Free 3D modeling software for 3D printing

[Skreedles]

What is a good free 3D modeling software for getting into 3D printing?

[AdamH96]

Blender

[tikker]

You can try Blender or 123D Design (the latter has a paid version as well though).

[King_of_Oz]

BLENDER. It's an amazing free piece of software with the entire 3D pipeline. Next to maya, it's the industry standard. Only problem is it has quite a learning curve.

[marten.aap2.0]

5 minutes ago, tikker said:

123D Design

not available for download anymore, sadly enough, it is indeed good software, I use it too

[tikker]

7 minutes ago, marten.aap2.0 said:

not available for download anymore, sadly enough, it is indeed good software, I use it too

Oh really?  Didn't know that. Too bad.

[Walt]

I personally really like to use Autodesk Fusion 360. 

[Denned]

Sketchup is mega easy. Obvoiusly pretty basic, but you can learn it in a couple of hours.

[Robert Morgan]

Spend a couple of hundred bucks and get Moment of Inspiration. It's by one of the original designers of Rhino 3D and is super simple to learn. Michael Gibson, the designer, even answers your questions on the MOI message boards.

 

www.moi3D.com

 

Alternatively. Rhino has a free trial download that will allow you to save, convert, import and export. A lot of programs won't let you do that. They've gotten pricier over the years, but as a free trial download it's pretty good.

 

Perhaps best of all, in the free category, is Google Sketchup. They have both free and paid versions. The free version is perfect for a beginner just learning the basics, and yes, you can export to .STL format to print your designs.

 

Personally, I'd spend a few bucks and go MOI but that's just me. The level of support and the user forums and helpfulness are truly outstanding. If you can't afford that, I'd suggest a combination of Sketchup and Rhino Trial Version. Also, try to discern the differences between solid modeling programs and NURBs based programs, like MOI. They do the same things, but have different ways of achieving them. In my view, solid modelers are easier to learn, but NURBs based programs handle lofts and organic curves and shapes far, far better. It all comes down to what you're comfy with, and what you're trying to accomplish. You might also want to go for a parametric modeling program, whichever program you ultimately wind up with. 

 

Bob