Which 3D Modeling Software Should You Use? (For 3D Printing)

Which 3D Modeling Software is right for you? There are so many out there, this video hopes to help you find a place to start.
TinkerCAD:
tinkercad.com
Fusion 360:
Free Version: www.autodesk.com/products/fus...
Startup Version: www.autodesk.com/products/fus...
ZBrush:
ZBrush Core Mini: zbrushcore.com/mini/getmini.php
ZBrush Pricing: store.pixologic.com/zbrush-2021/
Blender:
blender.org
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[@3Dprintingviking]

This is what I was hoping for and its soooo awesome... love this thank you so much

[@davec6113]

I have literally been looking at both zbrush and blender over the last couple of days trying to decide which one I want to learn because of a project that I want to do. You bumped me into a Direction oh, thank you so very very much!

[@bozo7893]

Hopefully u decided for the ladder 🪜

[@MikeMike-wc8on]

Hey and what was it?

[@GazaNL]

Of course it was Blender, duh 🤣

[@santowashere]

Been thinking about getting into 3d printing and wow this was just the video I was looking for. I had messed around on blender earlier on so now I'm stoked to try to design for a 3d print

[@icedstev0433]

Hey, nice breakdown of the strengths of these programs! Thanks for the advice.

[@marsgizmo]

love this intro! looking forward for Blender tips 🙌😎

[@ITSALLELECTRONICS]

No comments, let me fix it.

[@ITSALLELECTRONICS]

@marsgizmo btw love your shorts

[@O.L.M]

dude thank you I've been trying to find info on what software I should use for over an hour and a half and I haven't found a single video except this one and this was so helpful thanks alot

[@T4T830]

Thanks for the video. Really helpful!

[@theebadge]

You are a great communicator. Thanks for this!

[@fr3zer677]

I loved your fusion 360 tutorials. Could you perhaps make a short blender tutorial? Especially for adding bumb maps to stl files, in order to get an interesting surface texture for 3D prints. That would be awesome!

[@brokenboat9655]

I don't know how much this will help, but research the displacement modifier. With that you will be able to apply the displacement, unlike material displacement which as far as I'm aware does not allow you to do this. If you don't know what UV unwrapping is, you'll also want to research that although if your just using an image to add a little bit of texture to it (say a wood texture), sometimes you can get away with not unwrapping your mesh! Hope this helps. I know this info isn't nearly as helpful as a tutorial but this might be able to point you in the right direction.

[@TheNex91]

100% what I was looking for, thanks for sharing.

[@RingoLoadagain]

Great video thanks! It's very daunting starting from nothing but this was helpful.

[@MartinSjoholm]

Simple, straight forward, informative. Well done! Thanks!

[@TheGingerDan]

This video has a cubic buttload of info! Well done. This is the most helpful “best 3D software” video out there. Super helpful. Thank you.

[@nathanpickett8202]

Great introduction, thank you!

[@mattt2657]

Great video. Thanks for the help.

[@twyladavis6714]

Thank you for doing this review

[@Joshuakirch]

This was really helpful. Thank you.

[@joemueller4777]

I'm starting my own business and I'm just in the learning phase of 3d modeling and 3d printing I'm so glad I found your channel very helpful and informative I'm going to be using your channel quite a bit

[@Fire_Tearss]

Hows the business going so far?

[@shiyunxiang5975]

Thank you very much mate!

[@No_Free_Lunch_Today]

Great video, THANKS

[@jaimyyelvingtonmusic]

Super helpful thanks!

[@kevchua67]

The flow chart is super helpful. I needed that. Tq

[@Sarwiz1]

Been using f360 for about 2 years now, and it fits what i have been doing. But i do want to expand, so ill be looking into blender soon.

[@noobtime5057]

Thank you so much now I can 3d print a lot of new and crazy stuff (;

[@Warthog71]

I’m still learning it but i love blender. Plus, now that i have my first 3d printer coming, im happy to learn it will be useful.

[@DATRATMANZ]

Perfect! This is exactly what I needed. I have had experience with AutoCAD and Autodesk Inventor previously, but I was second guessing if Fusion 360 was best and if there was somehow a better choice. I just needed someone to lay down the most common software and explain the differences. I have settled on using Fusion 360 to create new object and I have also installed Meshmixer to repair and modify certan STL files.

