One of the new technologies that are having a huge impact on health care, manufacturing, and architecture is 3D printing. Boeing can create airplanes, doctors can create prosthetics and surgical equipment, and companies that use this technique reduce the time it takes to manufacture goods.
There are many 3D printing materials that can be used, such as ABS plastic, PLA filament, glass filled polyamide, titanium, silver, steel, wax, ceramics, and more. Three-dimensional printers melt these materials to form 3D objects. However, you will need software to create your design. Take a look at the top five free model software in 3D printing today.
1. TinkerCAD
TinkerCAD is a great software for beginners. It is a free tool for designing and modeling that is browser-based. It has a simple interface that is very intuitive, and beginners can design and create models that are either simple or complex with shapes and shape grouping. Because TinkerCAD supports STL files, users can print their 3D design once they create it.
When you design a project with TinkerCAD, it is as simple as placing a shape on the screen, adjusting it, and combining it with other shapes to create your model. It uses STL files, so you can print your model as soon as it is finished. The software is free, and you will be able to get started designing as soon as you create an account and login.
People love how intuitive the software is. You can start creating right away, and it doesn’t require any experience or knowledge. Whether you want to create planters for your windowsill or your kids want to create building blocks, you can use this software to design your model and print it with your 3D printer.
2. SketchUp
SketchUp is another intuitive 3D modeling software that is easy to use. They offer a free version that gives you 10 gigs of cloud storage and access to a number of designs online. Their paid subscriptions offer even more choices.
You can use this software to create models for 3D printing. They use their patented Push and Pull tool to allow you to click on an object and pull it until it becomes what you want it to become. The free version comes with a 30-day trial of SketchUp Pro so that you can see the other features, but the free version is sufficient to create 3D models that you can print at home with your 3D printer.
When you open the program, you can either draw your design or import one of the many models in their 3D warehouse. You can push and pull it until it is exactly what you want it to be. Then, you save the design as an STL file and print it using your 3D printer. This program is easy to use, and you will be designing right away.
3. Blender 3D
Blender 3D is a free and open source software that you can download and use to create your own 3D designs and animations. The program is developed by CG Cookie, which is one of the leading digital art educators in the world. In fact, their website offers tutorials so that you will understand every aspect of how to use the software to create your 3D models.
The software is easy to use, and the tutorials make it possible to understand everything about this software so that you can effectively create anything you want. You can learn how to create more than your 3D models, and you can print your 3D models with your 3D printer.
4. OpenSCAD
Another free 3D modeling software program is OpenSCAD. You can create 3D models from descriptions. It will read the script files and then create the 3D model. You can have more control with this system, and it is easy to make changes; however, they do not provide the designs for you.
You can use geometry to create models, and you can extrude 2D outlines. If you want to define the parameters of your project, this is great software. You can write out the script, and the computer will generate your design.
The main difference between this software and the others is that you need to tell it what you want it to do. The others offer objects that you can work with and stretch or combine to make 3D shapes, but this program requires you to write the script. However, it Is easier to make changes to this software if you know how the script works.
5. 3D Crafter
3D Crafter is a 3D modeling tool that is user friendly and easy to use. You can create 3D models easily using their shape building tools. It has tutorials so that you can learn how to use the software, and there is a free version. If you want to have access to more advanced features, you will have to upgrade to the paid version.
You can use the shapes they have to build, extrude, and mold your model, and they offer a lot of them. If you are a beginner, you will love the tutorials. They have many different tools, so it can take time to know what they all are and how to use them.
Although it will take time to learn how to use all of the tools and features in this software, it is worth it because you can make technically-correct engineered models that you can print using your 3D printer. It is easy to get started using their free version, but you may find that you want to upgrade because you will unlock additional features.
The Verdict
If you are interested in free software to build 3D models that you can print out using your 3D printer, the five above are great choices. They offer you the tools to learn how to create. It is easy to send the model to your 3D printer as long as it is an STL file. These programs offer a great introduction into the world of 3D printing.
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