3D Print Toolbox¶. Blender has many available Add-ons or plugins. By default, not all are pre-loaded. One of these is the 3D Print Toolbox, which we have to enable. In a nutshell, Blender is one of the most powerful 3D printing software tools you can use. It has a very helpful community and is the subject of a huge number of tutorials online. That and it’s open-source, so people are often writing extensions for it to make it even better and more capable. This open-source software has a steep learning curve and is ideal for users who feel ready to transition to designing complex 3D models. Check out our Blender tutorials for 3D Printing page. Blender is actually a free 3D modeling software which was originally for 3D animation and rendering using polygonal modeling techniques.
When you want to come up with your own designs for 3D printing, there is several computer-aided design software that you can use. Two of the best are Blender and Autodesk Fusion 360. Both are widely used and have a range of features that you can use. But which one should you choose?
Main Differences Between Blender vs Fusion 360
The main differences between Blender vs Fusion 360 are:
Read on as we discuss each software, their features, and go more in-depth about their differences. Finally, we answer the question of which one you should use.
Autodesk Fusion 360: Everything You Need to Know
Autodesk Fusion 360 offers you mechanical design, manufacturing, and organic shapes modeling all in one package. This computer-aided design, computer-aided engineering, and computer-aided manufacturing software are cloud-based, making collaboration easy in every stage of product development. It allows iteration and exploration with ideas, as well as collaboration even with a product team with members distributed around the world.
Computer-aided modeling
With Autodesk Fusion 360, you can use a comprehensive suite of modeling tools that allows you to guarantee fit, function, and form of whatever product you have. When it comes to modeling you can create and edit sketches. You can also import geometry into the program and edit and repair it. You can do some parametric modeling, which allows you to change the shape of the object you’re designing by changing the dimension value.
Further, you can design the components that use sheet metal parts and keep track of flat patterns using DXFs and two-dimensional drawings. You can also create designs that specify cutting strategies for plasma, laser, or water jet machines.
If you plan to do some mesh modeling, you can just import mesh models or scans into Fusion 360 and be able to change or repair these. Fusion 360 also has tools that will allow you to analyze assembly motion.
Other 3D modeling features you can get from Autodesk Fusion 360 include:
Electronics
Autodesk Fusion 360 makes it easy for you to add electronic intelligence using functionalities integrated into this software, such as the schematic design, PCB layout, and routing. You can create and edit schematics, even design a complete PCB layout and even generate drill and assembly files with just one button click.
Further, you can check the integrity of your circuit design and see how the circuit will behave with the integrated SPICE (simulation program with integrated circuit emphasis) simulation.
With Fusion 360, you can set manufacturing requirements with configurable design rules. And because this software integrates both manufacturing and electronics CAD, you can be sure that tour PCB fits. Fusion 360 also makes it easier by offering you a component library that allows you to use ready-made parts rather than creating your own. Lastly, Autodesk Fusion 360 allows you to design an electronics cooling system.
Other features that you can enjoy include:
Benefits of Using Autodesk Fusion 360
Using this cloud application, you can save time. In fact, some users note that processes and models that used to take days to finish can now be completed in just hours.
No matter what CAD, CAM, or CAE needs you have, Fusion 360 has a tool for that. You have a wide range of modeling tools, as well as environments for making sheet metal parts and surfaces. You also get a simulation environment that will let you see your design and prototype at work. There are also rendering tools that you can use for making drawings, renderings, and animation.
You will be hard-pressed to find another software that offers these many functionalities, features, and tools. What’s more, you have the processing and computing power of the cloud to do all of these things, which means your computer will not crawl to a stop as you conduct a rendering or a mechanical stress test on your designs.
Updates and maintenance are also simplified. Rather than installing, upgrading, and maintaining your CAD software, you only need to install the client. Not only do you avoid spending weeks and weekends planning and executing the installation or upgrade, but you also do not have to worry about servers that might need upgrading.
Autodesk Fusion 360: What Can Be Better
While there is round-the-clock support for this software, you will need to rely on documentation for training your staff. Autodesk does no offer in person or live online training for this software. They also don’t have webinars that you can learn from.
