To create an object successfully using 3D Printing, you will need the help of multiple softwares at different stages, right from design to printing. The following is a list of all useful 3D Printing softwares.
| Name | Type | About | Company | Operating System | Price | Official Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sketchup | 3D Modeling | Easy to learn, create and export your 3D Models. SketchUp Make is a free version and SketchUp Pro is a paid version with additional functionality. | Windows Mac | Basic - Free Pro - | www.sketchup.com/ | |
| Tinkercad | 3D Modeling | Simple Browser based Software that can help you create complex stuff using very simple tools. | TinkerCAD | Any | Free | www.tinkercad.com/ |
| Blender | 3D Modeling | A free, powerful open source 3D content creation suite, available for all major operating systems under the GNU General Public License. | Blender | Windows Mac, Linux | Free | www.blender.org |
| Openscad | 3D Modeling | A free software for programmers for creating Solid 3D CAD objects. | OpenScad | Windows Mac, Linux | Free | www.openscad.org |
| Netfabb | Mesh Repair/ Slicing Machine Control | Software for STL file slicing, repair. Has a basic and paid version | Netfabb | Windows Mac, Linux | Basic- Free Professional - Paid | www.netfabb.com |
| Netfabb Cloud | Mesh Editing | Cloud Based free Mesh repair Software | Netfabb | Any | Free | https://netfabb.azurewebsites.net/ |
| 123D Design | 3D Modeling | A powerful suite of Apps/ tools where you can create a 3D model from scratch or pick a 3D model from the library and customize it to your liking. | Autodesk | Windows Mac, Browser | Free Paid | www.123dapp.com |
| FreeCAD | 3D Modeling | An open source parametric 3D modeling software that allows easy parametric editing of your design. | Windows Mac, Linux | Free | www.freecadweb.org | |
| Sculptris | 3D Sculpting | A free digital sculpting tool ideal for starters in digital sculpting from the makers of ZBrush. Works in Windows and Mac | Pixologic | Windows Mac, Linux | Free Paid | www.pixologic.com/Sculptris |
| 3DTin | 3D Modeling | A Browser based program using WebGL | Any | Free | www.3Dtin.com | |
| Rhino | 3D Modeling | A Popular 3D modeling software based on curves, using NURBS mathematical modeling. | rhino3d | Windows Mac | Paid | www.rhino3d.com |
| Maya | 3D Modeling | High end 3D modeling tool to create complex models and has additional functionalities like rigging, dynamics and animation. | Autodesk | Windows Mac | Paid | http://www.autodesk.com/products/maya/overview |
| Solidworks | 3D CAD Modeling | An advanced 3d modeling software, suitable for mechanical, industrial product design that require high precision. | Dassault Systemes | Windows Mac | Paid | www.solidworks.com |
| 3DS Max | 3D Modeling | A comprehensive 3D modeling, animation, simulation, and rendering software | Autodesk | Windows | Paid | http://www.autodesk.com/products/3ds-max/overview |
| Autocad | 2D Drawings/ 3D Modeling | Great CAD design and documentation tool, ideal for architects, engineers and product designers. | Autodesk | Windows Mac | Paid | http://www.autodesk.com/products/autocad/overview |
| ZBrush | 3D Sculpting | A digital sculpting and painting program with powerful features and intuitive workflows. | Pixologic | Windows Mac | Paid | http://pixologic.com/zbrush/features/overview/ |
| Mudbox | 3D Modeling | A popular digital sculpting and digital painting software from | Autodesk | Windows Mac, Linux | Paid | http://www.autodesk.com/products/mudbox/overview |
| Meshlab | Mesh Repair/ Slicing | An advanced 3D mesh processing software | ISTI_CNR | Windows Mac, Linux | Free Open-Source | meshlab.sourceforge.net |
| Slic3r | Mesh Repair/ Slicing | Open software for slicing your designs | Slic3r | Windows Mac, Linux | Free | http://slic3r.org/ |
| Skeinforge | Mesh Repair/ Slicing | A very flexible and powerful tool for Slicing | Skeinforge | Windows Mac, Linux | Free Open-Source | http://fabmetheus.crsndoo.com/ |
| Kisslicer | Mesh Repair/ Slicing | fast, easy-to-use, cross-platform program that takes 3D files (STL) and generates path information (G-code) for a 3D Printer. | Kisslicer | Windows Mac, Linux | Free for Single Extruder Paid for multi-head, multi-model | http://kisslicer.com/ |
| Meshmixer | Mesh Repair/ Slicing | a free tool for making or editing mesh | Meshmixer | Windows Mac | Free | http://www.meshmixer.com |
| Simplify 3D | Machine Control Mesh Repair/ Slicing | integrated 3D Printing Software can import, repair, slice, preview and print | Simplify3D | Windows Mac, Linux | 140$ | http://www.simplify3d.com/ |
| ReplicatorG | Machine Control | Cross platform, easily installable, and is based on the familiar Arduino / Processing environments. | ReplicatorG | Windows Mac, Linux | Free Open-Source | www.replicat.org |
| Cura | Mesh Repair/ Slicing | Developed to be used with the Ultimaker 3D printer, it can be used with other RepRap based designs. | Ultimaker | Windows Mac, Linux | Free Open-Source | http://software.ultimaker.com/ |
| Repetier-Host | Machine Control | Simple to use host software, which is be compatible with most firmwares around | Repetier-Host | Windows Mac, Linux | Free | https://github.com/repetier/Repetier-Host |
| KScan3D | Scanning Software | Using Kinect or Xtion sensors, you can scan real objects and export 3D models in minutes | LMI Technologies | Windows | US $299 | www.kscan3d.com |
| Reconstructme | Scanning Software | A powerful 3D real-time scanning system | PROFACTOR GmbH | Windows | Starting 179 € for single user | www.reconstructme.net |
| Skanect | Scanning Software | Skanect can acquire dense 3D information about a scene at up to 30 frames per second. | Occipital | Android, Linux, Windows and Mac | $129/99€ Single User license | http://skanect.occipital.com/ |
| Makerbot Desktop | Slicing / Machine Control | MakerWare is a program that enables you to drive your MakerBot Desktop 3D Printer. | Makerbot | Android, Linux, Windows and Mac | Free | http://www.makerbot.com/desktop |