Best 3D Modeling Software I have had my Prusa i3 running for 8 months or so now and have been printing things off Thingiverse and a few things I drew up in 123D design. 123D seems fairly basic and I am willing to put in the time to learn another program but am for the large part unaware of what software is out there. I'm looking for something free or free for students I could use to use my 3D printer for what I intended to use it for. My computer specifications in case it matters: Amd A8 quad core processor 8gb ddr3 1333mhz Ram Integrated Graphics Plenty of HDD space https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,609313,609313#msg-609313 Sat, 13 Jun 2026 21:09:49 -0400 Phorum 5.2.23 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,609313,632272#msg-632272 Re: Best 3D Modeling Software https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,609313,632272#msg-632272
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the_digital_dentist
That was as fine an example of gibberish as I have ever read! Congratulations!

All your bases are belong to us!

The scary part is that I actually understand him! We must both be from Ork.]]> tjnamtiw Reprappers Fri, 26 Feb 2016 19:02:07 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,609313,631469#msg-631469 Re: Best 3D Modeling Software https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,609313,631469#msg-631469 MechaBits Reprappers Thu, 25 Feb 2016 04:09:58 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,609313,631253#msg-631253 Re: Best 3D Modeling Software https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,609313,631253#msg-631253 Giantkiller Reprappers Wed, 24 Feb 2016 14:44:57 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,609313,631224#msg-631224 Re: Best 3D Modeling Software https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,609313,631224#msg-631224
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MechaBits

I know I remember David Carradine...

You must have some goto tools you prefer.

That brings back some memories! I know I already posted my like for Onshape, but sometimes a picture helps. I designed my new extruder in Onshape, roughing in the gears as they were done with openscad, and using the stls generated from Onshape to print the frame and tension lever. Now I'm working on a new x axis, so I pulled in the extruder model to see how it would fit. The grey block with 'fan' written on it is a roughed out shape to indicate the size of a mk8 extruder,but I'm leaning towards using a second geared extruder instead.

[attachment 73258 x-axis-render.jpg]

Still lots of work to do, not least figuring out the location for the x-axis stepper!
]]> JamesK Reprappers Wed, 24 Feb 2016 13:46:05 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,609313,630337#msg-630337 Re: Best 3D Modeling Software https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,609313,630337#msg-630337
225px-David_Carradine_as_Caine_from_Kung_Fu_-_c._1972%E2%80%931975.jpg

I know I remember David Carradine...

You must have some goto tools you prefer.
]]> MechaBits Reprappers Mon, 22 Feb 2016 15:50:39 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,609313,630269#msg-630269 Re: Best 3D Modeling Software https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,609313,630269#msg-630269 I chose computers as a career choice. 80% of that time was rescuing people from their delusional choices. I could be serious but that energy was all but consumed years ago.
Well now I look like I know something by mentioning Grasshopper. I was referring to Kwai Chang Caine of the Kung fu series.
But thanks for the link. I can use this in the future.]]> Giantkiller Reprappers Mon, 22 Feb 2016 13:01:32 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,609313,630267#msg-630267 Re: Best 3D Modeling Software https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,609313,630267#msg-630267
Grasshopper for years,

but as i'm not doing anything that needs it, I don't need the headache of learning Rhino & Grasshopper.

]]> MechaBits Reprappers Mon, 22 Feb 2016 13:00:26 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,609313,630259#msg-630259 Re: Best 3D Modeling Software https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,609313,630259#msg-630259
All your bases are belong to us!]]> the_digital_dentist Reprappers Mon, 22 Feb 2016 12:57:49 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,609313,630255#msg-630255 Re: Best 3D Modeling Software https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,609313,630255#msg-630255 Giantkiller Reprappers Mon, 22 Feb 2016 12:54:22 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,609313,628725#msg-628725 Re: Best 3D Modeling Software https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,609313,628725#msg-628725 it helps if you dont have to fight to hard with the adjustment to new UI, or the fight is worth it because there's a specific thing you want to get from the app, that can't be done elsewhere with familiar tools. I keep saying I want to use blender more now it has cycles render it now has quite a lot to offer......but the project where I actually need to move that way hasn't surfaced yet.

Mentioned earlier in the thread, I might have to take a closer look at OnShape looks interesting
[www.onshape.com]]]> MechaBits Reprappers Fri, 19 Feb 2016 02:34:02 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,609313,617696#msg-617696 Re: Best 3D Modeling Software https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,609313,617696#msg-617696 DjDemonD Reprappers Fri, 29 Jan 2016 13:58:32 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,609313,617677#msg-617677 Re: Best 3D Modeling Software https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,609313,617677#msg-617677 MechaBits Reprappers Fri, 29 Jan 2016 13:26:21 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,609313,617602#msg-617602 Re: Best 3D Modeling Software https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,609313,617602#msg-617602
The only thing I wish it did was give visual aids to line up parts, such as centre marks and the like which it's built in ruler feature doesn't do.

