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The best free 3D modelling software. A licence to use the best 3D modelling software currently on the market doesn't come cheap these days. Thankfully, there's a bunch of generous creatives around the world who like to share the tools they've created, as well as some canny companies offering free versions of paid-for tools. This is a great piece of 3D animation software for beginners. It is tailor-made for those who perhaps aren’t the most familiar with 3D modeling and sculpting. Unfortunately, the program isn’t exactly supported any longer, although you can still download it for free. It just means that the developers won’t be updating it, etc.
The community of 3D printing and modeling may have become much larger in the past few years, but most 3D models shared online nowadays are limited to a few file formats. One of these file formats is STL. Despite its ubiquity, STL files are notoriously difficult to edit. Should you find yourself with an STL file format that you’d like to tweak and play around with, what software should you use? What exactly is the STL file format, and why is it so important?
What is the STL file format?
STL stands for “Stereolithography” and is considered one of the simplest 3D file formats. It’s also one of the oldest, developed in the 1980s and was originally meant to simplify the transfer of data from 3D CAD models to a 3D printer.
A characteristic of the STL file format, which makes it one of the simpler options, is that it approximates a 3D surface as a triangular mesh. Thus, instead of a truly smooth surface, an STL object is composed of a high number of very small, non-overlapping triangles. This technique is known as tessellation and is considered one of the oldest methods of simplifying a smooth surface in 3D space.
By increasing the number and decreasing the size of the triangles that form the tessellated pattern, the resolution of a 3D file in the STL format can be enhanced. Naturally, a file that holds a higher resolution model will be larger. However, the accuracy at which an STL file can approximate a surface will always be at a lower fidelity compared to file formats that represent 3D surfaces using smooth splines, such as OBJ.
What are the benefits of STL?
The STL file format has been widely used for sharing of models within the 3D printing community. They may have limitations in terms of resolution and fidelity, but so do 3D printers. In fact, STL has become such a preferred file format that most 3D printers and slicer software used nowadays have been designed to work with STL files.
Since STL files are simple and have small file sizes, they are more easily shared and downloaded than other, high-fidelity alternatives. In most cases, users of 3D printers can just download a finished model off of file-sharing websites and print them at home. Beginners to 3D printing typically start this way before developing the skills to come up with their own models.
What are STL editors, and why use them?
While downloading finished models is certainly a quick and convenient way to get into 3D printing, some people may want to edit the features of a model to suit their needs. There could also be circumstances when you only need to print a part of a model. Not all models are perfect, so you may even find yourself needing to repair that model you just downloaded.
There are two different types of STL editing and modeling software. The first is based on CAD and is made for general 3D modeling. This technology has been the standard for industrial and professional 3D modeling and allows for extremely accurate measurement and modeling in 3D space. Since the resolution of 3D printers is limited, CAD software is considered overpowered for use in modeling for 3D printers. Thus, although CAD-based software platforms do an excellent job, editing STL files do not quite utilize the full potential of this type of software.
3D modeling software specially made for 3D printing are called mesh editing software. Instead of precise software representation, a mesh editing software instead reduces these objects into shells with no internal filling. This simplifies the modeling process, although the model can be quickly converted to solid objects right before printing. Within the 3D printing community, mesh editing software is considered more appropriate for STL editing.
The top 5 best free STL editors
1. FreeCAD
FreeCAD is one of the most feature-rich CAD design software platforms. Best of all, the software is open source and completely free. FreeCAD uses parametric modeling principles and has been widely used by both professionals and beginners.
With FreeCAD, you can add features, make measurements, and separate components of an existing STL file. Since FreeCAD was originally meant for mechanical and engineering design, it allows for extremely fine and precise edits. However, it’s very difficult to use FreeCAD for sculpting, so smooth surfaces can be challenging.
Even if you don’t already have an existing STL file, you can still use FreeCAD to come up with your own 3D sketches and model them in 3D space. It does take some time to get used to the FreeCAD platform and to learn how to use its functions, but it’s not so difficult to be inaccessible for beginners. One major flaw of the open source platform of FreeCAD is that it can be full of bugs, although this could be easily remedied by sticking to the latest stable version.
