Programs to design 3D prints
Choosing the right CAD (Computer-aided Design) software will mostly depend on whether you're designing precise mechanical parts or artistic sculptures, and your past CAD design experience. Here’s a breakdown of our recommended programs to design your own creations:
Tinkercad: Best for Beginners and Simple Projects
- Free, browser-based tool by Autodesk.
- Drag-and-drop interface, no installation required.
- Great for keychains, basic enclosures, and nameplates.
SketchUp: Popular in education
- Often used in schools and architectural projects.
- Simple interface with drag-and-drop features.
- Not specialized for 3D printing but can be used for basic hard surface designs.
Fusion 360: Functional and Industrial Design
- Free for personal use with project limitations (e.g., you can only work on 10 projects at a time).
- Ideal for people with a technical background such as engineers, architects, electricians...
- Best for precise, functional components.
Blender: Artistic and Character Design
- Free, open-source software for animation and sculpting.
- Powerful tools for organic and artistic modeling.
- Steeper learning curve but highly flexible.
Final Recommendation
For precise, functional parts, Fusion 360 is the best choice. For artistic and organic modeling, Blender is ideal. If you're a beginner, Tinkercad is a great starting point. If you already know SketchUp, it can work for basic models, but isn’t ideal long-term.
Other professional options include SolidWorks, which is widely used in the industry for advanced projects, and OnShape, for a cloud-based solution.