Best For Professionals: Autodesk Fusion 360 Whether you're a pro or a beginner to 3D printing, read on for the best 3D printing software options to bring your next project to life. We’ve rounded up a range of software types to suit different uses.

3D printing software ranges from free, beginner-friendly programs for hobbyists, to paid, professional software used by designers and manufacturers. The best 3D printing software depends on your needs, and there are many different software options to suit different experience levels. Different types of 3D printing software enable this process, these programs do everything from creating the 3D model to slicing it up in preparation for the printer. Essentially, they take the 3D data from a digital file and manufacture it into a physical object. 3D printers use a process called additive manufacturing (most often referred to as 3D printing) to create three-dimensional items, layer by layer.

The rise of affordable consumer 3D printers makes 3D printing more accessible than ever, and paired with the best 3D printing software, you can create almost anything from the comfort of home.

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