24 Best 3D Modeling and Printing Software

Onshape is a cloud-based graphic design platform designed to help cloud forward and designers, engineers, and manufacturers to work together from any device and web browsers. The platform provides built-in collaboration features, design, and version tools, which make it easy to create products and with fewer problems. It provides all design teams secure and instantaneous access to the single master CAD data version without the hassle of copying files.

Onshape delivers a robust set of features that includes on-cloud access, part modeling, drawing, sharing and collaboration, and much more. All features are available in each of its three subscription plans and have no expiration date. The software fully reimagined CAD for the advanced cloud and provide revolutionary parametric 3D modeling and completely associative 2D drawings.

The system also allows for a top-down design within context editing and multipart modeling that makes it better than others. Moreover, with the help of this solution, you get convenient access anywhere anytime. It allows your team to work on a single CAD system and CAD data simultaneously. Onshape is a commercial platform and has different price plans.

Blender is a 3D and open-source application for design animations and graphs. It is best for scientists, students, experts, VFX experts, game artists, modders, and many others. Blender is a free and open-source application used for any purpose.

It is quite simple and easy to use and offers a massive range of new tools that helps users to create high-quality animations or graphics without any limitation. Whatever you create by using the Blender is your property, and Blender will never charge for it.

Blender lets users do any artwork, either it is images, movies, blend files, or any other type of data files; all can be controlled on the Blender. The stunning features of Blender are photorealistic rendering, fast modeling, fast rigging, animation toolset, fast UV unwrapping, full compositor, game creation, simulations, etc.

MeshMixer is a designing application for giving your virtual idea with solid shape. It lets designers transform their boring stuff into 3D stuff. MeshMixer is a multiplatform 3D designing application that is available for Mac OS X, Windows (32 & 64 bit), and Ubuntu Linux 64-bit.

Basic designing tools like selection, drag & drop, filling, smoothing, making parts, basic controls & hotkeys, volume brush tools, etc., are also part of the MeshMixer. The software comes with a simple editor full of new tools that help you efficiently design any design quickly and easily.

Its most prominent features include pivot system, 3D design option in file menu, texture support, vertex color painting, duplicating linked pivots, new create modes, incorporation of 3D hubs, and ability to add an alternate proxy server. The solution also offers texture maps, create pivot tools, transform tools, align tools, pivot-to-pivot snapping, adaptivity settings, anti-aliased rendering, support structure generation, multi-user installations, etc.

FreeCAD is a free and open-source 3D CAD modeler to workflow your architectural, molding, and designing work in a smooth environment. It is designed for those who are looking for a CAD program that will make you able to design real-life objects.

The best about FreeCAD is that it offers parametric modeling that is entirely different from traditional modeling. Having parametric modeling means a system for quickly modifying the structure of the design by going back into the model history and changing its parameters completely.

FreeCAD is the name of a highly customizable, scriptable and extensible designing software for the Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux operating systems. In addition to working as a standalone program, FreeCAD is capable of working with the projects of other similar applications as well.

If you have a project stored in STEP, DAE, IGES, STL, OBJ, and other related formats, then you can carry on the work on these by using FreeCAD. In short, FreeCAD will deliver you the advanced features and functions along with the system of extending the features completely.

The main technical features of the FreeCAD are based on open CASCADE technology-based geometry kernel for performing complex 3D operations, full parametric models, modular architecture to add functionality to the main application, support for all standard formats, sketcher to sketching of 2D shapes, robot simulation, drawing sheets module, rendering system, architecture module, etc.

Sculptris is a virtual sculpting tool designed for beginners to experts. It comes for entering into the world of digital sculpting and involving yourself to create the best products. The two main functions are the availability of 3D sculpting and 3D painting in addition to others. Sculptris is developed on the concept of modeling clay, and its focus is entirely on the same idea.

Sculptris lets designers and artists pull, pinch, push, and twist the virtual clay to make what they want. The other best thing about Sculptris is its user-friendly relation external environment, and that is the import of 3D meshed (.obj) into the Sculptris for further detailing generation normal and displacement maps.

Sculpting, dynamic tessellation, UV texture painting, and cavity painting are its primary functions. The list of technical features includes easy-to-use, ZBrush navigation controls, free moving navigation, hotkeys toggled on/off the system, various plugins for advanced projects, immersive interface, optimizing brushes, etc.

3DPrinterOS is a comprehensive solution that makes it easy to manage files, machines, and users around your business. It is one best alternatives to Cura and offers all features with some new tools and services. With this platform, you have an easy to use workflow management interface that works around the majority of 3D printers.

It is specially designed on the focus that everyone should have access to 3D printing. By integrating this platform in the 3D printing ecosystem, schools and businesses will have access to the centralized system that manages files, tracking, material expresses, users or design, and printing from any networked computer easily.

