- Best Parametric Cad Software For Beginners
- Parametric 3d Cad
- Best 3d Parametric Cad Software
- Free Parametric Cad Software
- Best Parametric Modeling Software
FreeCad is a 3D CAD program that allows you to design real objects of any size in 3D space. It is a dynamic parametric modeling program and you can easily change the dimensions and parameters of your models or designs using its model history menu. You can use this software to create: Fantastic 3D characters, locations and areas for game projects. Sep 23, 2020 That's why Houdini's parametric magic – apart from being one of the best CAD software tools – is a popular tool for game development and 3D animation. Although a free version of the CAD software (Houdini Apprentice) is available – and it has all the features of the commercial product – it has some limitations that you should be.
The challenge of visualizing complex forms has been met with the emergence of parametric CAD plugins and software. Parametric design is by far one of the most widely used modeling processes today, for efficiently generating a wide array of similar yet complex geometrical patterns within record breaking time constraints. FreeCAD is a general-purpose parametric 3D CAD modeler. It is a building information modeling software that supports a finite element method. This software can use Python programming language. This is mainly intended for mechanical engineering use.
Posted By Lucie Gaget on Mar 7, 2018 |
3D modeling software can be really useful for many different applications, especially when you need to use 3D printing. If you are looking for a method to design technical products, you will certainly have to use a parametric modeling software. In this blogpost we are going to see what is parametric modeling and what are the specificities of this process. Then, we will see what are the best parametric modeling software available on the market to create your projects.
What is parametric modeling?
The specificities of parametric solutions
Parametric modeling can also be called parametric solid modeling. It is used to define a dimension's ability to change the shape of model's geometry immediately when the dimension value is modified. This modeling process is great for projects with a lot of manufacturing requirement and that need a high accuracy such as mechanical projects. This modeling process is built from mathematical equations.
It is a practical process if you need to produce products with little variations. Indeed, it is good to create designs that need to be modified on a regular basis. It will totally be adapted to your design intent.
All the models created with this process have what we call features. These are attributes that include length, width, depth, orientation, geometry, material, density functions, etc. Parametric modeling is actually focusing on relationships between features, and between parts, assemblies and drawings.
Why you should use a parametric modeling software
These 3D programs are really great to see how the model directly changes when something is modified, and you can easily reuse the data of a 3D model to create a new design. Parametric modeling software is a really good tool for manufacturing. Indeed, it can reduce your production time as it can easily be integrated inside of your manufacturing process.
Be careful, you will have to be a little bit experienced if you want to use a parametric software. If you need some help, we have a blog post that will help you to deal with design guidelines while working with a parametric modeling software.
This tool can be useful for many different industries, but parametric modeling is especially used in mechanical engineering. It is great to have parametric software if you have an automotive project for example. It is also used for architecture projects, aircraft design, or even machinery. These CAD programs might be perfect for your rapid prototyping process.
Parametric vs direct modeling: How to choose?
Parametric and direct modeling are two different modeling techniques. Direct modeling doesn't create model features such as parametric solutions. Indeed, direct modeling is more used to make geometries, you can't work on the relationships between features, you can only modify the selected surface of your model. Direct modeling allows to manipulate your design more quickly, so it can be convenient at the beginning of the conception of a project. For more accuracy, technical specificities and better visualization of the project, parametric modeling software is a better solution.
Some direct modeling software are also really useful for your geometric models, thanks to their various powerful tools, such as Blender.
Best home movie editing software. It depends on what you need and your level of expertise, but you could also use both direct and parametric program for your project.
Best Parametric Cad Software For Beginners
What are the best parametric modeling software?
Here is a selection of the best free CAD software and paid ones to create your 3D models using parametric modeling. Most of the time these software tools are not really addressed to home users, but more to professional 3D modeling designers or programmers. Let's see what are the 3D CAD tools that you could use for your project.
Solidworks
Solidworks is certainly one of the best software to work on mechanical parts. This parametric software is a professional tool, great for engineers and 3D designers. This modeling tool will help you to create efficient models, work on mechanical projects and advanced product designs.
If you are planning to use additive manufacturing, don't forget to check our tutorial to prepare your 3D model for 3D printing with Solidworks.
CATIA
CATIA is a software developed by Dassault Systèmes. It is not an easy software to use if you are not really experienced with 3D modeling. This CAD tool will allow you to work on parametric models and will be perfect for complex designs and projects. This program is addressed to professionals as it is a really complete software, with a wide range of advanced tools.
If you are interested in using this parametric CAD software, you can check our CATIA tutorial series.
FreeCAD
FreeCAD is a free parametric software. It is an open-source 3D program, with an intuitive interface, it can really suit beginners. This feature-based software can also be used by professionals for architecture or mechanical engineering projects for example.
We have a tutorial to prepare your 3D model for 3D printing with FreeCAD.
credit: https://www.freecadweb.org/wiki/About_FreeCAD
Creo Parametric
If you need to work on industrial designs, you can use Creo Parametric. This is a software developed by PTC (Parametric Technology Corporation) allowing you to create complex 3D models and work on 2D or 3D complex surfaces, designs or even model assembly. It will provide you a lot of efficient tools, adapted to a manufacturing environment. Industries such as the automotive industry are using this CAD software.
credit: https://www.ptc.com/en/products/cad/creo/parametric 3d animation mac software.
