3D Printing Best Modeling / Creation Software?

[ninj]

OpenSCAD is particularly good if you have some experience in programming, and suits my needs well. I pointed @The Hat in that direction and he has taken to it like a duck to water! Tinkercad is a good alternative. You might also want to look at Freecad, which is a bit more comprehensive but less easy to use. If you're very artistic and want to produce more "organic" shapes, and are prepared to spend time learning, then something like Blender will do the job.

 

[Nifty]

So far, I'm really enjoying Tinkercad! It seems to do everything (basic) that I need without the maths

 

[Nifty]

Well, Tinkercad is super easy to learn / use, but it's super limited in what it can do. For example, I can't even measure the distance between two points in the model... super frustrating!

So, I just downloaded Fusion 360 which is "Free for students, enthusiasts, hobbyists, and startups".

Wish me luck!!!!

 

[The Hat]

Tinkercad is super easy to learn

I was looking to have a go at Tinkercad, but I didn’t like the idea that I must register with them first before I can download, I am always suspicious of sites that do that, are they selling or passing on your details...

 

[Nifty]

Ya, I often have similar worry, but I weigh the risk / reward, and in this case (especially since it's a big-brand company that doesn't want to upset it's high-end users) I think it's more than worth it!

 

[mikling]

Learn Fusion 360. It appears to be the settled and well trodden path.

 

[racing_green]

I have to recommend FreeCAD [1] Open source, large community, help on forum is quick, works on linux/mac/windows.

[1] https://www.freecadweb.org/

 

[ninj]

I have to recommend FreeCAD [1] Open source, large community, help on forum is quick, works on linux/mac/windows.

[1] https://www.freecadweb.org/

I second that. I've moved from Openscad to Freecad for most things, the trick is to ignore all the features you don't need (about 90%!).

Edit:

 

[The Hat]

I've moved from Openscad to Freecad for most things, the trick is to ignore all the features you don't need (about 90%!).

Are you suggesting I jump ship…

 

[racing_green]

No need to jump, there is a bridge between, so you can gracefully walk back and forth. Hey, it's open source, we're not competing!

https://wiki.freecadweb.org/OpenSCAD_Module