Also, easy collaboration is one of the selling points for this software. However, as far as collaboration tools go, this one is very limited. You can enjoy task and project management tools and version control, but that’s pretty much it. There is no easy way to brainstorm, manage content, documents, and calendar schedules. It doesn’t support discussion boards or video conferencing as well.
Another cause for concern is that it is cloud-based, which might prevent some companies from using it because of regulatory compliance or security concerns.
The Skinny on Autodesk Fusion 360
This cloud-based CAD, CAM, and CAE application is an excellent choice for those who want either a primary design software or a supplemental program to their current design software. You will appreciate how extensive the tools it has, as well as the easy collaboration on data. It really does streamline your design process, helping you save hours and hours of work.
It may not have all the tools and features that you are using with your existing design software, but that should be no problem as Autodesk has been constantly developing and upgrading this program. If you would like to know how Autodesk Fusion 360 compares, check Fusion 360 vs Inventor and Fusion 360 vs AutoCAD.
What You Should Know About Blender
Blender is a free animation and 3D modeling suite. This open-source software helps you create animated movies, video games, 3D printing models, among others.
Features
Blender is an excellent software for 3D modeling. You have a variety of features at your disposal such as animation, modeling, rigging, rendering, motion tracking, and making composites. To make it easier and faster for you to create 3D models, you can use keyboard shortcuts for some common operations. It also has N-Gon support, edge slide, bridge fill, grid fill, and others.
You can also make use of modifiers that can automatically apply effects to your models, saving a lot of tedious steps and time. Meanwhile, the UV unwrapping features allow you to paint on your models directly. You can have fast cube, sphere, camera, and cylinder projections. You can even work with multiple UV layers and paint directly on the mesh.
Sculpting is also faster and easier with Blender. You can work with 20 different brush types such as blob, clay, crease, deepen, smooth, nudge, and snake hook. Each one of these brushes will have a different effect on your model. Blender also allows for mirrored sculpting and multi-res sculpting.
When it comes to animation, Blender allows you to add movements to your character. You can even edit poses, or give your characters independent movements with non-linear animation. The software will also allow you to synchronize sound. With its rigging features, you can transform your model into a posable character in no time.
The use of constraints can also help you limit an object’s animation. You can use shape keys, which act as morph targets. These shape keys allow you to change your character’s facial expressions, as well as tweaking a skeletal rig. Blender also has video editing and game creation features. If you want to customize specialized tools or customize your Blender, you can do that as well. It works on a variety of platforms including macOS, Linux, and Windows
What Can Be Better About Blender
Blender is not one of those software that are easy to master. There is a steep learning curve and it can take a long time before you can comfortably work with the software. This is true even if you have worked with other animation and modeling software before.
Blender: The Bottom Line3d Printing With Blender
With the sheer number of features, you will find that Blender is a great tool for 3D printing enthusiasts. It’s difficult to believe that it’s free software. It does take time to learn, however, and you can expect to spend a lot of time watching tutorials or checking out the documentation. Trust us, however, when we say that it’s worth it.
The Main Differences Between Blender and Fusion 360: An In-Depth Look
If you are choosing between Autodesk Fusion 360 and Blender, it helps to go beyond just the features that they offer.
Community
Blender has been around since 1998 and it has a lot of users that translate to a vibrant and helpful community. It helps that it is an open-source program, which allows you to customize everything. Blender Foundation, the people behind the program, has also been hard at work incorporating features for exporting STLs, animation, image manipulation, 3D modeling, simulation, game development, and video editing.
Fusion 360 has not been around as long as Blender, having been launched only in 2013. Autodesk has maintained and run the software since then, and most of the support materials that you can find for this software comes from the company.
What It Can Do
Blender has tools for 3D modeling, animation, video and image editing, simulation, and game development.
Autodesk Fusion 360 is great for machining, engineering, and design. It cannot be used for video editing and game development.
Price
Blender has been free to use from the start. Autodesk Fusion 360 works on a cloud-based model and costs around $500 a year. However, it’s free to use for startups that earn less than $100,000 annually or for hobbyists.
Ease of Use
While a common complaint about Blender is how difficult it is to master, the 3D modeling environment is intuitive. You can rely on hotkeys and shortcuts to execute commands quickly, plus you have access to modifiers and add-ons that can help make your job easier and faster.
