If you know how to draw and model yourself, the fun of 3D printing will be doubled.
Today, 3D printing is no longer an unfamiliar term and many people even own their first 3D printer in their lives. With the equipment, we can print all kinds of models that we like, but if we don’t find the right one, we can also choose another way: model it ourselves.
Currently, the common 3D design modeling methods on the market are mainly divided into the following two categories:Parametric modelingAndFree modeling。
Parametric modeling: This method is based on parameter driving, which generates and modifies models by defining geometric parameters and constraint relationships. It is characterized by high precision and regular geometric shapes, making it ideal for fields such as engineering design, product development and architectural design, which often have high requirements for size, proportion and functionality of the models.
Free modeling: This method is more flexible and allows you to create models of any complex or organic shape by manually adjusting and sculpting. It is known for its artistry and expressiveness and is often used in fields such as art creation, film and television animation, and game design that require the expression of creativity and detail.
Among them, common parametric modeling software includes: 3ds Max, SolidWorks, UG, Creo, CATIA, etc., while free modeling software includes: ZBrush, Maya, Rhino, etc. It should be noted that most of the software mentioned above is paid, and the licensing fees for some software are relatively high, which can be a considerable expense for individual users or beginners.
Today we recommend 5 free 3D design software to everyone. These software not only can be used as excellent alternative versions but are also relatively simple to use and easier to use.
1、TinkerCAD
TinkerCAD is an online 3D modeling tool launched by Autodesk. It is designed for beginner and educational users with simple operation and user-friendly interface. The software is browser-based and requires no installation and can be accessed directly via the Internet. As a “fool” 3D modeling software, TinkerCAD allows users to quickly create 3D models by simply dragging and dropping basic geometries (such as cubes, cylinders, etc.) to combine and modify them .
Its built-in educational courses and user guides are particularly user-friendly for novices. At the same time, the software supports a seamless connection with 3D printing, and the design can be exported to common formats (such as .STL) for printing or further editing, and can even be exported to platforms of 3D printing models such as Thingiverse with just one click.
2、Mixer
Blender is a free, open source 3D creation software. It is very popular because of its powerful functions and high flexibility. It is widely used in animation production, 3D modeling, rendering and other fields. It provides a variety of modeling tools, including polygonal modeling, surface modeling, and sculpting tools. Blender’s sculpting feature is particularly useful for refining and optimizing models. In addition, Blender also supports high-quality model rendering to help users visualize the printing effect.
Additionally, Blender supports exporting common 3D printing file formats (such as .STL and .OBJ) via plugins and provides functions to detect and repair potential printing issues such as non-multiple geometry and surface normal errors. These tools are essential to ensure the feasibility and quality of 3D printed models. Although Blender’s interface is relatively complex, the development team provides beginners with a wealth of introductory tutorials and user guides to help them master basic skills quickly.
3、FreeCAD
Unlike Blender, FreeCAD is an open source parametric 3D modeling software launched in 2002 and has become an alternative to expensive software such as AutoCAD. Developed specifically for the fields of engineering design and machine manufacturing, it is also suitable for scenarios such as architecture and product design. As a cross-platform software, FreeCAD supports Windows, macOS and Linux systems, as well as Chinese language. Its main feature is parametric modeling, allowing users to easily modify designs by adjusting parameters.
FreeCAD has a host of built-in modules and tools, including sketching, part modeling, assembly design, finite element analysis, and other functions. It also supports importing and exporting common 3D file formats (such as .STEP, .STL and .OBJ), and 3D printing is seamless. Currently, FreeCAD has officially released version 1.0, marking a historic milestone and solving two long-standing technical issues: the topology naming problem and the lack of native assembly modules.
4、Sculptors
Sculptris is a free digital sculpting software launched by Pixologic that aims to provide users with an intuitive and simple 3D modeling experience. As an entry-level version of ZBrush, Sculptris inherits Pixologic’s powerful sculpting technology and is suitable for 3D art novices and enthusiasts to quickly create models with complex or organic shapes. Its interface is simple and the tools are intuitive to use. Users can sculpt and shape the virtual surface by adjusting the brush, just like sculpting on real clay.
It supports the import and export of common 3D file formats (such as .OBJ), making it easy to collaborate with other 3D software or directly used in the design and production of print models 3D. Despite its basic features, Sculptris is an ideal starter tool for beginners who want to try their hand at digital sculpting. Users can use it to easily design their own creative works, such as animated dolls or character models, and then produce them by 3D printing.
5、MeshMixer
Meshmixer is a free 3D modeling and editing tool developed by Autodesk that focuses on processing and optimizing existing 3D models, especially STL files. It supports a variety of 3D file formats (such as STL, OBJ, PLY and AMF). Users can import the model and modify, repair and optimize it, such as establishing supports, repairing holes or adjusting proportions. As a powerful tool, Meshmixer excels in repairing and editing 3D models.
Although Meshmixer is no longer updated (the latest version in 2021 is 3.5), it is still free to download and use. Its user-friendly interface and various editing tools make it ideal for both beginners and experienced designers. Notably, it supports sparse parametric design, a feature typically only available in paid software. Compared to other 3D design software, Meshmixer feels more like a tool specifically designed for 3D printing and is worth trying.
If you just want to implement simple parametric modeling, TinkerCAD is a good choice; If you need more professional functions, you can consider using FreeCAD. For users who want to manually sculpt models, Sculptris is the entry-level tool of choice. Of course, if you need more complex and comprehensive features, Blender may be a better choice.
Finally, if your goal is to repair or modify your model, especially the STL file format specific to 3D printing, we strongly recommend using Meshmixer, there is nothing better than that.
