Welcome to the computer aided design and 3d printing software page
Modfab Australia has collected the best possible software for computer aided design, CAD and 3d printing in one handy page.
Where possible, we have supplied the appropriate specifications and information. But please check with the manufacturer for full compatibility specs.
Creator Pro/X Series – Software, Firmware and Manual
| Description | Version | File Size | Release Date | Download |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Creator Firmware | 7.2 | 99.7 KB | 04/19/2014 | .rar |
| ReplicatorG | 0040 | 66.1 MB | 42.7 MB | 11/14/2012 | Win | Mac OS |
| Python | 2.6.6 2.7.6 |
15.5 MB 14 MB |
Win | Mac OS Win | Mac OS |
|
| Psyco (Python accelerator) | 1.6 | 133 KB | Win | Mac OS | |
| User Manual | 2.0 | 3.78 MB | 01/2014 |
Dreamer Series – Software, Firmware and Manual
Below is a large range of free or open source 3D printing and computer aided design related software
Free CAD Software
CAD stands for Computer Aided Drafting. CAD packages for 3D modelling range in price from many thousands of dollars to completely free. Fortunately a good deal of the free 3D CAD software is easily as good as the commercial software.
Autodesk – Fusion 360- Cloud-based 3D CAD Software for 3D Printers, CNC Machines & Laser Cutters
Fusion 360 is the first 3D CAD, CAM, and CAE tool of its kind. It connects the entire development process in a single cloud-based platform that works on both Mac and PC. This comprehensive 3D modelling package is free for teachers and students and enables the creation of single models, complex assemblies and simulations. Fusion 360 has cloud functionality to enable collaboration and accessibility. You have the choice to output your work to CNC toolpaths, STL files for 3D printing, profiles for laser cutting printing and perfect 2D technical drawings. Students can create amazing designs with a modern, easy-to-use, powerful industrial and mechanical design tool like Fusion 360, and hone their skills to become tomorrow’s engineers, product designers, and industrial designers.
The software is free to students and educators. DOWNLOAD
Blender is a full featured 3D modelling suite with a bias towards creative modelling and animation used in computer aided design projects. Blender has as many features as 3D Studio Max and Maya and subsequently if you want to use it to it’s fullest, the learning curve is quite steep.
Versions are available for Mac, Windows and Linux. DOWNLOAD
Autodesk 123D Is a very comprehensive solid modeller. It’s available for download or use via a browser or tablet. It’s my pick of the free technical oriented CAD modelling applications.
Versions are available for Mac and Windows. DOWNLOAD
OpenSCAD is an unusual CAD modelling package inasmuch as it is more oriented towards programmers and coders. The interface allows the user to type in co-ordinates for the various features they want to add to their model.
Versions available for Linux/UNIX, MS Windows and Mac OS X. DOWNLOAD
Tinkercad is probably the best basic on-line modeller available. It runs in your browser and is suitable for anyone aged about eight and upwards. It has a slew of easy to understand tutorials that will have you 3D modelling in no time. LINK
Hold onto your hats math geeks, this is the 3D modeller for you! K3DSurf has been designed with the mathematician in mind. It allows you to create surfaces from algorithms and equations which you can subsequently print out.
Versions available for Linux/UNIX, MS Windows and Mac OS X. DOWNLOAD
Good old Sketchup. This project has departed the Googlesphere and is on it’s own. It still offers a very approachable interface and good modelling capabilities. In my opinion, it’s been eclipsed by AutoCAD 123D but it’s still very much alive in education environments.
Versions available for MS Windows and Mac OS X. DOWNLOAD
Mesh Editing Software
Netfabb Studio basic has been available for a few years and offers a neat easy way to scale, rotate, divide and repair 3D meshes. This won’t seem that important to you until you discover your model is flipped around and is in a bad orientation for printing. Equally, if your mesh is defective, your slicing software might not be able to resolve it into GCode. Netfabb Studio Basic is no longer free but runs a timed nag screen if you don’t want to buy it.
Versions available for Linux/UNIX, MS Windows and Mac OS X. DOWNLOAD
MeshLab is an open source, portable, and extensible system for the processing and editing of unstructured 3D triangular meshes. The system is aimed to help the processing of the typical not-so-small unstructured models arising in 3D scanning, providing a set of tools for editing, cleaning, healing, inspecting, rendering and converting this kind of meshes.
Versions available for MS Windows and Mac OS X. DOWNLOAD
Slicing Software
Beyond computer aided design or drafting, slicing software is another key part of 3d printing. Slicing software prepares your model for printing by chopping it into horizontal layers and generating lines of GCode that represent each cross section. Slicing can have a big bearing on how your print turns out. I find Cura has a very good set of preconfigured values that get good results.
Cura by Ultimaker is a very mature slicer and it uniquely, begins slicing your model as soon as it’s imported/opened in the interface.
Versions are available for Mac, Windows and Linux. DOWNLOAD
Slic3r has been updated recently and is getting good reviews
Versions are available for Mac, Windows and Linux. DOWNLOAD
Kisslicer is well known for producing excellent, easy to remove support structures.
It also comes in a Pro version that can run a dual extruder printer DOWNLOAD
Skeinforge has been around for a long time and is constantly being improved. Versions are available for Mac, Windows and Linux. DOWNLOAD
Host Software
Host programs interface directly with your printer and enable you to load GCode and operate parts of your machine manually. The Host program is the last stop between the virtual world and the real world.
Repetier Host is my pick for hosting with a well laid out interface that’s easy to navigate.
Versions are available for Mac, Windows and Linux. DOWNLOAD
Pronterface is a reliable hosting program but the interface is a little fussy. It makes up for this by having everything on one page with a large section devoted to viewing the GCode.
Versions are available for Mac, Windows and Linux. DOWNLOAD
ReplicatorG
This is the software that will drive your MakerBot Replicator, Thing-O-Matic, CupCake CNC, RepRap machine, or generic CNC machine. You can give it a GCode or STL file to process, and it takes it from there. It’s cross platform, easily installed, and is based on the familiar Arduino / Processing environments. ReplicatorG is used by thousands of MakerBot Operators, and has printed tens of thousands of 3D objects and counting. DOWNLOAD