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What you see is what you get

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Sketchfab - The best 3D viewer on the web

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With a community of over one million creators, we are the world's largest platform to publish, share, and discover 3D content on web, mobile, AR, and VR.

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Looking for 3D printing software? Then you have come to the right place. We have compiled an extensive list with software for all your 3D printing needs: from 3D modeling to slicing, from beginner to professional, we have got you covered. Jump right to the section that you are most interested in: the 3D Modeling Tools section covers all kind of CAD software, the Slicers & 3D Printer Hosts section contains the latest print preparation applications and last but not least, the Other Handy Tools contains software that may come in handy when repairing a 3D model.

3D Modeling Tools

Listed below are the most common and widely used 3D modeling softwares. There are three main categories: CAD Tools, Freeform Modeling Tools and Sculpting Tools. Whereas the tools of each category can generate models suitable for 3D printing, the way the inputs are generated are different: CAD tools are largely based on using geometrical shapes to build models while Freeform modeling tools allow more freedom by allowing you to create freeform shapes. Sculpting tools are pretty much like using digital clay that you can push, pull, pinch and grab to form your models.

For beginners who are looking to get some quick results, we have included a section on Customizers. These work with pre-existing models that you easily customize by modifying some simple settings. A great way to get to your first custom-made 3D model - make sure to check them out!

Software

Developer

User Level

Price

Comment

(Sponsored link)

VECTARY Inc.

Beginner to Intermediate

Freemium

VECTARY is a free, online 3D modeling tool and community platform where you can create, share and customize 3D models. The Free Plan offers you a fully functional and easy-to-use toolset, with unlimited public models to create and share, and a limited number of private models.

123D Design
Autodesk Inc.

Beginner

Freemium

123D Design is a powerful, yet simple 3D creation and editing tool. The free version gives you access to most features and allows you to create and use 3D models for non-commercial purposes.

3DRacers
3DRacers Ltd.

Beginner

Free

3DRacers is a 3D printed indoor racing game, based on Arduino. Use the browser-based editor to configure your car and have the finished design emailed to you, all in .stl format. 3D print the car parts, assemble the model and go racing!

Cookie Caster
Dreamforge Inc.

Beginner

Free

CookieCaster lets you design, share and create custom cookie cutters. If you have your own 3D printer, you can download the 3D model of your design for for printing at home. If you don't own a printer you can have your design printed via the 3D printing service, Shapeways.

Slicers & 3D Printer Hosts

This section lists all software required to prepare and execute a 3D print. The Print Preparation column indicates whether the software allows you to prepare your 3D model for printing by such actions as scaling, rotating and placing the model on the print bed. Slicing generates the G-code necessary to feed into your 3D printer.
Note: the Cross Platform Tools work with all 3D printer brands making them ideal if you own a 3D printer without any native software. All the programs listed here require you to install a piece of software on your computer. The Cloud Based Solutions are browser based, they all require an internet connection such that the slicing, mesh repair and print queue management can be executed in the cloud.

Software

Developer

Print Preparation

Slicing

Comment
MatterControl
MatterHackers, Inc.

Yes

Yes

MatterControl is a free, open-source 3D printer front-end that lets you organize and manage your 3D prints. MatterControl features an intuitive approach to 3D printing, allowing users to queue multiple parts for printing without pre-slicing, preview and manipulate designs, as well as integrating a library that enables users to organize and search their design files. You can connect your 3D printer to the cloud via MatterControl Touch, a touchscreen tablet that acts as a dedicated 3D printer control console.

Other Handy Tools

Below are a few more tools that can come in very handy, be it for fixing 3D models or preparing them for printing.

Software

Developer

Price

Comment

MakePrintable
Mixed Dimensions Inc.

Free - $25/month

MakePrintable is a web service where you can upload your 3D model before printing. The software will then analyse the design and give you statistics on its printability. You then configure the output characteristics and the algorithm will re-mesh your model for 3D printing removing all problems, providing you with a model ready for 3D printing.

MeshFix
Marco Attene

Free

MeshFix is an open-source 3D model repair tool that fixes various defects in meshes, such as holes, non-manifold elements and self-intersections. The output is a water-tight triangle mesh, ready for 3D printing. Only available for Windows.

Meshmixer
Autodesk Inc.

Free

Described as "Swiss Army Knife" for 3D meshes, Meshmixer is a state-of-the-art software for editing triangle meshes. The software has mesh repair capabilities but also functions like scultping, hollowing, scaling, mirroring, cutting and building support structures making it invaluable for 3D printing. Best of all, Meshmixer is free and available for Windows, OS X, and Linux.

NetFabb
Autodesk Inc.

