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Find Out The Best 3D CAD/ CAM/ CAE/ PDM Software Available in The Market.
3D models are an integral part of a digital production and are extensively used in gaming, animations, industrial design and architecture. So selecting the right 3D software that suits your requirements and demands is really important. There are many aspects and factors which are considered before selecting a 3D software. Your level of skill is going to be the most important factor in this regard and your budget will also help you to go for a particular software.
Well, there are some general rules which we are going to share with you that will surely guide you to make a right choice. The important point to remember is that you must have 16 GB RAMS or more to do any kind of 3D work. For installation, most of the 3D software needs at least 5 GB as disk space and some extra space for rendering too.
If for you, digital art is a serious business then invest in a high-speed processor, graphics card and memory resources. With good hardware resources, you will experience less lag when working with complex 3D scenes.
Find out the best 3D modeling software available in the market.
Solid Works
SolidWorks, is very good modeling software which is Computer-aided engineering (CAE) and computer-aided design (CAD) 3D modeling tool and it runs on MS Windows Platform. Dassault Systèmes developed and published SolidWorks software. Publisher Says that 2 million Plus designers and engineers in more than 165,002 companies used this software until the year 2013.
As compared to other 3DS’s product Solidworks, CATIA was designed by keeping engineers and industries in their mind: It is widely applied in areas and fields like automotive, shipbuilding, mechanical engineering, industrial design, industrial equipment, specifically aerospace, medical, architecture and as well as in energy sector.
SolidWorks has a solid competitor Autodesk Inventor, but like it’s competitor this CAD software is on the list of top industrial based 3D software for modeling. But this software requires very wide and extensive training and also very advanced knowledge of science and engineering to make the full use of this tool.
A possible case is where we can just imagine is some person who is not satisfied with the products and tools are present in the market, and he/ she eventually decides to develop his/her products.
Supported Formats: idf, ifc, 3ds, 3mf, 3dxml, stl, vrml, dwg, dxf, 3dm, amf, sldprt, stp, obj, pdf.
Price: 9.950 €. Student Packages are also available.
Operating System: MS Windows
Rhino 3D
Rhino3D is a 3D modeling software which is used in processes of computer-aided manufacturing (CAM), computer-aided design (CAD), 3D printing, rapid prototyping, and reverse engineering in many industries such as industrial design (e.g. automotive design, watercraft design) architecture, product design like jewelry design, as well as for graphic design and multi-media.
Rhino 3D software is designed on the basis of NURBS mathematical model which aims to produce a precise mathematical representation of freeform surfaces and curves in computer graphics opposite to polygon mesh-based software. You can see and verify that many tools of MoI are based on the same rules and principles as Rhino3D. During the designing process, you will have to enter numbers for perfect placing and shaping of models. This feature makes Rhino3D a perfect application for mechanical designs but at the same time it slows down the speed of application and workflow.
Rhino3D does not provide any special tools for 3D printing. The built-in tools and feature are sufficient enough to print a 3D model. For example, in order to make your model printable, the meshing of the NURBS model has given great care and importance and meshing can be controlled within the application itself. Moreover, there are some online printing services who offer plugins to assist the preparation of printings and they also assist to upload from the 3D modeling software.
If you want to do 3D modeling in a software who is based on NURBS modeling then Rhino3D is surely the best 3D modeling solution for you. If you want to go for a more intuitive approach, then give a try to MoI.
Supported Formats: obj, 3ds, dgn, dae, cde, dwg, gf, fbx, emf, igs, gts, gdf, rws, lwo, kmz, ply, off, 3dm, scn, sat, pm, skp, stp, sldprt, slc, stl, x3dv, vrml, vda, xaml, x_t, x, xgl, zpr
Price: 1695 € for commercial use and 495 € for educational use.
Operating Systems: Windows and Mac
AutoCAD
AutoCAD is the grandfather of all 3D software solutions available in the market. AutoCAD is a commercial application that is used for creating 3D and 2D computer-aided-designs and drafting. This software hit the market in 1982 for very first time and since then designers are using as a desktop app. AutoCAD launched its mobile, web and cloud-based applications in 2010 and named them as AutoCAD 360.
Since AutoCAD is the daddy of all the designing and modeling software so it contains a diverse set and a wide range of tools and features. That is the reason it is widely used in many industries and sectors by project managers, graphic designers, architects, engineers and many other professionals.