Natural shapes are quite easy to model in Blender, allowing you to deform, distort, and modify them fast.
While Blender is intuitive and can feel natural, Fusion 360 feels more professional and precise. The workspace is streamlined, but you can easily call up the tools that you need from a menu.
Autodesk Fusion 360 is easier to use with its streamlined interface and the use of large drop-down menus. Blender users rely on hotkeys and the user interface can be a bit daunting for most. Even the revamped UI introduced in Blender 2.8 can’t hold a candle to the user-friendly workspace you see on Fusion 360.
What It Is Best for
Because of its focus on precision, Fusion 360 is for the serious designer who wants to create a fast and functional prototype of his or her product. However, Blender is for those who want to work with 3D objects without putting much thought into it.
FAQs About Blender vs. Fusion 360Do you really need to have CAD software?
Hobbyists looking for STL files on several websites such as Pinshape, MyMiniFactory, or Thingiverse to find models to 3D print. You have a lot of choices and you will probably run out of filament many times before exhausting all the STL files available on these sites.
But if you have a particular 3D object in mind, then you will need a CAD software such as Blender or Autodesk Fusion 360 to come up with an STL file for your printer to work with.
Are there alternatives to both Blender and Fusion 360?
If you’re not convinced with either Blender or Fusion 360, there are other CAD software that you can use.
How do you choose a 3D modeling software?
The thing with 3D modeling software is that it’s not a one-size-fits-all thing. What may be the best software for you is not the best for everyone. There are some considerations that you should take:
Blender vs. Fusion 360: Which One Should You Choose?
Blender has its draws. It’s free and it has all the features that you will need to do excellent animation, 3D art, sculpting, and video effects. Plus, it’s easy to make organic shapes and structures and it was a helpful community of users you can rely on. However, Blender does neglect 3D printing and you will need to rely on add-ons.
Fusion 360, on the other hand, allows you to create 2D drawings, transform it into a three-dimensional format, and then print your design as you have envisioned it. You can also rely on this software for easy export for laser cutting, plasma cutting, water jet, or CNC machines. Perhaps, for 3D printing enthusiasts, the best feature of Fusion 360 is the enhanced tools for 3D printing it offers, such as slice preview.
But if you’re a hobbyist, both the Blender and Fusion is free to use, so why not use both software if you have the time and patience to learn.
Design Your 3D Model Using the Best 3D Design Software![]()
You need a 3D printing software to design your models and bring them to reality by printing them.
When looking for a 3D printer software, it is important to choose one that can design the types of models you want and takes the least amount of time.
There are two main categories of 3D design software:
3D Modeling Software
The first step in 3D printing is designing your model on a computer.
There are two types of 3D printer control software you can use. Most models can be designed using the traditional CAD (Computer Aided Design) software. These software programs allow you to build an object from surfaces and wireframes.
You can use Sculpture Software to get a more artistic feel. This software allows you to manipulate shapes likes you would with plasticine.
ZBrush
If you are interested in printing tabletop miniatures, the ZBrush is the 3D printer software you should get. The software has various features that make it easy for you to sculpt figures easily and fast.
The Surface Noise feature allows you to apply various types of noises on a surface using the brush you prefer. For example, you can apply chipped paint or rust effect on a surface, modify it, and remove it without affecting the underlying model.
You can also use Panel Loops to sculpt figures. This feature allows you to convert your model into panels of polygon with a defined beveled edge. The feature will come in handy when you want to create a machined metal or armor surface.
The ZBrush is the best 3D printing software for beginners.
Tinkercad ñ Easiest 3D Software for 3D Printing
If you are new to 3D modeling, you should get started with the Tinkercad. This software is particularly recommended for kids.
Tinkercad has a browser-basedUI with an intuitive design. You can use the program to build 3D models from basic shape blocks like rectangles and cylinders.
There is a large library of pre-made 3D stock that you can use to start your designs in Tinkercad. Using the models will help you save time in designing your first model.
Tinkercad is quite limited compared to Blender and SketchUp. However, it is the easiest 3D model software to get started with.
