Cad software for 3d printing

The Best CAD Software for 3D Printing (for Hobbyists & Professionals)

Not all CAD software is created equal.

Some excel at technical modeling for applications in fields like engineering and architecture. Some are more geared towards artistic modeling. Others simplify the process of creating 3D models suitable for 3D printing.

This article will focus on the last category, bringing you recommendations for the best CAD software for 3D printing.

As always, we’ll cover most bases, offering a solution for everyone from the occasional hobbyist with little to no experience to the well-versed professional on the hunt for a program to ease the transition from a 3D digital model to physical print.

We also have an article on the best free CAD software for 3D printing, if you’re on a budget.

How Does CAD Software Work With 3D Printing?

CAD software gives you tools to create a 3D model from scratch that can then be processed, sliced, and sent to a 3D printer for printing.

It’s the starting point from which a fully formed 3D model emerges, a digital blank canvas that allows you to transform an idea or concept into a real-world 3D printed object.

On a more granular level, the best free CAD software for 3D printing allows you not just to create an object or model but export it to a file format, such as STL or OBJ, compatible with and ready for slicing.

3D slicing software then translates the model into a set of G-code instructions interpretable by a 3D printer.

The printer can then print a physical, real-world replica of the CAD software-created digital model.

Best CAD Software for 3D Printers

Blender

• Price: Free, open-source
• Supported 3D Printing File Formats: STL, OBJ
• Operating System Support: Windows, macOS, Linux

Blender is an open-source CAD program that leans heavily towards the artistic side of computer-aided design. It’s one of the most expansive and feature-rich free modeling software for 3D printing.

The software features a potent trove of features and tools suited to creative applications, including modeling, simulation, animation, digital art, video editing, and much more.

Though not innately geared towards 3D printing, the relatively new 3D Print Toolbox and Mesh Analysis features take strides to make Blender a far more 3D printing-friendly program.

Here, the idea is to simplify and process the often very complex polygonal models made with Blender to achieve better 3D printer results.

These new features include a series of checks and fixes that refine and clean up any model for export with 3D printing in mind. These include checking scale and measurement, wall thickness, edges, overhang geometry, support positioning, and hollow areas.

Although not a new addition, Blender also offers export to a selection of the most popular 3D printing formats, including STL.

Aside from this, Blender features a full-fledged modeling and sculpting toolbox to create high-quality 3D models. If anything, Blender suffers from this versatility and comes sided by a hulking learning curve, which means beginners may be overwhelmed by what’s offered here.

FreeCAD

• Price: Free, open-source
• Supported File Formats: STL, OBJ
• Operating System Support: Windows, macOS, Linux

FreeCAD is a free CAD software best described as a Swiss Army knife for all kinds of 3D modeling.

It’s a parametric modeler, meaning every aspect of a model is updated when changing a single parameter, part, dimension, or rule. Despite FreeCAD’s drab interface, the program is a powerful design tool that lends itself well to 3D printing.

FreeCAD works based on Workbenches, or toolsets, with different functions.

In the case of 3D printing, the interesting ones are Part and Part Design, which have a range of sketching, constraint, and modeling functions to create 3D models based on a library of geometric shapes.

There’s also a Mesh Workbench, which contains analysis and repair tools to iron out any potential errors that could lead to a failed print.

From there, FreeCAD allows you to export your model to the STL format, among others, and send it to a slicer program to 3D print cad files.

Fusion 360

• Price: Limited free version (non-commercial license) or $60/month
• Supported 3D Printing File Formats: STL, OBJ
• Operating System Support: Windows, macOS

Our top pick for the best CAD software for 3D printing, Fusion 360 is developed by AutoDesk, the company behind AutoCAD, Maya, and other leading CAD, animation, and visual effects programs.

Although intuitive to use and laid out for simplicity, Fusion 360 is a potent CAD tool that houses a dizzying array of professional 3D design, modeling, machining, schematics, and simulation tools.

It’s also a potent tool for creating models for 3D printing and easily one of the best CAD program for 3D printing

Useful features include many you’d usually expect in slicers, such as automatic orientation, infill patterns, support structures, and a print simulation tool to verify the integrity of the build process before sending it to a 3D printer.

In essence, Fusion 360 covers every step from design to model and part preparation.