According to the demands and requirements of your project and the version of the software you are using, you can achieve desired results even for newbies. You can unlock the full potential of this modeling software by attending an extensive training and through a lot of practice.
Just like most of the modeling software from Autodesk, this 3D modeling software is also connected to Print Studio which makes access to 3D printer really easy.
Supported Formats: pdf, dxf, dwg
Price: 1400 € per year. Student licenses are also available
Operating System: Windows and Mac
Blender
Blender is an open-source, professional and free 3D modeling software which is used for the creation of 3D printed models, video games, art, animated films, interactive applications and visual effects. Blender has a long list of features which includes skinning, 3D modeling, raster graphics editing, texturing, rigging, UV unwrapping, sculpting, camera tracking, match moving, smoke and fluid simulation, soft body simulation, particle simulation, rendering, compositing, animating and video editing. Moreover, this 3D modeling application also provides a game engine which is integrated into the application.
As we all know that nothing is free and everything has a price. This multi-featured 3D design software costs nothing in terms of money. But to master this amazing tool, you have to put a lot of effort.
If we talk about 3D modeling, Blender also has sculpting capabilities just like Mudbox and Zbrush. This application provides you many modifiers and tools and this fact made the creation of meshes very easy for 3D printing.
Blender is not made for newbies, but if you did not give up and did not lose the heart are by a steep learning curve and you are still in search for one of the best open-source 3D modeling application that contains all the features and capabilities, then you have the found one.
Supported Formats: x3d, dae, fbx, x, obj, dxf, lwo, svg, vrml, stl, ply, vrml97, 3ds
Price: Free
Operating System: Windows, Mac, and Linux
CATIA
CATIA stands for the acronym for Computer Aided Three-Dimensional Interactive Application. CATIA is a multi-platform software which was developed for 3 purposes. Firstly as a 3D CAD software then as computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) software and thirdly as a computer-aided engineering (CAE) software. This 3D modeling software is developed by a French company named as Dassault Systèmes and this software was written in the C++ programming language. CATIA is used in many fields like industrial design and mechanical engineering; specifically automotive, shipbuilding, industrial equipment and architecture.
Just like Autodesk Inventor, CATIA does not only need a long training to take the maximum benefit out of it but also advanced knowledge in engineering.
Supported Formats: 3dxml, catpart, igs, pdf, stp, stl, vrml
Price: 7.180 €, student licenses are also available.
Operating System: Windows
Fusion 360
Fusion 360 is a 3D CAD and CAM software tool with high-level professional capabilities. But it is more user-friendly than any other professional 3D modeling software available in the market. The software covers the whole process of creating a design such planning, testing and execution of a 3D design. Fusion 360 has powerful analytic mesh tools and parametric tools that are capable to cater the most challenges present in the industrial design. Fusion 360 is also different due to its collaborative features. It has the support of version control, cloud-based file sharing, and export/import of common CAD files of different formats.
Of course, Fusion 360 has come with an excellent support for 3D printing. Users can directly import the models into the Autodesk Printing Studio that guides the user comfortably to a 3D printable file. Fusion 360 provides you the mandatory tools for repairing the mesh and also a preview of the printing if needed.
Although it is considered one of the best 3D modeling software tools for engineering specialists and 3D designers, this professional 3D modeling software demands extensive training and advanced knowledge of engineering to take the most benefit of the software.
Supported Formats: catpart, dwg, dxf, f3d, igs, obj, pdf, sat, sldprt, stp
Price: 499.80 €/year, student licenses available
Operating System: Windows and Mac
3D Slash
Modeling experts may find this fact a little shocking that it does not contain conventional modeling features such as sweeps, revolution or extrusions. In 3D slash, the center of the modeling is cuboid which is a solid that is further subdivided into blocks of the same size.
These tools make 3D designing easy for beginners. With little effort in this tool, you can get amazing results just like a light saber. The important feature is that you can import existing 3D designs and modify them. The result of the tools will be in pixelated prints but if you want
smooth surfaces and crisp edges, you just have to select the tool sizes below than printer’s resolution.
This software provides a range of printing services and model repositories online. You can also just export a 3D design to STL and then print it on your 3D printer.
Supported Formats: STL, obj, 3dslash
Price: Free, Premium features starts from 24 pounds/year
Operating Systems: Windows, Linux, Mac, Raspberry Pi or Browser
Adobe Photoshop
Photoshop is known for its graphics editing capabilities but it also provides some features of 3D Modeling. Photoshop has started supporting 3D printing from 14.1 version.
