open source cad software for 3d printing

Additionally, the solution has an integrated Python interpreter and API to handle geometry representation, interface and applications.

Primary features of FreeCAD include geometry kernels, rendering, a sketcher, modular architecture, a robot simulation, standard formats and path mode.

Designed as a scriptable CAD solution, the software allows users to manage architectural and electrical design functions. Since its release that price includes any and all upgrades.FreeCAD is an open-source, customizable 3D modeler that helps users in mechanical engineering and product design.

About its price, though, its worth the 1000 bucks if you can fork it out. Just like Blender, Zbrush is most useful for organic shapes. With Zbrush's Dynamesh you can get that done in minutes. Trying to clean up a mesh with tons of intersecting geometry can be a nightmare. However, it's one of the best sculpting programs and has remeshing tools that are awesome for prepping for 3D printing. Zbrush is pricy, not intuitive, and just an overall difficult program. However, there are a ton of tools for mesh cleanup and pre-printing prep. It is the only accessible program I know of that does voxel-based shelling (as opposed to normals-based). I only use Meshmixer for its hollow (shelling) feature. Meshmixer is also a polygon-based program but specifically designed for 3D printing, also free. I use Blender for minute mesh work, if I need to work on the meshes down to the vert/edge/face level. And you can examine a mesh easier than other comparable programs like Maya. There are features that help a lot, such as revealing nonmanifold geometry. It's very useful for organic shaped prints. These programs are pivotal for my 3D printing workflow:īlender is a full-fledged and free polygon-based 3D program. So, it's best to also become familiar with that side of 3D. Most, if not all, consumer/prosumer 3D printers exclusively accept poly files (STLs, OBJs) and not parametric files. If you're looking for a program for 3D printing prep I'll have to suggest looking outside of CAD and to polygon-based programs. (I use Solidworks for work.) However, a lot of people on this sub can definitely suggest some good free cad software. Unfortunately I can't suggest any because I haven't used any. If you're looking for a CAD program to make 3D printed parts, any program should suffice.

Open source cad software for 3d printing