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Sortable Table of Free and Semi-Free Apps


There is a long list of 3D apps. Some are:
3D Builder
3D Crafter
3D Orchard
3D Slash
3D Studio Max
AeroHydro
Alias Studio
Alibre
ALPHACAM
Angel Script Language
AngelCAD
ArchiCAD
Art of Illusion
ArtCAM
AutoCAD
Autodesk 
Autoship
bforartist
Blender 3D
Brazil
Brics CAD Shape
BRL-CAD
Bryce
CAD Query
CADKEY
CATIA
Cimatron
Cinema 4D
DelCAM
Dust CAD
EdgeCAM
FastShip/FastYacht
Form-Z
Free CAD
Fusion 360
GLC-Player Files
Infini-3D
IntelliCad
JewelCAD
K-3D
Lightwave
Make Human
Mandelbulb 3D - Fractals
Mastercam
Maxsurf
Maya
Mechanical Desktop
Mesh Magic
MeshLab
MeshMixer
Microstation
Moment of Inspiration
NanoCAD
OnShape
Open Cascade
Open JSCad
Open SCAD
PLASTICITY 3D
Poser
Pro/E
Punch ViaCAD
Python CAD
QCAD
Rocket3F 
Revit
Rhino
SALOME
Sculptris
SDRC IDEAS
SelfCAD
ShipConstructor
SketchUp
Sketchup
Softimage
Solid Edge
Solid Python
SolidWorks
Solve Space
STL 3dit 
SurfCAM
Tinker CAD
TrueSpace
TurboCAD
Unigraphics
Vectary
VectorWorks
Vellum
Voxel Made
VRay
Wings 3D
ZBrushCoreMini

This may look like a lot of apps. But the subscriptions are a rip-off. The web based stuff is out. I want on and off-line editing, on My Own PC, no cloud stuff. So once you eliminate those there is a handful left. Then remove the buggy hard to use no matter how popular, and what's left?


When I design a 3D model my Go to Apps are:


Punch VIACad 2D/3D V12 Looking like the best bang for the buck. Under $200 It doesn't do everything but enough for me.
3D Builder
Easy and simple to use stable, But has limit abilities

Open SCAD
Very programable geat for geometric designs and formula based models.
MeshMixer Can add text to STL Models. Nice free features inspite being from Autodesk!
form-Z free and paid
Does quite a bit for free, very architectual based, stairs and windows not needed.


Video on MESH vs NURBS

Parametric vs Mesh



Mesh vs NURBS



This table has three styles of applications.

My FavoriteNameOSFilesStyle CostEase of useFeaturesDescriptionVideo links
3D Builder Win STL 3MF OBJ PLY GLTF GLB Mesh Free B+ C Simple 3D non parametric modeling. Middle of the road, somewhat organic. Good for beginners. Able to open a 2D picture such as a .JPG or .PNG file and creata 3D object instantly. Create for Electron panels with hold, or cookie cutters. Big-Time big time saver!  
  3D Crafter Win B3D CSV S SIG STC STK IA IGS IM BGL MDL POV RIB 3DC Mesh Free A+ D Drag and drop 3D modeling with numeric input. Easy to use but does not export to STL. Good for beginners.  
  3D Orchard Web ? Mesh Free B D Simple modeling need email to public. OK for beginners.  
  3D Slash Web online format Mesh Free..$20/mo A+ C Simple Web based app, not as good as TinkerCAD. OK for beginners. Email to register  
  Alibre CAD Win STL SVG DXF STEP SAT DWG DXF PDF Mesh $149..$1999 ? ? 3D Printing and CNC. Hobby to professional  
  AngelCAD Win Mac Linux ? Mesh Free ? ? Another Script based 3D Modeler. With a unique language. See JSCad and OpenSCad Primitives in AngelScript have direct matches in C++.