There’s a free limited non-commercial version available for hobbyists and personal use. Alternatively, you can pay $60/month for the full version, which throws in fully-featured CAM, CAE, and PCB tools along with collaboration features and access to an unlimited number of active projects.

SolidWorks

• Price: Limited free trial, $4,000/year
• Supported 3D Printing File Formats: STL
• Operating System Support: Windows, MacOS

SolidWorks is a professional-grade 3D printing CAD software launched way back in 1995.

Although it houses state-of-the-art modeling tools, SolidWorks is relatively easy to use and is often praised for its clean user interface and intuitive workflow.

SolidWorks allows you to adjust model settings in preparation for 3D printing.

These include resolution fine-tuning, tolerance deviations, and visualization tools to ensure a model won’t result in a failed print. You can export models to STL, ready for slicing.

SolidWorks costs a pretty penny at $4,000 a year for the most basic licenses, so it isn’t a viable choice for amateurs and hobbyists, who’d be better served with a less feature-rich but far more affordable alternative such as Fusion 360.

CREO

• Price: 30-day free trial, $2,000-$3,000/year
• Supported 3D Printing File Formats: STL
• Operating System Support: Windows, Linux

Creo is CAD software designed for solid 3D modeling for the most demanding applications and industries.

It’s through and through a professional application, making it particularly suited to uses where high-quality, precise 3D prototypes and models are required.

Beyond a comprehensive suite of design and modeling tools, Creo allows users to optimize designs for 3D printing by detecting potential errors, providing optimal print positioning, and offering support simulation.

Creo can also export models in the STL file format.

Creo is notoriously challenging to master because it’s geared towards the most complex CAD needs and requirements. As such, we can’t recommend it for beginners, but only to seasoned professionals and businesses.

The price of entry is also very high – around $2,000 to $3,000 for a year-long license.

TinkerCAD

• Price: Free
• Supported 3D Printing File Formats: STL, OBJ, GLB, SVG
• Operating System Support: Browser-based

If the thought of firing up a complex, professional free modeling software for 3D printing has you worried, then TinkerCAD should be your go-to first and best CAD for 3D printing.

Schools and educators favor TinkerCAD across the globe for its effortless ease of use, intuitive design, and colorful interface.

It’s no exaggeration to say it’s the most accessible CAD software for 3D printing.

The design phase is a walk in the park, using a Lego-inspired shape-based approach that’s easy to pick up.

You modify shapes, tune colors, adjust dimensions, add texts, include holes, and more effortlessly. If you want the quickest path from a simple idea to a 3D model to a real-world printed part, no program makes it as easy and fast as TinkerCAD.

Developer AutoDesk also provides an extensive library of tutorials, learning resources, and projects to help you make that first step to creating a CAD design for 3D printing.

As a browser-based program, TinkerCAD works on virtually any device and offers STL and OBJ exporting for slicing.

SketchUp Free

• Price: Free
• Supported 3D Printing File Formats: STL
• Operating System Support: Browser-based

SketchUp Free is a free browser-based CAD program used to create high-quality 3D models and designs without navigating complex systems.

It’s particularly forgiving to beginners, thanks to being a fun and very predictable way to dabble in 3D design for 3D printing for the first time. Getting to grips with basic navigation and functions takes minutes.

Every model starts from a basic geometric shape, which can then be modified, scaled, added to, and subtracted from to create solid models for 3D printing.

Furthermore, SketchUp Free features a free library of user-generated and manufacturer-produced 3D models, the 3D Warehouse, which can be used to spark inspiration, find a part to fit a particular build volume, or remix a model that’s already been vetted for 3D printing success.

Because SketchUp Free runs on any browser and has a companion SketchUp Viewer app to visualize models from a mobile device, it’s the perfect CAD program if you’re often on the move.

It also exports to all your favorite 3D printing file formats like STL.

Best CAD Software for 3D Printing Buyer’s Guide – Things To Consider

What You Plan On 3D Printing

Simply put, this is about complexity and choosing a CAD Software for 3D printing capable of bringing your ideas to life.

While valuable tools for beginners, programs like TinkerCAD can only help you create pretty rudimentary models due to their reasonably limited toolset.

On the other hand, when using professional programs like Fusion 360 and SolidWorks stacked with advanced features, you’re only ever hemmed in by your skillset, experience, and the quality of your modeling ideas rather than the software itself.