2. Blender
Blender is another free 3D printing software that is a little more sophisticated than FreeCAD. It has been touted as a software that can support the whole 3D design pipeline and is best suited for individual designers and small design firms. With a wide suite of excellent features, Blender has been used to for modeling, animation, video rendering, film and visual effects, and 3D simulation.
A huge part of why Blender has been able to extend its range of capabilities is that it’s completely community-driven. Users can introduce new features, make minor or major changes to the code, or implement bug fixes. Best of all, Blender is completely free, even if you use it for commercial purposes.
Although modeling is just one of the major functions of Blender, it has a very rich set of features. You can build your own models from 2D sketches or edit an existing STL file. Aside from the usual features, including STL repair, removal and addition of components, and partial masking of models, Blender has much more advanced sculpting capabilities. With twenty different brush types and dynamic sculpting, you can pretty much generate any type of smooth surface. You can grab and pinch areas, flatten sections, inflate and deflate a model, or sculpt the model like clay.
We wouldn’t classify Blender as beginner-friendly, but its learning curve is pretty friendly. With so many features, it will take some time before you can unlock the full potential of Blender. As far as 3D printing software go, Blender is one of the most comprehensive.
3. SketchUp
The SketchUp software platform, which used to be owned by Google, is now with Trimble but still retains the user-friendly characteristic for which it became famous for. You have the option of downloading the free SketchUp Make version or upgrading to the paid SketchUp Pro version. The good news is that you can use the free version to edit STL files, but you’ll need to make sure to download and install the SketchUp STL plugin first.
The simplicity of SketchUp is its strong suit. It’s very easy to learn, and its interface will feel familiar to anyone who’s ever used a graphic design program. However, this ease-of-use comes at the price of a limited feature set. The STL editing capabilities of SketchUp are pretty much limited to dragging edges and vertices and adding or deleting individual triangles. It has no built-in STL repair function, but you can still do it manually by using the Solid Inspector tool and correcting any hitches yourself.
Despite the limited features of SketchUp, it remains one of the most widely used 3D design software worldwide. It’s highly recommended for beginners. Even people with no 3D modeling experience can learn the fundamentals of SketchUp within a few minutes.
4. MeshLab
MeshLab, as its name implies, is a software platform for editing 3D triangular meshes. It’s also open source, which helps give it a rich set of functions and features. If you need modeling software specifically for 3D printing, MeshLab is one of the best options for editing, cleaning, rendering, and texturing mesh-based models.
You will need an existing STL file to make the most use out of MeshLab. It can combine different meshes of a 3D scan, remove parts of an existing, and automatically repair a 3D model. However, it cannot be used to build your own models from scratch. You can also simplify the triangular faces of a model, thereby reducing geometry complexity for easier file sharing.
MeshLab isn’t exceptionally user-friendly, but their website has several tutorials that can help get you started. They also have a dedicated community of developers that can provide support if you need bug fixes or if you just have any general questions or clarifications.
5. MeshMixer
In the field of free mesh editing programs, few can equal the quality of MeshMixer. Aside from having a huge set of the necessary mesh editing features, MeshMixer is also very user-friendly. It even has a built-in slicer tool so you can prepare your model for printing and send it directly to your 3D printer via MeshMixer.
The development team behind MeshMixer calls it the “Swiss Army knife” of 3D meshes. It does have just about everything you need, so we’re inclined to agree. You can combine meshes, drag edges and vertices, make measurements, smooth meshes, and even do free-form sculpting. The software comes with a couple of automated features that can help identify problems with your STL file such as holes, misaligned surface, and paper-thin walls.
By combining ease-of-use and an impressive array of features, MeshMixer is considered by many to be the best free mesh editing software. It’s only available for Windows and Mac, though, so Linux users will have to look elsewhere.
Final thoughts
If you’ve gotten into 3D printing, then you probably have dozens to hundreds of STL files lying around in your computer. While printing them as they were modeled originally is fine, the next logical step you need to take is to learn how to edit existing models. This is best done with an STL editor. If you’re still a beginner, then we recommend starting with an STL editor that you can download for free.
