessier curves, as well as with the basis of metaspheres, logical operations and dividing surfaces. A basic sculpting tool is also available. The software gallery has many different modifiers. These parameters allow you to perform actions on the object or assign properties to it.
It’s important to note that if you’re modeling polygons, don’t forget to make sure your object has closed geometry.
This software is not suitable for professional engineers and architects, but it is good for home 3D printing.
It is a simple automated design system built on top of already existing Qcad software for
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