What's your 3D modeling software strategy for testing 3D prints?

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3D printing is a fascinating and rewarding hobby, but it also requires some trial and error to get the best results. One of the most important aspects of 3D printing is choosing the right 3D modeling software for your project and testing your 3D prints before printing them. In this article, you will learn some tips and strategies for selecting and using 3D modeling software to test your 3D prints and avoid wasting time, material, and money.

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Alberto Bringas

Software Engineer | Mechatronics Engineer
Elias Rayas

Rhino-Grasshopper 3D Designer | Additive Manufacturing Engineer | JS and Python Dev
Sam Gribben

Wannabe 3D Printing Know it All - Contact me to see how 3D printing can impact your business

1 Know your options

There are many 3D modeling software options available for 3D printing enthusiasts, ranging from free and open source to professional and expensive. Some of the most popular ones include Blender, SketchUp, Tinkercad, Fusion 360, and SolidWorks. Each software has its own strengths, weaknesses, features, and learning curve. Depending on your level of experience, budget, and project goals, you may prefer one software over another. You can also use more than one software for different stages of your design process, such as modeling, sculpting, texturing, and slicing.

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Alberto Bringas

Software Engineer | Mechatronics Engineer
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One thing I've noticed with 3D modeling software, specially free, is most has a "freemium" kind of business model, specially Autodesk software, fusion 360 is a clear example, it used to be extremely powerful for mechanical design, but features keep being paywalled. I have formal training in SOLIDWORKS, which is an extremely powerful software, but can be way out of a person's budget. A great alternative can be onshape, actually made by ex-dassault engineers, less featured overall than SOLIDWORKS but plenty good enough and with git-like capabilities. For truly free software nothing beats blender, specially for organic design, it is an incredibly powerful tool. Giving a break to Autodesk, tinkercad is great for quickly fixing STL files.

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Elias Rayas

Rhino-Grasshopper 3D Designer | Additive Manufacturing Engineer | JS and Python Dev
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Which software to use will depend on the purpose of the design and the part. Also, it's very important to know how it is being printed FDM, resin, powder bed printer, all that matters. If you're designing mechanical parts, then most CADs are sufficient for this, some recommendations could be Rhino for organic modeling, or SOLIDWORKS/Fusion 360 for testing mechanical Assemblies. NX has special additive manufacturing modules so that would be a great option, but the high cost is a deterrent for most people. Blender is a great free alternative for figurines or sculptures, but zbrush, 3ds Max also are good options.

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2 Consider your printer and file format

Another factor to consider when choosing your 3D modeling software is the compatibility with your 3D printer and the file format you need to export your model. Different 3D printers may have different specifications, requirements, and limitations that affect how they print your model. For example, some printers may need a specific nozzle size, layer height, infill density, or support structure. You also need to make sure that your 3D modeling software can export your model in a file format that your printer can read, such as STL, OBJ, or GCODE. You may need to use a converter or a slicer software to convert your file format if necessary.

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Sam Gribben

Wannabe 3D Printing Know it All - Contact me to see how 3D printing can impact your business
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Most modeling software offers various export options. Almost all slicers now accept .3MF format which is far more advanced than STL formats. This format is on its way to becoming the industry standard due to its versatility and low memory usage.

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3 Test your model before printing

Testing your 3D model before printing it is an effective way to save time, material, and money. This can help you identify and fix any errors, defects, or issues that may affect the quality and functionality of your 3D print. To test your model, you can use the built-in tools in your 3D modeling software to check for errors such as non-manifold geometry, flipped normals, or intersecting faces. Additionally, a slicer software can be used to preview how your model will be sliced and printed, while a 3D printing simulator or emulator can simulate how your model will behave and perform in the real world. Printing a small or low-resolution version of your model can help you check the size, shape, fit, and appearance of your 3D print. Additionally, printing a test cube, a calibration cube, or a benchmark model can test the accuracy, precision, and quality of your 3D printer.

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Sam Gribben

Wannabe 3D Printing Know it All - Contact me to see how 3D printing can impact your business
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Good modelling software packages will often have other features such as minimum thickness analysis, this is useful to ensure parts have enough material for passes (with FDM), or are structurally sound for processes such as SLA, SLS, MJF, etc. If parts are being used within an assembly, some software features tools to check interferences. This is useful to ensure fasteners or moving assemblies have enough clearance between parts according to the final rapid prototyping process.

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Jenny Fried

Community Lab Coordinator at Biogen
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also important to consider the orientation you will print your part at - the same model can result in pretty different prints if oriented differently

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4 Experiment and learn

Finally, the best way to improve your 3D modeling software strategy for testing 3D prints is to experiment and learn from your mistakes. 3D printing is a dynamic and evolving field, and there is always something new to discover and try. You can learn from other 3D printing enthusiasts, online tutorials, forums, blogs, and videos, or from your own experience and feedback. You can also try different 3D modeling software, settings, techniques, and materials to find what works best for you and your project. The more you practice and test your 3D prints, the more confident and skilled you will become.

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5 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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What's your 3D modeling software strategy for testing 3D prints?

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1 Know your options

2 Consider your printer and file format

3 Test your model before printing

4 Experiment and learn

5 Here’s what else to consider

3D Printing

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What's your 3D modeling software strategy for testing 3D prints?

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3

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5

1 Know your options

2 Consider your printer and file format

3 Test your model before printing

4 Experiment and learn

5 Here’s what else to consider

3D Printing

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