Solidworks – for designing and creating professional parts for industrial useĬatia – Advanced design software used for creating surfaces and engineering systemsīefore you begin 3D printing, be sure to do your research and pick the CAD software that’s right for your use case. Siemens NX – for designing and creating advanced 3D models Popular with CAD novices and for STEAM educationīlender – free, open-source 3D model creation software

TinkerCAD – A free, browser-based CAD tool that allows users to build 3D models out of various shapes.

Other CAD platforms include:įusion360 – great for designing and creating efficient mechanical partsģds Max – used in all types of 3D model creation, including video game design, architecture, and 3D printing AutoCAD, created by Autodesk, is perhaps the best-known among them since it was one of the first CAD software programs available for personal computers when released in 1982. There are many types of CAD software, each with its own benefits. Preparing a 3D print using Ultimaker Cura software What is the best CAD software to design 3D prints?ĬAD, or computer-aided design, software enables you to design a 3D model from the ground, up. With the Ultimaker platform, however, slicing software is not always needed, thanks to integrations that allow you to print directly from CAD or the Ultimaker Digital Library. Slicing software, such as Ultimaker Cura, digitally cuts a model into flat layers, which your printer can then print one by one. What is a “slicer”?Ī 3D printing slicer – also known as slicing or print preparation software – is a program that converts a 3D model into a language your 3D printer understands. This article will go through each of these ingredients, and will also touch on how the Ultimaker platform creates a seamless end-to-end flow between hardware, software, and materials, empowering you to unlock the magic of 3D printing and make innovation happen. Software to operate your printer remotely (this is optional, but can be convenient) Before starting to 3D print, you will need to make sure you have gathered all the necessary software “ingredients” that will guide you through the printing process, from preparing your 3D model to managing printers themselves.ĬAD software to create a 3D model (you can also use an existing 3D model, if you do not wish or need to design one)

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