LulzBot TAZ 3.0, User Manual

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3.5. CAD AND 3D MODELING SOFTWARE
3.5 CAD and 3D Modeling Software
Currently LulzBot is not distributing a CAD or 3D modeling software
package. However, there are multiple free/libre software packages available.
Other common non-free CAD and 3D modeling software are also capable of
exporting the required
.STL
files.
On some CAD and 3D modeling software you will need to select
millimeters as the output unit. If possible it is best to build your 3D
design in metric units rather than imperial units. Slic3r requires .STL files
sized in millimeters. If an .STL with inches as units is loaded into the
Slic3r, the model will be scaled much smaller than expected. You can scale
the model by 2540% to compensate. The software listed below outputs
millimeters as the unit by default.
FreeCAD
Website:
http://free-cad.sourceforge.net
Although still in development, FreeCAD is a great free/libre CAD
application. Containing a full GUI for building CAD models, FreeCAD is
capable of creating simple to complex designs. STL files can also easily be
exported for use with 3D printing. FreeCAD is available for GNU/Linux,
Windows, and Mac. The latest development version is recommended.
OpenSCAD
Website:
http://openscad.org
OpenSCAD is another free/libre CAD software; however, different than
FreeCAD, it is script based. Rather than using a GUI to generate CAD
designs, OpenSCAD CAD designs are created using script based renderings.
Users with programming experience would find this very useful. Also,
OpenSCAD uses a simple script language that is easy to learn for users
with little or no programming experience.
Blender
Website:
http://blender.org
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