Blender 3D Printing Software – Best Free 3D Modeling Software
One of the best 3D design software on the market is Blender. This powerful program enables you to draw any 3D object you can imagine. You can use the software for gaming with photorealistic rendering and professional level animation.
Modeling and Sculpting
The easiest way to design 3D objects using Blender is by using its powerful Modeling and Sculpt modes. In these modes, you can shape the surface of the model using a brush, like you would when sculpting plasticine.
The sculpting brushes are available in different forms and shapes, including Grab, Smooth and Crease. You can use the different brushes to shape your model in the exact way you would like, just like you would sculpt clay or plasticine using your hands.
In Modeling mode, you create objects using primitive shapes (cubes, cylinders, etc.), curves, or points. In this mode, you can create anything, from the simplest cuboid to the most complex wireframe controlled NURSB surface.
Blender is the best free 3D modeling software.
Blender 3d For 3d PrintingFast Modeling
Blender has a number of advanced tools like Meatball, which you can use to join basic shapes together as a starting point for your 3D model.
For example, if you wanted to create a man figure, you can use a sphere for the head, elongated cylinders for the limbs, and a rectangular cube for the body. Meatball enables you to create objects faster than in most other 3D modeling software.
SketchUp ñ Best 3D Software for Beginners
The power of SketchUp lies in its simplicity. The software allows you to successfully draw 3D objects on your first go. The program has an intuitive push-pull way of manipulating shapes and creating complex shapes. To draw 3D objects, simply manipulate the shapes by clicking and dragging them.
The program has many shortcuts that allow you to easily modify or duplicate your designs to save time.
Excellent for Beginners
SketchUp 3D printer design software is supported by a large library of free 3D models. You can load existing models and modify them in any manner you want. Using the library models is the easiest way to get started with designing 3D objects.
When you start creating more advanced models with engineering precision, you will start to notice the limitations of this free 3D printing software. For example, if you are designing an RC drone, you will realize the software will be less intuitive. Such a project will require you to design multiple parts in the correct sizes so that they fit properly. For such models, you will need a professional CAD software such as Solidworks.
Is SketchUp Free?
SketchUp is available in free and paid versions known as Make and Pro respectively. You can design tons of 3D models using the Make version. You can download the software here and try it.
If you plan on selling your 3D model designs, you will need the Pro version as it adds a commercial license on the designs. Apart from this, it has more enhanced exporting options.
SketchUp is a comprehensive CAD package that is easy to learn.
3D Slicer Software
After designing your 3D object, you have to make it ready for printing using a 3D slicer software. The slicer will ensure that the resulting 3D object is as close to your design as possible.
3D Printing Slicing GuideBlender 3d Printing Software
To begin slicing, you can scale and orient your 3D object in the best build orientation. This will ensure the model comes out accurately and in high quality as you intend it to be. The build orientation also helps to reduce the chances of a failed build.
From there, you can determine the structure of your model. To save material and reduce build time, you can hollow out or shell your 3D model as much as possible, while ensuring that it is still strong enough.
The next step involves the build supports and rafts. These are the props that support your 3D model when it is being printed. This area is where you will need a good 3D slicer software.
Finally, the slicer will chop your 3D model into hundreds of thin layers and convert it into G-code, which is the language that a 3D printer can interpret the object and build it.
Choose the Best 3D Printing Slicer Software
All 3D printer slicing software will do the above tasks. However, the programs are different in the way they build 3D objects and in their effectiveness.
The success of your 3D object build will greatly depend on the slicer software you use and the printer you have. Therefore, you should choose wisely.
Below is an overview of the common 3D slicer software available on the market.
Cura
The most popular 3D slicer software is Cura. This program is easy to use and free. In most cases, it does an excellent job or preparing your model for the 3D printer.
Cura slicer has an intuitive design that makes it easy to use, even for 3D printer beginners. The slicing software can carry out most of the essential functions with little input from a user.
Limitations
Cura does a great job of preparing your model for printing. However, it can reach its limits if you have a complex model.
One of the biggest weaknesses of the slicer is that it does not have complex infill options. If you need to print complex honeycomb infill structures, you will need a more advanced slicer software such as Slic3r.
