These objects can then be 3D printed or manufactured with CNC, laser cutters, water jet cutters, etc.

It allows you to create complex objects starting from basic shapes or sketches. I’ll give you the highlights of my 90-minute visit with AutoDesk to talk about 3D printing, but I’d urge you to visit the company’s Web site (and the links I provide below) to find out more. 123D Design is a free, powerful, yet simple 3D creation and editing tool which supports many new 3D printers. The software is best for 3D designing and editing tools. It is very powerful yet simple to operate. The software is like Autodesk’s Inventor.

It is similar in scope to Trimble SketchUp and is based on Autodesk Inventor. This is the best tool for beginners to learn design, to get a solid foundation. Autodesk 123D was a suite of hobbyist CAD and 3D modelling tools created by Autodesk. And best of all, the software is free, and if you don’t have a 3D printer (who does?) you can upload the files you create to an AutoDesk partner, which will give you a cost estimate and then manufacture and ship as many of the objects as you want.Īctually, 3D printers have gotten a lot cheaper the folks at AutoDesk told me you can buy one for as little as $1000, but I assume you won’t run out and acquire one right away. Autodesk 123D Design is the free version of CAD created by Autodesk. Now it’s coming to your desktop, courtesy of AutoDesk, a developer of sophisticated software known as CAD (computer-aided design).ĪutoDesk this week launched two impressive software applications: One allows you to convert a picture (actually a whole bunch of pictures) into a digital file that can be printed as a solid plastic or metal model, while the other is used to convert a computer model into a sort of three-dimensional jigsaw puzzle made of cardboard or other materials. The technology has been around for more than a decade, but it’s always been the realm of industrial designers and manufacturers that could spend tens - even hundreds - of thousands of dollars on printers the size of refrigerators. You’ve probably heard about 3D printing, a way of converting a computer file into a solid, physical object using a specially designed printer.

Autodesk 123d 3d printing