Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
Choosing a modeling tool
There are many choices of modeling programs that can be used to produce 3D
printable objects. There are many factors including versatility, simplicity, and cost
to take into account. A tool with too steep a learning curve can turn off new users to
the idea all together. A tool with too limited a set of tools can frustrate a user when
they hit the limit. Investing a lot of money into something that doesn't end up going
anywhere can be extremely disappointing. So it is important to explore the options.
SolidWorks (
www.solidworks.com
) and other drafting oriented programs can
do technical shapes with extreme precision. They include the necessary tools to
accurately describe a shape that can be brought into the real work with high fidelity.
However these sorts of tools tend to be costly and don't do artistic or organic shapes
very well. Their highly technical nature also gives them a steep learning curve.
OpenSCAD (
www.openscad.org
) is free and famous among the people who make
3D printers and can make technically accurate models as well. OpenSCAD also
allows the models to be parametric, meaning that by changing a few variables and
recalculating a new shape is generated. But OpenSCAD is difficult to use unless the
user has a very technical and programmatic mind since the shapes are literally built
from lines of code.
Zbrush (
pixologic.com/zbrush
), Sculptris (
pixologic.com/sculptris)
, or
Wings3D (
www.wings3d.com
) are great tools for modeling organic shapes like the
kind used in video games or animation. Sculptris and Wings3D are free and are
very easy to pick up and use. But these tools lack when precision is necessary.
Sketchup (
www.sketchup.com
) is a great free program with a library of shapes
built in ready to import and play with. Its modeling tools are great for precise or
architectural models. Sketchup doesn't do organic shapes well either and it can
be tricky loading the plug-ins necessary for Sketchup to export their models to
something printable. Even then models from Sketchup often have to go through
an extensive clean up phase before they'll be ready to print.
Autodesk 123D (
www.123dapp.com
) is not one but a whole suite of free programs
designed around 3D modeling with specific focus on 3D printing. There are
programs to design creatures or precise shapes. There is even an app for converting
pictures of real life objects into 3D models. Some are programs that run in browser,
some are downloads and some are apps for Apple devices. It's an eclectic and
powerful group of programs. The Autodesk 123D suite's weakness is in its general
immaturity. Autodesk is making great efforts to make modeling for 3D printing
accessible for everyone but its tools still need to mature somewhat before they'll be
ready to explore in depth.