AngelScript C++ Size (bits)
void void 0
int8 signed char 8
int16 signed short 16
int signed int (*) 32
int64 signed int64_t 64
uint8 unsigned char 8
uint16 unsigned short 16
uint unsigned int (*) 32
uint64 unsigned uint64_t 64
float float 32
double double 64
bool bool 8 (**)

Angel Script Language
  Art of Illusion Win Mac Linux OBJ POV VRML AIO Mesh Free / Open Source B C Art of Illusion is a full featured 3D modelling, rendering, and animation studio. It is written entirely in Java, and can run on almost any operating system. Exports to .OBJ  
  bforartists Win Mac Linux STL OBJ DAE ABD USD USDC USDA SVG PDF PLY XBF GLB GLTF X3D BLEND Mesh Free / Open Souce B+ A+ A new Better UI on top of the blender engine!! Kudos! bforartist (youtube)
  Blender 3D Win Mac Linux STL OBJ DAE ABD USD USDC USDA SVG PDF PLY XBF GLB GLTF X3D BLEND Mesh Numeric entry Free / Open Source D A+ Very powerful 3D modler and animator. See bFORartists, blender Engine with a better UI Blender Tutorial (youtube)
  Brics CAD Shape Win DWG DXF (many versions) Mesh Free..$ ? ? Shape is free. Other are much more expensive. a mix between Meh with data entry for parametric. Seems like it worth learning. Nonstanrd UI, ESC, r-click not as you'd expect. Have to enter command line data during mouse edits. Video Tutorial
  BRL-CAD Win ? Mesh Free D ? Use NSI Installer exe do not work. BRL-CAD is choice of U.S Military. For more than 20 years, BRL-CAD has been the primary tri-service solid modeling CAD system used by the U.S. military.  
  CAD Query Win Max Linux ? Mesh Free ? ? CadQuery is an intuitive, easy-to-use Python library for building parametric 3D CAD models. It has several goals:
Build models with scripts that are as close as possible to how you'd describe the object to a human, using a standard, already established programming language
Create parametric models that can be very easily customized by end users
Output high quality CAD formats like STEP and AMF in addition to traditional STL
Provide a non-proprietary, plain text model format that can be edited and executed with only a web browser.
Getting Started with CadQuery Scripting
  Dust CAD Win Max Linux OBJ ? Mesh Free B ? Dust CAD has unique UI, where you can drag 3D shapes to create a chain of objects. Seems easy to use  
form-Z free and paid Win Mac STL and more Mesh Free..$ B B Non-Commercial Free forever. Paid versions also. YouTube channel Form-Z3d
  Free CAD Win Max Linux ? Parametric 2D Extrude to 3D Free D A Does Most of what Solid works and AutoCAD can do, if you can figure it out. Complex and buggy, yet powerful. Free CAD Tutorial (youtube)  Free CAD Tutorial
Tinker CAD vs Free Cad Comparison  *Basic Free CAD #1

  Fusion 360 Win Max Linux ? Parametric 2D Extrude to 3D Free..$ D B Hobby to professional. Free for hobbist and students. Old bagge UI.  
  GLC-Player Files Win STL Viewer Free / Open Source A C Free Open Source App, STL viewer. Slicers will do the same.  
  K-3D Win Max Linux ? Mesh Free / Open Source ? ? K-3D is free-as-in-freedom 3D modeling and animation software. It combines flexible plugins with a visualization pipeline architecture, making K-3D a versatile and powerful tool for artists. No STL export. Very Slow.  
  Magicavoxel Win Mac Linux OBJ and more Mesh Free A B Design on a cube, open source very unique  
Make Human Win Mac Linux STL DAE FLBX MHX2 OBJ Mesh Free A B Design people! The STL files have Slicer errors than can be fixed using MeshLab.  
Mandelbulb 3D - Fractals Win ? Fractals Free ? ? Unique Fractal software, one of its kind.  
  MeshLab Win ? Mesh Free ? ? Must have tool kit. Great for fixing geometry and normals, from apps like Make Human. MeshLab Tutorials (youtube)
  Mesh Magic Win ? Mesh Free C C Typical NCH software, easy to use, limited functionality. Worth Keeping.

