Netfabb Basic, Best 3D Printing Software

For Intermediate Users who need Slicer Software to prepare STL files for 3D Printing.
Netfabb Basic is 3D printer slicer software with some nice features, where you can analyze, repair and edit STL files before you get to the slicing stage.
This is a good choice if you need something more than just slicer software, and you want to be able to quickly repair STL files without having to learn to use additional tools like MeshLab or Meshmixer.
And don’t let the “Basic“ in the name fool you; Netfabb Basic is actually very powerful 3D printing software. It’s only “basic” in the sense when compared to the €1,500 Netfabb Professional edition!
Download: netfabb.de
Price: Free
Systems: PC, Mac, Linux
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ViewSTL, Best 3D Printing Software

For Beginners who want to View STL Files

ViewSTL is the easiest way to preview an STL file. Just open the web page and drag your STL file onto the dotted field, and away you go.

The online STL viewer allows you to display the model in one of three views: flat shading (for quick viewing), smooth shading (to get a high-quality display), or wireframe.

Visit: ViewSTL

Price: Free

Systems: Web browser

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Sculptris, Best 3D Printing Software

For Beginners who want to Create 3D Print Models

Sculptris is a virtual sculpting tool, with a core focus on the concept of modeling clay. This is a fantastic 3D printing software if your primary goal is to create statuettes. For example, a bust of your favorite character from video games or comics books. Sculptris is completely free, and positions itself as a gateway to the more sophisticated (and expensive) ZBrush tool.

Download: Pixologic Sculptris

Price: Free

Systems: PC, Mac

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3DTin, Best 3D Printing Software

For Beginners who want to Design 3D Print Models

3DTin is another online 3D printing software that is easy and intuitive, and perfect for complete beginners to design 3D print models. All you need is a Chrome or Firefox web browser with WebGL enabled.

Choose 3D shapes from a huge library of templates and add them to your sketch. All sketches are stored in the cloud, and freely accessible so long as you adhere to the Creative Commons license, and can be exported in STL and OBJ file formats.

Visit: 3DTin

Price: Free

Systems: Web Browser

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TinkerCAD, Best 3D Printing Software

For Beginners who want to Design 3D Print Models

TinkerCAD is an online computer-aided design (CAD) software for 3D printing that is a good entry point for beginners. However, its feature set is limited compared to Blender, FreeCAD and SketchUp, so many users switch over to a more powerful tool later.

Similar to 3D Slash, you can build your model from basic shapes. Unlike 3D Slash, however, TinkerCAD allows you to create geometrical (vector) shapes in 2D and convert them into 3D models.

Visit: Autodesk TinkerCAD

Price: Free

Systems: Web Browser

Learn More: Tutorial on how to create a 3D printable name plate in TinkerCAD.

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Best 3D Printing Software : 3D Slash

For Beginners who want to Design 3D Print Models
Here we have a 3D printing software that’s both wonderfully easy to use and refreshingly different. With 3D Slash, you design 3D models using a simple building-block concept.
Either start with a huge block and remove small cubes using tools such as a hammer or a drill, like a virtual stone-cutter, or begin with an empty workspace and build your model by adding cubes or shapes. You can also add colors and use images as templates.
Other features include a logo and a 3D text maker. The logo maker imports an image and creates a 3D model while the text maker allows you to enter and format text and turn it into 3D text.
Highly recommended!
Download: 3dslash.net
Price: Free
System: PC, Mac, Linux, Web Browser
Learn More: ALL3DP review of 3D Slash plus a 3D Slash tutorial that takes you from beginner to expert.
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Best 3D Printing Software : 123D Catch

For Beginners who want to create 3D Print Models
123D Catch is a free app for Windows PCs, smartphones, and tablets that allows you to take photos of an object and convert them into a 3D model. You can shoot the photos using your smartphone/tablet, or a digital camera.
The way it works is that you take multiple photos of the object from different angles and positions — the more the better — and then your device will create a 3D model composite.
123D Catch is more of a fun application than professional 3D printing software, but with a bit of tinkering it is possible to get good results, especially when paired with an STL editor like MeshLab or Meshmixer.
Download: Autodesk 123D Catch
Price: Free
System: PC, Android, iOS, Windows Phone
Learn More: ALL3DP 123D Catch review.
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List of 3D Software

When choosing any 3d software, you need to find one that is easy to learn and use, especially if you're  beginner. And you should choose one that is going to perform the task you want to and at the level of quality you want to reach. Most professional 3D software is expensive, however there are always some free software that you can use and create the magic. Below is the list of popular 3D software, free or paid 3D software. 

Most of 3D printers require that you use 3D computer graphics software that saves objects in the STL(stereolithography) format.

Free 3D softwares:

Google SketchUp - This Google SketchUp is fun and free, and is known for being easy to use. To build models in SketchUp, you draw edges and faces using a few simple tools that you can learn in a short time. With with Push/Pull tool you can extrude any flat surface into a 3D form. Furthermore, it works together with Google Earth, that you can import a scaled aerial photograph directly from Google Earth, or use SketchUp to build models which can be seen in Google Earth.

