More 3D Modeling Tools - 3D Printing: Build your Own 3D Printer and Print your own 3D Objects - page 154

8. More 3D Modeling Tools
I hope that you found Tinkercad an interesting 3D modeling option. Even though
it has a short list of features, you can still do some amazing things with it after you
get accustomed to the interface and how the primitive shapes (box, sphere, and so
on) can be modified and merged. Given how easy it is to export your models to
STL files that your 3D printer can use, you may find yourself using Tinkercad for
all your 3D modeling needs.
However, Tinkercad isn't the only game in town. There are plenty of free options
as well as CAD applications that you can buy; it really depends on what you need
from the software and what you're willing to pay. In this chapter, I introduce you
to a family of 3D modeling applications that, as well as other uses, can be used
to create 3D models for your 3D printer. I won't be able to cover them in detail,
so you'll need to do your own investigating into how to use them. Fortunately, if
you've got some hands-on time with Tinkercad, you should find a lot of 3D mod-
eling software interfaces sharing similar features and methods for interacting with
models.
Finally, be sure to look over Appendix A , “ 3D Printer and Modeling Resources ,”
which contains even more references related to 3D printing, including more 3D
modeling software developers and their software.
123D Family of Apps
AutoDesk, the owner of Tinkercad, has an entire set of free apps that are perfect
for a variety of 3D printing projects. I'm going to cover each of them briefly in this
chapter and explain how you might use them side-by-side with your 3D printer.
I selected this family of apps for a number of reasons, but I'd like to share with
you a personal one—my 6-year-old son. My son enjoys watching me work with
the Simple, but he's not quite skilled enough yet with a mouse to be able to take
advantage of Tinkercad's features. He is, however, quite good at using the touch-
screen on an iPad, and that's where the 123D family of apps really shines—the
apps are easy to use, keeping frustration level low for novices. I think you'll agree
with me when you finish reading this chapter. Open a web browser and point it to
www.123dapp.com , and you'll see a screen like the one in Figure 8.1 .