"The most user friendly features of any 3D modeling software. I used this software to add a rectangular substrate to serve as a base for solid lettering and shapes that I had previously created. It took me all of five minutes." - MeshMagic User Review

 
  Moment of Inspiration Win ? Mesh $300 C C 3D modeling for designers and artists - looks like a one man operation, small site  
MeshMixer Win ? Mesh Free C C Another Free app from Autodesk  
  NanoCAD Win ? Parametric 2D extrude to 3D $200 yr ? ? Pricey at $200 year, but semi-popular.

nanoCAD is a modern computer-aided design (CAD) platform that provides designers with powerful capabilities in 2D drafting and 3D modeling.

nanoCAD can be used on its own as a cost-effective DWG-editor, or customized with essential modules: Construction, Mechanica, Raster, Topoplan and 3D Modeling. Old code still available. Last release December 2014.

 
  Open Cascade Win ? Mesh Free..$ ? ? 2D to 3D. Hobby to professional  
  OnShape Win ? Mesh Free..$ ? ? Free personal edition. Popular on youtube. All your saved projects are PUBLIC !!! Compare with Free CAD.  
  Open JSCad Web Script Mesh Free / Open Source ? ? Web based JavaScript CAD.
jscad OpenJSCAD (native, import/export)
scad OpenSCAD (experimental, import)
stl STL format (experimental, import/export)
amf AMF format (experimental, import/export)
dxf DXF format (experimental, import/export)
x3d X3D format (experimental, export)
svg SVG format (experimental, import/export)
 
Open SCAD Win Mac Linux STL DXF Script Free / Open Source ? ? OpenSCAD is software for creating solid 3D CAD models. It is free software and available for Linux/UNIX, Windows and Mac OS X. Unlike most free software for creating 3D models (such as Blender) it does not focus on the artistic aspects of 3D modelling but instead on the CAD aspects. Thus it might be the application you are looking for when you are planning to create 3D models of machine parts but pretty sure is not what you are looking for when you are more interested in creating computer-animated movies.

OpenSCAD is not an interactive modeller. Instead it is something like a 3D-compiler that reads in a script file that describes the object and renders the 3D model from this script file. This gives you (the designer) full control over the modelling process and enables you to easily change any step in the modelling process or make designs that are defined by configurable parameters.

OpenSCAD provides two main modelling techniques: First there is constructive solid geometry (aka CSG) and second there is extrusion of 2D outlines. Autocad DXF files can be used as the data exchange format for such 2D outlines. In addition to 2D paths for extrusion it is also possible to read design parameters from DXF files. Besides DXF files OpenSCAD can read and create 3D models in the STL and OFF file formats.

 
  PLASTICITY 3D Win Mac Linux Step OBJ c3d Script Free for now / $25 later semi-open Source A B This could be the killer APP for $25. So far the Beta 0.5 is pretty cool!! www.Plasticity.xyz


Plasticity is still in early BETA. So please bear in mind it's missing many features and not yet easy to use or install.
## CAD for artists
Plasticity is a 3d modelling software for concept artists. Modelling in Plasticity is quick and efficient due to the unique gizmos, shortcuts, and thoughtful workflow.
The goal of plasticity is to make working with NURBS like working with clay.
**Plasticity is currently in BETA. It has a ton of bugs and missing features.**
## License
Plasticity is COMMERCIAL SOFTWARE. It will cost money to buy when it reaches 1.0.
The code in this repository is licensed under the LGPL. To goal is to allow users to inspect the source and (in the future) allow users to make their own modifications and/or develop plugins.
HOWEVER, it dynamically links with a commercial software software that I have licensed for $$$$$$$$. That license imposes many restrictions on how the app can be distributed and what functionality is available to end users. Please do not redistribute the binary.
#### FAQ
**I am currently handling bugs and offering support only through Discord. You can email me for an invite.**
#### About
#### Development
Plasticity is currently in the early stages of development with many more features to add and bugs to resolve. The project is currently in need of Beta Testers who can find and report bugs.
Contact Nick Kallen nick@plasticity.xyz for a Discord community link.
© 2022 Nicholas Kallen. All rights reserved.