30 day free trial - $150/month

Netfabb is 3D print preparation tool that offers a wide range of pre-print features such as repairing meshes, adjusting wall thickness, reducing file size, merging or subtracting parts. The software also has a powerful function to create, analyse and adjust supports for 3D prints.

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Software & Tools for 3D Printing | 3D Printing for Beginners

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Looking for 3D printing software? Then you have come to the right place. We have compiled an extensive list with software for all your 3D printing needs: from 3D modeling to slicing, from beginner to professional, we have got you covered.

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Free Mechanical Engineering: CAD Software

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2D/3D CAD Systems Electrical CAD Systems Ship CAD Systems Architectural CAD Systems CAD Management Systems Animation Software Related Pages Information wanted! About this page

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What is this 3D design software? SketchUp is mostly known for being the tool architectural landmarks are modeled with Google Earth's and not 3D printing. And although its present owner specializes in geoinformation SketchUp is used for visualization and planning in a variety of industries spanning architecture, interior design, urban planning, engineering, and construction.

What strikes the first time user of SketchUp at once is the neat and tidy interface. There are not many buttons that can boggle beginners trying to understand the free 3D modeling software. It is easy to grasp the basic principles behind this free 3D modeling software, making it possible to create simple 3D printable models from scratch within the first few hours of learning. This is thanks to some intuitive tools that allow navigating and sculpting accurately in 3D view.

Which is not say that SketchUp is only capable of simple 3D modeling. Since SketchUp encourages users and third party companies to contribute extensions - many of them free of charge - there is virtually no limit to its potential capabilities. One case in point is Curviloft, bringing to SketchUp a set of tools that allow modeling complex organic structures. The free 3D modeling software also includes drawing layout functionality and allows surface rendering in a variety of "styles".

SketchUp comes with its own exchange repository integrated into the program itself: 3D Warehouse - a library where approximately 2.2 million SketchUp models can be downloaded directly into the program. Files are limited to a size of 50 MB. 3D Warehouse is connected to the online printing service Materialise.Cloud. By the push of one button Materialise. Cloud claims to automatically repair any glitches the model might have and produce a watertight STL file, that can be downloaded from 3D Warehouse.

This free 3D modeling software does not support STL files out of the box. Instead, importing and exporting STL files are enabled by the extension "SketchUp STL" that can be downloaded and installed from within the program.

In addition, this 3D modeling software supports a handful of handy free extensions to prepare your SketchUp files for 3D printing:

We also want to point out several extensions that connect this free 3D modeling software to external services. These provide important functionality such as cleaning up meshes, getting an estimate for the cost of printing and ordering a print (i.materialise, Makeprintable) - be aware that these services may require you to subscribe in order to work.

SketchUp is strong for designing visualizations - it may well be considered the best 3D modeling software for the job. The support for 3D printing is already impressive and growing every minute.
Tutorials:
Best free 3D modeling software (3D Design/3D CAD software) for: Graphic designers, PreViz designers, and 3D printing hobbyists

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30 Best 3D Design/3D Modeling Software Tools (15 are Free) | All3DP

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What is this 3D design software? SketchUp is mostly known for being the tool architectural landmarks are modeled with Google Earth's and not 3D printing. And although its present owner specializes in geoinformation SketchUp is used for visualization and planning in a variety of industries spanning architecture, interior design, urban planning, engineering, and construction.

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Appendix : The 3D printing workflow

If you are new to 3D printing, you might be left wondering what all these 3D printing software tools do and how to make sense of it all. You should know that the 3D printing workflow consists of four major types of software which do their work in series and make 3D printing possible.

3D modeling software, 3D design software, and 3D CAD software let you design 3D models on the computer. You can design anything from a screw driver to a model of a car.

Of course, if you don't want to design your own 3D model, you can also download 3D models made by others from Thingiverse and other 3D model marketplaces.
Jump to the best 3D design/CAD software list
STL file viewing, editing and repairing 3D printing software: Whether you make your own 3D model or download it from the internet, you will most often end up with an STL file. However, not all STL files are perfect and some may have defects. Defects lead to poor printing or outright print failures.

STL file viewing, editing and repairing software let you visualize, change and fix STL files to ensure that they are ready for 3D printing.
Jump to the best STL viewing, editing and repairing software list
Slicer software: A slicer then converts the STL file into G-code, which happens to be the language that 3D printers understand. It's called a slicer because that's literally what it does; it chops up the 3D model into thousands of flat 2D layers and provides G Code instructions to the printer about how to print each layer.

3D printer host: Finally, a 3D printer host connects your computer to the 3D printer and handles all communication between the two devices. In particular, it is responsible for transmitting G Code instructions to the printer. It also allows you to monitor the printing process and change settings in real time.

