It's very useful for organic shaped prints. These programs are pivotal for my 3D printing workflow:īlender is a full-fledged and free polygon-based 3D program. So, it's best to also become familiar with that side of 3D. Most, if not all, consumer/prosumer 3D printers exclusively accept poly files (STLs, OBJs) and not parametric files. If you're looking for a program for 3D printing prep I'll have to suggest looking outside of CAD and to polygon-based programs. (I use Solidworks for work.) However, a lot of people on this sub can definitely suggest some good free cad software. Unfortunately I can't suggest any because I haven't used any. Aimed at both CAD beginners and those wanting to learn this program, you'll gain expert tips while completing your project.If you're looking for a CAD program to make 3D printed parts, any program should suffice.
Geared toward sharing how to make projects worldwide, instructables provides a project-based CAD course where you learn the basics of the program while designing a desk lamp. instructablesįor a beginner's CAD class on Fusion 360, try this site. You can learn the basics, jump into intermediate videos introducing you to 3D modeling, or take the refresher courses if you already know your stuff but want to brush up on your skills. You can also find comprehensive CAD design classes for Fusion 360 on this site.
Check the following two sites for free training. It's considered user-friendly, and continual improvements are making it a new favorite for some designers. This software, created by the same makers as AutoCAD, is a cloud-based CAD program that stores all previous versions of your project - making it easy to go back if you've had a change in design. Videos, projects, demos, and PDFs are available free including a project to design your own robot. Of course, you have the option of accessing free training on the SolidWorks site. The course will take 3-4 hours to complete. The eight-module course 'SOLIDWORKS: An introduction to the 3D editor' starts with the basics and concludes with an assessment of what you learned. Here's a chance to take a free online tutorial WITH a certificate of completion you can use to show competency in the topic.
It's often one of the program choices of professional 3D designers and may be found through the following two providers.
SOLIDWORKSĪnother popular CAD software program, SOLIDWORKS, offers sophisticated modeling options with the ability to make very precise curvatures. Once you do, these courses will help you get a leg up. It's important to do your homework when choosing the right CAD software for you. Others are preferred by industry-specific professionals.
Some software programs are geared toward more introductory drafting projects.
With the advent of numerous AutoCAD competitors, there's also a substantial choice of free online drafting courses available for other CAD software. Learn topics as simple as how to select objects, to more advanced tutorials on combining CAD with Photoshop. Options include CAD courses for beginners up to advanced CAD classes and even options on older versions of AutoCAD. You have the option to access them on the site or CADTutor's own YouTube channel. CADTutorĪ comprehensive dive into AutoCAD is what CADTutor promises with its multitude of tutorials. The CAD training breaks the software down into small videos less than 10 minutes in length, each covering a unique function of the software, and includes quizzes at the end of each section to reinforce what you learned. This site offers almost 70 online videos covering 2D and 3D modeling using 2016 AutoCAD.
These informative videos offer a download feature and free to use without registering on their site. They sport over 800 AutoCAD tutorials, and you can filter by your industry or specific topics to narrow your search results. Autodesk UniversityĪutodesk is the creator of AutoCAD and has been providing free training resources on their site for years. There are several sites offering CAD design classes with this software. It was the first CAD software available and has a firm foothold in the design world. With the advent of 3D printing and increased use of 2 and 3-dimensional modeling overall, there are more software options than ever, but AutoCAD is the most well-known choice. Before selecting your CAD course, it's essential to know which CAD software is right for you.