Geting started - which Software/Firmware?

Hey guys, I'd like to assemble all of my printer's components soon. Therefore I need to know which software is suiteable for my purpose.

I have:
-Arduino Mega2560
-HD44780 display, using PCF8574 i2c-chip
-sd-cardreader
-6 endswitches
-a single extruder with hotend
-Ramps v1.4
-A4988 Pololu drivers
-heatbed

I don't know where to start from on the software side.
Which firmware should I use for my selfmade 3d printer?
What software could you advice for cad/cam purpose?

I'm used to Inventor, and 3D Studio Max....but those are student versions which I would like to avoid using my 3D printer...

On the mechanical side I need to assemble all parts, and add some sheet metal and some solid (i.e. for mounting endswitches...)

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/30/2015 06:16PM by cysign.

you are probably going to want to get marlin firmware:

[github.com]

and to modify it and upload it to your board get the arduino software from their site:

[www.arduino.cc]

Is there any complete tutorial/documentation how to configure it?

You should chose your printer electronics and firmware together, because not all firmwares run on all electronics. For example, 32-bit electronics can run more advanced firmwares than 8-bit boards such as Arduino Mega.

As you have already chosen Arduino Mega/RAMPS for your electronics, your main firmware choices are Marlin, Repetier, and Teacup. You can search the wiki for more information on these firmwares.

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Large delta printer [miscsolutions.wordpress.com], E3D tool changer, Robotdigg SCARA printer, Crane Quad and Ormerod

Disclosure: I design Duet electronics and work on RepRapFirmware, [duet3d.com].