{"id":2209,"date":"2017-04-15T12:55:04","date_gmt":"2017-04-15T12:55:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/inspiredtoeducate.net\/inspiredtoeducate\/?p=2209"},"modified":"2017-04-15T12:55:04","modified_gmt":"2017-04-15T12:55:04","slug":"7-free-apps-for-3d-design-and-building-cool-stuff","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/inspiredtoeducate.net\/inspiredtoeducate\/7-free-apps-for-3d-design-and-building-cool-stuff\/","title":{"rendered":"7 Free Apps for 3D Design and Building Cool Stuff"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<!-- Facebook Like Button v1.9.6 BEGIN [http:\/\/blog.bottomlessinc.com] -->\n<iframe src=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/plugins\/like.php?href=http%3A%2F%2Finspiredtoeducate.net%2Finspiredtoeducate%2F7-free-apps-for-3d-design-and-building-cool-stuff%2F&amp;layout=standard&amp;show_faces=false&amp;width=450&amp;action=like&amp;colorscheme=light\" scrolling=\"no\" frameborder=\"0\" allowTransparency=\"true\" style=\"border:none; overflow:hidden; width:450px; height: 30px; align: left; margin: 2px 0px 2px 0px\"><\/iframe>\n<!-- Facebook Like Button END -->\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/inspiredtoeducate.net\/inspiredtoeducate\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/chess.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"http:\/\/inspiredtoeducate.net\/inspiredtoeducate\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/chess.jpg\" alt=\"Chess graphic\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-2210\" srcset=\"http:\/\/inspiredtoeducate.net\/inspiredtoeducate\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/chess.jpg 640w, http:\/\/inspiredtoeducate.net\/inspiredtoeducate\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/chess-300x169.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/tinkercad.com\"><strong>AutoDesk TinkerCAD<\/strong><\/a> &#8211; This web-based application has become my favorite way to introduce 3D design to makers of all ages. \u00a0It comes with accessible tutorials to help you understand the software quickly. \u00a0I have used TinkerCAD.com to engage students as early\u00a0as 3rd grade due to the high usability of this product. \u00a0 You can quickly export your 3D modeling content for 3D printing or online 3D printing services. \u00a0 Students LOVE being able to export their work to Minecraft too! \u00a0Autodesk just added a &#8220;Minecraft&#8221; preview feature too! \u00a0We also export &#8220;obj&#8221; files that we can use in <a href=\"https:\/\/unity3d.com\/\">Unity 3D<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/shapeshifter.io\/\">Shape Shifter<\/a><\/strong> &#8211; ShapeShifter.io enables you to build artistic 3D structures with just a few clicks. \u00a0\u00a0While this app isn&#8217;t your traditional 3D modeling tool, some of the art forms that you can build are impressive. \u00a0 You might find this application helpful in building a decorative cup holder, vase, or home decor.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.sketchup.com\/\">Sketchup<\/a><\/strong> &#8211; This application has become a standard in 3D modeling for home decor and building structures. \u00a0 Sketchup has content viewers for iOS, Android, and <a href=\"http:\/\/www.sketchup.com\/products\/sketchup-viewer\/ar\">HoloLens<\/a>. (not free) \u00a0 This mature 3D building tool comes with a robust set of tutorials and support community.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.blender.org\/\">Blender:<\/a><\/strong> \u00a0To be honest, I&#8217;m still in the process of learning Blender. \u00a0According to Wikipedia, <b>Blender<\/b> is a &#8220;professional <a title=\"Free and open-source software\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Free_and_open-source_software\">free and open-source<\/a> <a title=\"3D computer graphics software\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/3D_computer_graphics_software\">3D computer graphics software<\/a> product used for creating <a title=\"Animation\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Animation\">animated films<\/a>, <a title=\"Visual effects\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Visual_effects\">visual effects<\/a>, art, <a title=\"3D printing\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/3D_printing\">3D printed<\/a> models, interactive 3D applications and <a title=\"Video game\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Video_game\">video games<\/a>.&#8221; \u00a0This open source software supports impressive features including soft body simulation, sculpting, rendering, and an integrated game engine. \u00a0While this is one of the most challenging 3D modeling tools to learn, you can leverage a robust community of YouTube tutorials for Blender or the <a href=\"https:\/\/docs.blender.org\/manual\/en\/dev\/\">Blender<\/a> manual.