1. Got a question or need help troubleshooting? Post to the troubleshooting forum or Search the forums!

Free 3D Printing Software

Discussion in 'Software' started by zachmatts10, Jul 10, 2013.

  1. zachmatts10

    zachmatts10 New Member

    Joined:
    May 27, 2013
    Messages:
    12
    Likes Received:
    4
    Although I have a ton of things picked out on thingiverse that I will eventually want to print, I also would like to design some things myself. I am currently a student so I don't exactly have a huge budget and any extra money i have i would rather spend on filament rather than software. I was wondering if there was any good softwares for free. I know of google sketchup and autodesk but I those both cost quite a bit. I am just wondering if it is worth making that one time payment for a good software or if there are currently free softwares I can get away with using.
     
    #1 zachmatts10, Jul 10, 2013
    2 people like this.
  2. 1d1

    1d1 Active Member

    Joined:
    Feb 21, 2013
    Messages:
    418
    Likes Received:
    216
    Autodesk has a free version. Tinkercad too.
     
    #2 1d1, Jul 11, 2013
  3. da9l

    da9l Member

    Joined:
    Apr 15, 2013
    Messages:
    65
    Likes Received:
    17
    What about the maker version of sketchup or is it too limited to be of any use?
     
    #3 da9l, Jul 11, 2013
  4. Printed Solid

    Printed Solid Volunteer Admin
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Feb 21, 2013
    Messages:
    1,605
    Likes Received:
    1,003
    Depending on your skill set, the previously mentioned tinkercad and sketchup. Also, openscad and freecad. Blender is free and super powerful as well, but is a totally. Sculptris is fun, but you're not going to design any mechanical parts in it.

    As a student, you should be able to get student pricing. That can get you some great packages for relatively cheap.

    If your school has an engineering department, you may want to check out their computer labs. Odds are they have some licenses you can use.
     
    #4 Printed Solid, Jul 13, 2013
  5. zachmatts10

    zachmatts10 New Member

    Joined:
    May 27, 2013
    Messages:
    12
    Likes Received:
    4
    Those are really good suggestions. My big thing is i would love to do it on my computer so the thing at school might be tough but maybe I could look into getting the license key from them or I might just make the small investment...
     
    #5 zachmatts10, Jul 14, 2013
  6. fabrice

    fabrice New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 9, 2013
    Messages:
    57
    Likes Received:
    0
    #6 fabrice, Aug 11, 2013
  7. Printed Solid

    Printed Solid Volunteer Admin
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Feb 21, 2013
    Messages:
    1,605
    Likes Received:
    1,003
    It appears to be a slicer and no modeling software. The bit where it allows you visual control over support placement is interesting, but other than that, there are too few details on the site about it's capabilities. Unless they offer a free trial, I'd avoid it.
     
    #7 Printed Solid, Aug 11, 2013
  8. fabrice

    fabrice New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 9, 2013
    Messages:
    57
    Likes Received:
    0
    Hello, what do you recommend as a really simple software for beginners?
     
    #8 fabrice, Aug 11, 2013
  9. polylac

    polylac New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 20, 2013
    Messages:
    148
    Likes Received:
    21
    I use freeCAD.
    It sometimes has it's problems, but it's for free and I think pretty simpel to use and you get a lot of possibilities. But of course it takes some hours to get into it.
     
    #9 polylac, Aug 21, 2013

Share This Page