I've been thinking about trying some more sophisticated software but having read this thread I'm not sure I'll bother.]]> DjDemonD Reprappers Fri, 29 Jan 2016 11:21:47 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,609313,614703#msg-614703 Re: Best 3D Modeling Software https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,609313,614703#msg-614703 www.youtube.com]]]> elwood127 Reprappers Sun, 24 Jan 2016 02:20:11 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,609313,614702#msg-614702 Re: Best 3D Modeling Software https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,609313,614702#msg-614702
[attachment 70618 minisledrearclear11-1-01.jpg]
[attachment 70619 Engine.jpg]
[attachment 70620 BottomView.jpg]
[attachment 70621 Track.jpg]
[attachment 70622 DSC02686.jpg]]]> elwood127 Reprappers Sun, 24 Jan 2016 02:07:14 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,609313,611219#msg-611219 Re: Best 3D Modeling Software https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,609313,611219#msg-611219 JamesK Reprappers Sun, 17 Jan 2016 13:38:25 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,609313,610836#msg-610836 Re: Best 3D Modeling Software https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,609313,610836#msg-610836
OnShape doesn't care about the OS- if you have a web browser you can use OnShape, but you're at the mercy of their servers. I don't know what happens if they go under and shut their servers down. It's probably a good idea to have a back-up plan just in case.

I use a 3D mouse with DSM (works with OnShape, too, and most other CAD packages in Windows) and would hate to give it up. You manipulate the object on the screen with the 3D mouse (typically left hand) and use the regular mouse to draw, move, select items, etc. It's a very fast and efficient way to work.]]> the_digital_dentist Reprappers Sat, 16 Jan 2016 22:21:32 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,609313,610833#msg-610833 Re: Best 3D Modeling Software https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,609313,610833#msg-610833 GrowleyMonster Reprappers Sat, 16 Jan 2016 22:14:11 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,609313,610822#msg-610822 Re: Best 3D Modeling Software https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,609313,610822#msg-610822
If you're not having problems with Sketchup STLs, it's probably because you're only producing very blocky parts. As soon as the geometry gets any degree of complexity (curved shapes, etc.) it will create bad STLs.]]> the_digital_dentist Reprappers Sat, 16 Jan 2016 20:45:15 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,609313,610764#msg-610764 Re: Best 3D Modeling Software https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,609313,610764#msg-610764
I never have to repair STL's that I produce from Sketchup, I think with any CAD software you need to invest some time to learn the foibles of your chosen package (and I don't believe for a moment that DSM won't have it's own foibles). I'm not in a position to do a comparison of DSM and Sketchup, but the "problems" that you've cited for Sketchup are all pretty minor (once you learn how to overcome them they have zero impact in day to day use), I accept that they are not minor issues until you learn how to overcome them, but I have yet to try any CAD package that didn't have some issues like that.]]> plankton Reprappers Sat, 16 Jan 2016 18:07:27 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,609313,610716#msg-610716 Re: Best 3D Modeling Software https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,609313,610716#msg-610716


so I am familiar with its capabilities and problems. I got tired of struggling to do things like fillets, chamfers, and having to repair STL files before they could be printed. Having to repair the files before you can print should tell you that you're using the wrong software to design 3D printed parts.

Take a look at DesignSpark Mechanical. The UI is very close to Sketchup but you will never have problems with repairing STL files because in DSM, curves are mathematical curves until you convert to STL. Try this in Sketchup: draw two circles then a line that is tangent to them. Now zoom in to the ends of the line. You'll find that they either miss the "circles" or they hit the vertices but the line isn't tangent (it overlaps or comes in too steep). That is the root of the holes/overlap problem in the STL files that requires repair in order to print.
]]> the_digital_dentist Reprappers Sat, 16 Jan 2016 16:52:43 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,609313,610664#msg-610664 Re: Best 3D Modeling Software https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,609313,610664#msg-610664
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the_digital_dentist
.... It just isn't good CAD software for 3D printing.

I feel totally handicapped by this sub-standard software I'm using...


