The interface makes it easy to get up to speed on the basics. Even if you've never done any CAD work or 3D modeling before, you can pull together some really nice presentations in minutes. Of course, if you're looking to put out detailed designs with accurate sizing and tolerances, you'll need to spend some time learning the ins and outs of the. Blender is a free-to-use open-source CAD software that assists you with 3D designing, shaping and modeling and rendering functions, thus making it a versatile program. You can do much more than just handling projects, animations, applying after-effects, three-dimensional printing and whatnot.
FreeCAD Tutorial & Review: From a 2D Sketch to a 3D Print
Are you thinking about getting started with 3D modeling and 3D printing but don't know exactly where to start? Then it probably makes sense to take a look at FreeCAD – a free yet powerful 3D design program. This hands-on tutorial by Bram de Vries will enable you to create your first 3D printing project with FreeCAD – all the way from your first sketch to the final product!
- Tinkercad is the simplest and one of the best free CAD software for 3D printing. It is an online 3D design tool. It starts with basic tutorials and helps you understand all the functionality step-by-step. You can learn the lessons anytime you want and as many times you want.
- EasyPrint 3D is a FREE, easy to use 3D printing software developed by GEEETECH, it is capable of converting a digital 3D model into printing instructions for your 3D printer. It cuts the model into horizontal slices (layers), generating toolpath information.
- Discover the easy-to-use desktop 3D printer with a large build volume that delivers accurate, industrial-grade parts, time and again. With simple setup, high uptime, and reliable dual extrusion, Ultimaker S5 is the complete professional 3D printing solution.
In this tutorial you will learn to create a 3D file in FreeCAD:
from a sketch (left) to the final 3D model (right).
About the 3D Modeling Software FreeCAD
FreeCAD is a popular open source design software for creating 3D models of real-life objects. Best of all it – but you already know this – it comes for free (just download it from on the FreeCAD website)! The ‘CAD' in its name simply stands for ‘Computer-Aided Design'.
3d Printing Cad Free
FreeCAD is a 3D design program that allows you to easily navigate and modify your 3D model by browsing back into the model history and changing its individual elements. It can be used on Windows, Mac and Linux, and reads and writes many open file formats including popular 3D printing formats such as STL, OBJ, and DAE.
This 3D modeling software is most suitable for geometric designs, such as precise technical parts, replacement parts, gadgets, cases, scale models, etc. It's less suited for creating organic objects such as figurines of humans, animals, or plants.
Enough of the small talk – we're here to design! Let's get started with the FreeCAD tutorial!
FreeCAD Tutorial Part 1: Creating and Editing Primitives
FreeCAD comes with several ‘work benches'. These are basically a pre-defined set of tools that you are going to use. For example, you can create a draft by choosing the ‘Draft' work bench. However, we will start by using the ‘Part' work bench – because we are here for creating a real physical object!
In the video below, your instructor Bram will first show you the very basics: how to choose the ‘Part workbench', how to start your first project, how to navigate (press Alt + left mouse button), how to add basic primitives (a box, a cylinder, etc.), and how to change the size, radius, and position of these primitives (under the menu ‘Property').
FreeCAD Tutorial Part 2: Subtracting and Combining Primitives
In this second video, Bram will teach you some more tricks on how to use primitives. For example, you can rotate them by changing their angle.
You'll also learn how to subtract different primitives from each other with the ‘cutout' tool. For example: if you place a cylinder within a box and subtract them, the box will have a cylinder-shaped hole. However, the cylinder can still be edited. Changing the height and radius of it will now affect the height and radius of the hole.
You will also learn the opposite of subtracting two primitives: combining them. You can do this by selecting both elements and clicking on the ‘Make a union of several shapes' button.
FreeCAD Tutorial Part 3: Creating A 2D Sketch
For creating more complicated designs, Bram prefers to create two-dimensional sketches first. He switches the work bench to ‘Part Design' and shows you how to set the best sketch orientation (‘XY-Plane').
FreeCAD lets you draw lines freehand with the ‘polyline' tool. If you draw straight lines, FreeCAD will notice this and will ‘constrain' them immediately for your convenience – which means that the line will be perfectly parallel with the horizontal or vertical axis. You can also add or delete these constraints manually.
Furthermore, you need to precisely define the length of each line by selecting it and choosing the ‘Make a dimension' tool. Once all dimensions are set, FreeCAD will tell you that your sketch is ‘fully constrained'. Sounds complicated? The video below will show you that it's quite easy!
FreeCAD Tutorial Part 4: From 2D Sketch to 3D Model
Online keyboard sheet music. Your 2D sketch is ready – it's about time to turn it into a 3D model! First of all, click the ‘Close the editing of the sketch' button, then head over to ‘Tasks' and select ‘Pad'. Choosing the ‘pad' means that FreeCAD automatically turns your sketch into the third dimension (side remark: choosing ‘pocket' subtracts a three-dimensional shape).