In other words, if you plan on creating and 3D printing intricate, feature-rich models, be sure to use advanced CAD software.

The more beginner-friendly options will serve you well if you’re simply testing the waters or only have a basic print in mind.

Your 3D Printer’s Quality and Type

Spending hours modeling a pristine 3D model only to find out your 3D printer isn’t up to the task is not an experience we recommend to anyone.

As such, it’s essential to be well aware of your printer’s capabilities and choose a CAD Software that matches your 3D printing needs.

This is especially important if your model includes overhangs, sharp outward angles, precise surface details, or requires support structures. All these add complexity to the printing process, and not all printers are up to the task.

The type of technology underpinning your printer matters, too.

While cheaper and better suited to larger prints, FDM printers often fail when it comes to printing small, high-detailed models. On the other hand, resin printers excel at doing just that, prized for their ability to pump out high-resolution prints with plenty of fine detail and texture.

Look at your printer’s resolution and minimum layer height to get an idea of what level of detail you can expect.

File and Slicer Compatibility

Consider what file types a particular CAD software for 3D printing supports, especially export formats.

These largely determine compatibility with slicing software. Working hours on a model only to find out the program can’t export to a supported format is something you want to avoid.

As a rule of thumb, opt for CAD software for 3D printing that includes STL exporting at the very least.

Best CAD Software for 3D Printing – FAQs

What is the best CAD software for 3D printing?

Shoving the critical question of cost to the side for a moment, Fusion 360 is one of the best CAD software for 3D printing around.

It bundles all the features and tools you’d conceivably ever need to create any 3D model, along with easy exporting for slicing your work ready for 3D printing.

It’s widely used by professionals in numerous fields, rubbing shoulders with the likes of AutoCAD as one of the most respected and accessible fully-featured CAD programs available today.

What is the best free CAD software for 3D printing?

It depends on your aims.

For beginners looking for a fun and easy route into CAD design, little rivals TinkerCAD’s simplicity and user-friendly appeal. A complete novice will be designing within a matter of minutes.

For more advanced users and professionals, free open-source options like Blender and FreeCAD are better because they offer a vastly broader palette of tools and features. The resulting models are far more complex and hit a quality threshold suitable for professional applications.

Can CAD software export STL files for 3D printing?

Yes, most CAD software for 3D printing can export models in the STL file format for 3D printing, pending processing through a slicer program.

However, we recommend checking the respective feature list of the program you have your eye on to double-check this is indeed the case before committing to a purchase.

Other articles you may be interested in:

• Cura vs Slic3r
• The best free CAD software
• The best 2D CAD software
• Best 3D rendering software
• Best 3D sculpting software
• The best CAD software for beginners

Software for 3D Printing - 3D Modeling Software/Slicers/3D Printer Hosts

An Overview Of The Best 3D Printing Software Tools

Every 3D print begins as a 3D model generated in a modeling program. Years ago, we had to spend lots of money and time to acquire and learn modeling software. Now, there are many easy-to-use modeling software options available, many of which are free. This list includes some of the best options and is sorted by price, with the free ones sorted alphabetically.

The list also indicates whether the software uses solid modeling, a type of 3D modeling that always generates models that are “manifold” or “water tight.” A manifold model is one in which all walls of the model have some thickness, which is necessary for 3D printing. By contrast, software that uses polygon modeling can generate walls that have zero thickness; that’s fine for creating computer graphics for games and movies but not useful when 3D printing the models. Manifold models can be created with polygon modeling software, it just takes more steps and experience. All the software in this list can create 3D printable models, but every model that comes out of solid modeling software is 3D printable.

Additionally, we’ve noted what skill-level of user each software is designed for: beginners, amateurs, advanced users, and professionals. In general, the easiest to use options are near the top and the most powerful options tend to be near the bottom, though there are some outliers found throughout. Most of these software can be tried for free and there are free tutorial videos available for all of them.

Quick jump to:

3D Modeling Software

• Shapr3D
• Tinkercad
• Blender
• BRL-CAD
• DesignSpark Mechanical
• FreeCAD
• OpenSCAD
• Wings3D
• 3D Slash
• SketchUP
• Fusion 360
• MoI 3D
• Rhino3D
• Modo
• Cinema 4D
• SolidWorks
• Maya
• 3DS Max
• Inventor

Slicers & 3D Printer Hosts

• Ultimaker Cura
• Simplify3D
• Slic3r
• Repetier
• KISSlicer
• ideaMaker
• OctoPrint
• 3DPrinterOS

3D Modeling Software

These tools are all about creating models for 3D printing. Some of them are pretty easy to use while other programs are only suitable for professional users with years of experience.