As you can see from our list of the best free STL editors, being free for use has not hindered these software platforms from having excellent quality. With impressive features and intelligently designed interfaces, it’s almost unbelievable that they are free.
Warning; 3D printers should never be left unattended. They can pose a firesafety hazard.
I recently got myself the 2017 iPad Pro (10.5″). This was a conscious decision. The Pro line packs so much GPU power that the A10X SoC is actually faster than the A12 in the iPhone XS Max in 3D performance while driving only slightly more pixels. Along with strong GPU, it also packs 120 Hz display which is god-send when it comes to 3D modeling
The logic’s clear: Whatever work’s on Apple’s highest-end iPhone should work on this too. As I found out over the course of writing this feature, that assumption was accurate. The iPad Pro 10.5 delivered stellar performance in all the apps tested. Wherever limitations existed, they weren’t hardware-bound. Without further ado, let’s take a look at the best 3D modeling apps on iPad Pro.
Read: Best Games Optimized for iPad Pro: Special Edition
Best 3D Modelling Apps For iPad Pro
1. Sketchup Viewer
Who it’s for: Users who want to take a look at Sketchup models and present them
Let’s start with the easy stuff first. Sketchup Viewer isn’t a 3D modeling tool in the strictest sense. It doesn’t actually let you create new models. What it does do, however, is give you a great, interactive platform to showcase models made in Sketchup. Google sold its iconic modeling software top Trimble several years ago. But even though the IP changed hands, Sketchup remains a great entry-level modeling tool that places emphasis on ease-of-use.
Sketchup Viewer makes things even more simple. You get an interface with a variety of movement tools in the side panel. These include pan, orbit, and look around. The onscreen gestures will change your perspective differently depending on the movement tool you’ve selected. This makes it possible to display the model at exactly the angle that you want, and also to go into model interiors.
The display hidden lines option allows you to gain a finer appreciation of the shapes being used in the model and their alignment, though at the cost of making some models look a bit “busy” because of all the lines.
Read: Green Screen Apps For iPad Pro in 2019
AR functionality can spice up presentations
Lastly, Sketchup viewer makes great use of the iPad Pro’s back camera through its AR view. You can point your camera towards any flat surface and Sketchup viewer will try to place a scaled version of the model on top. We had mixed results with this feature, although we did try it out at night-time with the lights on. Scaling and perspective weren’t perfect Nevertheless, you do get a sense of what your model would look like in the real world.
Pros:
- Multiple display options make it easy to present Sketchup models
Cons:
- Can’t use it to actually edit Sketchup models
Download SketchUp Viewer
2. Shapr
Who it’s for: Professionals who want a full-fledged modeling solution running on their iPad
The Apple Pencil is one of those good-to-have, yet optional tools. Of course, the pressure sensitivity makes handwriting look more natural and allows for complex artwork. And the general experience of using the Pencil to jot down notes–which get saved on iCloud–is just nice. It would definitely enhance precision in 3D modeling apps.
![Best 3d Modeling Software For Beginners Best 3d Modeling Software For Beginners](https://learn.g2crowd.com/hubfs/how-to-make-a-video-game.jpg)
Apple Pencil required: and that’s a good thing
Honestly, I was surprised to see that Shapr3D actually requires an Apple Pencil to function. Seriously, try tapping the interface with your finger and nothing will happen. Forcing you to use Pencil is both a good and bad thing. It’s bad because, clearly, you’re locked of using Shapr unless you’ve spent the extra $99 on the Pencil peripheral.
But it’s good because, as we’ve found out, Pencil is kinda required if you want to make anything more than the crudest of models: finger tap and drag just isn’t precise enough. Shapr costs an eye-popping $300 per year. It may possibly be the most expensive app on the App Store. Don’t worry I didn’t buy it. The app comes with a 14-day trial. We’d expect nothing less, considering the huge outlay for the full version.