Once you see this 3D object, Bram will show you how to add additional features to it. You can click on any face (surface) of your three-dimensional object and click on ‘create a sketch'. Wait… what?! Yep, that's going to happen a lot: in FreeCAD you often jump back and forth between sketches and 3D models.
You create a 3D model based on a sketch. Then click on one face (surface) of the 3D model and continue with the next sketch. After that, you turn this sketch in a new 3D shape, etc. This way of working enables you to add (from ‘sketch' to ‘pad') or subtract (from ‘sketch' to ‘pocket') new features and create more complicated shapes.
The best thing about this: you can always go back. Each and every sketch, pad, and pocket can be re-edited any time.
FreeCAD Tutorial Part 5: Advanced 2D Sketching
In this part of the FreeCAD video tutorial you will learn how to use some advanced tips and tricks to work with 2D sketches. Bram will show you how to logically split up and think about your model and how to use shortcuts to reach the desired results.
FreeCAD Tutorial Part 6: Analyzing a Finished 3D Model
Now we come to one of the most powerful parts of the tutorial. We'll be looking at a 3D model of an audio knob that Bram created. He'll go over his design step by step and show you exactly how he created it. This will give you a good understanding of all the working processes needed for creating a design in FreeCAD.
FreeCAD Tutorial Part 7: Hands-on Exercise
It's time to get our hands dirty! Bram's downloaded a sketch of a real spare part and wants to create it from sketch. He will go through the design process step by step and repeat everything you learnt in the previous videos. If you can create this file you have successfully mastered this tutorial and are good to go for your own creations now.
FreeCAD Tutorial Part 8: 3D Printing
Now the last thing to do is the most fun part: 3D printing your design! Save your design (best to save it as an STL file), hop over to i.materialise's 3D printing service, and upload your file. You will instantly see how much your model costs in 19 different materials and 100+ different finishes.
Upload your model to the i.materialise online platform for an instant price quote
If you liked this tutorial you might be interested in learning to use SketchUp as well. Click here for our beginner-friendly SketchUp tutorial. Also make sure to avoid these 5 common mistakes when modeling for 3D printing.
It is hard to go a day without hearing about the next 'revolutionary' technology. The reality is that the next revolutionary technology has been around for quite a while now. We are referring to 3D printing. While it may be a new technology for some people, some forms of 3D printing date back to the 1980s.
3D printing took its time breaking into the mainstream. More people are getting involved with the technology since it is becoming cheaper and more readily available. It is now possible for just about anyone to purchase a printer and begin creating anything they can think of with simple and affordable software.
The best part is you don't need to be an expert in specific computer programs to begin printing.
Easy To Use Cad For 3d Printing
Many websites offer affordable, if not free, ready to print files. So what are you waiting for? Get your hands on a printer and join the revolution.
To help you take full advantage of a 3D printer we are providing you a list of the 15 best 3D printing ideas for beginners. Sure, we can make a list of little cube pencil holders or smiley face paper-weights. But what fun is that? We want to give you something more, something special.
Our list is composed of 15 easy prints that are also extremely useful. On this list you find home decor items, food utensils, and designs to organize your desk. Trust us, you will likely find yourself using all of these things every day.
Here Is Our Top 15 3D Printing Ideas for Beginners:
1. Self-Watering Planter
You can thank the creators, Parallel Goods, for adding a little greenery to your life. This two-piece print makes for a great low-maintenance home or office decoration. Simply print the two parts, add your favorite water-intensive plant, and fill the bottom reservoir with water.
This planter is designed to be easy to create, clean, and maintain while also being customizable. Mix and match your favorite color combinations of the two pieces to really make this your own.
2. Sliding Gate Bolts
This 4-piece lockable gate bolt is another great print for beginners. You can have a great sense of pride knowing your sheds, gates, or doors are secure thanks to your printing abilities. Depending on the material you use for printing will determine the strength of this object.
It might not stop everything from breaking in, but it will help sleep at night knowing your doors are securely closed and locked.
3. Tent/Hose Spike
This one is for the outdoor enthusiast. A solid spike to hold down your tents, cables, or hoses. Those spikes that come with tents seem to break easily and always at the worst times. Luckily, with this file you can now practice printing and put a few extra spikes in your bag for your next adventure.
Pdf expert vs acrobat pro. Can be used to secure your tent while camping or keep the neighbor kids from tripping over your extension cords. Fl studio pitch correction.
4. One Handed Page Holder
Simple, straight-forward tool. Take your reading game up a notch with this handy little object. No more using two hands to hold a book open, you'll be able to firmly keep your place in your book with just one hand.
Great for personal use, or print a few for all the readers in the family.