Shapr3D CAD Modeling

• Price: Free, $239/year for professional
• Solid modeling: Yes
• Intended for: Beginners and Professional
• What makes it special: An intuitive multi-device CAD experience allows you to design anywhere with ease.

Shapr3D is superb for professionals and hobbyists alike. It has an extremely intuitive and innovative user interface which will allow you to create models faster with the same high level of precision.

With their Visualization feature you’ll also be able to preview models in AR to ensure that your print will be perfect in its intended location.

Shapr3D is available on iPad, Windows, and Mac – and it will keep your files synced between them! I would 100% recommend checking them out.

Tinkercad

• Price: Free
• Solid modeling: Yes
• Intended for: Beginners
• What makes it special: It’s designed to allow anyone to create 3D printable models and serves as an introduction to solid modeling.

This is a browser-based 3D design app geared towards beginners. The software features an intuitive block-building concept, allowing you to develop models from a set of basic shapes. Tinkercad is full of tutorials and guides to aid any aspiring novices get the designs they’re looking for. It even allows you to share and export files with ease.

With a library of literally millions of files, users can find shapes that suit them best and manipulate them as they wish. It also has a direct integration with 3rd party printing services, allowing you to print and have your print at your door-step at the press of a button. Even though it can be a bit too simple to the point of limitation, it serves as a great way to learn about 3D modeling.

Blender

• Price: Free
• Solid modeling: No
• Intended for: Amateurs and advanced users
• What makes it special: It’s open source, feature-rich, and includes tools for sculpting, animation, simulation, rendering, motion tracking, and video editing.

In essence, Blender covers many facets of 3D creation, including modeling, animation, and simulation amongst others. This open-source software has a steep learning curve and is ideal for users who feel ready to transition to designing complex 3D models. Check out our Blender tutorials for 3D Printing page.

Blender is actually a free 3D modeling software which was originally for 3D animation and rendering using polygonal modeling techniques. Despite its origins as a software for artists, it is considered quite accessible. One of the software’s interesting features is the photorealistic rendering option. This gives the models an air of realism that few free software can achieve.

BRL-CAD

• Price: Free
• Solid modeling: Yes
• Intended for: Advanced users
• What makes it special: Developed and used by the US Army to support ballistic and electromagnetic analyses. Also includes ray tracing and geometric analysis tools.

This open-source software is an advanced solid modeling system with interactive geometry editing. It is apparently used by the U.S. military to model weapons systems, showing that it is quite dependable but also very advanced. BRL-CAD offers a high level of precision due to its use of specific coordinates to arrange geometric shapes.

It offers a large library of simple and complex shapes users can implement into their own designs. They can take multiple shapes and combine them at their leisure, as well. The software used to be quite costly, however it was converted to open source a few years ago. It includes over 400 tools in its arsenal. It also runs at great speeds, especially considering how dense its features are.

DesignSpark Mechanical

• Price: Free
• Solid modeling: Yes
• Intended for: Amateurs and advanced users
• What makes it special: A library of 3D models from industrial suppliers and the ability to generate a bill-of-materials for designs. Electrical and PCB CAD tools are also available.

This nifty and free CAD software is ideal for professionals and advanced hobbyists alike. The user interface is relatively straightforward and the software runs quickly, meaning efficient designing. You also have the capability to generate a bill-of-materials that calculates the cost of printing potential 3D design projects.

DesignSpark Mechanical allows users to utilise an in-built library to mix with own drawings. Another feature that new users might find useful is the pull feature that allows users to create 3D models from only a surface. It is feature-rich for a free software and quite beginner-friendly.

FreeCAD

• Price: Free
• Solid modeling: Yes
• Intended for: Amateurs and advanced users
• What makes it special: Models are fully parametric and recalculated on demand with an undo/redo stack. Other features include robotic simulation, architectural tools, and a path module for CAM (Computer Aided Manufacturing).