[@iokarii]

Is fusion 360 only payed version? Originally free, and when enough users, made it played.. Instatly.. Good trap for users.. Onschape - you have to put your data on cloud and free, Blender is not suitable for construction parametric modeling.. So it is not precise, po steps back, like parameters definition, etc. (maybe on future with cad sketcher addon). I have tried Freecad, for cca 20+ hours, and it was tradegy. I made practically nothing.. Total frustration.. Surfaces didnt not match, all the time error messages with silly comments..etc. And I followed tutorial(!) . So no.. Still now I do not know, what to choose for hobby, parametric modeling, not payed, not on obligatory hold data on cloud, but where I can grow in future for more advanced functionalities... Thank you, can you help please?

[@LexTheBombOffcial]

Thanks this helped

[@GildedDirector]

Thx so much

[@AaedMusa]

Nothing is better than Fusion 360!

[@mrfrieze]

Zbrush 4 life!

[@finnegangutierrez989]

The close-up “use blender” made me laugh 😂

[@Umai.]

thank you

[@simpernchong]

For me, Rhino for accurate precision modelling. Blender for mesh based modelling.

[@icakad]

I see Rick and Morty. I'm liking this video 1000%. No matter the information. But if the info is good I'll subscribe.

[@-sivadam-3199]

Thank u

[@ryand76]

Hi there! I used 3d max for modeling and animation. I just started 3d modeling and want to make a Frank the Rabbit mask from Donnie Darko. In your opinion would you go the blender option or stick with 3d max. I was never a great modeler. What do you think? Thx. Subbed and like your videos 👍😀P

[@williamcox3709]

I need some advice, I'm a part-time inventor, I normally use the classic pencil and paper but I want to take it a step further and try making it 3D and functional I currently have a regular Samsung Chromebook any suggestions would be greatly appreciated

[@Roskus]

That quiet "use blender" got me dying

[@engluna]

Great video! I’m just getting started with 3D Design. What do you think of Solidworks?

[@ChaosCoreTech0]

I've only messed with Solidworks a couple times, but from what I can tell it's similar to Fusion, I just couldn't afford it. I know a few people that use it professionally and they speak highly of it. If you have access to it, I'd say use it!

[@marshallwagner3680]

solidworks for the win

[@Nivlecs]

I've used autodesk maya and zbrush during my animation program at school. I want to know how does one bring an digital model into the 3D printer to print? What's the process like? Thinking about getting into 3D printing.

[@islambezziane4340]

I'm interested about rhino really is great for 3d designe and modeling

[@machineofrage]

I have been thinking of buying a 3D printer, but the whole subject is just so overwhelming, what's a good printer? What software do I use? Etc etc. I stumbled on this channel, and have learned so much. I am leaning towards an Elegoo Pro 3, and I think TinkerCad is the program for me. I look forward to one day being able to 3D print my own parts for model ship building. Thanks for the very informative videos!

[@markozamudio7692]

it depends on the budget, I think an ender 3 S1 is a solid starter printer, it has almost all the upgrades that people normally do to more basic ones

[@79ninzombie]

I need one similar to 3dsmax, I like to move vertices & use extrusion tools.

[@monsterdream14]

I worked with sketchup for like 6-7 months a long time ago, is Blender a bit similar or will I have to learn a ton of new things ?

[@jonyak1221]

Im still trying to get blender figured out, i wish it was a little more like tinkercad as far as ease of use.

[@willw7177]

Are any of the programs good for designing names. Got myself a printer for Xmas so trying to start somewhere and I’m pretty much clueless

[@makewithmegma]

🔥💕👍

[@Ra-zor]

Not too keen on the way Fusion 360 word their 'Currently Free' and 'Cant make any promises how long it will remain free for' quotes way back since 2016 on their forums... The writing was on the wall, they have limited its functionality (see sfdcarticles/fusion-360-free-license-changes). Really does make you think twice about investing time to learn it if in the future there's limitations/free license revoke... Just wish Blender was easier to use :-( and still find myself jumping to Tinkercad for simple projects! Any chance on a Blender series?

[@glenna3434]

HELP PLEASE. I am trying to make a 3d model of what is underwater at my local lake, but I don't know how to convert a contour/topographical map into an STL or other 3d printable format. I used Garmin and Lowrance sonar to scan and create a topo map, so I can print that on paper, or I can upload the map on the Garmin or Lowrance software. How do I go from that to a 3d model showing the lake bottom (a 3d model of whats under the water.) Any ideas?