The Photoshop developers are well aware that it’s not easy for them to compete with many leading software such as Autodesk. That is the reason that Photoshop does not provide all the functionalities of 3D modeling. For example, Photoshop has not real modeling capabilities. To render images and to do 3D printing, the users have to import external files. For modeling in Photoshop, repousse and extrusion are only two nice ways.
However, Photoshop provides some help for 3D printing. By using this software, you can generate support structures and scale the mesh in order to fit the selected printer. Also of value are the mesh repair tools that will help generate a watertight STL file.
Photoshop is in connection with many printing services and online marketplaces just like its competitors in the 3D modeling software industry. This enables you to use toolbar for preparing meshes according to the needs of your printing service.
It is quite possible that you may not like the 3D printing in Photoshop. But if you have a passion and curiosity for 3D printing and you have already installed Photoshop on your system then it’s good to start.
Supported Formats: u3d, obj, STL, dae, 3ds, kmz
Price: 142 pounds/ year
Operating System: Windows and Mac
SculptGL
SculptGL is a 3D modeling software which is based on the concept of sculpting. There are many other software which are available in the market following the same concept but they are difficult to learn. You will get to know about them in this article after learning about intermediate and professional software. SculptGL has the very basic and necessary tools which help you to understand the concept of sculpting. The best thing about this software is that you can understand sculpting and do 3D modeling by just using your web browser.
In advanced sculpting tools, you don’t start 3D modeling by creating a creating a mesh of high resolution. Instead, you build every detail by following a step by step approach. While using this tool, you can start your work in two ways. Either you can pick a template such as a human body from a 3D modeling software as a foundation or you can start your 3D design from scratch. Initially, you have to use very broad brushes in order to define the silhouette such as limbs, arms, heads etc. Then you can go for smaller brushes for sculpting large details and pronounced muscles. After that, you will be able to work in details such as scars or wrinkles by using fine brushes.
As SculptGL is a free software so it has less complex and limited number of objects. For beginners who are curious about 3D sculpting, this is the best option to dig in. If you want to learn beyond than start, then go for Sculptis and if you intend to become a pro then give a try to Mudbox or Zbrush
Supported Formats: STL, obj, ply, sql
Price: Free of cost
Operating Systems: Browser
TinkerCAD
While you might be thinking that TinkerCAD is like 3D modeling kindergarten. To some extent, you are right because this tool enables you to join built-in shapes just as toddlers do.
It allows you to use basic modeling functions and operations to join primitive complex objects. TinkerCAD is more than that because it provides the functionality of joining and subtracting shapes. When you will master these basic techniques then you will be able to produce good quality work even newbies to 3D modeling can give impressive results in very less time.
If you want to learn 3D modeling basic concepts and tools without investing a cent then TinkerCAD is the right choice for you.
Supported Formats: STL, obj, mb, svg, 3ds, c4d, 123 dx
Price: Free
Operating System: Web Application
MeshMixer
If you are looking for a full-fledged 3D modeling software then Meshmixer is the right answer. 3D Design’s mechanical functionality is the main focus of this software.
Meshmixer helps you to prepare meshes for 3D printing. This software is designed for the modeling of prosthetics by using mechanical parts. For custom-fit devices, 3D scanning is the basis. Meshmixer also provides optimization techniques which are mostly found in industrial level programs. You can lessen the cost of printing by reducing extra or unwanted mass of a 3D design. You can generate joints automatically by connecting many parts into a single device. Moreover, this amazing tool has some repair features such as scaling, hallowing and mesh simplification which makes this software invaluable for 3D modeling and printing.
Meshmixer is not designed for beginners. It is best for the intermediate 3D designers who want to enhance their 3D designing skills. Meshmixer is one of the best product of Autodesk who is leading the 3D Designing industry tools.
Supported Formats: amf, mix, obj, off, STL
Price: Free
Operating System: Windows, Mac, and Linux
FreeCAD
FreeCAD is a 3D modeler which is made for designing 3D models in any size of real-life objects. It is a parametric model which means that you can easily the change 3D design by just going in the history of your model and altering its parameters.
FrreCAD is an open source tool which comes with a lot of features for customization, extension and scripting. As it is an open source tool, so CAD community can make a lot of contributions to enhance it. It is possible that you may find this software a bit overwhelming. But when you will explore it, you will find some amazing and awesome features.
