Which 3D software is best for 3D printing?

[Alex_Belomlinsk]

Hello,

I am just starting with 3D printing and have tried out Adobe Photoshop 3D features, google sketchup, 123D Design and 3DS max 2015. I found 123D Design the easiest to use but am not sure if it is the best option when it comes to building printable 3D models.

Which program do you guys use?

Thank you!
-Alex

[Left]

Hi Alex,

Can you tell us what type of models you want to create?

Figurines, household Items, Jewelry, … The Choise of model depends on the type of model.

I.e. with 123D Design its not posible to sculp.

[JakG]

I have tried Antimony by M Keeter https://github.com/mkeeter/antimony. This is software for Mac and Linux so far, not Windows. It’s very good for making technical 3D models, where you can build it up from building blocks into something that is strictly designed.

[3dkpm]

If you are trying to create functional prototypes try onshape.

[magali3Dslash]

Hi Alex

we develop 3D Slash, Minecraft look&feel 3D modeling tool : design with cubes & shapes, play on size of pixels in order to get Mesh & manifold garanteed STL files for 3D printing. Online & offline available (for improved UX ; Window-Mac-Linux)

please find our HOW TO here. I’ll be happy to help!

Enjoy your 3D Slash session!

Magali

[Alex_Belomlinsk]

I am looking to create functional pins to be used as jewelry pieces. Thank you!

[Left]

Hi alex,

In this case I should look into Zbrush or Mudbox. These are very great and professional programs to use and there is many documentation to find on the world wide web.

Zbrush has also a free limited version called sculptiris.

Good Luck

[Alex_Belomlinsk]

I am looking to create functional pins to be used as jewelry pieces. Thank you!

[kissfan4]

I like sketchup for most things i model, but this is what i have most experience with. I am currently looking for a new software to start playing with.

[boydconnor]

Tinkercad is free and really easy to learn so it might be worth trying! It’s great to play with more basic shapes and then move to complex ones.

[3dpGeek]

Rhinoceros 3D works very well for me, they have a large community with how to help and tips. I have found that it is a emerging program in architecture and design fields. The program also has plug-ins to allow you to do mathematical models along with mathematical calculations. it also allows you to render and animate if are interested. Its quit easy to use if you have ever used autocad. They also have intergraded tools for They came out with an update 3D printing and have recently added the ability to export directly to some printers. I would at least check it out.

[AnyShape]

Hi Alex,

I’ve been working in 2D / 3D CAD for 20+ years and have used all the big names as well as the free software for weekend projects etc.

The answer to your question really comes from asking a question. That question is “What do you want to model?”

If the answer is Geometric, engineering type parts e.g. brackets, enclosures etc then I’d go for the Pro-E (or is it Creo now), Solidworks, Inventor, 123D Design, TinkerCAD style software as they are easy to start using and the models are driven by dimensions. Meaning the editing is as simple as changing a dimension size.

If the answer is Organic, natural type parts e.g. fractal driven parts etc then I’d go for the 3D MAX, Rhino, Blender style software as they are far better at direct face manipulation.

But what does that mean?

Ok, so lets say yo want a 100mm x 50mm x 25mm box. Any software can do that, nice and easy.

So now you want to wrap the box in text so the letters are “gaps” in the box. Again easy for any software.

Now you think "hmm i want to ‘dent’ the box lid a little or add some cool curves to the box.

Using the “Engineering” type software you’ll have to edit your box initial shape and then work on any errors that get thrown up by the text cut operations etc.

Using the “Organic” software you simply hit the correct tool and drag the faces how ever you want them. You’ll see the faces distort and have better control over the distortion BUT you’ll distort the text too.

What I am really trying to get across here is that the software you use greatly depends on how you want to model and WHAT you want to model.

Try sticking with 123D Design for “Engineering” parts and give Blender a go for “Organic” parts. Both are free and have a good info base on Youtube.

Finally, I also want to mention something called “Design Intention”. This is the thing you need in the back of your mind while modeling. Usually it makes you aware of how you model, “do I INTEND this hole to be 10mm in from the left side or 50mm in from the right side” This makes a difference when editing the part and is usually the biggest cause of the well know “Why has the model changed shape in THAT way?”

To make things a little more interesting, Design Intention also drives your design with respect to the manufacturing process you INTEND to use. You “Intend” to 3D print the part so you model something that can actually be 3D printed, thinking about overhangs, print bed orientation, support material etc etc etc.

Best example I can think of is “I want to 3D model a car”, cool sounding project and the result will be photo real images. But TOTALLY different to “I want to 3D model a car for 3D printing” where the result will be a real object.

In conclusion, there are a whole ton of things to think about when 3D modeling and even more to think about when 3D printing. The software you use to model isn’t really the biggest driving factor. The first thing I’d recommend to anyone is to go with 1 package, what ever it is, create some parts and after a few weeks decide if it’s what you want.

hope this helps

Steve

[Filemon]

Jep, starting with TinkerCad makes sense. For a bit more advanced usage I’m a big fan of Fusion 360

[Alex_Belomlinsk]

Steve,

Thank you so much for such a detailed response. I appreciate it!

Best regards,

-Alex

[Alex_Belomlinsk]

I wanted to thank everyone who took the time to reply to my inquiry. I definitely have a lot more research to do to determine the best option for my needs. The suggestions I’ve received are very informative and are sure to help me with this process. Thank you all and have a wonderful weekend!

[Speed_Jhuit_Jho]

Blender for all ! it’s the better and pro ! after use for some expérience meshmixer and rox and roll… and for sketch freecad is all free

with this stuff you can make everything and full free

[Quig]

By the examples you’ve given it sounds like you mean modeling software. It is somewhat a preference, but if it’s mechanical models you might want something like Solidworks or Inventor. If it’s organic models, zbrush and rhino are the ones I’ve read is popular. TinkerCad and SCAD are free, as is Blender respectivatly, all popular in their own right.

[krosnyak]

If you are comfortable already with Autodesk 123d Design. Just get Autodesk Fusion 360.

very similar interface but with all the features you were missing in 123d.

AND ITS FREE TOO!

cheers

[krosnyak]

Fusion 360. Same gui of 123d and also free!

[CrickStar3D]

I would just like to Thank you myself for such a comprehensible, informative and easy to read and digest suggestions. I was definitely not born with a “mechanical” mind so I’m even struggling in Tinkercad. Yeah, you read that right. LOL. i may be on the verge of hiring a personal tutor because I want to design my own 3D models since I have five 3D printers. Once again Thanks for your suggestions!

-Christian