Very often, the functionality of a slicer and the host are bundled into the same 3D printing software.
Jump to the best slicer and printer host software list
These four classes of 3D printing software work together in unison and lets you go from a 3D model to a 3D printed object.
(All images are copyright their respective owners)

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20 Best 3D Printing Software Tools (All Are Free) | All3DP

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If you are new to 3D printing, you might be left wondering what all these 3D printing software tools do and how to make sense of it all. You should know that the 3D printing workflow consists of four major types of software which do their work in series and make 3D printing possible.

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Please note that we are aware of the issues users are facing while accessing their documents. We have identified the problem and working on fixing it. Please expect some downtime today. We apologize for the inconvenience this may cause. Check this post for updates.

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3DESIGN: 3D CAD Software for Jewelry and Fashion Accessories | Type3

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Easily create and produce your models in 3D with the effective 3Design CAD software intended for watchmaking and jewelry and fashion accessories.

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3D-modeling tools help turn individual ideas into beautiful models and prototypes for a variety of fields. These tools allow building and customizing models from the ground up, no matter if you are a keen beginner or a professional engineer. Popular in various industries such as film, animation, gaming, architecture, and interior design, 3D models are key aspects of various projects.

Choosing the best modeling software is often difficult because of various aspects and the wide range of features available in these tools. To help you with the selections, here is a list of 20 3D-modeling software for personal or professional modeling.
Read more: 25 Websites to Download 3D Printer STL Models
Wings 3D is an advanced sub-division modeler which offers a wide range of modeling tools and a customizable interface, along with a built-in AutoUV mapping tool, as well as export facility for common 3D formats. However, despite more awesome features like support for virtual mirroring for symmetric modeling, Wings 3D provides no support for animation for its users.

Available for: Windows | macOS | Linux [ Download here]

A powerful and free 3D creation software, Daz Studio may not prove easy for beginners to use, but it does offer a feature- and functionality-rich user experience nonetheless. It enables you to create amazing 3D art with GPU-accelerated real-time rendering and photorealistic results. Along with providing various features of Wings 3D, it also supports animation as well as scene buildings.

Available for: Windows | macOS [ Download here]

A free 3D-modeling software for Windows, Mac OS, and Linux, Open SCAD focuses more on the CAD aspects of modeling an object rather than the artistic aspect. Unlike many others listed on this page, Open SCAD is not an interactive modeler but a 3D-compiler modeler that reads in the details of the objects to render their 3D models on the screen.

Available for: Windows | macOS | Linux | BSD [ Download here]

A suite of CAD and 3D-modeling tools, AutoDesk 123D even supports the 3D printing technology. AutoDesk 123D consists of various tools to create, design, and render 3D models. The websites also offers more than 10,000 free 3D models to get inspiration from, fun experiments, or for use in personal projects.

Available for: Windows | macOS | iOS | Android (soon) [ Download here]

Meshmixer 3.0 allows designing and creating 3D designs by combining two or more models in just few simple steps. It follows a simple cut and paste procedure, and even supports sculpting ie molding and refining the surfaces real-time like a virtual clay. It supports 3D printing, taking design models as inputs and sending the models to a 3D printer.

Available for: Windows | macOS [ Download here]

3DReshaper is an affordable and easy to use 3D-modeling software dedicated to the processing of 3D models. It can be used in various fields such as arts, mining, civil engineering, and ship-building. It comes with support for various scripts and textures, and packs in lots of features for easy modeling.

Available for: Windows [ Download here]

3D Crafter is a real-time 3D-modeling and animation tool that incorporates an intuitive drag-and-drop approach for use. Complex models can be constructed using simple 3D shapes, and it supports sculpting as well as printing. It's an advance tool for creating animations.

Available for: Windows [ Download here]

Creo is a comprehensive system for mechanical engineers and model designers who create products using the direct modeling approach of 3D CAD. Direct modeling allows the creation of designs by existing designs or fresh ideas. Hence, the changes to the geometry of an object can be made quickly and easily. This is a premium program but there is a 30-day free trial, and a free version for students and teachers.

Available for: Free Trial for Windows [ Download here]

LeoCAD is a CAD program for creating virtual LEGO models, with support for Windows, Mac OS, and Linux. An alternative to LDD software, it has an easy interface and supports key framing and works in animation mode. It has a better support for animation compared to the rest of the animation-supporting 3D-modeling software.

Available for: Windows | macOS | Linux [ Download here]

Pioneer helps create vast expanses of terrains by rendering hyper-realistic images of landscapes. It is useful for advanced users looking for a rendering program. It helps compose amazing 3D landscapes with wide range of presets, and it provides direct access to Cornucopia 3D content. The software aids in the lighting and shadow effects.

