Metal 3D Printing Cost Calculator – Get An Estimate, Save Money
3d printing Manufacturing
07 July, 2024
May 19, 2016 at 3:53 am
3D printing can be a very engaging and useful activity. It allows you to design, plan and print almost anything that your creativity can envision. The process starts with designing the product with the help of a 3D modeling software. After that, the final CAD design is exported as a .STL file which is taken apart as many horizontal layers by a 3D printer. These numerous 2D layers are stacked one upon another to prepare the final product or prototype for printing.
For the convenience of the users, we have prepared a list of the best 3D modeling software for 3D printing purposes. Keep in mind though that often these software packages are very difficult to learn, require thousands of hours to become proficient in don’t play well with each other. For this reason it’s actually much more efficient and affordable to outsource your 3D CAD Design to a service like JCAD Inc. We have specialists in 3d design all over the world, and can turn around your product designs quickly and affordably. For more info use the form on the right to request a quote on your next project!
123D Design is one of the best software packages for 3D printing beginners. But you’ll find it’s much more efficient and affordable to use a service like JCAD than spending 100s of hours learning software yourself![/caption]
123D Design: The first entry in our list is 123D Design developed by Autodesk, which is suitable for beginners. It is capable, yet simple 3D design and altering software. The free software gives you access to most software components and allows you to make and utilize 3D models for non-business purposes.
3DSlash: 3DSlash is a free printing software for beginners. 3DSlash is a free, fun and quick 3D designing application for non-professional individuals of all ages. It is user-friendly with its Minecraft theme and impressive components like picture projection, import or export of .STL files and the sky is the limit from there.
3DTin: Developed by Lagoa and available for free, 3DTin is a browser-based 3D software that is both straightforward and natural to use, particularly for novices. When you have made a client account, you can also access the vast store of Creative Commons 3D designs.
CubeTeam: This software is developed by Otherlab Inc. and is available free for beginners. CubeTeam is a multiplayer 3D painting and displaying program that gives you and your companions a chance to envision shapes out of blocks and after that print them in 3D. CubeTeam is free, keeps running in a web program, and has powerful editing devices that give you a chance to make 3d designs in a boundary-free environment.
Cubify Invent: Cubify Invent is a software developed by 3D Systems Inc. This software is suitable for novices and intermediate designers and is available for $49. Cubify Invent claims to be a simple-to-learn 3D designing device for helping clients to make rapidly 3D printable documents. The product is accompanied by free instructional videos for the Windows platform.
FreeCAD: This free software is an excellent choice for intermediate learners. FreeCAD is a parametric 3D modeler used for item outline and designing. With many features and requiring you to absorb a lot of information, FreeCAD is somewhat for cutting edge clients. The product is multi-stage and runs perfectly on Windows and Linux/Unix and Mac OSX.
It has to be mentioned here that DIY 3D printing might not be the best course of action if the product you’re designing requires a professional touch or you happen to be a complete novice with no prior designing experience. Of course, you have the option of DIY printing, buying all the necessary equipment, investing time and energy into learning sophisticated software, learning the ropes and doing your own designing.
But to many people, that might be an unnecessary hassle, particularly when you consider the benefits of delegating responsibility to a professional printing firm like JCAD Inc. In fact, you can get top-notch 3D designs completed at wallet-friendly costs without having to go through all the trouble of learning 3d modelling programs yourself.
For a quote on your next 3D design or drafting project, contact us here.
Jason Vander Griendt is a Mechanical Engineering Technician with years of experience working at major companies such as SNC Lavalin Inc, Hatch Ltd. Siemens and Gerdau Ameristeel. He is the CEO of JCAD – Inc., a company he started in 2006 after seeing a gap in the market for businesses who could assist clients through the entire product design and manufacturing process.
Jason has been featured in Forbes, has had his businesses analyzed and discussed in multiple start-up books, was a previous winner of the Notable8 Digital Innovator of the year award, and is a regular guest on business panels and podcasts. Email Jason at jason@jcadusa.com or follow him on LinkedIn.
