15 Best Free CAD Software For 3D Printing

Today, you’ll find a variety of free CAD software options in the market. These software packages often come with essential features for crafting three-dimensional objects. Surprisingly, some of them also offer advanced functionalities typically associated with paid CAD software. 

Here’s a quick overview of some of the best free CAD software you can use for your 3D printing projects. 

Fusion 360

Pros:

• Personal use version is free to
• Loaded with features
• Cloud functionality

Cons:

• The free version has limited features
• Non-commercial agreement

Fusion 360, from Autodesk, is one of the best CAD software available for hobbyists and design professionals. It contains many features and can be used for direct modeling, parametric modeling, and more. The Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM) features integrated into Fusion 360 also allow it to work with other programs and software such as slicers, and more importantly, lets it convert files into G-code for your 3D printer.

The main downside to Fusion 360’s free version is Autodesk’s non-commercial contract. This means you won’t be allowed to sell the designs you created using the software. It’s also worth noting that some of Fusion 360’s features, such as simulations and multi-user management, are not available in the free version. Those who want to have the freedom to sell the designs they make using Fusion 360 can purchase the license at $70 per month. 

SketchUp Free

Website: www.sketchup.com

Pros:

• Browser-based model creation, making it OK for low-end PCs
• Cloud storage for 3D models
• Access to pre-made 3D models
• User-friendly interface

Cons:

• The free version has more restricted features, including additional file formats and iPad compatibility

SketchUp is a popular 3D modeling software among working professionals, particularly in architecture and engineering. Despite this, we still consider it an easy-to-use CAD software that can be used for personal 3D printing projects. 

SketchUp’s free version provides users with the basic tools they need to create designs. The free version is able to import and export in different file types, but these are limited to SKP, PNG, JPG (for import), and STL (for export). Other important file formats such as OBJ, FBX, PLY, and more are reserved for paid versions.

Thankfully, free version users will be able to store their files on the cloud thanks to a 10GB allowance. The free version also gives users access to a warehouse containing some pre-made designs, so you won’t have to start from scratch all the time.

That said, the features included in the free versions are but teasers compared to what the paid versions offer, which can be subscribed to at an affordable $119 per year.

OnShape

Website: www.onshape.com

Pros:

• Professional-grade CAD software
• Web-based collaboration
• Real-time collaboration on sole projects

Cons:

• Has some learning curve for newbies
• Best features are hidden behind a high paywall

OnShape is a parametric CAD software aimed at design professionals. It gives users a robust set of professional tools they can use to create and modify 3D models and then share their work with others. What’s more, even in its free version, OnShape lets users collaborate on the same project so they can create, review, and modify designs in real time.

The main drawback of OnShape’s free version is its non-commercial use license. Additionally, its user interface can be intimidating for those new to 3D printing. Many advanced features, like simulations and a rendering studio for visualizing designs, are locked behind a $1,500 paywall as well.

FreeCAD

Website: www.freecad.org

Pros:

• Free forever
• Robust set of tools
• Python integration

Cons:

• Some learning curve
• Will eat up some space in your computer storage

FreeCAD is a powerful CAD software that won’t charge you anything, save for a little space in your computer storage. It provides users with a slew of features, including drafting in 2D, tweaking the user interface via Python, and compatibility with the developer-focused CAD program called OpenSCAD.

What’s great about FreeCAD is that it makes some paid features in other CAD software available at no extra charge. The CAM in Fusion 360’s paid version, for example, is accessible here. This free CAD software also contains a powerful suite of tools even for experienced users.

All that said, FreeCAD does have a learning curve for beginners. For example, its interface is not as user-friendly as those in some other software on this list, such as TinkerCAD. You will need to put in the time to learn how it works, especially if you are used to other modeling programs. 

Blender

Website: www.blender.org

Pros:

• Used by professionals
• Loads of features

Cons:

• Learning curve

Blender is a popular CAD software used by a wide range of users, hobbyists, and designers in the movie industry. It has a slew of features, including 3D modeling, sculpting, and so on. 

While the software is best used for graphics editing, video editing, visual effects, and so on, it can also be used to create and refine models for 3D printing. In particular, Blender’s array of design tools makes it ideal for quick modeling, rendering, and precise sculpting—all valuable qualities in CAD software for 3D printing.

It offers excellent design precision, too, but it may require some time to master. However, the effort invested in learning its features will pay off in the long run. Those who are new to the software can also ask online communities for tips.

TinkerCAD

Website: www.tinkercad.com

Pros:

• Easy to use
• Great for simple designs
• Web-based software

Cons:

• Entry-level CAD software
• Measurements are hard to tell at times

TinkerCAD is a free web-based platform created for educational purposes. While it’s not as advanced as some professional-grade software, it’s excellent for creating simpler 3D designs, such as basic shapes like cubes, spheres, or rectangles. This makes it a good starting point for those new to 3D printing.

The main appeal of TinkerCAD is its user-friendly interface, which caters to both newcomers and experienced users. It simplifies the 3D design process and allows users to create complex structures by combining various simple shapes. Users will also be able to build something using the preset shapes available and modify them to their preferred specifications.

ZBrushCoreMini

Website: www.maxon.net

Pros:

• Beginner friendly
• Contains enough tools to create designs
• Easy transition to paid versions

Cons:

• Non-commercial use only
• Most features are hidden behind paywall

ZBrushCoreMini is a simplified version of ZBrush, a powerful sculpting software from Maxon. This free version offers many features that let even beginners create beautiful 3D designs. For example, it provides users with eight essential brushes and four Vector Displacement Meshes (VDMs) for digital sculpting. 