A parametric 3D modeling tool that is open-source and enables you to design real-life objects of any size. The parametric component makes editing your design a piece of cake. Simply go to your model history and change the parameters, and you’ll have a different model. As the name suggest, it is in fact totally free. The upside of this is that none of the tools are blocked behind a pay wall, so you can tweak your models to your heart’s desire.

It’s not the best for professional purposes, but it’s a great training tool. Despite it’s basic options and design elements it’s worth a try if you’re new and don’t want to have to invest in something before you dip your toe in the water.

OpenSCAD

• Price: Free
• Solid modeling: Yes
• Intended for: Amateurs and advanced users
• What makes it special: Designed for programmers, models are generated through typing scripts.

OpenSCAD is a free software with a ton of features and a unique way of creating models. This software takes a programming approach to 3D modeling, making it a unique addition to this list of 3d printing software tools. Instead of the traditional interactive modeling interface, users write code in a script file that describes the parameters of the 3D object. Once you’ve entered your code, you can view the shapes you’ve created by clicking a “compile” button.

Another great feature that OpenSCAD has is the ability to import 2D drawings and extrude them as 3-dimensional. It uses a part profile from drawings made in a standard sketching software and use the SXF file to do this. With its stronger focus on programming, OpenSCAD may appeal to some while alienating others. Regardless, it is still a powerful tool.

Wings3D

• Price: Free
• Solid modeling: No
• Intended for: Amateurs and advanced users
• What makes it special: Polygon modeling enables the creation of more organic shapes. Standard tools can be accessed through a right-click menu.

Wings3D is another open-source polygon model tool. Despite being freeware, it comes with a wide range of mesh and selection tools. Tools like mirror make symmetrical modeling a breeze. Seeing as it is a program for beginners, it is very user-friendly and the learning curve is quite steady. Features like the customisable hotkeys and easy to use interface are indicative of its status as an ideal tool for starters.

Despite the ease of use, it has no shortage of useful features such as plane cut, intersect, inset, bend, sweep, circularize, and sheer, making it capable of some very impressive models. It also supports a very wide range of file formats for both import and export. Despite its simple and plain looks, it is definitely worth checking out if you’re just starting out.

3D Slash

• Price: Free web version; Premium license is $24/year and a Commercial license is $240/year
• Solid modeling: Yes
• Intended for: Beginners and amateurs
• What makes it special: Models are created through “slashing” 3D blocks away to shape them as desired.

3D Slash focuses on providing design software with a uniquely fun user interface and enough advanced features to work with a high level of precision. You can also make logos and 3D text with this software. 3D Slash is free to use and ideal for beginners, however there a range of price packages that add in features for cooperative use or commercial use depending on the needs of the consumer. Additionally, the free versions has limitations in terms of functions, higher resolutions and colours you can apply. It’s intuitive interface with a block cutting style to create shapes makes it simple enough for anyone to use.

Even if you can’t find the creative spark to start a design from scratch, there are a multitude of files available for download that you can import and then cut apart into something new. Novel features like the cursor mode that makes interior designing much easier are great additions. Aside from its ability to run on standard mode, it an can also be used with VR head sets. While the blockish style can be limiting in terms of range of shapes one can make and less pleasing to the eyes, it is nonetheless efficient and practical. There are few software that are as quick from concept to finish as 3D slash.

SketchUp

• Price: Free web version; Pro version is $299/year
• Solid modeling: No
• Intended for: Beginners to advanced users
• What makes it special: Intuitive and powerful, with a library of user-generated and manufacturer-produced models.

SketchUp is another good modeling software because it maintains that balance between usability and functionality, making it ideal for most skill levels. The software has an easy learning curve and there are advanced features available for professionals at an extra cost. It is especially good for designing interior and exterior architectural projects but also has tools for a diverse range of other purposes.

Anything complex can take quite a while, but simpler designs aren’t too time-consuming. A freeware version, SketchUp Make, and a paid version with additional functionality, SketchUp Pro, are also available.

Fusion 360

• Price: Free for personal use and startups, $595/year for commercial license
• Solid modeling: Yes
• Intended for: Amateurs to professionals
• What makes it special: Lots of features, such as tools modeling and sculpting, generative design, simulation, assemblies, collaboration, 3D printing, and CAM.