If a company already has 3D printers, they will be able to network these machines through the software as well. To deliver a more realistic experience, it also adds that tracking printing statistics become with on a per-user or design and machine basis, giving insight into the print failures leading to better performance. 3DPrinterOS is a premium solution and has different price plans. Each plan has its own cost and core benefits.

MatterControl 2.0 is an all-in-one, free, and open-spruce software solution that lets you design, slice, organize and manage your 3D prints. With the help of MatterControl, you can design your parts from scratch using the design tools or visit the design apps to browse existing projects.

It also allows you to slice your designs using various advanced settings for customized support generation, solution bed leveling, and integrated controls for dual extrusion that use powerful 64bit processing. When you have all managed, you can print straight from this solution, no need for several programs; MatterControl does it all for you.

One of the best and addictive things about this 3D printing platform is that it gives you robust design and print preparation capabilities and a list of potent templates in the design apps that will kickstart your creations.

MatterControl 2.0 3D printing software also includes core features such as unlimited customization, a range of advanced tools, a complete guide, and easy understanding, etc. Another significant fact about this printing solution is that it offers cloud sync that makes it better than others.

KISSlicer is a cross-platform, powerful, and easy to use solution that slices STL files into printer-ready G-Code files. The solution incorporates lots of advanced slicing features that generate high-quality G-Code paths for exceptional prints. It allows you to use Profile Wizards to rapidly set up your printer and materials or download profiles shared by helpful users on the forum.

You can still use the free version of the KISSlicer solution with the multi-extruder printer, but you are limited to choosing a single extruder for each print. It comes as the alternative to Cure and offers all the similar services with some new features to deliver a comprehensive solution.

Its next-generation features include adaptive layer heights, numerically modeled dynamic plastic deposition, extruder priorities, varying styles per object, loop modifying, and lots of other combinations to generate stunning and precise G-Code paths for technically demanding prints.

KISSlicer’s new profile handling option also makes it easy to share a profile with the friend, archive all settings and used in print in a Project File, or carefully monitor and manage your settings with the version control system of your choice.

Slic3r is free to use a 3D slicing engine for 3D printers and generates G-Code from 3D CAD files. It works on all major operating systems (OS), including Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux, etc. The solution also has support for all significant G-Code languages, including Repetier, Marlin, Mach3, Sailfish, and Machinekit, etc.

The motive of this solution is to feed in new 3D model files that generate G-code from these and eventually print the object from the connected 3D printer. Its interface is compact, clutter-free, and easy to use. At the top, it has a general menu bar containing file, Plater, Window, and Help tabs. These can be used for multiple operations like loading existing files and more.

The configuration handling system is designed for people working, and with various machines and filaments, you can save configurations as presets for each category avoiding multiplying your saved configurations. Slic3r also includes core features such as compatibility with your printer too, fast G-Code generation, several input and output formats, print with multiple extruders, open-source, fresh cooling strategies, and much more.

Netfabb is an addictive manufacturing solution that helps streamline your additive workflow to get from a 3D model to print parts quickly. It is undoubtedly one of the best and most comprehensive solution to repair and design STL files.

Users of this tool can choose between a range of powerful automatic, semi-automatic, and manual repairing options that allows for applying the best solution for each project. Netfabb introduces an advanced level design optimization that helps you create lightweight parts with performance characters suited to your specific application.

It also allows you to use a 2D and 3D packing algorithm to place parts within the build volume optimally. Unlike most of the 3D modeling solutions, it also has a list of core features that make it better than others.

TinkerCAD is a fast online 3D design and printing solution for everyone. Whether you are a designer, teacher, hobbyist, or a kid, you can use this powerful platform to design toys, home décor, prototypes, and jewelry, the list is truly endless. The software works online, from the browser without installation.

You need to register, and soon you will be facing an intuitive interface that will make things much more comfortable when creating stunning pieces that can easily export and print on your 3D printer. Also, you can easily share or access download multiple models and templates prepared by other people who share them selflessly.

TinkerCAD also offers a complete guide to create, convert, and repair 3D models that make them more simple and powerful. Its core feature includes community, create and design anything, design with code, program, simulate and assemble, powerful tools, and much more.

IceSL is free to use advanced level tool designed to help manufacturers in creating complicated models or patterns ready for 3D printing. It comes with a slicer that generates precise instruction to be used by all sorts of printers. This program comes with two different software, namely the Forge and Slice.

A slicer is a tool that focuses on generating accurate instruction for the printer, and the Forge is where you can customize and design your model. The modeling is done in LUA, and you can be sure to use combinations of shaders, shapes, triangle meshes, and more.

