What Software Should I Get?
Objective: Understand what you will need to 3D Print and that most all of it is free!
Ready to use 3D design software to design your own stuff!
My greatest fear about 3D printing is that too few people will put in the little effort to design their own models. Please don't just be someone who only takes other's designs. You can design great things! And you can design them completely free.
Free 3D Design Software
Blender
This software should be the Eighth Wonder of the World. It is a beast as it is available on Mac, Windows, and Linux and is more like 5 software programs into one. I will admit that it is quite intimidating to start, but there is a great amount of help to learn the software as linked below:
To Learn Blender see these tutorials
Not to mention many others on youtube and other sites. You can also ask me if you have questions.
After using this software, I don't know why someone would pay for other programs who isn't doing this professionally. There are also many add-ons to do additional tasks. Most all of my blogs with be based off of Blender.
You can download Blender here
Autodesk
This is favorite company behind various software. As an engineer I prefer to use their software over others for ease and capability. For students you can download an education version for free. I would highly recommend looking into programs such as Maya, Inventor, and Mudbox.
Here is a free simplified version called 123D Design: http://www.123dapp.com/design
Here is another software useful for automatic supports: http://www.123dapp.com/meshmixer
Here is the link for students: http://www.autodesk.com/education/free-software/all
Gimp
Here is the link: http://www.gimp.org/downloads/
Crazy Bump
Here is the link: http://www.crazybump.com
3D Design Commercial Software
Catia, Solidwork, Pro-E, NX, etc.
Zbrush, Cinema 4D, etc
Photoshop, Illustrator
If you are going to design anything on a computer, Adobe's products are a great software to have. If you plan on designing more than only 3D printing, then I would look into these programs. They come in handy for many tasks.
3D Scanning and Apps
Autodesk 123D Catch
Now this is one of the coolest apps in my opinion. It allows you to take several pictures and then sen them to a computer that arranges those images to make a 3D model. It definitely is far from perfect and the lighting and set up can make the end result vary.
The reason I think it is such an awesome app is because i think it's the start of somethin bigger. You could take a few pictures of your key and then print it. You could take a picture of something that is broken and then make a perfect fit model from it. Or you could be a spy an take a few pictures of someone's face and then print out a replica face.
Or you could, "teleport" by taking picture of an item and then printing it out at another location...
Download it from your app store or here: http://www.123dapp.com/catch
Augment
This is a cool way to show off your model where you can place a model seen through your camera. You can place your model on a business card, blueprint, or almost anywhere. It's sure to impress.
Click here for more information: http://augmentedev.com
Programs to Avoid & Software Errors
Google Sketch
I do not know if I have ever seen a file from google sketch print properly. It is almost certain disaster when it comes to 3D Printing. Perhaps one day they will fix their software to 3D print better but until then avoid it for 3D Printing.
Solidworks
There is something not quite right about using a shell tool on a model in solid works and then 3D printing it. It doesn't happen all the time, but I run into it frequent enough at work to know their is a problem with Solidwork's shell tool.
Other Items to Mention
Tablet
Depending on how artistic your work will be you may want to look into buying a tablet. A mouse will always work as I would strongly advise against using a trackpad, but a tablet can make a huge difference and speed up the process of design. It would be like coloring with a marker or a colored pencil. A drawing tablet gives you control over how hard you would like the mouse to click. If you plan on sculpting and doing a lot more artistically desigb I would highly recommend a tablet. Don't be fooled into buying anything expensive, just get a cheap one.
Please leave your comments.
and as always thanks for visiting,The 3D Printing Ninja
3DNinjaneer@gmail.com
Category: 3D Printing, Augmented Reality, Buy, CAD, Design, Scan, Software, Trouble Shooting
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