With the growing popularity of 3D printing, more and more people are turning to this technology for their projects. Home 3D printers are cheap and easy to use, making them a great option for any person looking to get into this field. The number of possibilities is seemingly endless when it comes to 3D printing design.
This has led designers across the world to create new designs specifically for home printers. Let’s take a look at some design tools you can use with your own printer.
3D Printing Software
If you’re looking to create 3D models for your printer, you’ll need software that can handle this type of work. Although there are a few different 3D printing software options on the market, the most popular one is 123D Design. It’s Mac-only software, so if you have a Windows computer, you’ll need to look elsewhere.
123D Design is fairly easy to use, making it a great option for beginners. You can use it to create models, import images, and even create spreadsheets designed to format your prints. 123D Design is free to use for non-commercial projects, but you’ll need to purchase additional features to use for commercial work.
CAD Software
If you’re more experienced with designing than simply drawing shapes, then you might want to look into CAD software. This type of software is best for drawing 3D models and designing products. CAD software is designed for use with a computer and is often expensive. Luckily, there are plenty of free options available.
You can use something like Google SketchUp (it’s also available for iOS devices) to design 3D models and export them as STL files. You can use the software’s built-in 3D modeling tools to add objects, such as furniture and other items you’d like to print.
Once you have your designs ready to go, you’ll need to export them so they’ll work with your printer’s specific file format. You’ll also need to find CAD software that works well with your computer’s operating system.
Sketchup
Sketchup is an incredibly popular 3D modeling program that’s free to use for non-commercial work. The software can be used on both Mac and PC and is designed for designers and architects. It’s also worth noting that SketchUp was designed for CAD, so you can export models in an STL file that works with 3D printers.
Another nice feature is the ability to create animations. This can be used to show how an object moves or rotate as part of a presentation. Unfortunately, SketchUp is less popular than 123D Design and Pro/Engineer SketchUp, so it’s less likely you’ll find someone using it at a local hackerspace. That said, it’s still a great option for creating designs for your home printer.
Solidworks 3D printing software
While both 123D Design and SketchUp have seen a lot of use in the 3D printing community, Solidworks 3D printing software has stayed relatively under the radar. This is likely because it was designed for use with a computer and is more expensive than the other options.
The software is available for both PC and Mac operating systems and boasts strong support for CAD/CAM. It has a relatively easy-to-use interface and includes tools like a 3D mesh generator and 3D solid modeling tools. You can use it to create 3D models like furniture and other household items, as well as create prototypes.
As mentioned earlier, you’ll need a different type of file format for 3D printers. Fortunately, you can use the software’s FreeCAD-compatible export options to create models in the.STL format works with most home printers.
Conclusion
Thanks to the emergence of 3D printing, people are now able to create products that were once only found in professional design studios. This opens up a whole new world of design possibilities for everyone, regardless of skill level. A basic home 3D printer is a great way to get started with this area of design and create a wide variety of items.
As you’re getting comfortable with your home printer, you can start to look into designing your own items. There are many design tools available for free online that make this process incredibly easy. If you want to go further, you can also purchase design software for use with your computer and/or home 3D printer.