 
  Python CAD Web ? Script Free / Open Source ? ? PythonCAD is a CAD package written, surprisingly enough, in Python using the PyQt interface. The PythonCAD project aims to produce a scriptable, open-source, easy to use CAD package for Linux (Cross Platforms).
PythonCAD is a CAD package written, surprisingly enough, in Python using the PyQt interface. The PythonCAD project aims to produce a scriptable, open-source, easy to use CAD package for Linux (Cross Platforms). No License file.
 
  QCAD Win ? 2D Numeric entry Free..$ ? ? Hobby to professional. Remove DLL's from Demo to make Free version. If you are looking for a 3D modeling CAD application, you will definitely have to look somewhere else. QCad is a 2D CAD program. That means that everything you draw is projected onto a plane. However, this does not imply that QCad is only suitable to represent 2D objects.


How do I get QCAD/Cam for free?
You can order QCAD Professional from our Online Shop and download
the full version immediately. Alternatively, you can choose to remove
the trial and use the reduced free QCAD Community Edition instead.
These packages contain a free trial version of QCAD/CAM.
You can order QCAD/CAM from our Online Shop and download the full version immediately.

 
  Rhino Win Mac STL OBJ 3DM 3DMBAK RWS 3MF 3DS AMF SAT AI DWG DXF DAE CD X E57 DSTEXP EMF WEMF DSTEXP OFF GF GFT PM KMZ GTS IGS IGES LWO DGN UDO FBX SCN CSV X_T PDF PLY ASC CSV XYZ PTS CGO_ASCII CGO_ASCI TXT POV RAW M PTS RIB SVG SKP SLC SLDPRT SLDASM STP STEP VDA WRL VRML IV GDF WMF X3DV XAML XGL ZPR Mesh $95..$995 ? ? Rhino can create, edit, analyze, document, render, animate, and translate NURBS curves, surfaces and solids, subdivision geometry (SubD), point clouds, and polygon meshes. There are no limits on complexity, degree, or size beyond those of your hardware.
Uninhibited free-form 3D modeling tools like those found only in products costing 20 to 50 times more. Model any shape you can imagine. Accuracy needed to design, prototype, engineer, analyze, and manufacture anything from an airplane to jewelry. Compatibility with all your other design, drafting, CAM, engineering, analysis, rendering, animation, and illustration software. Read and repair meshes and extremely challenging IGES files.
Accessible. So easy to learn and use that you can focus on design and visualization without being distracted by the software. Fast, even on an ordinary laptop computer. No special hardware is needed. Development platform for hundreds of specialty 3D products.
Affordable. Ordinary hardware. Short learning curve. Affordable purchase price. No maintenance fees. Rhino for Mac: The world's most versatile 3D modeler, available on macOS.
 
  Rocket3F Win .vws .obj .dae .fbx .dxf 3D Super easy to use. Free Version does everything including crash a lot! One man show, the guy is a genius, but seems very unsupported. Free..$ A B A sleeper, hardly known but this UI puts AutoCad to shame. Imports .obj into Prusa slicer nicely.