It provides a modular architecture due to which plugins are mounted on the core application. It provides you a Sketcher with the constraint-solving capability which helps you to sketch 2D shapes. It also provides a robot simulation for studying the movements of a robot and a path module for mechanical machining like CAM and can output, display and adjust G code.
Supported Formats: ifc, stl, obj, iges, dxf, svg, vrml, step, off, nastran, dae and FreeCAD’s own Fcstd file format.
Price: Free
Operating System: Windows, Mac, and Linux.
Moment of Inspiration (MoI)
MoI abbreviated as Moment of Inspiration is a 3D modeler which was developed for designers and artists specifically. The aim of the developers was to develop a software which has all the functionalities of a 3D CAD program such as NURBS surfaces but without the technical difficulties. The mathematical complexities and processes are solved in the background so that designers can only focus on the designs.
Conventional 3D CAD software are right-click heavy. MoI has a very simple and easy user interface. User Interface is the feature which stands out MoI from other modeling software. Its user interface is completely compatible with tablet devices. Even users can operate this software without using the keyboard at all.
From the right sides, you can select between drawing solids or lines. You can work on the 3D designs by using essential tools which provides basic functionality such as fillet, extrusion, offset loft and many others. It also provides transformation features such as align, deform, scale, array, rotate and some others. For accurate results, you can use windows to enter exact measurements. For other tools, you can check the scripts which are developed by the MoI community.
The developers proudly say that they have made 3D designing easy and their product has a low learning curve. This indicates that designers who don’t have any background in CAD or 3D modeling can learn and create mechanical or organic meshes quickly.
If you are looking for a tool that follows more creative approach than technical approach then MoI is the best choice for you. But if you are more concerned about technical aspects, then go for Rhino3D.
Supported Formats: 3dm, 3ds, fbx, dfx, obj, lwo, igs, skp, STL, stp and sat
Price: 266 €
Operating System: Windows and Mac
OpenSCAD
OpenSCAD is a free tool for designers to create solid CAD objects. It is another approach for 3D modeling which is not an interactive modeler like conventional modeling software. Instead, it is a compiler which is based on a description language which is in the form of text.
You have to specify geometric primitives in an OpenSCAD document. The document specifies that how geometric primitives are manipulated and altered to make a 3D model. OpenSCAD enables you to create 3D designs by defining configurable parameters or reusing code for other projects. OpenSCAD mainly focuses on extrusion and constructive solid geometry of 2D outlines.
To be very honest. OpenSCAD is not for everyone. This 3D modeling software is for those folks who are 3D modeling enthusiasts and can give their 100 percent to the modeling.
Supported Formats: dxf, off, STL
Price: Free
Operating Systems: Windows, Mac, and Linux
Sculptris
Sculptris is developed by the developers of ZBrush and it is a free application for creating and rendering 3D design models. It is almost like ZBrush but with some extra features. Even newbies can easily understand the basic techniques of this software and produce impressive 3D models.
The advanced sculpting tools follow the approach that you will not start creating your 3D design by creating a high-resolution mesh. But instead, you will follow a step by step approach for building different levels of a detail.
As in more advanced sculpting tools, the main concept is that you don’t try to create a high-resolution mesh right from the beginning. But you build up levels of a detail by following a step by step approach. While using this tool, you can start your work in two ways. Either you can pick a template such as a human body from a 3D modeling software as a foundation or you can start your 3D design from scratch. Initially, you have to use very broad brushes in order to define the silhouette such as limbs, arms, heads etc. Then you can go for smaller brushes for sculpting large details and pronounced muscles. After that, you will be able to work in details such as scars or wrinkles by using fine brushes.
If you want to learn 3D sculpting then Sculptris is one of the best 3D modeling software options. If the case is that you are more ambitious for sculpting projects then go for ZBrush or Mudbox.
Supported Formats: obj, goz
Price: Free
Operating System: Windows and Mac
SketchUp
Sketchup is famous for architectural landmarks that are modeled with Google Earth’s but not 3D printing. The current owner of SketchUp is specialized is geoinformation. This software is used for planning and visualization purposes in many industries such as engineering, urban planning, construction, interior design and spanning architecture.
If you are using the SketchUp for the first time then you are going to fall in love with its neat and tidy user interface. SketchUp is easy to understand and you can easily understand its concepts. That is the reason that people who learn it from scratch can develop impressive 3D models within the few hours of learning. It provides some amazing tools that help you to navigate and sculpt accurately in the 3D view.