[@MaximoToro]

Is the free version of Fusion 360 limited? Does it have all the features the Student and Pro accounts have?? Is it like getting Photoshop Express vs Photoshop??

[@Raian_Cortez]

Thank you for the tips i have a question since these are all 3d printing programs how does the object print since its suppose to be a slice by slice print out running on G-code's, how is that converted into the 3d printing process?

[@patricklivingstone6076]

You use a "slicer" for that. Some 3D modelling software does have slicer functions built in but most people including myself use a separate program for slicing since there are some really good dedicated slicers. I use Cura for slicing, but Prusa slicer and Simplify 3D are also popular

[@3DHP]

Great Video, Thanks ,I'll share on my Facebook group for you.

[@jaredsayrc4947]

I'm learning with tinkercad but I wish their more how to do video for all 3d software

[@MageLeaderInc]

What do you think of freecad?

[@Demirsiz]

I started with fusion 360 (with your tutorials) now i cant use anything elsw

[@ghafoor2657]

He did. Basically, all your Drum kit/percussion or whatever u want to call was ALL RED. So if you have a drum kit - KICK, SNARE, Nice tutorial

[@jloren4647]

Used to be a professional using CNC and unigraphics. Now at my house a 20 years later I'm considering getting a 3d printer and small 3 axis cnc for fun. I was hoping to use a crap laptop to run G code via .txt sent to the shop via bluetooth and my studio computers to do any design/cam/pathing/visualization. Is this possible and what are your recommendations for software even if I have to pay a tiny bit for more functionality (if I wanna buy a totally different machine, plasma cutter, hotwire etc)? Thanks.

[@CallsignJubilee]

Not sure if you found a solution yet, but you may check out Python for communication. I don't think it can communicate directly over bluetooth by itself, but combined with another program to handle wireless communication, it could be quite useful. It's technically a programming language, but much simpler than something like C++. It can read and write text files, which is mainly why I think it could be helpful for you

[@ryanfrank4299]

I watched your video because i'm getting into 3d printing and I wanted to see if the world had created a better solution than Blender yet (I used it a few years back to do a video game project). Turns out nope...back to Blender it is.

[@jamesarcher5193]

Would love to see a blender tutorial! I’ve tried it and I can’t quite get it, I use fusion and I love it because it’s so exact, I can design things by exact measurements but I’m not sure if that can be done in blender

[@clarkeagling2835]

It can, it's just kinda weird and backward.

[@thefynn]

it can, but as blender is not a CAD programm, its made for artistic use mainly. It's definetly not as easy as with a cad programm like Fusion, but it's open source and modeling is a lot faster.

[@musthavebeenyou5771]

Can blender models convert to for million CNC and plasma cutting?

[@yosefayashi8929]

What about Rhino? isn't it great for 3d printing?

[@davidc3150]

What would you say on 2023? Would you recommend the same ones?

[@dosdont]

Good grief, if Tinkercad is the "easiest" starting point, then I'm in trouble. Tinkercad is the reason I'm looking for answers to what the easiest starting point is and how I found your video. I find Tinkercad to be horrible. It's simply an ok option for editing other people's *basic* creations but frustrating as hell to move things around and the hoops you have to jump through just to warp text is ridiculous.

[@namnueaintarabut7348]

I like blender

[@zweiwing4435]

If there is another software that similar to Fusion360?

[@dj_goat]

I use 3d primt

[@clarkeagling2835]

Is ZBrush Core Mini basically Sculptris? Or is that Core and Mini has even less to it?

[@clarkeagling2835]

Also Mudbox has the same generous license as Fusion360 afaik, have you tried it?

[@KoreyMacGill]

Woah. You look related to but sound just like greg grunberg! Just wanted to say that hahaha

[@o1ecypher]

im surprised you didn't mention Designspark Mechanical. its free and made for 3d printing and super super simple. do you know about it? its all i use

[@ChaosCoreTech0]

I have heard about it, but it's been a few years. And I've never used it. I'll have to check it out though. I've been looking for a Fusion alternative. Thanks for the suggestion!

[@o1ecypher]

@@ChaosCoreTech0 you just might like it, its super easy and powerful to use, i don't use anything else, i like Fusion but it over complicates things for the average user

[@JulianLuigiNocamasi]

what about cinema4D dude? i alredy have a course for learn cinema 4d for printing haha i dont want to waste it!