Search Youtube for video lessons.
Youtube Part 1
Youtube Part 2
Youtube Part 3
Youtube Part 4
Youtube Part 5
Youtube Part 6
Youtube Part 7
Youtube Part 8
Youtube Part 9
Youtube Part 10
Youtube Part 11

Youtube Rocket 3F
Youtube Rocket 3F

All Rocket 3F Videos

 
  SALOME Win Mac Linux ? Mesh Free Open Source ? ? Numerical simulation in industry requires the use of high performance methods in fluid mechanics, structural mechanics, electromagnetism, and others. The SALOME platform provides engineers/researchers/practitioners with a solution that allows them to benefit from high-level modules targeting: CAD, meshing, coupling of phenomena, visualisation, calculation supervision, uncertainties, etc, thereby aiding the overall pipeline of a numerical simulation. These modules can be directly used by easy-to-use GUI of SALOME or via Python scripts. If desired, users can build domain-specific applications/softwares by assembling these modules to the needs of the numerical simulation.


Developed collaboratively, SALOME is available under the GNU Lesser General Public License (LGPL). The dynamic evolution of SALOME ensures optimal use of computer resources: cluster, HPC, graphics. SALOME is extensively used by EDF, France and CEA, France, to carry out studies necessary for the proper functioning of their facilities and for research work in their field in an efficient manner. Moreover, more than 150 thousand downloads from multiple countries in the year 2021 alone, suggests that SALOME is surely being deployed as a tool for engineering and research purposes around the globe. Keeping our wide user base in mind, SALOME promotes the sharing of knowledge and practices to guarantee a high level of expertise for users.

 
  SelfCAD Win ? Mesh Free..$ ? ? Hobbist Free version
  • Best for students and hobbyists
  • Mesh Modelling Tools
  • Drawing & Sketching Tools
  • Online STL Slicer
  • Sculpting Tools
  • Interactive Tutorials
  • MyMiniFactory Integration
  • Direct File Export
  • Direct File Import
 
  Solid Python Win Max Linux ? Script Free ? ? Solid Python works on top of OpenSCad.  
  Sculptris Win ? Mesh Free ? ? Sculptris free download. Always available from the Softonic servers
Free and fast download
Always available
Tested virus-free
 
  Silo / Milo Win ? Mesh $127 ? ? Two great apps, one great price! Get Milo free with a purchase of Silo. Available for Windows and MacOS.  
  SketchUp Win ? Mesh Free..$ ? ? Everything you used to get get with Free
Web-based 3D modeler
Mobile model viewer
10GB cloud storage
 
  Solid Python Win, Max Linux ? Mesh Free..$ ? ? Everything you get with Free
Web-based 3D modeler
Mobile model viewer
10GB cloud storage
 
  Snapmaker Luban Win Mac Linux OBJ and more Mesh Free A B Open Source CAM driver for Printer, Laser and CNC. Not a design app.  
  Solve Space Win STL DXG PDF SVG STEP Mesh Free ? ?
  • SOLVESPACE is a free (GPLv3) parametric 3d CAD tool. Applications include:

  • modeling 3d parts - draw with extrudes, revolves, helixes and Boolean (union / difference / intersection) operations
  • modeling 2d parts - draw the part as a single section, and export DXF, PDF, SVG; use 3d assembly to verify fit
  • 3d-printed parts - export the STL or other triangle mesh expected by most 3d printers
  • preparing CAM data - export 2d vector art for a waterjet machine or laser cutter; or generate STEP or STL, for import into third-party CAM software for machining
  • mechanism design - use the constraint solver to simulate planar or spatial linkages, with pin, ball, or slide joints
  • plane and solid geometry - replace hand-solved trigonometry and spreadsheets with a live dimensioned drawing
 
  Strata Win Mac Various Mesh $$ ? ? Many great app to choose from. All paid versions. Available for Windows and MacOS.  
  STL 3dit Win Max Linux STL STLX Mesh Free / Open Source ? ? An STL model viewer, editor, and creator for manipulating STL files. This software allows a person to open, edit, create, modify, view, and save 3D STL models. It can also be used to extrude 2D images into 3D objects. You can also insert 3D closed primitives. The new STLX file format supports groups, materials, as wells as colors and generates much smaller files on average (compared to binary STL files). NOTE: This latest build targets only 64-bit Windows Operating Systems due to the necessity of being able to manage (and navigate) very large 3D models. Use the mouse and keyboard to move the camera around.  
  Tinker CAD Web ? Mesh Free A B- Web Based. Super popular very easy to use, another Audodesk app. Everyone should learn UI from this app.  
  TurboCAD

