Research Guides: 3D Printing Resources and Tools: Software and Tools

3D Design and Modelling Software

If you would like to design your own 3D model, check out the following 3D modelling software:

Autodesk
Powerful tools and services for modelling that can be used for free or at a discounted rate under an educational license. Includes Fusion 360, Maya, TinkerCAD and more.
Blender
Blender is a free and open source 3D animation suite. It supports the entirety of the 3D pipeline—modeling, rigging, animation, simulation, rendering, compositing and motion tracking, even video editing and game creation.
OpenSCAD
OpenSCAD is a free software for creating solid 3D CAD models available for Linux/UNIX, Windows and Mac OS X to create 3D models. It is a 3D-compiler that reads in a script file that describes the object and renders the 3D model from this script file. This enables you to easily change any step in the process or make designs that are defined by configurable parameters.
SketchUp
A popular entry-level software for non-organic or "hard surface" modelling. Free trial and student subscription pricing available
ZBrushCoreMini
ZBrushCoreMini is a free digital sculpting software designed for new artists of all ages. It has a streamlined interface that lets anyone jump right in and start sculpting immediately.

3D Design and Modelling Online Apps

Prefer an in-browser online app for 3D design and modelling? Check out these free and easy-to-use apps:

SketchUp (for web)
SketchUp For Web is an all-in-one online 3D modelling platform.
Tinkercad
Tinkercad is a simple, online 3D design and 3D printing app for everyone.
Adobe Creative Cloud
Creative Cloud is a collection of 20+ apps for photography, video, design, web, UX, and social media — plus integrated essentials like colour palettes, font families, and the power to collaborate with anyone, anywhere.
MeshLab
MeshLab is a freeware mesh processing system, for user assisted editing, cleaning, filtering and rendering of large unstructured 3D triangular meshes (typical 3D scanning meshes). Can be used to convert image files to STL format.

3D Design Slicing Software

Slicer software is needed to convert digital 3D models into instructions that your 3D printer can read. Not sure which 3D print slicer to try? Check out the software below:

ideaMaker
A 3D slicing software that automatically generates support structure while providing a set of tools for manual editing and advanced purposes.
MakerBot CloudPrint
A cloud-based application that allows you to prepare, print, manage, and monitor 3D print jobs easily and securely straight from your browser.
PrusaSlicer
An open-source, frequently updated tool that contains everything you need to export the perfect print files for your 3D printer.
UltiMaker Cura
A free, easy-to-use 3D printing software. Fine-tune your 3D model with 400+ settings for the best slicing and printing results.

Research Guides

3D Printing Resources and Tools: Software and Tools

3D Design and Modelling Software

3D Design and Modelling Online Apps

3D Design Slicing Software

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