[@isabelahere2498]

"Use blender" **Subscribed**

[@darklordstudio]

I like Fusion 360(use there trail ver.) but cannot stomach the pay-to-use crap, that's popular nowadays. Need to save for Rhino3D.

[@Funkotronimus]

Any insight on photoshop, or other Adobe products? I’m just now returning to their software and saw a few misc things related to 3D printing.

[@natalieisagirlnow]

not worth the money

[@natalieisagirlnow]

photoshop is for 2d. not even in the same universe

[@natalieisagirlnow]

@@ianadams5 if you are learning something new anyway, it might as well not have a 60 buck a month for life license

[@Funkotronimus]

@@natalieisagirlnow sorry, I don’t understand, what do you mean?

[@Funkotronimus]

@@natalieisagirlnow I tried it... not bad, but it feels underdeveloped.

[@johndoner6245]

What? No reference to OpenSCAD? It is a scripting language. You build your objects using code. It would not be good fro sculpting, although is is possible to do that. But if you have a need to model parts that are related to other parts, it has the advantage that it is fully parametric. Being fully parametric is also valuable for editing, when you can just go to the code and change the value of one parameter, and for building parts where some dimensions are mathematical functions of other dimensions. I've used it for seven years and modeled hundreds of complex parts and multipart objects. For engineering work, it is a very good route to take.

[@qs138v3]

I will never use anything else than Autodesk Inventor, have tried fusion but can not stand the cloud based interface

[@ChaosCoreTech0]

Yeah I agree with you there, the cloud stuff is super annoying

[@fahb68]

Sorry but you miss one of the best.... DSM, design spark mechanical, a lot easier that Fussion and a lot powerful than thinker....

[@chleroeyes931]

i just want to make cuts so my files fit my ender 3v2, meshmixer sucks

[@sabachuguashvili6073]

thanks very much❤. i appriciate when people share their professional opinions based on their experience, would you give me one advise, i want to create automatic pet feeder design, my goal is to produce and sell. this is my first touch with creating products, (16 years old ). can you give me some advises? for example which platform should i use,i am very beginner with designing and with creating products. so your answer will save my hours, thanks a lot in advance.

[@PLASTIPON]

BLENDER IS FREE?? THIS WHOLE TIME? I always ALWAYS thought a program that good would require a lot of money. I just assumed hahahahah all this time I've wasted waiting till I was financially stable

[@andywolf3205]

Please don't forget about subtitles. :(

[@hakaiyou4532]

1 year later and sadly no links to any of the video's....

[@leigel3]

Maybe mention the second option is $70/month.

[@Ruthless9o7]

I was using Tinker cad and noticed the tutorial on the 2nd one it tells u to left click to move the camera around.. u have to right click to move it around, pretty dam sad that step 2 of the tutorial is wrong on their own program. not a massive deal obviously as if it didnt work with one mouse click u just try the other and presto.. but how unprofessional and just downright sad that they have it written up wrong on their own program. really looks bad for them.

[@michaelwuchitech7598]

There is also 3DBuilder for Windows 10.

[@_nom_]

And people get overwhelmed with Linux distros. 😅 3d printing is 100x worse.

[@sal1501w]

69th

[@natalieisagirlnow]

sketchup is terrible. it doesn't even export to stl by default, and when it does, the meshes are often non-manifold

[@Mark_5150]

If the models are non-manifold, it's the model/user, not the software. I've used SketchUp for a lot of models to print with great success.

[@natalieisagirlnow]

@@Mark_5150 if you make any curved surfaces or lettering, good luck. if you make rectangles, you will be fine as long as you don't put any holes in them

[@thisiskeithb]

I primarily use SketchUp and it saves out to STL without a plugin. I always ensure the model is "clean" before exporting by using X-ray mode, but you can send it through Netfabb if you run into non-manifold errors with your models and it will fix it most of the time.

[@Mark_5150]

@@thisiskeithb There are also some free extensions that will check and can repair models to make them "water tight" as well. If it can't automatically repair it the tool will highlight the offending edges red.

[@natalieisagirlnow]

@@thisiskeithb if you are just starting out, tinkercad is a far superior product, way easier to use, and it's free.

[@thefynn]

blender will allways be free, not only because the creators sad this, but because the licenece dosen't allow for anything else. Blender can't be bought by a company or made comercial.