The trial’s fully-featured and it showcases how Shapr is different from the competition right from the outset. CAD’s traditionally been thought of as complex by necessity, something you have to spend months learning. Similar to SketchUp (and unlike other desktop CAD solutions), Shapr generates 3D surfaces, not solid objects. This makes it a bit easier to highlight object dimensions.
Read: 10 Places to Get Amazing Wallpapers for iPad Pro
Shapr is the iPad Pro CAD tool
We couldn’t find anything wrong with Shapr. The price might seem steep, but it’s actually quite reasonable by enterprise CAD standards. The performance was phenomenal. The iPad Pro has a Pro Motion 120 Hz high refresh rate display. It can display twice as many frames per second as your standard mobile display. If you thought 60 Hz was smooth, well this is a whole different ball game. Can macbooks play dvds. Apart from making UI interactions feel smooth, I’ve always felt that Pro Motion was a bit gimmicky until seeing it implemented in Shapr.
Pro Motion is supported in Shapr and the resulting interface smoothness is jaw-dropping. When rotating an object, the program responds to your swipes instantaneously. It feels like you’re actually rotating an object, instead of just swiping your Pencil across a touchscreen. Together with the Apple Pencil 2’s improved latency, the moment-to-moment modeling experience in Shapr is mesmerizing. Modeling isn’t just something that has to be done: it’s a joy to work on.
Pros:
- Real, full-fledged CAD suite for iPad Pro
- Makes full use of Pro Motion and the Apple Pencil for great UI interactions
Cons:
Free 3d Programs For Beginners
- Very high subscription cost
Download Shapr
3. Umake
Who it’s for: Users who want a simpler, yet still robust alternative to Shapr
Umake is like Shapr and Sketchup, but a bit simpler. This is reflected in the cost, too. With an annual subscription of just over $100, it’s not cheap by any means, but a lot more affordable than Shapr and, well, almost any PC CAD solution. Umake doesn’t let you do quite as much as Shapr. However, its multiple perspective views make it a viable option, even in complex use cases like architecture modeling. Instead, it focuses on ease of use.
Umake’s tutorials can turn you into an expert in 15 minutes
Umake tries to help you hit the ground running with some surprisingly intuitive tutorials. You get brief video explanations of what each function does. After about 15 minutes, you’ll have familiarized yourself with most of the key UI functions and you’ll be all set to start modeling. Unfortunately, this is where things get a bit ugly. Umake has a 14-day trial but it requires you to set up payment and then cancel later.
If you forget, you’re in for some hefty charges. Without doing that, Umake only lets you use viewer mode. But even with usability this limited, it’s easy to see why Umake’s such a great option. Just like Shapr, it features native support for Pro Motion, so you get incredibly smooth and responsive UI interactions (and a better Pencil sketching experience). And the tutorials, as we mentioned, go a long way towards simplifying the CAD experience. This, in turn, broadens the market a little. If you’re looking to dabble in some 3D modeling but can’t afford a premium solution, you could just get a month’s subscription to Umake for $20 and sketch away to your heart’s content.
Best Free 3d Modeling Software
Pros:
- Easy to use, with intuitive tutorials
- Native Pro Motion support
Cons:
- Trial limits you to viewer mode unless you add a payment method
Download Umake
Closing Words
Each of these 3D modeling tools makes a great case to get an iPad Pro, whether you do professional CAD work or just dabble in 3D modeling. Although SketchUp Viewer doesn’t actually let you create models, it gives you a great platform to showcase premade SketchUp models. You could pass the iPad around a conference table with SketchUp viewer loaded up and get everyone’s eyes on the model.
Easy 3d animation software free. Shapr is prohibitively expensive for most people, but the $300 annual subscription is small money for enterprise users. For that amount, you get one of the most feature-rich CAD solutions on mobile, making full use of the iPad Pro’s unique strengths.
And if you want a Pro-centric modeling tool but aren’t quite ready to splurge on Shapr, Umake is a fine point of entry. A slightly more limited toolset is offset by a lower purchase price and native Pro Motion goodness makes it a treat to use.
Read: Best Note Taking Apps For iPad Pro 2019