[attachment 69979 Hotendampextruder.jpg]]]> plankton Reprappers Sat, 16 Jan 2016 14:58:44 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,609313,610656#msg-610656 Re: Best 3D Modeling Software https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,609313,610656#msg-610656 the_digital_dentist Reprappers Sat, 16 Jan 2016 14:28:09 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,609313,610623#msg-610623 Re: Best 3D Modeling Software https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,609313,610623#msg-610623
I had a week of hassle before he got his head around IronCad, but now barely a day goes by without him singing the praises of Rapid Prototyping in IronCad,

But I would say if it's a job you want, Solidworks is the package I see most jobs asking for, so it really must be learned at some point, I have never seen a job where the requirement is IronCad, but I think it's a well kept secret, Innovate is like a cut down version of IronCad much cheaper and almost identical, Compose is a good free tool, worth having on your hard drive. Others I will try one day Seimens NX, ZW3D...but IronCad&Innovate is faster than pencil for getting ideas down.]]> MechaBits Reprappers Sat, 16 Jan 2016 13:21:50 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,609313,610564#msg-610564 Re: Best 3D Modeling Software https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,609313,610564#msg-610564
There is no perfect CAD software, they all have compromises or foibles (though thankfully not all have as many as FreeCAD), in the end you choice may come down to which one irritates you least during the learning curve. :S]]> plankton Reprappers Sat, 16 Jan 2016 11:26:51 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,609313,610561#msg-610561 Re: Best 3D Modeling Software https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,609313,610561#msg-610561
It's big advantages is that it's free, many people use it for designing stuff, and it will work on many platforms.]]> David J Reprappers Sat, 16 Jan 2016 11:24:03 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,609313,610552#msg-610552 Re: Best 3D Modeling Software https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,609313,610552#msg-610552
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the_digital_dentist
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plankton
Disagree with that, Sketchup was by far the easiest to get started with (after trying several of the other free options), and is really intuitive (most the time) and easy to use.

I do understand what you mean about the holes, however there is a very simple solution to that, just design everything at 10x scale (the holes only ever happen at very small scales), it takes 2 seconds to rescale the model before I finally convert it to an STL.

The fact that you have to load a special plug-in to get STL export capability tells you that Sketchup is not intended for designing things with accurate/precise size/fit. If you need tricks and work-arounds for the most basic function of the software, the software sucks. Scaling things up doesn't change the fact that curves are represented as polygons. Sketchup is great for some things, but not for 3D printing.

If you like Sketchup, you'll love DSM. It has a similar UI and learning curve, but none of the problems and many more capabilities/features, with no work-arounds or special tricks required.

I have to agree here. There are two kinds of dirt, the stuff you play in and the stuff that doesn't come off. It's usually stinky too.]]> Giantkiller Reprappers Sat, 16 Jan 2016 11:04:34 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,609313,610493#msg-610493 Re: Best 3D Modeling Software https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,609313,610493#msg-610493 WZ9V Reprappers Sat, 16 Jan 2016 09:54:04 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,609313,610477#msg-610477 Re: Best 3D Modeling Software https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,609313,610477#msg-610477
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the_digital_dentist
Unfortunately, there isn't any CAD with a good UI for linux (but you can use OnShape). Right about now a bunch of guys who use FreeCAD are turning red and getting ready to burn me to the ground for saying that, but FreeCAD is an open source project by a bunch of different people with a bunch of different ideas about how CAD should work and it's a bit of a mess.

FreeCAD user here. Dont worry... I'm not carrying gas and matches. I have to agree. FreeCAD has a lot of tools in it but it is a hot mess. Figuring out what you can do with what and how to get it to what means trying a LOT of stuff and getting creative with workarounds. I have a couple of projects going and when I am done I will be looking into OnShape or TinkerCad or something.]]> GrowleyMonster Reprappers Sat, 16 Jan 2016 09:15:59 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,609313,610331#msg-610331 Re: Best 3D Modeling Software https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,609313,610331#msg-610331
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plankton
Disagree with that, Sketchup was by far the easiest to get started with (after trying several of the other free options), and is really intuitive (most the time) and easy to use.

I do understand what you mean about the holes, however there is a very simple solution to that, just design everything at 10x scale (the holes only ever happen at very small scales), it takes 2 seconds to rescale the model before I finally convert it to an STL.

The fact that you have to load a special plug-in to get STL export capability tells you that Sketchup is not intended for designing things with accurate/precise size/fit. If you need tricks and work-arounds for the most basic function of the software, the software sucks. Scaling things up doesn't change the fact that curves are represented as polygons. Sketchup is great for some things, but not for 3D printing.

If you like Sketchup, you'll love DSM. It has a similar UI and learning curve, but none of the problems and many more capabilities/features, with no work-arounds or special tricks required.]]> the_digital_dentist Reprappers Fri, 15 Jan 2016 23:43:23 -0500