SketchUp is not only capable of basic 3D modeling but it provides functionalities beyond than simple 3D designing. SketchUp is an open source application which promotes users and third-party organizations for contributions in the form of extensions, most of them are free. Virtually, its potential capabilities are limitless. One case which explains its unlimited capabilities is of Curviloft which provided tools to SketchUp for creating models of complex organic patterns and structures. This 3D modeling software also provides the functionality of drawing layout and enables users to perform surface rendering in many styles.
SketchUp has an exchange repository which is integrated into the application itself called as 3D Warehouse. 3D Warehouse is a library where users can download up to 2.2 million SketchUp models directly into the application. The limitation of a file size is 50 MB. 3D Warehouse is connected to an online printing service called as Materialise Cloud. By just pushing a single button by the user, Materialise Cloud claims for the automatic repair of bugs of the models and produces an STL file that is then downloaded from 3D Warehouse.
By default, this software does not support STL files from other 3D applications. For importing and exporting purposes, SketchUp STL extension is used to enable the STL files. Users can download and install this extension from within the program.
Moreover, the 3D modeling software provides support for many free extensions to prepare files for producing 3D prints. Some of these extensions are
- CleanUp3 Extension
- Solid Inspector2
- 3D Printing Model Repair Service (MakePrintable)
- CADspan
There are many extensions which help the user to connect this software to external services. These services provide important functionalities such as cleaning of meshes, making an estimate for the cost of printing and for putting orders for prints (i.materialise, Make printable). It is quite possible that you may have to subscribe these services to utilize their functionalities.
If you want to design visualizations then remember that SketchUp has strong visualization capabilities and it is the best choice for this job. SketchUp has impressive support for 3D printing and they are working continuously on it to improve.
Supported Formats: dwg, dxf, 3ds, dae, dem, def, ifc, kmz, stl
Price: Free for non-commercial use. For commercial services, 657 €, additional features, educational licenses are available.
Operating System: Windows and Mac
3ds Max
3ds Max is another amazing product present in the 3D modeling applications suite of Autodesk. This modeling software is famous among visual effects artists, architectural visualization studios and video game developers. 3ds Max ‘s key features include smooth light and particle simulation, its own scripting language and cloth-simulation engine along with its high-quality 3D modeling capabilities. 3ds Max has a plugin architecture that is continuously supported by an active community of programmers. This modeling software was divided into two versions until its current version which came in 2017. One version was for designers and engineers called as 3ds Max Design and another version was for visual artists called 3ds Max which only had the core 3D modeling capabilities.
When we talk about 3D modeling, 3ds Max can create parametric and organic objects with the polygon, spline-based and subdivision surface modeling features. Features interesting (for designers in particular) are the NURBS-based modeling tools in this 3D modeling software that allows for both organic and mathematically precise meshes. Additionally, 3ds Max is capable to create models by using point cloud data.
3ds Max is one of the best 3D modeling application available in the market. To fully master the engineering and animation features, one needs a long training.
Supported Formats: stl, 3ds, ai, abc, ase, asm, catproduct, catpart, dem, dwg, dxf, dwf, flt, iges, ipt, jt, nx, obj, prj, prt, rvt, sat, skp, sldprt, sldasm, stp, vrml, w3d xml,
Price: 2.141,70 € per year
Operating System: Windows
MudBox
Mudbox is another amazing sculpting tool for professionals and this software is competing ZBrush directly. Just like its competitor, Mudbox also incorporated concepts of clay sculpting into a 3D modeling software.
Mudbox is also based on the concept of progressive detailing. It means that designers don’t go for creating a high-resolution mesh in the beginning. But instead, they build a high-resolution mesh in different levels. While practicing, you will have to load a template as a ground. Afterward you will have to use the broad brushes to define the silhouette. Now, you can go for samller brushes in order to sculpt pronounced muscles, fingers and large details. Afterwards you can go for smaller divisions and work in details like scars or wrinkles by using finer brushes.