It is worth monitoring that it enables you to customize each layer individually, and as a consequence, you can use the per-layer setting to design your model. This is a complicated task, but the truth is that this can be done seamlessly via the simple user-interface where you can add the desired values.

The most prominent feature is that it supports cubic and tetrahedral self-supported in files that are ready to use with FDM 3D-printing but can work with the older version. IceSL is a cross-platform and straightforward solution, and you can use it on all platforms.

Repetier-Host is a free to use software package that is beefier than all the other 3D printer software. The software developed by Hot-World GmbH and Co.KG comes as the big names in the 3D printing program, and for a good reason. It can support up to 16 extruders with different kinds of filaments and visualize the result with a different color in the 3D view.

Repetier-Host also comes with three different slicer engines, CuraEngine, Slic3r, and Skeinforge, to provide the best slicing off a part and any other material that a printer can handle, including ABS, PLA, PETS, and even metal. Combined with its server, a printer can be controlled from anywhere with a PC, tablet, or phone. There is also has webcam support to monitor prints and can drive several printers simultaneously.

Cura is the most leading open-source 3D printer slicing solution created by David Braam. The software is specially designed to prepare your model for 3D printing. It creates a seamless integration between your 3D printer, software, and material to achieve perfect prints every time.

With this platform’s help, you can easily print right away using the recommended mode or use custom mode to configure over 300 settings for maximum control. Cura must translate every model you design for print into instructions your 3D printer will understand.

It does this by slicing your model into thin layers and save the file ready for printing. Cura requires three steps to printing a 3D model, such as Design, Prepare, and Print. The solution also offers a more efficient way to 3D print. It connects lets you manage your printing workflow with ease.

Start print works on several network-enabled 3D printers, monitor progress, and keep track of maintenance operations all from the single interface. As compared to all the other similar 3D printing solutions, it is more powerful and offers a massive list of unique tools that make your model more stunning.

SliceCrafter is an online version of slicing technology that is less powerful than IceSL-slicer but runs entirely from within the web browser. It is known as a straightforward way to create and print your creativity. The solution comes with all the advanced modeling capabilities and features and documentation, guides, tutorial, references, etc.

One of the most interesting facts about this technology is that it comes with lots of example models that enhance your creativity and also teach you how to create. All the tools on this platform consist of several options, and each option has its tools and benefits.

This solution’s ultimate objective is to do its advanced research in modeling and slicing available as quickly as possible. It integrates with multiple grounds breaking ideas that its team created over the years.

SliceCrafter’s most prominent features include IceSL-forge, slicer, per-layer settings, optimal adaptive slicing, progress infills, offsets, etc. Each tool and functionality on this platform is developed by a professional team who always busy to deliver something new.

3D-Tool Free Viewer is a free commercial and private usage 3D printing software. The software made to open DDD models published with the 3D-Tool CAD viewer, but it is also a powerful freeware STL viewer that makes it better than others.

This chargeable commercial 3D Tool CAD viewer supports the most common CAD systems and 3D file formats, and there is also a free 14-day trial available. It is also best for those who want to analyze 3D models without CAD knowledge because it has lots of power tools. The software provides the dimensions, the surface, and the volume for all parts of the models that make it better than others.

All the distances, angles, and radii can be measured with a single click. 3D-Tool Free Viewer is a comprehensive tool that comes with all the primary tools and features. Such as 3D native cad converter, 3D premium import, 3D PMI display, 3D necessary import, import 2D drawings, load 3D tools, Animation, and model compare, etc.

OctoPrint is a powerful and feature-rich web-interface that enables you to control a 3D printer connected to the web server’s USB ports. It allows you to do various operations, including uploading, printing, viewing G-Code and monitor webcam, etc.

This way, you don’t need a dedicated desktop machine for controlling the printer that makes something like monitorless Rasberry Pi sufficient. It is compatible with most of the available consumer 3D printer, and its powerful plugin system enables extending its functionality in multiple ways.

Another significant fact about the solution is that it completely free and open-source software released under the GNU Affero General Public License. All its code is available in its Github source, and everyone can easily modify it to their own needs. OctoPrint also includes core features such as time-lapse recording, slice your STL files, access control, add system commands, event hoots, and much more.

MeshLab is a powerful 3D mesh processing software solution that is oriented to the management and processing of large unstructured meshes and delivers a set of new tools for cleaning, editing, healing, inspecting, and converting these kinds of meshes. It is an entirely free and open-source solution and well known in the more technical fields of 3D development and data handling.

The ISTI – CNR research center creates this software solution as the course assignment at the University of Pisa in late 2005. It is the general-purpose system aimed at the processing of the typical not-so-small unstructured 3D models that arise in the 3D scanning pipeline. MeshLab also includes a tool for the registration of multiple ranges of maps based on the iterative closest point algorithm that makes it more simple and powerful.

