Which CAD programs free-of-charge for 3D printing you should know.

CAD programs are very useful in creation processes of a 3D configurator. While most engineers use paid CAD programs such as SolidWorks to create files for 3D printing (usually in stl format), several free CAD programs are available to help newcomers to the manufacturing world get started with part and assembly design. The purpose of this blog post is to provide an overview of some of the programs so that you can design your own models for 3D printing.

Thinkercad.

Thinkercad by autodesk is the most popular and easiest to use CAD software for beginners.

Advantages:

• Extremely simple interface is child-friendly. Excellent for beginners in CAD or primary education.
• Web-based, no download required.

Disadvantages:

• Limited functionality and adaptability – serious designers quickly outgrow themselves.
• Slightly slow during US school time due to popularity among teachers.

SketchUp.

Developed by Google, SketchUp was sold to Timble in 2012. SketchUp is one of the most powerful and intuitive free CAD packages on the market.

Advantages:

• The user interface is extremely intuitive – ideal for beginners.
• Over 100.000 pre-build models available in the 3D Warehouse.

Disadvantages:

• Limited simulation or extended tool functionality.
• Very limited functionality for custom part design, most custom parts need to be repaired.

FreeCAD.

FreeCAD is an open Source parametric 3D modeler designed primarily for designing real objects of any size. Parametric modeling allows you to easily change your design by returning to your model history and changing its parameters.

Advantages:

• Open source model means consistent updates.
• Ability to create 3D solids comparable to paid services.

Disadvantages:

• GUI is somewhat difficult to navigate.
• The system is more prone to crashes than professionally developed software.

Onshape.

Onshape is a professional 3D CAD system that gives teams access to the same CAD system and data via a cloud-based web platform accessible from any computer, tablet or mobile device.

Advantages:

• Engineering Quality Interface – the founders came from the Solidworks Executive Team.
• Excellent for spare parts, technical parts, finished parts and assemblies, teams can edit files simultaneously.
• Onshape partnership with i.materialise enables immediate quotation of designs.
• Web-based, no downloads required.

Disadvantages:

• Free service is only for models that can be viewed publicly – private interface to the organization is a monthly or annual subscription.
• The interface is simple for engineers, but difficult to use for beginners.

AutoCAD.

AutoCAD, an established CAD brand and usually a paid service for businesses, offers students and faculty a free, fully functional version for download.

Advantages:

• Engineering Quality Interface – the longest established CAD software on the market.
• In its simplest form, ideal for personal use or to get started with CAD

Disadvantages:

• Not ideal for production environments – Metadata that is not available for file sharing, routing and simulation is not integrated into the system.
• The learning curve for mastering macros and script is steep to go beyond simple parts.

LeoCAD should also be mentioned here. This is open source software that allows users to create virtual models with Lego bricks.

Many thanks for reading.