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.onshape.com\/\">Onshape:<\/a><\/strong> This relatively new 3D modeling tool has become a favorite for adult makers and professionals. \u00a0 Many of my <a href=\"http:\/\/sparkmacon.com\">maker space<\/a> friends celebrate the robust tutorial system and standard parts collection. \u00a0The tool can model the movement of assemblies of 3D parts. \u00a0The OnShape team has designed their product to serve distributed professional teams who enjoy working an online cloud solution. \u00a0You can learn more about on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCTvd5lUSLtTH8Qcd7Pl1nQg\">their YouTube channel<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/pixologic.com\/sculptris\/\">Sculptris<\/a>:<\/strong> This application by Pixologic provides an introduction to CG 3D modeling especially for artists. \u00a0 This product focuses on the &#8220;sculpture&#8221; metaphor of building 3D content. \u00a0It seems very appropriate for building organic 3D structures, animals, or characters. \u00a0 \u00a0Learn more at\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/pixologic.com\/sculptris\/\">http:\/\/pixologic.com\/sculptris\/<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/openjscad.org\/\">OpenJSCAD<\/a>:<\/strong>\u00a0I came across a tool called <a href=\"http:\/\/inspiredtoeducate.net\/inspiredtoeducate\/make-3d-printable-models-with-javascript\/OpenJSCAD.org\" target=\"_blank\">OpenJSCAD.org<\/a> that empowers programmers to build 3D models using the popular JavaScript programming language or\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.openscad.org\/\">OpenSCAD<\/a> language. \u00a0It\u2019s pretty fun! \u00a0 The tool enables you to export your creations to STL format for 3D printing or editing. \u00a0 Code and build 3D stuff! \u00a0It&#8217;s that easy!<\/p>\n<p>Keep in mind that this blog post only scratches the surface of free products. \u00a0AutoDesk offers <a href=\"http:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/solutions\/3d-modeling-software\">free products for hobbyists, students, and educators<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hongkiat.com\/blog\/25-free-3d-modelling-applications-you-should-not-miss\/\">This blog post<\/a> outlines 20 additional free 3D modeling tools.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>We enjoy hearing from you! \u00a0Let us know if you make anything cool. \u00a0Leave a comment below.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Photo credit: NoxicTonic &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/flic.kr\/p\/drEc9F\">https:\/\/flic.kr\/p\/drEc9F<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n<!-- Facebook Like Button v1.9.6 BEGIN [http:\/\/blog.bottomlessinc.com] -->\n<iframe src=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/plugins\/like.php?href=http%3A%2F%2Finspiredtoeducate.net%2Finspiredtoeducate%2F7-free-apps-for-3d-design-and-building-cool-stuff%2F&amp;layout=standard&amp;show_faces=false&amp;width=450&amp;action=like&amp;colorscheme=light\" scrolling=\"no\" frameborder=\"0\" allowTransparency=\"true\" style=\"border:none; overflow:hidden; width:450px; height: 30px; align: left; margin: 2px 0px 2px 0px\"><\/iframe>\n<!-- Facebook Like Button END -->\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>AutoDesk TinkerCAD &#8211; This web-based application has become my favorite way to introduce 3D design to makers of all ages. \u00a0It comes with accessible tutorials to help you understand the software quickly. \u00a0I have used TinkerCAD.com to engage students as early\u00a0as 3rd grade due to the high usability of this [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[22,4,24,16,11,8],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/inspiredtoeducate.net\/inspiredtoeducate\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2209"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/inspiredtoeducate.net\/inspiredtoeducate\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/inspiredtoeducate.net\/inspiredtoeducate\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/inspiredtoeducate.net\/inspiredtoeducate\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/inspiredtoeducate.net\/inspiredtoeducate\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2209"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"http:\/\/inspiredtoeducate.net\/inspiredtoeducate\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2209\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2211,"href":"http:\/\/inspiredtoeducate.net\/inspiredtoeducate\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2209\/revisions\/2211"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/inspiredtoeducate.net\/inspiredtoeducate\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2209"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/inspiredtoeducate.net\/inspiredtoeducate\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2209"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/inspiredtoeducate.net\/inspiredtoeducate\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2209"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}