This is a unique addition to the list of 3d printing software tools. Fusion 360 is a cloud-based 3D CAD program that utilizes the power of the cloud to bring design teams together and collaborate on complex projects. Another advantage of the cloud platform is that Fusion stores the entire history of the model including the changes to it. Numerous design options are available, including freeform, solid, and mesh modeling.

Fusion 360 operates on a monthly payment subscription basis. The developers also regularly update the features, making it better as new instalments come along. It runs on multiple platforms and allows users to access their information wherever they want.

MoI 3D

• Price: $295
• Solid modeling: Yes
• Intended for: Amateurs to advanced users
• What makes it special: Can create smooth meshes from CAD models and is pen-tablet friendly.

Short for Moment of Inspiration, MoI offers a sleek UI and powerful range of CAD tools for users specializing in polygonal modeling. The program comes with advanced boolean functions that enable quick design of “hard surface” models. It is a user-friendly software that uses the NURBS modeling system.

While it isn’t free, it is cheaper than some of its competitors. It has a good amount of functions in it, yet avoids being too cluttered with pointless features. The system which uses curves and booleans makes workflow quicker as well.

Rhino3D

• Price: $995
• Solid modeling: No
• Intended for: Advanced users and professionals
• What makes it special: Very powerful and full of features for modeling, analysis, rendering, 3D capture, CAM, and 3D printing.

The company behind this software markets it as the world’s most versatile 3D-modeler. The software is available for download in a variety of bundles on their website at various prices. The program uses a precise and mathematical model known as NURB, allowing you to manipulate points, curves, meshes, surfaces, solids, and more in all sorts of ways. Ultimately, given the range of design features available with Rhino3D, it’s hard to argue against its claims about unrivaled versatility in creating complex 3D models.

Users have commented on how the software can be very difficult to learn. This is a natural trade-off between capabilities and user friendly many designers have to make when creating a detailed software. While it is not the most accurate software at capturing user intent, it is one of the best on the market.

Modo

• Price: $599/year or $1,799 for Perpetual license
• Solid modeling: No
• Intended for: Amateurs to professionals
• What makes it special: Procedural modeling and artist-friendly tools for modeling, animation, texturing, and rendering.

Modo provides creative 3D polygon and subdivision surface modeling tools with a lot of flexibility, allowing you to create both freeform organic models and precision meshes using the same software.  This is a professional-grade program with a range of features designed for advanced 3D designers, and the price reflects this.

Even though it isn’t the most user-friendly software, it hosts a large set of features while running smoothly. The speed of the software is particularly evident in terms of baking textures. It also works with partner software and extensions as additional customisations.

Cinema 4D

• Price: $720/year or $3,945 for Perpetual license
• Solid modeling: No
• Intended for: Amateurs to professionals
• What makes it special: An intuitive interface, parametric modeling, and procedural workflow.

This is an extremely powerful 3D modeling tool that lets you create complex 3D designs. Cinema 4D’s quite flat learning curve makes it approachable for beginners intimidated by software with advanced features. The program is regularly updated with free service packs, which help to optimize how it runs on various operating systems.

The user friendly options present the prints in very accessible ways. Scaling and shading options make modeling far easier. It’s sculpting tool is a great example of why this software is ideal for editing models and pre-existing files.

SolidWorks

• Price: $1,295/year or $3,995 for Perpetual license
• Solid modeling: Yes
• Intended for: Amateurs to professionals
• What makes it special: Powerful editing tree and tools for manufacturing, assemblies, simulation, cost estimates, CAM, and 3D printing.

Now we move on to SolidWorks. This is a CAD program often used by professional 3D designers. There are a plethora of advanced features included, such as design validation tools and reverse engineering. Solidworks comes in three distinct packages, depending on the exact features you need.

Solidworks tends towards the industrial side of things. It is practical and detailed. While most software, mimic curves through gently inclining flat structures, Solidworks uses a system of nurbs that create averages of the edges to produce fantastically detailed curvatures. It only does away with polygonal modeling, opting instead for dimensional sketching. As a result, resizing becomes far less of a hassle.

Maya

• Price: $1,545/year
• Solid modeling: No
• Intended for: Advanced users and professionals
• What makes it special: Procedural effects and powerful world and character creation tools.