Available for: Windows | macOS [ Download here]

Supported for popular platforms such as Windows, Mac OS, and Linux, Netfabb is not just a viewer but can also allow its users to analyze, edit, and repair 3D models. It supports 3D printing, and is the smallest lightest tool amongst its competitors with regards to installation size. The size does not compromise on the features though.

Available for: Windows | macOS | Linux [ Download here]

NaroCAD is a full-fledged and extensible CAD modeling application. It is based on the OpenCascade technology, and supports both Windows and Linux platforms. It supports both basic and advance 3D modeling operations, and can be extended through plugins and programming interface.

Available for: Windows [ Download here]

Lego Digital Designer or LDD, by the LEGO group, is available for Windows and Mac OS. The program allows the building of models using virtual LEGO bricks in CAD. The software has an export feature, allowing the created models to be opened and edited in other 3D modeling software.

Available for: Windows | macOS [ Download here]

ZCAD can be used to create 2D or 3D drawings. It supports different platforms but also provides great viewing angles and various tools to ease the whole modeling task. Its user interface is very easy to understand and the drawing process is quite simple. The finished design can be saved in AutoCAD's format as well as many other popular extensions.

Available for: Windows | Linux [ Download here]

A free version of Houdini FX, Houdini Apprentice can be used by students, artists, and hobbyists to create non-commercial 3D-modeling projects. Other than a limited render size, watermark on 3D renderings, and a few other minor limitations, Houdini is a tool with plenty of features packed in a great user interface.

Available for: Windows | macOS | Linux [ Download here]

Providing a design worksheet, DesignSpark allows the production of highly detailed 3D designs. It promises easy features to remove bottlenecks by making amendments and additions to your design as well as changing product concepts in 3D quickly. It also supports direct modeling technique as well as 3D printing your models.

Available for: Windows [ Download here]

FreeCAD is a parametric 3D modeler made primarily to design real-life objects of any size. It is easy to modify designs using the model history and changing the parameters. The program is a multi-platform (Windows, Mac OS, and Linux) tool, and reads and writes various open file formats. It also allows the building of your own modules or embedding them in your custom-developed application.

Available for: Windows | macOS | Linux [ Download here]

Sculptris provides an excellent gateway into the exciting world of 3D. Its features are easy to learn, navigate and use, even for someone with no experience in digital art or modeling. It helps take geometry concerns out of the design process, and will dynamically divide the model, better handling your computer's resources.

Available for: Windows | macOS [ Download here]

MeshMagic 3D helps in creating 3D rendering files, and drawing 2D objects or extending them to 3D. It's an easy and intuitive 3D design software for users of multiple fields. Although it currently supports only Windows, it allows the output file to be saved in the popular STL format, which can be opened and edited in various online and offline 3D-modeling tools.

Available for: Windows [ Download here]

Open Cascade is a software development kit (SDK) intended for development of applications dealing with 3D CAD data. It includes the special, community-developed C++ class libraries that provide services for 3D surface and modeling, data visualization and exchange and rapid application development.

Available for: multiple desktop and mobile platforms [ Download here]

Have you used any of the listed 3D-modeling software? Which is your favorite among these software? Kindly let me know your answers through comments.

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20 Free 3D Modeling Software You Can Download - Hongkiat

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3D-modeling tools help turn individual ideas into beautiful models and prototypes for a variety of fields. These tools allow building and customizing models from the ground up, no matter if you are a keen beginner or a professional engineer. Popular in various industries such as film, animation, gaming, architecture, and interior design, 3D models are key aspects of various projects.

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FreeCAD, the open source 3D parametric modeler

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Real World Results with Onshape

Designed from the ground up for agile product design teams

Start developing your products better, faster, smarter.

"Due to its agile product design approach , we are able to build products faster and run design sprints on hardware products flawlessly."

"It is very helpful for me to manage the product designing and offers me a convenient way of usage, I can operate it on my laptop and even in my mobile, by which it has become a piece of cake to assist my team."

"Easy to use CAD system providing a single source of truth for files and drawings and a CAD solution that sensible includes PLM as part of the design instead of an afterthought."

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Onshape is a product development platform that brings together all the tools needed to develop a product from conception to production.

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Clara.io: Online 3D Modeling, 3D Rendering, Free 3D Models

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Free online 3D modeling software: Design, editor, animation, rendering, & lots of free 3D models. Supports Three.JS, Blend, FBX, OBJ, V-Ray, Babylon.JS, STL.

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Easy and Professional 3D Printing Design Modeling Software - Shapeways

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Find the whole range of programmatic, parametric, sculpting and 3D modeling software. 3D printing design tools for both the Beginner and Professional.

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Request Free Academic Software Downloads | Vectorworks

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Vectorworks supports college students, teachers and schools with free design software to learn 3D Modeling, 2D Drafting and BIM.