3D acquisition: Aligning, visual and presentation, color processing, color mapping, and texting, offsetting and hollowing closing, cleaning 3D models, compare models, and integrating with images are the most prominent features of the solution. MeshLab is an excellent feature-rich 3D model software solution as compared to the others.

MakePrintable is design software that enables users to build 3D models for printing as well as allow users to quickly repair 3D models using a variety of features such as 3D analyzer and viewer, advanced workflow, and 3D model converter, etc.

As compared to all other similar platforms, MakePrintable is much convincing and contains all the core features and tools that make your model more exciting and attractive. Leverage the most advanced 3D files repairing technology on the market to convert your challenging files into the print-ready format with ease and speed.

One of the best things about this solution is that; it allows you to share your 3D modules with the community without worrying about printability. Its technology will ensure every file share is printable so that you can focus on the project, and the solution will take care of the rest.

MakePrintable most prominent features include a 3D model converter, custom workflow, 3D analyzer and viewer, model mesh optimization, wall thickness adjustment tool, mammoth repairs, instant repair, hollowing support, etc.

Fusion 360 is a free 3D CAD and CAM design software solution for academic institutions, students, and educators. It is a perfect solution that combines industrial and mechanical design, collaboration, simulation, and machining to create the entire product development process in the integrated and concept-to-production toolset.

Start by using a simple free-form modeling tool to get just the right shape or take the shortcut and seamlessly pull your existing data into your project that you can quickly test and preview. Then prepare it for manufacturing by generating tool paths or using the 3D printing utility.

The best thing about this solution is that it has rich features for students and educator that helps you to learn realistically without any limitation quickly. Unlike others, it also has a powerful gallery where you get product ideas and custom each one without any restriction. There is also a list of core features that make it more interesting.

Vectary is a free to use online 3D Content Creation tool specially designed for 3D printing, video game design, product, and graphic design. It is a browser-based solution and allows you to import and export 3D models easily, print your 3D models, create 3D text, and logs with a variety of Google Fonts that order a 3D print of your design from the tool.

This powerful tool comes with an intuitive interface with lots of new tools that make it simple to create a perfect model that exactly fits your needs. With this, you can get complete access to the toolset to turn your ideas into a 3D design.

Vectary offers quite simple designing tools for onboard designers of all kinds into the world of 3D modeling and powerful enough to deliver all the functionalities so you can create stunning assets and visuals. Just other, it also includes core features such as professional design interface, tackles any design project, new tools, leaves comments and notes, converts design, easy to use, optimized for performance, and much more.

3D Slash is another 3D modeling solution that offers an original and intuitive experience to create and design a 3D model easily. It is an excellent solution for all industries relying on 3D content and design. The software is also best for STEM teachers to create children’s vision in space, design skills, and problem-solving abilities.

This 3D model printing software comes as an alternative to OctaPrint and offers all the similar features and tools that make it better than others. 3D Slash’s most prominent features include a unique interface like building your favorite game, easy to start, integration with multiple platforms, multiple 3D models, fast technology, online and offline synchronized applications, etc. To get started, you need to visit its official site, complete registration, create a model, and enjoy all features without any limitation.

SketchUp Free is an impressive 3D modeling software solution that comes as a reliable application to create a 3D model of furniture, interiors, landscapes, and much more. Its real forts are the ease of use that is backed by the set of powerful professional quality features. Using this application is as simple as drawing with the pen and paper.

It utilizes the direct editing push and pulls technology to ensure users get up to speed in generating the everyday product items. Maneuvering around this application is pretty easy, thanks to the highly-customizable palette. It gives you the freedom to easily add, remove, or rearrange the palettes to appear the way you want. SketchUp’s large icon replaces the feature list of most CAD programs, thereby enabling users to easily find the commands.

As compared to all the other similar platforms, it is quite simple and powerful, enabling you to make anything you can imagine without downloading anything. Cloud storage, interoperability, 3D warehouse, mobile model viewing, online gallery, and simple interface are core features of the solution.

Figuro is a free online 3D modeling platform used for game development, 3D printing, architecture, and so on. Just like OctaPrint, Vectary, and lots of other similar 3D modeling software, it is also browser-based and offers all the core features and tools to create a commercial design for your project.

Before creating your design, you need to complete the registration process with an email address, name, and all the other required information. After completing the sign-up, you can easily access all features without any limitations. As compared to all other solutions, it offers a simple and easy-to-use editor where you can easily access all tools.

All the tools on this solution are consist of a number of options, and each option has its tool and features. Key features include an online gallery, community, integration with multiple platforms, complete guide, import and export unlimited files, and detailed setting, etc. Figuro is one of the best online 3D modeling solutions as compared to others.