Primarily marketed at animation professionals, Maya is useful for many aspects of 3D modeling, especially in terms of mathematically smooth surfaces and shapes. Maya was originally slated as a 3D animation software, but is very useful in 3D printing as well. Thus, a lot of the interface options are more reminiscent of sculpting and animation.

Maya is more applicable to artistic printing requirements. It has a fast rendering engine and is best for highly detailed models with many intricacies. The downside is that it is very expensive (it is, after all, the same software used for high-budget movie CGI|). Nonetheless, it allows for realistic representations of reflection and colour on a software with smooth operation.

3DS Max

• Price: $1,545/year
• Solid modeling: No
• Intended for: Advanced users and professionals
• What makes it special: Advanced users and professionals

Another program that focuses on animation, 3DS Max offers some great 3D modeling features such as shading tools, parametric mesh modeling, and polygon modeling. This Windows only software is a favourite among video game developers, many TV commercial studios and architectural visualization studios.

Inventor

• Price: $1985/year
• Solid modeling: Yes
• Intended for: Advanced users and professionals
• What makes it special: Tailored specifically for product design and engineering applications and loaded with tools for simulation and manufacturing.

Inventor 3D CAD software offers professional-level 3D mechanical design. The program comes with freeform, direct, and parametric modeling choices. Furthermore, you also get automation and simulation tools.

Developed by Autodesk, Inventor comes in different packages depending on level of proficiency (student, professional etc.). One of the great things about Inventor is how they improve the software with user feedback. New versions include improvements to visual data representation and the ability to easily reference 3rd party designs without the need to convert file formats.

Slicers & 3D Printer Hosts

The second section of this list of the best 3D printing software tools focuses on programs that help you to execute a 3D print. Slicers are the easiest way to go from a 3D model to a printed part because they take a CAD model, slice it into layers and turn the model into G-code. The slicer software also includes 3D printer settings like temperature, layer height, print speed, etc. to the G-code. The 3D printer can read this G-code and make the model layer by layer following the instructions set in the G-code.

Ultimaker Cura

Despite its name, Cura can be used with almost any 3D printer because it is an open-source slicer. The program is ideal for beginners because it is intuitive and fast. Most of all, it’s easy to use. More advanced users can access a further 200 settings to refine their prints.

Simplify3D

Simplify3D is an extremely powerful premium slicing tool that helps you drastically improve the quality of 3D prints. Not only does Simplify3D slice your CAD into layers, it also corrects any problems with your models and allows you to preview the end result, helping to further identify any other issues. Advanced users will need to decide if the premium features are worth paying for compared to open-source slicers.

Slic3r

This open-source software includes real-time incremental slicing, 3D preview, and more. It is one of the most widely used 3D printing software tools. The incremental real-time slicing ensures that when you change a setting, the slicing doesn’t need to start from scratch. Only the G-code for affected parts is recalculated. The end result is a fast, flexible, and precise slicing program.

Repetier

This open-source slicer software supports three different slicing engines; Slic3r, CuraEngine, and Skeinforge. Repetier can also handle up to 16 extruders with different filament types and colors simultaneously, and you can visualize your end result before printing. There is a lot of customization and a lot of tinkering involved, making Repetier ideal for more advanced users. You also get remote access to your printers with Repetier host.

KISSlicer

This slicing software does its job well, although the user interface is somewhat basic. Still, if you just need a slicer that delivers great results, use KISSlicer. Note that the basic version is for single-head machines only. You’ll need a PRO version for multi-head machines.

ideaMaker

This free slicer is distributed by Raise3D and provides fast, simple slicing for most 3D printers. Team members can share print profiles and supports can be automatically or manually placed. The adaptive layer height tool allows the software to adjust layer height depending on the level of detail in the model, maximizing print quality while minimizing print time. Remote monitoring and control is also available.

OctoPrint

A free open-source web-interface that allows for remote control and monitoring of 3D printers. It’s compatible with most 3D printers and allows users to watch their prints with an embedded webcam feed. Prints can be started, paused, and stopped remotely, and plugins are available to track print statistics and send push notifications on job progress.

3DPrinterOS

This nifty cloud 3D printer management software comes at a cost. The essential idea is the management of the entire 3D printing process with one platform. Users can edit and repair designs, slice STL files from the cloud, and even send files for printing from anywhere in the world. The software also features the capability to share CAD files.

