The cost of additive manufacturing and 3D printing has never been lower. Although some amateurs acquire printers for experiments and crafts, they can make fantastic engineering tools for cutting-edge robotics or electronics projects.

The best place to start is with one of the free 3D models or downloads that printers typically provide. You’ll probably wish to create more specialized pieces in the future. Numerous 3D modeling software packages are available, and they provide a variety of flexibility and features. Some programs are cost-free, while others need payment. While some are simple to use, others have a learning curve that requires patience to master.

The choices that can be selected to meet various user demands and preferences are listed below.

No cost 3D modeling programs

For novice users, open-source tools and applications with free trials are best. They give you a place to study, practice, and decide what your ultimate objectives are for 3D design and development.

Here are some free 3D modeling software options:

SketchUp, which is better known for architectural design, is one of the simplest 3D modeling programs available, making it perfect for beginners. It is also relevant for 3D printing. Users can easily create STL files for printing with a plugin and it runs on a web browser, Chromebook, or iPad. Its free, entry-level platform is ideal for rapid prototyping. For business or professional use, a subscription service is offered (prices start at $119/year).

The benefits of SketchUp include its ease and wealth of tools, which include more than 4 million pre-built 3D models (although these are not specific to electronics). In a few hours, you can create your first personalized 3D model, and in a day, you can have a full model ready. However, to properly print 3D objects and access more features, you must subscribe to SketchUp Pro ($299/year).

The free open-source 3D modeling program Blender is quite sophisticated. It is frequently employed in 3D printing, sculpting, architectural designs, visual effects, video editing, and video games. Contrary to SketchUp, Blender demands perseverance and work because it is a more complex piece of software. Most people believe the outcomes are worthwhile, and it does provide community support. Learning Blender is made easier by the abundance of free online courses available as well as the open-source community’s proactive sharing of 3D creations and STL files.

One of the best 3D modeling tools for curved surface designs is Rhino. Rhino is a master with NURBS, curved designs, and can adapt LiDAR scans, unlike most modeling programs that can only handle basic geometrical shapes. The commercial version, which runs on both Mac OS X and Microsoft Windows, costs $995 (with a permanent license) and is free for a 90-day trial.

To perfect 3D drawings, Rhino offers a plugin solution, a development platform, and a scripting language. It includes a Grasshopper tool that provides parametric modeling for non-developers without the need for any coding. The tool is frequently used for CAD/CAM, architectural, graphic, and industrial projects.

DAZ 3D is a free 3D modeling program for artists that is enjoyable to use. It is helpful for creating lifelike figures, face morphing, animation, and bespoke designs. It was made for animation movies and video game production. Additional 3D components that can be purchased include bespoke forms, people, and animals.

The DAZ-to-Blender bridge makes it simple to import 3D models or characters created in DAZ 3D into Blender, which can then be printed in a few easy steps.

For studying DAZ Studio, there are many online lessons available, thus character creation should be possible in a single day. DAZ Studio is for you if you appreciate creating lifelike robots or electronic toys. Even better, you can upload pictures and base a character off of one of them.

FreeCAD is a top-notch open-source parametric 3D modeling program for creating real-world objects, including mechanical designs. You may create a 3D model using a 2D drawing as a starting point. The STL, OBJ, DXF, STEP, SVG, IFC, IGES, and DAE file formats are available for exporting these 3D models, and STL, DXF, and OBJ can be printed. The 3D models are scripted using Python.

For mechanical engineers, FreeCAD is a cutting-edge program that has developed over two decades. It is available for download for Linux, Mac OS X, and Microsoft Windows. A robot simulation module, CAM/CNC workbench, finite element analysis tools, dedicated BIM, and experimental CFD are among the technologies available. For learning, there is a FreeCAD online manual and a Wiki that can be used as references.

A free online tool for creating and simulating circuits is called TinkerCAD. Geometric shapes are combined to produce the models. TinkerCAD, a browser-based 3D program, is excellent for teaching kids how to print. It can export 3D models as STL files, which any 3D printer can use to create actual physical objects.

TinkerCAD’s tools can be used to prototype digital electronic circuits, including those for use with Arduino, ATiny, and Micro:Bit, in addition to 3D modeling. Before physical connection, it can test embedded codes using a simulator for microcontroller boards. It can also be used to simulate virtual projects and virtually test how components behave using an interactive code editor.

TinkerCAD is a basic tool for 3D printing, thus a more sophisticated program is needed for the final output.

The free 3D modeling program OpenSCAD is designed with developers in mind. It can be downloaded for Linux, Mac OS X, and Microsoft Windows. OpenSCAD is a unique modeling program that largely relies on coding and scripting to create models. Even while the software may be used to generate 3D models with a mouse, its scripting features make it frightening for non-programmers.

Before transitioning to OpenSCAD, it is advised that beginners become comfortable with Blender or FreeCAD. It employs a C++ syntax functional programming language.

The interactive, user-friendly 3D Slash offers a free trial edition for desktop or internet applications, making it perfect for beginners. The monthly cost of the premium platform is just $2. Additionally, 3D Slash provides a number of sophisticated capabilities for producing intricate drawings, which work best when accessed through the desktop application. Models created using this software can be exported in the 3D-printable STL, OBJ, DAE, and FBX formats.