An easy one-piece sleek design makes this a great beginner print.
5. Jar Handle
Turn any glass jar, or cup, into your new favorite mug. The simple design makes printing this a breeze. No more burning your hands on the side of a glass cup when all the coffee mugs are dirty. Just like many others on this list, the jar handles double as a great gift for friends and families.
Customize each handle with different colors and materials.
6. Garlic Press
For those of you who love to cook or just know someone who loves to cook. Whoever it is doing the cooking, they need one of these in their kitchen. Four separate pieces let you practice your printing skills. Once you have it printed, just peel a few cloves of garlic and toss them into the main chamber. Get cranking, soon enough you will have fresh garlic to put in your next dish. Easy to put together, and just as easy to take apart and clean.
*Pro tip: depending on your printer, it may be easier to print the main chamber as a solid structure and drill holes using a ⅛' bit on the bottom once you are finished printing. Also, double check the threads on the screw align with the threading at the top of the cap.
7. Citrus Juicer
Another great kitchen tool for the beginner printer. Simple, convenient, useful. Make fresh juice from your favorite citrus fruits every day. You get files for two versions, a solid juicer and a hollow one with ribs. Might as well print both and see which one you like better.
As the saying goes, practice makes perfect. Be sure to make note of the creator's instructions – the default size may be a little large (good for grapefruits) so make sure to adjust accordingly.
8. Drink Coaster
Do yourself and your table a favor and print these awesome tree silhouette coasters. No more ruining your wooden furniture with those awful rings from your cups. The beautiful design of these coasters will look great on any coffee table, side table, or even your desk.
Get creative with the coloring to make sure they match the rest of your furniture.
9. Headphone Stand by MakerBot
This headphone stand designed my MakerBot is extremely useful and visually pleasing. A great design, which prints as one solid piece without any supports. It will help you organize your desk or gaming area.
You will love to show off this print and soon enough all your friends will be asking for their own. A professional design that is easily created with your printer.
10. Laptop Stand
Clean up your desk or work space with this awesome laptop stand. A simple 3-piece design, which can be altered, before printing, to fit your laptop. It is a great way addition to your desk and the angle and height of the stand helps give you a better view of your screen.
While you can find many different designs for a laptop stand we like this one for its simplicity and the fact it is separate pieces. You can easily take apart the stand, pack it in your bag, and take it wherever you want.
11. Phone Stand
Your headphones and laptop aren't the only pieces of technology that should benefit from your 3D printer. Your phone deserves its own new 3D printed stand as well.
This one is designed for an iPhone 6, yet it will work with other models as well. If you prefer, you can customize the design to be a perfect fit for your phone through the work file.
The arch at the bottom allows cables to be easily plugged into your phone while it is on the stand.
12. Cable Holders
A simple and very useful design. Use these cable holders to finally organize your tangled electronic cable nest. You can choose which design you like best – a solid object that can be taped or tacked to the table or a design with a coin hole on the bottom so you can insert coins and add weight to the cable holder.
Whichever you prefer, we are positive you will love these easy to print pieces.
13. Thin Man
Finally, you can have your very own 2mm thick best friend. Share your desk with one, or a ton, of these fun little characters. Create yourself a little army of thin men to protect your desk and belongings. Tosh, the creator, has downloadable files for Thin Man part 1 and 2.
Each series comes with thin men in multiple positions with varying degree of printing difficulty. While all positions are fairly easy, some require support parts where others don't. Give them a try and see how many you end up with.
14. Vase
This may be a slightly more troubling print, but when done correctly the end result will blow you away. These beautifully designed vases are sure to make anyone smile. Whether you want one for yourself, or you are trying to surprise someone else with a thoughtful gift, this is a great print. Fill it with water, put in some fresh, colorful flowers and you have yourself a nice piece of home decor straight from your 3D printer.
15. Spinner Toy
A great toy for everyone who needs to keep busy. This fidget spinner toy is an easy print for endless entertainment. You will need to add a few ball-bearings to the design. The creator suggests using a pair of vice grip pliers to insert the ball-bearings. When they have been inserted, simply spin away. Once you start, you will not want to put this toy down.
This concludes our list. All objects included on our list can be found on Thingiverse. In order to obtain the files for printing, just click on the title of the object you want, which will bring you to the Thingiverse page. From here, click on the Download All Files button.
Be sure to read over the licensing policies for the files and tip your favorite designers to support their efforts. Once the file is downloaded, open it using the 3D printing software of your choice and put your 3D printer to work.
We hope you have enjoyed this list. Show off your prints you create from this list with a comment below. Also, if you have a favorite print that we left off the list be sure to share it with us and the rest of the community. Who knows, your idea may just be number one on our next list.
Keep reading! We have prepared for you the top 11 Ways to Make Money with a Desktop 3D Printer.