However, it comes with limitations like restricted polygons, no rendering, and no importing of models.

Those who feel like they can do more than what CoreMini allows can upgrade to ZBrushCore for $11/month. It unlocks features that you probably would’ve wanted to use but couldn’t in CoreMini, such as 28 more brushes, subtools for Multi-Mesh support, and the ability to export files in MA, STL, VRML, and x3D formats.

Sculptris

Pros:

• Has modes making 3D modeling fast and easy
• Difficulty level meant for beginners
• Absolutely free

Cons:

• Rendering takes long on low-spec computers
• No cloud storage or connectivity
• Fewer features compared to other CAD software

Sculptris is a great choice for hobbyists who are still new to the world of 3D design and would like to master the fundamentals of 3D sculpting. It follows the modeling clay concept in direct modeling, allowing users to add or remove details until they’re content with the design. What’s interesting about Sculptris is its Dynamic Tessellation feature, which automatically adjusts the polygon count in your design, sparing you the complexities of dealing with geometry.

Aside from Dynamic Tessellation, Sculptris has some other features that can simplify the 3D modeling process:

Symmetry Mode: This feature mirrors any changes made to one side of the clay.

Texture Projection: Allows users to project textures created in Photoshop directly onto your 3D model.

Mask System: Marks specific areas as protected using the Mask System, preventing unintended modifications.

Sculptris is made by the people behind ZBrush. Because of this, it also boasts integration with ZBrush and ZBrushCoreMini. 

3D Builder

Website: www.microsoft.com

Pros:

• Native Windows integration
• Very user-friendly
• Gives access to pre-made models

Cons:

• Too simple for advanced users

Microsoft’s 3D Builder is a simple CAD software designed to help beginners learn about the basics of designing for 3D printing. Unlike direct modeling software, it simplifies 3D printing by allowing users to download pre-made 3D files, make edits, and prepare them for 3D printing. The software also enables users to create 3D printable files from photos of real objects, making it great for those who want to 3D print without delving into intricate details.

It’s perfect if you want to 3D print an object without the need to create complex designs, but not too much if you want to make designs from scratch.

Solid Edge Community Edition

Website: www.siemens.com

Pros:

• Easy to use
• Professional-level tools
• Design creation and modification are easy
• Local storage

Cons:

• Steep learning curve

Solid Edge is a CAD software made specifically for mechanical engineers. It’s a 2D/3D Parametric software that contains industry-standard features for creating parts, assemblies, and sheet metal designs. The full version, which contains the entire suite of tools, is costly. 

Thankfully, Siemens has made a few versions for free. There’s a free trial of Solid Edge’s main version, one free CAD program for students, a free CAD software for educators, and a free version for startups. There’s also another free version for engineers, hobbyists, and other makers: the Solid Edge Community Edition. 

The Community Edition contains the features found in other versions, including the paid version. Those who use this edition, however, will not be able to open and modify their designs using Solid Edge’s paid versions. Moreover, 2D designs made here will have watermarks on them. 

The Solid Edge Community Edition also does not include Siemens’ synchronous technology. This powerful feature combines the simplicity of direct modeling and the fine-tuning capabilities of parametric design.

OpenSCAD

Website: www.openscad.org

Pros:

• Simple user interface
• Easy to use
• Compatibility with many formats

Cons:

• Developer-centric

OpenSCAD is a free CAD software that’s ideal for users who like working with code rather than menus. It uses Constructive Solid Geometry (CSG) and text-based descriptions to create 3D objects, which are especially handy for shapes that are already parametrically defined, like circles, squares, rectangles, and so on.

Still, while OpenSCAD is great at creating 3D objects with predefined dimensions, it is not as good as when you attempt to create designs with complex shapes. It does come with an extensive document that informs more advanced users of the parameters they might need to use when providing textual descriptions. 

Solvespace

Website: www.solvespace.com

Pros:

• Free forever
• Start in 2D, convert to 3D
• Contains many tools for designers
• Easy operation
• Very helpful user interface

Cons:

• No filet/chamfer tools

Solvespace is a free parametric 3D CAD with a very friendly user interface and many tools for design creation. As such, it’s easy enough to be understood and used even by those new to 3D printing.

This CAD software lets users draw parts in 2D then assemble the parts together in 3D to see how they fit. The program does this using a simple background, allowing users to see if their designs will actually work. These features, along with others, make Solvespace a good software to use when designing mechanical parts that belong to a bigger assembly. In fact, it’s great for hobbyists who want to create figures with joints and other movable parts.

All that said, Solvespace doesn’t have filet or chamfer tools, which could affect designs from an engineering perspective. Also, the software will require users to order constraints properly, forcing them to move back and forth on their timeline so they can insert or modify missing XYZ dimensions.

3D Slash

Website: www.3dslash.net

Pros:

• Very easy; feels like playing a game
• Free version lasts forever
• Can export printable files

Cons:

• It has a limited number of features
• The free version is for personal use only

3D Slash is a CAD software that doesn’t look as complicated as other 3D design programs. It resembles a more serious version of the game Minecraft, where, instead of digging dirt to create spaces, you use a set of tools to chisel away at a large block until your desired 3D model is complete. This unique approach to 3D modeling can be attractive even to individuals who have little to no experience in 3D design.

While 3D Slash’s free version is easy to use and stays free forever, users will be limited to designing using a maximum of eight standard colors. 3D Slash also does not have many of the features found on other CAD software like Blender, FreeCAD, or SketchUp. Nevertheless, it’s still a capable tool for creating various 3D designs.