TurboCAD 32bit

TurboCAD 64bit

Win TCW, STL OBJ DXF and more 2D 3D $249 .. $1499 B B A nice program thats showing its age. Interesting history on Wikipeadia. Can find Deluxe for half price or better with some shopping. Uninstall leave many exe in AppData/ROaming and a lot of Registry Entries. Pretty Sloppy Install / Uninstall. Once youinstall a Platinum demo you can never try any other demo, such as Deluxe. Uninstall leans behind hundred of registy entries and AppData Romaing files. Avoid like the plague!  
  Vectary Win ? Mesh Free ? ? Web based. Bringing unlimited creativity to 3D design. No downloads, no coding - all in the browser. $0 starter package.  
ViaCAD 2D/3D V12 Win / Mac 3MF, ES, FACT, 3D PDf, DWF, DXF, RAW, STL (Ascii & Binary many options), OBJ and more Mesh Under $200 B B Low cost easy to use, has most feture you need for a great price. Very good bang for the buck. Imports into Prusa Slice without any issues. My Go to app!  
ViewSTL.com Web STL Viewer Free B ? Web based STL viewer.  
Wings 3D Win Max Linux STL OBJ NDO 3DS BZW GLTF GLB EPS SVG JSCAD LWO LVO RWX WRL X WINGS Mesh Free A B Wings 3D is an advanced subdivision modeler that is both powerful and easy to use.

Originally inspired by Nendo and Mirai from Izware, Wings 3D has been developed since 2001, when Bjorn Gustavsson (bjorng) and Dan Gudmundsson (dgud) first started the project. Richard Jones (optigon) maintained Wings and coded many new features between 2006 and 2012. Wings 3D is currently maintained by Dan with the help of the great community.

Wings 3D offers a wide range of modeling tools, a customizable interface, support for lights and materials, and a built-in AutoUV mapping facility. There is no support in Wings for animation.

Wings 3D is written in Erlang, an open source, functional programming language distributed by Ericsson.

Wings 3d Tutorial - Beginners

Point to Point Modeling with 2d Images by VscorpianC

  xNormal Win ? Texture Free ? ? Bake Textures. A unique app for your toolkit.

Q: What is xNormal?
A: xNormal is a free app to bake texture maps ( like normal maps and ambient occlusion ).


Q: Which are the minimum requisites to execute the application?
A: 4Gb of RAM, a x86_64 CPU, DirectX 10-compatible GPU and Windows 7 (or above).

 
  ZBrushCoreMini Win Mac STL and more Mesh Free..$ B B Non-Commercial Free forever. Paid versions seem like the professional organic 3D modeler for artists.  


3MF files is an open source file format. Most modern apps save the projects with .3mf file extensions.

OBJ files were designed for computer graphics more than 3D printing, and are less popular than STL files. OBJ files contain more 3D info such as curves, where as STL use segments for curve geometry.

STL files are stereolithography designed for 3D printing. They were designed by Chuck Hull of 3D Syatems and are the defactor standard.




Workflow

  1. Create your 3D model in one of the Apps, save the Project (in a file like .3mf, .wings, .blender etc..).
  2. Export the model to a STL (or OBJ file).
  3. Open a free open source Slicer like Prusa Slicer (recommended) or the Cura Slicer load the STL or OBJ file. You can also buy a slicer, but why?
  4. Slice the model and export the g-code and save it to an SD card or USB drive.
  5. On the 3D printers control panel, Load the saved g-code and start the job.

Slicer Settings