3D Design Software

autoCAD
  • An industry leader in 2D and 3D CAD software, and in design, drafting, modeling, architectural drawing, and engineering software. (Available to
    Faculty & Students through UA Virtual Lab)
Google Sketchup
  • 3D modeling software that's easy to learn and incredibly fun to use. Enables
    you to build and modify 3D models quickly and easily.
Blender
  • Free and open source 3D creation suite. It supports the entirety of the 3D pipeline:
    modeling, rigging, animation, simulation, rendering, compositing
    and motion tracking, even video editing and game creation.
Netfabb
  • Freeware for handling of files in stl-format. The freeware includes Advanced Model Browsing, STL Fixing and Part Analysis, Measurement, and Quality Management. The freeware also includes a Basic Slicing module and gives you first steps into the 3D Printing and data preparation.
Open SCAD
  • Software for creating solid 3D CAD models. Unlike most free software for creating
    3D models it does not focus on the artistic aspects of 3D modeling but instead on
    the CAD aspects.
sculptris
  • An excellent gateway into the exciting world of 3D for every type of artist. It's
    features are easy to learn, even for someone with no experience in digital art,
    yet robust enough for creating base models that can then be refined in other applications. The interface is effortless to navigate and each feature is easy to locate. Even the most novice user is able to start creating within moments.

Free Object Communities & Repositories

3d warehouse
  • Google Sketchup's searchable design library.
cubehero
  • A repository for sharing 3D printing and other hardware projects.
instructables

  • AutoDesk 123D Community
my mini factory
  • The world's largest curated 3D object 3D platform. 
NIH
  • An open, comprehensive, and interactive website for searching, browsing,
    downloading, and sharing biomedical 3D print files, modeling tutorials, and
    educational material.
pinshape
  • Next generation 3D printing community marketplace. Focus on making 3D
    printing easy, accessible and fun by enabling talented designers to share their
    3D designs and easy downloading for makers
smithsonian
  • The Smithsonian X 3D is in process of digitizing its collection in 3D and offers
    free, downloadable model files for printing.
thingiverse
  • A design community for discovering, making and sharing 3D printable objects.
    The community has uploaded over 100,000 3D models and it's still growing daily.
yeggi
  • A collection of tens of thousands of printable 3D models worldwide. They collect
    models from all platforms and communities for 3D printing.
youmagine
  • 3D model repository created by Ultimaker. Growing daily and contains some unique
    and interesting 3D models.