Although Mudbox and ZBrush draw on the same concept but they implemented this concept with a slight difference. In the opinion of many critics, Mudbox is friendlier for newbies in 3D sculpting, because it is built according to the user experience of the different Autodesk products. While if we talk about ZBrush, without any doubt, ZBrush is the winner when it comes to tools and list of features. The main disadvantage of the Mudbox is that it relies on other conventional 3D design software such as Maya or 3ds Max for creation and manipulation of base geometry. On the other hand, ZBrush is completely independent and self-sufficient for creating the base geometry and its manipulation. It also depends on your work, its requirements that which software you consider superior to other. If you are considering Mudbox better then its because of your type of workflow.
For printing your 3D design, you will have to use 3ds Max or Maya for processing because Mudbox does not support the export and import of STL.
Mudbox is a good choice for anyone who is interested to integrate his sculpting tool with another 3D modeling software suites of the Autodesk family.
Supported Formats: obj, mud, fbx
Price: 85 € per year. Free licenses for students are available
Operating System: Windows and Mac
h2>ZBrush
Tools like ZBrush introduced a new trend in the process of modeling. The concept for new trends was taken from clay sculpting and was incorporated into the 3D modeling software.
The developers of this amazing tool introduced many handy techniques and simplified the workflow of modeling. For example, ZBrush has the capability to create a new model which has a higher and uniform polygon distribution to tackle the polygon strecthing’s effects.
ZBrush is also based on the concept of progressive detailing. It means that you don’t create a mesh which is high in resolution from the very beginning. Instead, you follow the step by step method in which you build up and create a detail in different levels.
It is quite possible that beginners may like the idea of sculpting in 3D space. But to be very honest, ZBrush is a 3D modeling software which you cannot master in just a few hours of learning. The learning curve of Zbrush is steep which means you need many hours to master this software by knowing its brushes and tools. After a good practice, you will be able to produce some good results.
Mudbox and ZBrush are the competitors and both are working on the same concept but they have implemented the concept of sculpting with a slight difference. According to many critics, Mudbox is friendly and good to start for beginners to learn 3D sculpting. But theZBrush, on the other hand, has a wide variety of tools and brushes as compared to Mudbox. The main disadvantage of using Mudbox is that you have to use another 3D software such as Maya or 3ds Max for creating and manipulating base geometry. On the other hand, ZBrush does not depend on any other software, it is completely self-dependent and self-sufficient. With ZBrush, you can create extra geometry very easily. If you are considering Mudbox superior to ZBrush then it is due to your own workflow.
If you are going to print three-dimensional sculptures then 3D Print Exporter is the plugin which enables this feature. At this point, you can choose the scale and format of your model. Before printing, check your printing service or printer that either they are capable of printing your model at the same resolution as ZBrush.
If you intend to print natural objects and shapes and you’re not afraid to make the effort by using this technique – this 3D modeling software is the right choice to make. Those folks, who are not sure that if the investment is worth it, can go for Sculptris, which is a free program by the same developers and that has similar but fewer features than ZBrush.
Supported Formats: x3d vrml, ma, obj, dxl, goz,
Price: 720€ single user license. 400€ for academic and educational license.
Operating System: Windows and Macintosh
To give you a clear idea of the development of digital art, we have added industrial-grade 3D modeling software in the tutorial. These tools are beyond even the demands and need of most of the 3D printing specialist.
Inventor
One more software of 3D Modeling is Autodesk Inventor which is also from Autodesk you can create very good digital mechanical prototypes. People use it for 3D design, communication design, for creating tools & simulation of various products. With the help of this software, users can produce very accurate 3D models which aid them in visualizing designing, & simulating products so one can get the actual idea before the final built.
Like its main competitors CATIA & Solidworks, Inventor is very advanced 3D modeling software but it requires massive training, and also very advanced knowledge of engineering to make the most of its potential.
Inventor by Autodesk is in the list of top 3D modeling software in the engineering and industrial sector. A possible case where user who is nit satisfied with the design and quality of 3D printers which are present in the market, so he/she decides to make his own.
Supported Formats: rvt, sldprt, stl, stp, 3dm, igs, x_b, xgl, ipt, nx, obj, prt
Price: €2,060/year
Operating System: Windows & Mac
Onshape
Onshape is very big enterprise version 3D (CAD) software kit. It aims professionals and corporate users, who want complete control on their versioning and collaboration within built. Onshape is published and delivered over cloud platform as SAAS (Software as a Service). It can work on almost every Operating system you can name – even on Android & iOS phones.
The best and most fascinating feature is that you can use it within teams. As compared to installed CAD software and PDM, Onshape gives instant access to everyone in the team to work on same CAD system & same CAD file/Data in one centralised place on the cloud.