TOP 10 3D Printing CAD

The software you should use when designing 3D printing depends entirely on its nature. The complexity of your object will influence your final choice. In general, modeling software can be divided into two categories: CAD software and 3D modeling software . In most cases, CAD software will be used to create industrial objects that integrate more or less complex mechanisms. 3D modeling software is preferred when you want more artistic and conceptual freedom - it has historically been used in the video game and animation sector. We will also cover 3D software for beginners.

But what is CAD software ( CAD )? The acronym stands for Computer Aided Design and suggests that it facilitates the generation, modification and optimization of a design for a room or a series of more or less complex pieces. CAD software can be very specific, whether it's industrial design, mechanics, architecture, or aeronautical engineering. Today we will focus on the CAD software that is used to model future 3D printed parts. Considering the many features that the software can have, we have divided them by level of knowledge - beginner, intermediate and professional.

TOP 1 - TinkerCAD

TinkCAD is Autodesk's application for beginners in 3D design. The software is based on building blocks, which allows you to develop models from a set of basic shapes. It includes a library of millions of files that users can use to find the shapes that best suit them and manipulate them however they want. This is a rather simplistic software that will have limitations for some projects. However, it is ideal for those who do not have experience in 3D modeling .

Entry level
Free

TOP 2 - FreeCAD

FreeCAD is a completely free and open source parametric 3D modeling tool that allows you to design real objects of any size. The parametric side makes editing easier. You can view the history of your model and change its settings to get a different one. This software is not intended for professional use, but is a good learning tool. The suggested options are quite simple and will be a good starting point for any beginner.

Entry level
Free

TOP 3 - BlocksCAD

This 3D software was specially designed for education. It has been designed so that everyone can use OpenSCAD, the more professional CAD software. The controls for creating and transforming objects are represented by blocks of colors, which reminds us of the well-known LEGO building block. Blockscad code is compatible with OpenSCAD code so you can complete your templates. Export formats can be OpenSCAD or STL. For everyone who wants to learn how to use the software in Blockscad, there is a YouTube channel with various tutorials for 3D modeling .

Entry Level
Free

TOP 4 - Creo

is one of the leading design software in the market 30 years ago. It integrates many features, whether thermal analysis, structure, motion, parametric surface shaping, and freestyle or direct modeling. It is a complete tool ideal for additive manufacturing that will allow you to do all your design calculations while modeling your final idea. The latest version of Creo 5.0 was released in 2018 and includes an improved user interface that has been redesigned for a better grip. A 30 day trial is available for free.

Intermediate
$2,310 for standard license

TOP 5 - 360° Fusion

Fusion 360° is a cloud-based CAD software. It uses the power of the cloud to bring teams of developers together to work together on complex projects. The software can store the entire history of the model, including all of its iterations. It also has a variety of design options, including free-form modeling, solids, and lattice structures. Works on a monthly paid subscription. The developers regularly update their features with more news.

Intermediate
Price: $60/month or $495/year; free for startups and individuals for one year

TOP 6 - Solidworks

This software developed by Dassault Systèmes is one of the best known on the market. It uses parametric design to generate three types of files: parts, assemblies, and drawings. Solidworks includes a wide range of features such as design checkers or reverse engineering. Often used for industrial parts, it is practical and highly detailed. Unlike many other programs that simulate curves with slightly slanted planar structures, Solidworks uses the NURBS system to offer very detailed curves.

Intermediate
Price: $3995 license

TOP 7 – 4D_Additive

The 4D_Additive software developed by CoreTechnologie is a complete additive manufacturing solution. It can check the fit of the part and suggest possible modifications to adapt it to the 3D printing processes of and improve its final quality. It can fix overlays, deformed edges, or any geometric error. 4D_Additive also includes various analysis tools for 3D printing such as surface quality analysis, part orientation and more. The CAD software also offers to create printed media when needed.

Professional level
Price: from 5K to 30K depending on the selected parameters (import interfaces, 3D slicing, textures ...) Dassault Aviation. Therefore, we are facing established software in the aerospace sector as well as in product development, whether for engineers, system architects, designers, etc. Built on top of the DEXault Systèmes 3DEXPERIENCE platform, the software offers 3D modeling and simulation capabilities, allowing users to streamline their tasks and organize their tasks more efficiently. CATIA is mainly used in the field of mechanical and electrical engineering, engineering and systems engineering.