The softwareís support structures also lack in finesse. The structures are a bit too thick, which makes them tricky to remove without scarring your model. You can avoid this potential problem by changing the Support Line Width setting of the software.
Verdict
Cura is the best 3D slicer for beginners to 3D printing. The program is well designed, easy to use, and produces great results 99% of the time.
As you get more experienced with 3D printing, you will start noticing some of its limitations. For example, you may try to fix issues with efficiency and print quality, only to find that the settings you want to change are not there.
Slic3r
Slic3r is an open source software with an enthusiastic following. This slicer software gives you more control on how the parts of your model are printed. For example, you can get the best quality prints and performance from your 3D printer for every build.
You can use two modes in Slic3r: Simple and Expert.
The Simple mode is easier to use but not as intuitive as Cura nor does it offer anything extra.
The Expert mode opens up a new world of settings for your 3D model.
Sequential Printing
You can print sequentially using Slic3r. Normally, you can print one layer on each part at the same time to build multiple parts on a build.
i.e. Part A ñ Layer 1 > Part B ñ Layer 1 > Part A ñ Layer 2 > Part B ñ Layer 2.
However, with sequential printing, you print the whole Part A and then the whole Part B.
The slicer software must know how large and where the printer hotend will be to print sequentially. This is important to ensure the parts being printed will not clash with others that have already been printed on the build.
The benefit of sequential printing is that in case a part fails when being printed, you have to re-build that part only instead of the whole build.
The chances of your build failing is also low with sequential printing. Other benefits of sequential printing include increasing the part quality by reducing stringing and the chances of clashes as the nozzle moves across the print from one part to the other.
Verdict
Slic3r is way ahead of Cura in terms of options and features. For this reason, beginners may find the software somewhat intimidating.
If you are a newbie, it would be best to start using Cura. When you reach Curaís limitations, you can upgrade to Slic3r, enable Expert mode and customize your build using the wide range of settings available.
Slic3r does not have many limitations. However, occasionally, you may come across a bug or problem.
For 3D hobbyists, Slic3r is an excellent slicing software. However, if you are doing 3D printing commercially, you should upgrade to Simplify3D, which is more refined and has more functions.
Simplify3D
Simplify3D is commercial 3D printing slicer software with notable advantages over the free options.
Free 3d Blender Models Download
I recommend Simplify3D for anyone that is in the business of 3D printing as you can be sure of getting the best quality prints from your 3D printer.
When you upgrade from the Cura or Slic3r and use the default settings of Simplify3D, you will notice an improvement in the support structure generation and build quality. To get even better results, you will have to tweak the softwareís settings.
Simplify3D has plenty of settings that you can choose for your 3D print project. However, most of the settings are beyond the needs of the average user.
Compatible and Fast
Simplify3D is compatible with all the best 3D printers on the market, something that other software may not be.
The program has various pre-configured profiles that would be ideal for different printers. Using the pre-configured profiles will help you save time on tweaking and testing the settings.
Speed is another reason why I recommend Simplify3D for anyone that is in 3D printing business. The software is fast. Most operations are completed in seconds rather than minutes.
Finally, Simplify3D has multiple options that will help you build parts efficiently. For example, you can use the sequential option to print multiple parts at the same time. You can also change the settings for parameters such as temperature, and layer height for each part.
Detailed Models
Most of the problems you have seen in your own 3D prints that could not be solved due to not having enough control can be solved by Simplify3D.
For example, the blobs that occur when the extruder starts printing a perimeter section on your part and then returns to the exact point to stop can be avoided with Simplify3D.
Blender To 3d Printer
Blobs usually happen due to two possible reasons, which can be fixed with Simplify3D.
To begin, you can change the ìcoastingî setting to reduce the built up pressure in the extruderís nozzle as it nears the end of the perimeter it is printing.
3d Modeling Software Free
You can also control the retraction settings to make the extruder retract more filament back into itself when it stops than it extrudes when it starts printing.
You will need some trial and error to fix the blob problem.
Verdict
Simplify3D is the best 3D printer slicer software. The program has tweakable settings and its default settings are superior to that of the free slicers.
Most people use the free options of Cura and Slic3r. However, if you are running a commercial 3D printing business and would like to save time, you may want to buy Simplify3D as it provides excellent value for money.
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