HOME USE CAD PROGRAM FOR 3D PRINTING UPDATE
HOME USE CAD PROGRAM FOR 3D PRINTING SOFTWARE
HOME USE CAD PROGRAM FOR 3D PRINTING PROFESSIONAL
HOME USE CAD PROGRAM FOR 3D PRINTING FREE

Considering that FreeCAD is entirely free for anyone, this is truly amazing. In conclusion, FreeCAD is extremely powerful and will satisfy even the most demanding users, provided you are willing to put in the time to learn about all the little things.

This results in a bit of a steeper learning curve. The only criticism for FreeCAD is that due to the many features that are developed by different people, the interface can be a bit inconsistent and complicated. They are, however, not relevant to 3D printing, as they revolve around things like PCB design, where Autodesk has other programs that cover these areas. FreeCAD does have some features, though, that are not present in Fusion 360. The workflow is very similar to Fusion 360, with most of the features being the same, just a bit of a different interface.

HOME USE CAD PROGRAM FOR 3D PRINTING PROFESSIONAL

With parametric modeling and many different workspaces for various applications, FreeCAD is a favorite of many as it gives you access to professional features completely free of charge. If you are not a fan of being at the mercy of big cooperations, FreeCAD offers similar features as Fusion 360, in an open-source format. All these features make Fusion an excellent choice for intermediate and professional users that do not mind a bit of a learning curve. Once you are ready for 3D printing, Fusion 360 allows you to export the model as an STL file, or send it directly to other programs like Meshmixer for further processing, or Cura for slicing. In short, no matter what you need to do, there is a way to do it. Apart from just extruding straight out, there is also the possibility to create lofts, sweeps, coils, ribs, and many more, though it would take too long to explain them all. This way of working is extremely powerful, especially with very complex models, and can save hours of work.

HOME USE CAD PROGRAM FOR 3D PRINTING UPDATE

After that, you can go back to the first sketch, change a dimension, and the model will dynamically update everything you did after that. After you created that object, you can do further modifications like subtracting things or adding chamfers, threads, and many more things. This means that you first start with a 2D sketch, where you add your dimensions and the 2D shape, and then extrude it to create a 3D object. While usually, Fusion is a paid program, there is a fully-featured free version for startups and hobbyists.įusion 360 is a fully parametric modeling program. If your projects are more complex and you are looking for a CAD program that is fully loaded with every feature you could want, look no further than Fusion 360 from Autodesk. This way of modeling is straightforward and intuitive, but while you can do many things with it, if you want to create more complex objects and assemblies, it can get a bit tedious and restrictive. You can also add a radius to your edges to make them nice and smooth. To create a simple bracket, for example, you would create a box for the overall shape and then subtract cylinders for where you want screw holes. Once you drag the shapes into the workspace, you can change their dimensions, rotate them, and subtract them from each other. To create the model, you can choose from a list of predefined shapes, ranging from simple things like a box to figurines and many other fun shapes. It is also ideal for 3D printing, as the models are saved in STL format, making slicing super easy. If you do not have any experience with CAD programs, or want to make a quick and simple part, you can not go wrong here.

It is browser-based with a simple, friendly interface that lets you get started right away, no matter your skill level. Tinkercad is extremely popular, and for a good reason. These programs are also all very popular in the community, so you will not have any trouble finding guides and tutorials that can help you get started.

HOME USE CAD PROGRAM FOR 3D PRINTING SOFTWARE

This list should help you to find the right software that suits your needs. With so many available programs, it can be hard to choose the right one though. We live in a great time, where we have not only affordable 3D printers but also many great CAD programs available for free, so you can easily design anything you desire yourself.

Home use cad program for 3d printing