hi people…what software other than solidworks do I need to 3d print and design stuff in I am hopefully getting a printer next week but want to be prepared …
thanks in advance and I appreciate your input I am newbie but have been a fixture designer for almost 2 years
My advice would be to have a go with as many of the software packages as you can find and you have the time to experiment with in order to see what gives you the best workflow. A lot will be down to personal taste and what other packages have influenced your working practices to date. It will also depend on what you intend to create with the printer. Google for Cura, Slic3r & Simplify3D for slicing your STL models into the gcode the printer wants. Also check out other modeling tools like FreeCAD, OpenSCAD. Tools like MeshMixer and Netfabb can also come in handy. I’m sure there will be many more suggestions that follow…
I like freeCAD. But l’ve got a bit of background in mechanical engineering and autodesk and autocad. If you are used to those freecad might be good for you. There are some more “kiddie” cad programs if you are looking for simple stuff. Try a few and see what fits.
From solidworks, save it as an stl file. Then use a slicer like slic3r or cura. Use a program like cura, pronterface, or repetier to control your printer.
Thanks going to check them out
@Jules_Hoehn thanks it’s kinda funny cuz I have 1 year of mechanical engineering I had to have surgery so I couldn’t finish it…we I could now but work full time and my own computer repair…anyways thanks guys
I changed majors… Also didn’t finish ME. 3d printing has been fun to relive what I learned a while ago and never got to use. 
enjoy your printer!
A simple one is 123d Design. It is a free software download by Autodesk and works well although it is a very simplified 3d modelling software. There are plenty of tutorials online to get you started. Once you outstrip what can be done with that program you can move on to a full CAD program that you pay for. I have students who have done some great looking projects using 123d. As with all programs convert the file to STL before putting it in a slicer program to use with your printer.
The full CAD program I particularly like is PTC’s Creo. They also have some of the best tutorial skill walkthroughs I’ve seen.
Good Luck and have fun.
Simplify3d I’ve been told is pretty much the “best” for diy printing. I’ve been exclusively been using repetier and slic3r. I’ve spent a ton of time configuring slic3r. Each new filament I dial it in printing the hollow cube as a test and tweak from there. While printing I’ll change the extruder temp, fan, increasing and decreasing speeds in repetier
@Nathan_Walkner have you used Simplify3d? I’ve heard it’s pretty good.
I have simplify, the only thing I find it useful for is complex support models - the support material generation is phenomenal. That said, I still use slic3r on a daily basis. The new experimental build has substantial improvements to support material so I would say it is 80% of the way there and equal if not superior in all other areas.
A rather cool trend in the industry is ‘free for personal use’. You can pick and choose. I suggest first looking to your friends and such… They will help you more then any other. Houdini is even free for personal use now. Start close to the printer, learn the slicer and such. Try openscad, its very simple. And at some point, as Mark at the start, just go crazy and load demos till your blurry eyed…
Because I cant tell you the brush to use… All I can tell you is that every artist I have ever know had a big huge can full of brushes of all kinds.
For design, I use sketchup for simple things and Fusion 360. The later is free with a mind blowing set of tools!
Freecad will do everything you want. When you get more advanced you can add to it. I also use inkscape and openscad for lettering or 2d vectors. Pronterface has slic3r and cura built in. I like cura for slicing and print from sd where i can
I stand with Brook Drumm here. Sketchup is good and easy to learn. Fusion 360 is much more complete, but is also more complicated.
From June 4-24, while in NYC taping season two, in am forcing myself to only use Fusion 360 to design. My R&D guys are way too far ahead of me in design prowess… I have some catching up to do. It takes daily use to learn properly. And Brian will be there to help me over the walls I hit. Now I just need to decide which project to concentrate on. It need to be a challenge.
We have compiled a fairly comprehensive list of CAD tools including modeling and sculpting software as well as slicers. Have a look here: http://3dprintingforbeginners.com/software-tools/