Additive manufacturing or 3D printing is more accessible than ever. Although some hobbyists buy a printer for crafts and experimentation, it is also an excellent engineering tool for innovative electronics or robotics projects .
Typically, printers offer free 3D models or free downloads that are ideal for getting started. Eventually, you'll probably want to design more custom pieces. There are several 3D modeling software programs that offer a range of versatility and options. Some programs are free and others are expensive. Some are easy to use and others require a learning curve that takes time to master.
Below are some of the options available to suit different user needs and preferences.
Free 3D Modeling Software
Open source tools or software with free trials are ideal for first-time users. They provide a platform to learn, practice and identify your end goals for 3D design and development.
Here are some free software programs…
SketchUp
Best known for architectural design, SketchUp is equally relevant to 3D printing and is one of the easiest 3D modeling software available – making it ideal for beginners. It runs in a web browser, Chromebook, or iPad, and with a plugin, users can easily create STL files for printing. Its basic platform is free and perfect for rapid prototyping. A subscription service is available for professional or commercial use (starting at $119/year).
The advantage of SketchUp is its simplicity and abundance of tools, including more than 4 million pre-built 3D models (although these are not specific to electronics). You can build your first custom 3D model in a few hours or have a detailed model ready in a day. However, you will have to upgrade to SketchUp Pro ($299/year) for proper 3D printing and extended functionality.
Blender
Blender is a relatively advanced and free open source 3D modeling software. It is commonly used for sculpture, architectural designs, visual effects, video editing, video games, and 3D printing. Unlike SketchUp, Blender requires patience and effort as the software is sophisticated. Most feel the results are worth the effort and offer community support. There are plenty of free online tutorials to learn Blender, and the open source community is proactive in sharing their 3D designs and STL files.
Rhino
Rhino is one of the best 3D modeling software programs for curved surface designs. Most modeling tools only deal with basic geometric shapes, but Rhino is a master of NURBS, curved designs, and can adapt LiDAR scans. It's free for a 90-day trial, and the commercial version costs $995 (with perpetual license) and works on Mac OS X and Microsoft Windows.
Rhino includes a plugin solution, a developer platform, and a scripting language for tweaking 3D designs. For non-developers, it comes with a Grasshopper tool that offers parametric modeling without any code. The tool is widely used for industrial, automotive, architectural, graphics and CAD/CAM projects.
DAZ 3D model
DAZ 3D is free, fun-to-use 3D modeling software for artists. Designed for animated film and video game development, it is useful for creating realistic characters, face morphing, animation and custom designs. There are additional paid 3D assets available, including custom shapes, people, and animals.
3D models or characters designed in DAZ 3D are easily imported into Blender using the DAZ to Blender bridge, which can then be printed in a few simple steps.
There are several online tutorials for learning DAZ Studio, which should allow you to build characters in a day. If you like designing electronic toys or realistic robots, the DAZ studio is for you. You can even upload photos and create a character based on one of them.
FreeCAD
An open-source parametric 3D modeling software, FreeCAD is excellent for designing real-life objects, including mechanical designs. You can start with a 2D sketch and turn it into a 3D model. These 3D models can be exported in STL, OBJ, DXF, STEP, SVG, IFC, IGES and DAE file formats, from which STL, DXF and OBJ can be printed. It uses Python to script 3D models.
FreeCAD is an advanced program that has evolved over two decades for mechanical engineers. It can be downloaded for Mac OS X, Microsoft Windows and Linux. It offers several tools, including a robot simulation module, CAM/CNC bench, finite element analysis tools, dedicated BIM, and experimental CFD. There is a FreeCAD manual online and the Wiki can be consulted for learning.
TinkerCAD
TinkerCAD is a free online tool for circuit design and simulation. Models are created by combining geometric shapes. A browser-based 3D software, TinkerCAD is ideal for children learning to print. It can export 3D models to STL files, which can be printed into real-life objects by any 3D printer.
In addition to 3D modeling, TinkerCAD tools can be used to prototype digital electronic circuits, including for use with Arduino, ATiny and Micro:Bit. It has a simulator for microcontroller boards and can test embedded codes before the physical interface. It can also be used to inspect how components respond virtually using an interactive code editor to simulate virtual designs.
For 3D printing, TinkerCAD is a basic tool, so an advanced program is required for product designs or engineers.
OpenSCAD
OpenSCAD is a free, developer-friendly 3D modeling software. It can be downloaded for Mac OS X, Microsoft Windows and Linux. A unique modeling tool, OpenSCAD relies heavily on scripting and coding to create models. While it's possible to create 3D models with a mouse, the software is best used for its scripting capabilities – which makes it potentially intimidating for non-programmers.
It is recommended that beginners familiarize themselves with Blender or FreeCAD before switching to OpenSCAD. It uses a functional programming language with C++ syntax.
3D bar
3D Slash is interactive, easy to use and ideal for beginners, offering a free trial for browser or desktop applications. The premium platform costs just $2 per month. 3D Slash also offers several advanced features for creating detailed designs, best utilized through the desktop application. This software can export models in STL, OBJ, DAE and FBX formats; all are ready for 3D printing.
