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Friendly software?

Discussion in 'Off Topic' started by dbvanhorn, Feb 15, 2015.

  1. dbvanhorn

    dbvanhorn Active Member

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    I am an EE and software guy, who has finally decided to get a 3D printer.

    I am totally unfamiliar with mechanical cad software.

    As I understand it, the workflow is to design something in (3d package goes here) and then export it to MatterControl, and MatterControl does the printing work. Correct?

    What would be a good freeware or low cost package for the mechanical design that would be friendly to a user that isn't experienced with Mcad?

    My applications are technical, not artistic, so I would be thinking in diameters, clearances and draft angles for parts that might eventually be molded or cast.
     
    #1 dbvanhorn, Feb 15, 2015
  2. mark tomlinson

    mark tomlinson ༼ つ ◕_ ◕ ༽つ
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    Something like SolidWorks (or any other 3D modeling software) would be used to design the part(s). Export them to STL and then printer software (MatterControl or repetierHost, or Cura, or--my favorite--Simplify3D) would be used to make the printing magic happen.

    SolidWorks is not free (and there are other threads discussing all the options):

    http://forums.robo3dprinter.com/ind...one-thoughts-on-autocad-for-3d-modeling.4448/
    http://forums.robo3dprinter.com/ind...e-easiest-software-to-make-stl-modeling.2790/
     
    #2 mark tomlinson, Feb 15, 2015

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