3DCrafter - 3Dcrafter is a real-time 3D modeling and animation tool that incorporates an intuitive drag-and-drop approach to 3D modeling. The standard version of 3DCrafter is freeware. Paid versions (3DCrafter Plus and 3Dcrafter Pro) are available.

3Dtin - The simplest 3D software. You can draw directly from your browser. 

Anim8or - Anim8or is a 3D modeling and character animation program.

Art of Illusion - Art of Illusion is a free, open source 3D modelling and rendering studio. Art of Illusion is more as a 3D design system for animated computer graphics than as an engineering CAD tool.More information about Hints on Using Art of Illusion for RepRap is available online.

Blender - Blender is the free open source 3D content creation suite, available for all major operating systems under the GNU General Public License. Blender was developed as an in-house application by the Dutch animation studio NeoGeo and Not a Number Technologies (NaN). It is a powerful program contains features that are characteristic of high-end 3D software. 

BRL-CAD - BRL-CAD is a powerful cross-platform open source solid modeling system that includes interactive geometry editing, high-performance ray-tracing for rendering and geometric analysis, image and signal-processing tools, a system performance analysis benchmark suite, libraries for robust geometric representation. BRL-CAD has been the primary tri-service solid modeling CAD system used by the U.S. military to model weapons systems for vulnerability and lethality analyses for more than 20 years. It became an open source project on 21 December 2004. 

Creo Elements/Direct - formerly CoCreate - is a complete design environment that offers direct 3D CAD modeler, along with 2D CAD, CAE and integrated product data management (PDM).

DrawPlus Starter Edition - 100% free and simple, with Accurate vector drawing program, realistic brush, pen, and pencil tools, text on a path, blend modes for advance artistic effects.

FreeCAD - FreeCAD is a general purpose Open Source 3D CAD/MCAD/CAx/CAE/PLM modeler, aimed directly at mechanical engineering and product design but also fits in architecture or other engineering specialties.

GLC Player - GLC player is a free application used to view 3d models (COLLADA 3DXML OBJ 3DS STL OFF COFF Format) and to navigate easily in these models. With the album management, capture and multi-capture capabilities, html export and navigation possibilities GLC_Player is the accurate tools to review a lot of 3D models and to create illustrations. GLC_Player is a cross-platform application (Mac, Linux and Windows). It is lighter than regular modelling software so very handy.

LeoCAD - LeoCAD is a CAD program that can be used to create virtual LEGO models. It has an easy to use interface and currently features over 3000 different types of pieces created by the LDaw community.

Netfabb Studio Basic - Netfabb Studio Basic provides mesh edit, repair and analysis capabilities. Its compact size of only a few megabytes allows a quick download, an easy installation and the handling of STL and slice files within seconds.

K-3D - K-3D is free-as-in-freedom 3D modeling and animation software. It features a plugin-oriented procedural engine for all of its content, making K-3D a very versatile and powerful package. K-3D excels at polygonal modeling, and includes basic tools for NURBS, patches, curves and animation.

OpenSCAD - OpenSCAD is a software for creating solid 3D CAD objects. It is free software and available for Linux/UNIX, MS Windows and Mac OS X. it does not focus on the artistic aspects of 3D modelling but instead on the CAD aspects.

Tinkercad - Tinkercad is a new and faster way of creating designs for your 3D printer. With only three basic tools you can create a wide range of useful things. Once your project is ready simply download the STL file and start your 3D print.

Wings 3D - Wings 3D is a subdivision modeler. It has been developed since 2001. 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.

Commercial 3D softwares:

3DS Max - High-end commercial 3D modeling tool

Alibre - One of the cheapestCAMprograms. 

AC3D 

AutoCAD

AutoQ3D

Cheetah3D

Cloud9 

FormZ 

Maya

Magics

NetFabb

Rhino3D

Solidworks

ZBrush

Free STL software: 

MeshLab - Open source software for processing and editing of unstructured 3D triangular meshes. It also has an extremely fast slide function.

Google SketchUp plugin - A plugin script to import and export STL files for Google SketchUp. Supports both binary and ASCII import and export.

STL-viewer - Display and manipulate the contents of stereolithography or STL file.

Netfabb Studio - a free Windows program for 3D printing to view, edit, analyze and repair STL files.

**Comments? Tips? Find bugs? Or suggestions, ideas, please drop us a note at "contact us" form. Thank you.

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Ultimaker app for iOS and Android

The powerful and fun Ultimaker app is like having a 3D printer expert in your pocket – great for those just getting started in the 3D printing world and for seasoned pros alike.
Step-by-step 3D printer setup
Useful tips and tricks
Troubleshooting articles
Product manuals
The latest Ultimaker stories
Get in touch with a local support partner
Download the app for free on the App Store or Google play.
Ultimaker Apple  
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