OnShape can also manage the master file/design without even your need to save copies or versioning of too many different files on all the systems.
Supported Formats: iges, sldprt, dae, ssm_bin, sat, step, dwt, pdf, x_t, dfx, dwg, x_b, xxm, igs, stl, 3dm
Price: Free version. $100/month (Professional Edition), $200/Month (Enterprise Edition)
Operating System: Mac, Linux, Windows, Chromebook & mobile devices like Android & iOS
NX
NX is commercial CAM/CAD/CAE software developed by Siemens Software. NX used in the industry, especially in automotive & aerospace sectors. NX is referred to a 3D application which supports product development cycle from idea, to design, to analysis, to product.
Solid Edge
Solid Edge is a 3D CAD parametric feature solid modeling software which It runs on Microsoft Windows. This software provides many functionalities such as solid modeling, assembly modeling and drafting functionality for mechanical engineers. Solid Edge is linked to many other Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) technologies via third-party applications.
Creo Elements/Pro
Creo Elements/Pro which is formerly known as Pro/ENGINEER is the standard software for developing 3D product design. It provides state-of-the-art tools that are used to promote professional best practices in the field design while ensuring compliance with industry standards. Integrated and parametric 3D CAD/CAM/CAE solutions help you to design with a faster pace than ever while achieving maximum innovation and quality in order to create and deliver exceptional products.
T-Flex
T-FLEX which is a Parametric CAD software and is a very powerful 3D modeling tool for drafting & drawing toolset. Professional T-FLEX CAD tool is for parametric technology for design & drafting, production-proven modeling with very solid drawing functionalities.
T-FLEX is for 32-bit & 64-bit MS Windows operating systems.
Auto Desk 123D Design
Autodesk is the developer of Autodesk 123D design which is the best software for developing 3D models and 3D CAD. This software by AutoDesk is based on their software Inventor and has the similar scope to Sketch Up.
The 123D Design is a powerful but a simple tool to create and edit 3D models and it is reliable for many 3D printer models available in the market.
The Graphical user interface (GUI) of 123D design is simple and attractive. A toolbox is present on the top and the view tools right beneath it and the rest space is taken up by the design area. By putting the built-in shapes in the design area, meshes can be designed. To refine the properties of shape, an array of tools is available which contains advanced techniques such as loft and sweep. This software does not only provide the basic modeling and drawing capabilities but also has features like STL export, constrain and assembly support. A library of blocks and objects is available which can save your valuable time.
If your approach to 3D design is technical then you can also use this software as a 3D CAD software. It is capable of importing SVG files which makes it a better choice to be used as a handy tool for creating mechanical parts by using drawings stored in that particular format.
It is a relatively simple but still a powerful tool to use. It is one of the best choices for beginners who want to excel in digital art.
Supported Formats: step, VRML, 123x, STL, x3d
Price: Free
Operating System: Mac, Windows and iOS
KOMPAS-3D
KOMPAS-3D is used for building/creating 3D associative models and figures for individual & assembly units which are containing both real & standard elements of a structure. The amazingly accurate technology allows you make and built models very quickly for typical and high-end products based on someone’s thinking and designed prototype. There are too many service functions which facilitate solving complex designing problems & production phase maintenance problems.
One of the key feature which this KOMPAS-3D software has that its own mathematical core which is very important and parametric and precision technologies which is developed under high-end QA by ASCON specialists.
The main and basic task which solved by the machine is the product modeling in order to reduce the time of their developing, designing and launch big time and then send it into production phase as soon as possible. These purposes and qualities being reached and divided by the following sets of features:
- Vert fast building/creating of industrial/engineering and design documentation for many production outputs (engineering drawing, assembly drawings, BOM, in detail drawings),
- -translating product geometry into applications design.
- Translating geometry of model into control-program development suits for NC-controlled equipment/Tools.
- To create additional images (for product creation, catalog creation, for creating a structure of illustrations of buildings and manuals).
ALIBRE
Alibre Design Expert is a 3D software which provides a very comprehensive suite of sheet metal design, precise 3D modeling, and associative 2D drafting tools which also capable of building multi-thousand part, complex projects/products. Alibre CAM Software makes you enable to build and create tool paths directly from your model which is inside the Alibre Design and KeyShot for Alibre which delivers very realistic rendering to spice up your website, app, brochure, Presentation or marketing pitch.
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