Fusion 360 is a specialized 3D modeling program that combines the talents of design, engineering, electronics, and production. Being connected with cloud-based CAD, CAM, CAE, and PCB software makes it the first and only 3D modeling tool. Online downloads of the software’s free trial are accessible, and commercial use is offered for a $500/year licensing cost.

Despite being created for professionals, beginners may use this software with some training. Fusion 360 exports 3D models into file types that are suitable for 3D printing, including DXF, FBX, OBJ, STL, STEP, and 3DM. It contains a number of built-in capabilities that may be used to assess a model’s physical attributes even before it is printed.

A 14-day free trial is available for the professional 3D modeling software Cinema 4D. The monthly fee for the commercial edition is $60. It is employed in the creation of video games, VFX, 3D modeling, augmented reality, mixed reality, architecture, and motion graphics. It also enables the creation of 3D models from a collection of images.

Numerous tools for interactive modeling, re-topology, and sophisticated spline modeling are available in Cinema 4D. It has sculpting, fusion compositions, parametric, polygonal, and volume modeling, among other helpful features. It exports models in 3D printable LWO formats as OBJ, STL, VRML, COLLADA, and others.

For novices, Meshmixer is an earlier version and a free Fusion 360 substitute. Although it has not been retired, the software is no longer being developed. Several of Fusion 360’s capabilities were adapted from Meshmixer, a Windows-only program.

Prior to printing, this software can be used to fix 3D scans and models using triangular meshes. One of its frequently employed tools for making lighter models is hollowing. Branching support structures and automatic print bed orientation, layout, and packing are further tools. Mesh mixing, 3D modeling, re-meshing, mesh smoothing, surface stamping, stability testing, and thickness analysis are all accomplished using meshmixer.

Erlang is a functional programming language that was used to create the free, open-source 3D modeling program called Wings 3D. It includes a straightforward user interface with context-sensitive menus and many selection and meshing tools. In addition, it features an integrated UV-mapping facility, supports lighting, and materials.

Winds 3D may be used for 3D modeling, printing, and engineering design and is simple to learn, however it cannot be used for animation. The program can be used for both personal and business purposes, and it is actively updated by a community. It can be downloaded for systems running Mac OS X, Microsoft Windows, Linux, and Unix. It requires Mohave for Mac OS X and OpenGL 2.1 for Windows and Linux.

A browser-based 3D modeling program called Vectary is accessible for free or as a paid version ($12/month). It claims to be the most user-friendly platform for augmented reality and 3D modeling. It provides a big library of 3D components and doesn’t require any code. There are no file size restrictions.

With the free edition, up to 25 projects can be made and exported to OBJ and STL file formats for 3D printing, along with access to the 3D assets library. The licensed edition contains tools for project sharing, access control, digital asset management, and versioning, making it perfect for collaborative work.

Vectary enables real-time sharing for collaborative work, 3D scaling, a variety of colors and materials, the simulation of lighting effects, descriptions, and labeling. It’s a good piece of software for new users and

For non-commercial use, Houdini Apprentice is a free version of Houdini FX. Popular Hollywood production companies like Walt Disney, Dreamworks, Pixar, and Sony Pictures employ the potent animation program Houdini FX for VFX, video game creation, and video editing. Houdini FX was used for the animation in films like Frozen.

An great tool for novices to practice 3D modeling and animation is the free Houdini Apprentice. With the help of its nodal workflow, engineering designs may be interacted with in a way that is not possible with traditional 3D modeling software. Numerous built-in capabilities in the software make issue solving and design engineering easier.

After using Blender, Solidworks, or other common 3D tools, Houdini Apprentice is worth trying out to experience its nodal workflow and model testing. In addition, Houdini enables you to

SelfCAD is a user-friendly 3D modeling program that may be used for animation, rendering, STL slicing, 3D modeling, design, and sketching. Users can online slice STL and G-code files with the software, which is optimized for 3D printing. SelfCAD intends to open up 3D design and printing to all users. To use the software, no prior CAD/CAM knowledge is necessary.

Both a free and paid version are offered as desktop (PC and Mac) and browser-based programs ($14/month or $599 for a permanent license). In a hybrid version, work can be synced between online and offline at any time and from any location. Students and teachers are also eligible for discounts.

The tool has a straightforward learning curve, and there are numerous online tutorials. One of the less expensive programs that mixes 3D modeling

A Microsoft Windows-based 3D tool for polygonal modeling is called Rocket 3F. Push-pull, hard edging, modeling, re-topology, sculpting, and non-linear sub-division edge creasing are all applications of its. Rocket comes both a free and a pro ($99) version. The user interface of the premium edition can be completely customized, and the toolkit is larger. The program exports three different file types: OBJ, DAE, and FBX.

BlocksCAD is a cloud-based 3D modeling program created to teach kids about 3D designing and printing. The software is simple to use and comes with a number of 3D elements that can be downloaded for free. The models can be exported as STL files that are ready for printing. Educational elements including lesson planning and student management are available in a premium edition for educational institutions.