With the growing interest in 3D printing lately, I thought it would be nice to find some applications to get people started creating in 3D with no start-up cost. Some of these programs are 100% free and others are available as a trial.
It is important to note... what file formats are used by the 3D printing program the printer is using. The most common format I have seen used is "OBJ." I have not come across a 3D software that does not export in OBJ, and likewise I have not come across a 3D printer software that will not accept OBJ. So when in doubt, export to OBJ.
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Programs You Might Already Be Familiar With...
We already have two programs on the computers here in The Center that can export 3D models,
SketchUp Make, and
Blender. Both of these programs are free to download to your personal computers as well, so if planning on doing work on both computers here and at home, they would be ideal.
Resources:
SketchUp Make
Download Page
Official SketchUp Tutorials
VTC Tutorial Page
Blender
Download Page
Official Blender Tutorials
VTC Tutorial Page
Other Free-To-Use Programs for Computers
3DTin
A very simple browser-based 3D modeling app. You can specify and place shapes from a library of presets, and modify the measurements. The models you create can be exported to your computer as DAE, STL, or OBJ to continue modeling in a different program, or to send to print immediately.
Resources:
Website Link
Autodesk Programs
Autodesk publishes a variety of popular 3D modeling, architecture, and engineering software. Some of the most popular are 3DS Max, Maya, and AutoCAD. Most Autodesk programs are not eternally free, but are available as a trial for a very lengthy period of 3 years with a valid .edu e-mail address. The software is full version and not a limited "trial mode" that a lot of trial software will impose.
To get started using Autodesk software, you will need to first create an account with them using your @udel.edu e-mail address.
Click this link, then click "Sign Up" in the upper right of the screen, and then the "Need an education account?" link that appears next to the sign in button.
3D Studio Max (3DS Max)
3D Studio Max is an advanced software that is used mostly to model for video and games, but can also export 3D object files that can be used with printers as well.
Resources:
Download Page
Official 3DS Max Tutorials
VTC Tutorial Page
Maya
This is another piece of advanced 3D modeling and animation software. Best used for animation similar to what you would do in After Effects (but with 3D) it can also be used to create a 3D object and export. I would suggest using this program only if you are also interested in doing 3D animation, so that you can work on both 3D printing and animation in one program.
Resources:
Download Page
Official Maya Tutorials
VTC Tutorial Page
Mudbox
If you like to create more organically than mechanically, Mudbox is worth checking out. This program lets you "sculpt" in 3D on the computer. It uses a lot of preset tools that are similar to what you would use when actually sculpting in clay in the real world. This will let you create some really awesome abstract forms and help get the creativity flowing. This program pairs great with a Wacom tablet for more natural sculpting!
Resources:
Download Page
Official Mudbox Tutorials
VTC Tutorial Page
TinkerCAD
This app is free-to-use and gives a basic introduction to 3D modeling in plain-terms. This is a great start for someone completely new to 3D software. You must have an Autodesk Account to use this app.
Resources:
Website
123D Make
This is another Autodesk program that IS 100% free, no trial or anything. The 123D suite of software is a great set of apps, some for PC/Mac some for iPad/iPhone/Android.
Resources:
Download Page
Free-To-Use Programs for Mobile Devices
123D
As mentioned above there are a few mobile apps in this 3D suite, and they are all free. Some really exciting ones are 123D Catch, a 3D scanning app that uses your phone/tablets camera, and 123D Sculpt that will let you sculpt in 3D, similar to clay in real life,
Resources:
Product Page
