Software Tools

You might also want to look at Useful Software Packages . Perhaps some or all of that page should be merged into this page. (Discuss)

Free/OpenSourced Software (FOSS) Tools

In the 'open' spirit of the RepRap project, we prefer tools that are free and for which the source code is openly available and which work on a range of different operating systems.

Counterpoint

I've observed that many engineering students and practicing engineers are going to do their research in Solidworks or similar
regardless of essays about the benefits of open source cad programs. This mild preference is only that, in practice.
--Sebastien Bailard 21:21, 20 May 2011 (UTC)
p.s. I use open source cad programs, myself.

The following tools are usable in at least Windows and Linux and can be downloaded for free and legally shared with other people (typically under the GPL):

design

• Blender - A complex - yet very popular - 3D modeller that supports importing and exporting in many formats (including STL and PLY).
• AoI Art of Illusion (AOI) - A graphics-oriented 3D modeller that's written entirely in Java. can be used to output STL files. or add Skeinforge to output GCode.
  • AOI plugins and scripts - Using these scripts to AOI adds STL support and some mesh repair capabilities.
• Wings3D - A fairly simple 3D modeller. It does not support STL so you'd need to use one of the other packages listed here to convert files as needed.
• K3D - Another simple 3D modeller with no STL support.
• Free-CAD - A CAD-oriented 3D modeller - appears to be incomplete at this time.
• BRL-CAD - A CSG-oriented 3D modeller. This tool has been used for over 20 years for military CAD applications. It supports STL.
• OpenSCAD - A scripted solid-modeling application. In addition to modelling from simple primitives, it can extrude 2D DXF and import STL to create more complex designs.

STL

• Netfabb - A tool for repairing and manipulations of STL files. Linux-Version as alpha, version that prints on a RepMan announced.
• MeshLab - A 3D modeller that's oriented to cleaning up meshes created from 3D scanners. It has many features useful for STL mesh cleanup.

g-code

• Skeinforge

Further reading

• Useful Software Packages