Fusion 360
Fusion 360 is professional 3D modeling software that combines design, engineering, electronics and manufacturing capabilities. It is the first and only 3D modeling tool with integrated cloud-based CAD, CAM, CAE and PCB software. The free trial of the software can be downloaded online, with commercial use available for a licensing fee of $500/year.
This software is designed for professional use, however, beginners can overcome it with some training. Fusion 360 exports 3D models to DXF, FBX, OBJ, STL, STEP, 3DM and other file formats ready for 3D printing. It has several built-in features that can be used to evaluate the physical properties of a model before it is even printed.
Cinema 4D
Cinema 4D is professional 3D modeling software with a 14-day free trial. The commercial version costs US$60 per month. It is used for 3D modeling, visual effects, game development, virtual reality, augmented reality, mixed reality, architecture, and motion graphics. It also allows you to capture 3D models from a series of photographs.
Cinema 4D offers several tools for interactive modeling, retopology, and advanced spline modeling. Includes parametric, polygonal, and volume modeling, as well as sculpting, fusion compositions, and several other useful features. Exports models to OBJ, STL, VRML, COLLADA and any LWO format that can be 3D printed.
Mesh Mixer
Meshmixer is an older version and a free alternative to Fusion 360 for beginners. The software has not been retired, but is no longer in development. Many of Fusion 360's features are inherited from Meshmixer, which is available for Microsoft Windows.
This software works with triangular meshes and is useful for repairing scans and 3D models before printing. Hollowing is one of their commonly used tools that allows for printing lighter models. Additional tools include branching and orientation support structures, layout, and automatic printing bed packaging. Meshmixer is used for mesh mixing, 3D sculpting, re-meshing, mesh smoothing, surface stamping, stability and thickness analysis.
3D Wings
Wings 3D is free and open-source 3D modeling software written in Erlang, a functional programming language. It has a simple interface with context-sensitive menus and several tools for mesh generation and selection. It also supports lights and materials and has a built-in UV mapping feature.
Winds 3D is easy to learn and can be used for 3D modeling, printing, and engineering design, but not animation. The software is available for personal and commercial use and is actively maintained by a community. It downloads for Mac OS X, Microsoft Windows, Linux and Unix systems. On Mac OS X, it requires Mohave, and for Windows and Linux, it requires OpenGL 2.1.
Vectário
Vectary is a browser-based 3D modeling software that is available for free or as a premium version ($12/month). It is acclaimed as the most accessible platform for 3D modeling and augmented reality. It requires no coding and includes a vast library of 3D assets. There are no limits on file size.
Up to 25 designs can be created and exported to OBJ and STL file formats for 3D printing with the free version, including access to the 3D asset library. The licensed version is ideal for collaborative projects and offers project sharing, digital asset access and management, and versioning capabilities.
Vectary enables 3D scaling, multiple colors and materials, simulation of lighting effects, descriptions and labels, and real-time sharing for collaborative projects. It is valuable software for beginners and experts who want to build, simulate and realize 3D models in augmented reality before physically printing them.
Houdini Apprentice
Houdini Apprentice is a free version of Houdini FX for non-commercial use. Houdini FX is a powerful animation tool for visual effects, video game development, and video editing used by popular Hollywood studios such as Walt Disney, Dreamworks, Pixar, and Sony Pictures. Movies like Frozen were animated with Houdini FX.
The free Houdini Apprentice is a great tool for beginners to try their hand at 3D modeling and animation. Its nodal workflow interacts with engineering designs in a way that is not possible with conventional 3D modeling tools. The software has several out-of-the-box features that simplify troubleshooting and design engineering.
Houdini Apprentice's nodal workflow and model testing are worth a try, but after experience in Blender, Solidworks, or other typical 3D programs. Additionally, Houdini allows you to use VFX animations typically used in movies.
AutoCAD
A 3D modeling software for beginners, SelfCAD can be used for sketching, sculpting, 3D modeling, design, rendering, STL slicing, and animation. The software is tuned for 3D printing and allows users to slice STL and G-code files online. SelfCAD aims to make 3D design and printing accessible to everyone. No previous CAD/CAM experience is required to use the software.
There is a free and commercial version ($14/month or $599 for a perpetual license), available as desktop (PC and Mac) and browser-based apps. A hybrid version also lets you sync online and offline projects anytime, anywhere. Discounts are also available for students and educators.
The tool has a short learning curve, with several tutorials available online. This is affordable software that combines 3D modeling and printing into one seamless workflow.
3F Rocket
Rocket 3F is a Microsoft Windows-based 3D tool for polygonal modeling. It is useful for modeling, retopology, sculpting, push-pull, hard edges and creases of non-linear subdivision edges. Rocket has a free and pro version ($99). The premium version has a fully customizable user interface and a more extensive toolkit. The software exports 3D models in OBJ, DAE and FBX file formats.
BlocosCAD
A cloud-based 3D modeling tool, BlocksCAD is designed to educate students in 3D design and printing. The software is easy to learn and offers several 3D features available for free. Templates can be exported to print-ready STL files. A paid version for schools includes educational features like lesson planning and student management.