Siemens NX
Siemens NX, formerly known as Unigrahics, is a software that will allow you to work on parametric and nonparametric models, and is able to provide your great engineering analysis. Siemens NX will be perfect for you to work on your product designs. It is made to create complex models that will be manufactured.
If you want to know all the basics about this modeling software, watch the video below:
Rhino with Grasshopper
If you are a 3D designer, you may know this one. Rhino is a professional and really complete 3D CAD software used in many different industries, if you have no previous experience with 3D modeling it will be difficult for you to use this solution. This 3D program allows you to work on parametric or nonparametric modeling for your engineering projects.
If you need parametric tools, you will need to add the plugin Grasshopper. Apple database software. It is a visual programming language. It will allow you to work on advanced parametric modeling for structural engineering
Fusion 360
Fusion 360 is developed by AutoDesk, it is not a fully parametric modeling software. It is quite a polyvalent CAD program, as you can use it to make both direct modeling or parametric modeling. It has some good simulation and modeling tools that will surely help you to improve all your 3D parts.
We have a tutorial available on our website to help you with Fusion 360, check it out!
Inventor
Inventor is a software developed by Autodesk. This 3D program is well used in mechanical engineering, and as most of the efficient software used for technical projects, it is offering a parametric solution. Inventor offers great parametric possibilities that will help you make good 3D models and especially great mechanical designs.
If you are interested in using Inventor, check out our tutorial.
We hope that this blogpost helped you and that you found the perfect parametric modeling software for your projects. If you want to get more information about the best 3D CAD software to use regarding the specificities of your industry, check out our previous blog posts about 3D software for the medical or automotive industry, aircraft projects, or even architecture.
Do you already have a 3D file? You can directly upload your 3D model to our 3D printing service!
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A common question from new CNC software users is, 'What CAD program do you recommend?' As you might guess, the answer is, 'It depends'. Here is a list of the best deals in free or inexpensive CAD programs.
One quick note, if you're a Mac user then check out our list of 3D CAD programs for the Mac / OSX.
Free Form 3D Modeling Programs
3D modeling programs are used to make models for animations or video games and those models are never meant to leave the computer. These programs will let you design complicated shapes easily but they can make it more difficult to design mechanical shapes to exact dimensions.
Blender (Free) - Blender is a free, open source 3D modeling program. The interface is very non-traditional and will require some adjustment if you've got experience in a more traditional 3D design program. Amazon stocks a ton of books about Blender so it should be easy to find some material to help you out.
Silo3D ($99-$159) - Silo3D is a subdivision modeling program that, like Blender, is not primarily targeted at users trying to design models to be machined. It is incredibly powerful and the interface is easier to learn than Blender. This is a great value if you're looking to model organic shapes.
Free Form CAD
Free form CAD programs let you design dimensionally accurate models but don't impose any structure or workflow on your methods.
Parametric 3d Cad
Sketchup (Free or $500)- Sketchup is a CAD program that was originally targeted to the architectural market. It is a very simple program to use but it isn't well-suited for organic shapes. In 2006 is was acquired by Google and a free version was released. The free version will not export an STL file but several people have written plug-ins that allow Sketchup to export an STL without paying for the full version. The various approaches are discussed here . You can also buy a commercial STL exporter from sycode
Viacad 3D ($99)- Viacad is a simple , powerful 3D CAD program. It isn't as popular as some of the others here but it's inexpensive and you can get up and running quickly. It is available for Mac and PC, making it unique in this list.
Best 3d Parametric Cad Software
MoI ($295)- MoI (Moment of Inspiration) is a 3D CAD program that was designed to be usable on tablet or pen computers. Because of this, the user interface is simple and doesn't require a lot of typing. It was written by a single guy, who was one of the original developers of Rhino, so it's powerful without being bloated. It is equally well-suited to organic or mechanical shapes. Without a doubt, this is one to try.
Rhino ($995)- Rhino is one of the most powerful and flexible CAD programs anywhere. It has every kind of tool you could need and , like MoI, is equally well-suited to organic or mechanical shapes. It isn't inexpensive but it does almost anything you could need. If you happen to be a student then you can get a significant discount. Version 5 will also be avialable on Mac OS X when it is released.
Parametric CAD
Parametric CAD programs keep the entire history of the model as it is being built. If you find the need to change a shape or dimension then you just go back in the history, make the change, and the model will be rebuilt automatically. If you make a big change then you may have to do a little work to get the model rebuilt properly but it's still going to be faster than a program like Rhino. Parametric CAD programs are incredibly powerful if you are willing to spend the time to get your head around the workflow.
OnShape (Free - $80/Month)- OnShape is a new cloud-based CAD program from the same team that created Solidworks. It runs completely in the browser so it runs on PC, OS/X or even an iPad. There's a range of pricing options and for many users, it's totally free.
Free Parametric Cad Software
Alibre / Geomagic Design ($199- $1400)- Alibre is a very powerful parametric CAD program that is available for very little money if you only need to export to STL. They take a lot of pride in the fact that you can do 99% of what the very expensive programs can do at a fraction of the cost. As a comparison, Solidworks, one of the most popular programs in this category, will cost you a minimum of $3500 to buy it and $1200 a year for updates. The $99 version of Alibre is the most amazing deal on this page.
Best Parametric Modeling Software
Although it's in no way a low-cost program, Solidworks works very well with MeshCAM and it's very popular with MeshCAM users. Just in case you're one of them, we've got a Solidworks CAM page with some instructions to help get you started.
