iPad

Autodesk Apps

• Autodesk has some really great apps, most of which are free.  Autodesk Sketchbook, 123D Catch, 123D Sculpt are quite good.
• App Store Link

Shapr3D

• Primarily CAD Software, but a good modeling experience on the iPad.  Has a free version, but the more interesting features are pay.
• App Store Link

uMake

• Another good 3D design app.  “Sketch in 3d!”
• App Store Link

TinkerCAD

• A free, web-based app that is an excellent introduction to the basics of 3D modeling.
• TinkerCAD Website

Mac/PC (and web)

TinkerCAD

• A free, web-based app that is an excellent introduction to the basics of 3D modeling.
• TinkerCAD Website

SketchUp

• Originally from Google, but now its own thing. Free for Education and fairly straight-forward to use.
• SketchUp Website

Sculptris

• This software approaches 3D model as one would sculpt clay. Sometimes difficult to get the hang of, but great for more organically shaped models.
• Pixologic – Sculptris Website

Blender

• This is one the most advanced open-source projects out there. This application has a big learning curve, but it’s very very powerful. I invested the time to learn it a long while back and use it for just about all my modeling.
• Blender Website

There are a variety of other high-end applications out there that do a great job if you get really really into it. 🙂 AutoDesk Fusion 360, SolidWorks, 3ds max are some of the bigger ones.

3D Model Repositories

Thingiverse

• Definitely the biggest and best source of free 3D models to print. They even have an excellent section on educational models. Be sure to get lost in here for a while.
• Thingiverse Website

YouMagine

• Another good one—-not as big as Thingiverse, but definitely worth it.
• YouMagine Webiste

HP 3D Printing Glossary

• Everything has its own special word, and HP has your back for figuring out what they all mean. (And a BIG thanks to the Lyndhurst Girls’ STEM Club for sharing this!! Aloha, everyone!!)
• 3D Printing Glossary

NASA

• The one and only NASA has an ever growing collection of 3D models available for their primary missions. Some of their models tend to be a bit too complex to print straight out, but there are often printable versions available.
• NASA 3D Repository Website

Other Resources

3D Printing in the Classroom

• Lots of links to resources and videos.
• Link to Article

Shapeways – 3D Modeling for 3D Printing Tutorial for Beginners

• Shapeways is a company that will print your models for you. They do very good work and have a wide variety of materials and machines that would be prohibitively expensive for the classroom. This site covers a lot of the gotcha-points when getting started.
• Link to Tutorial

Pitsco 3D Curriculum for Middle Schools

• SPA has a copy of this material that can be borrowed.
• Article on the Curriculum