Go from concept to print seamlessly. Streamline your 3D printing workflow with XYZprinting's range of software tools for 3D design, scanning, and printing. Jul 25, 2017 A 3D model holds all the information about what object the 3D printer is supposed to print. These 3D files are generated with special 3D modeling software. There are many different types of 3D modeling software, and it is difficult to pinpoint the “best” software for the job. In reality, it depends on what the designer is trying to create.
Best 3D Modeling Software for Mac: 3D Printing with Mac OS
Not all 3D modeling software is available for every operating system. That’s why we compiled a list of the most popular 3D design programs for Mac users. Read on to discover the top 20!
The list of the most used 3D design software for Mac (see below) is based upon our list of the 25 most popular 3D modeling programs. However, we excluded software that is not available or not suitable for the Mac OS. This leaves us with the ultimate 3D modeling list for Macintosh users.
3d Printing Software Mac Free DownloadsThe Ranking: 3D Modeling Software for Mac UsersThe two most used 3D modeling software programs for Macintosh devices are freeware program Blender (score: 80) and freemium software SketchUp (75). Blender is known for its enormous design freedom and its endless number of tools and functions – however, it’s also known for its steep learning curve. SketchUp, on the other hand, is said to be rather beginner-friendly and great for architectural and geometric objects. However, it’s not suited for creating organic structures.
Next come three programs from the Autodesk family: its professional high-end programs AutoCAD (59) and Maya (59) as well as its beginner-friendly free-to-use online app Tinkercad (51) all score well with Mac users. ZBrush (49), a professional 3D sculpting software, comes in 6th. Its free light version, named Sculptris (19), made it to rank 15.
After ZBrush, Cinema 4D (43), 123D Design (42), OpenSCAD (38), and Rhinoceros (36) complete the list of the top 10.
Screenshot of SketchUp, a popular 3D modeling software with Mac users.
The Popularity Score for 3D Modeling Programs
We calculated the popularity of a 3D modeling software for Mac based on their ‘popularity score’ in the 3D printing community. The popularity score consists of mentions and fans on social media, page authority, forum mentions, video mentions, 3D printing database mentions, and Google results. This score is especially helpful if you’re looking for a modeling software for Mac that is widely used for 3D printing, so you can be assured of an online community to brainstorm with and help you out if you get stuck.
3D Design Programs that Won’t Run on Apple’s Mac3d Printing software, free download
Most 3D design programs are available for Windows and Mac users alike. However, some 3D design software that is not available for Mac OS includes Solidworks (62), 3DS Max (55), and Inventor (55). While these are not many, they still represent quite popular 3D modeling software packages. In our original list which includes all platforms, these programs ranked 3rd, 6th, and 7th among the most popular.
Some good news to end with: there are more and more options for Mac users. For example, Rhino 5 is available for Mac. Since many 3D design apps run online now (browser-based), programs like Tinkercad and 3DTin are also accessible from any device. With Cheetah3D there’s also a 3D design software which is exclusively available for Mac OS.
Are you new to the world of 3D modeling and 3D printing? Make sure to avoid these 5 common mistakes in order to create stunning designs. Do you already know how to create printable 3D files? Then simply upload them to our website, choose from more than 100 materials and finishes, and let us take care of printing your object.
Most Popular 3D Modeling Programs For Jewelry Designers
Before a 3D printer can start printing your jewelry object, it needs digital input from a computer, or a virtual 3D model. This blog post will explain which 3D modeling programs are perfect for jewelry designers who want to print their products in 3D. Once you have found a software to create your designs in 3D, we can print them in gold, silver, bronze, brass or 100+ other materials and finishes.
A 3D model holds all the information about what object the 3D printer is supposed to print. These 3D files are generated with special 3D modeling software. There are many different types of 3D modeling software, and it is difficult to pinpoint the “best” software for the job. In reality, it depends on what the designer is trying to create.
For example, if described in terms of traditional 2D printing it would be impossible to recommend the best software. Whether the user wants to print a text, draw something, or edit a photo, each software has its own strengths and weaknesses.
3d Printing On Mac
There is no single software that dominates the market and is the most suitable for everyone. Every designer has different needs, preferences, and objectives in mind.
3d Printing Software Mac Free Download
When deciding what software to use, it is advisable to take the following into account:
As it is difficult to recommend the “best” software, this blog post will present several programs that are popular with most of the jewelry designers at i.materialise. Their respective strengths and weakness will also be indicated. You will also see an actual 3D print that was created with each software – sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words.
Tinkercad: This program is perfect for designers who are new to 3D modeling. The app is free and can be used directly in your internet browser when you go to Tinkercad.com. Although the program is not suitable for creating very complex designs, it is a good starting point.
ZBrush & Sculptris: Sculptris is free, with a strong focus on 3D sculpting. It is especially suited to creating organic shapes, and users have the option of upgrading to the premium version ZBrush, which includes even more design features and is by far the most popular 3D sculpting program out there.
SketchUp: This 3D modeling software is popular with scale modelers and architects due to its geometric look, but it can also be used to create edgy jewelry designs. It is free, and can be upgraded later.
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Blender: This software is free and quite powerful, which makes it very popular with 3D modelers. However, it comes with a very steep learning curve and is therefore less suitable for beginners.
Rhinoceros: A professional, all-round solution, Rhinoceros (or Rhino) is ideal for the serious designer. It is a premium software that can be expanded with several high-quality, payable plugins, making it a versatile and powerful tool. The most popular plugins for jewelry designers are Grasshopper, TSplines, and Rhinogold. For all these reasons, Rhino is the most popular choice of our jewelry designers.
Moment of Inspiration: MoI is a cheaper alternative to Rhino. While the style of 3D modeling (curve modeling) is very similar to Rhino, MoI comes at a much lower price. This price difference comes with less functionality and less available plugins, however.
This list is by no means exhaustive, so if you are still in the process of looking for software, take a look at the 3D design tool section of our website to find out more about the best 3D modeling programs out there. If you already have created a 3D file, discover our 100+ available 3D printing materials and finishes and upload your design here to receive an instant price quote.
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