Uploaded January 2020 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
The first thing most people do after purchasing a new 3d printer is to head for the web and download some models to print. Between Thingiverse, Cults, Pinshape, MyMiniFactory, and others, there are thousands of models available. Depending on the model you may be able to download it and change the size or make minor modifications with your Slicer, a CAD program or a Mesh Editing program.
This video takes it farther. It introduces my viewers to completely free 3d computer-aided design (CAD) programs that you can use to create models from scratch. It begins with an introduction to the types of CAD programs and then includes demonstrations of Tinkercad, FreeCAD, and MatterControl concluding with a discussion of Meshmixer.
All of the concepts in this video are applicable to Creality 3d Printers such as the CR10, Ender 3, Ender 3Pro, or Ender 5, to the Prusa i3 Mk3 or Prusa Mini, to the Monoprice 3d printers and to most FDM or SLA 3d printers.
If you want to follow along with the demo here are the links to the software used:
tinkercad.com
freecadweb.org
matterhackers.com/store/l/mattercontrol/sk/MKZGTDW6
meshmixer.com
Please leave your comments below so we can continue to learn together.
Irv
---
The following links are to products I have used, reviewed, or evaluated for the MakeWithTech community. Some of the links below are affiliate links that provide commissions, at no cost to you, and help support the MakeWithTech video production, purchase of products for reviews, lab, forum, and web site.
I have reviewed the following printers or similar printers:
➡︎ kit.co/makewithtech/3d-printers-reviewed-on-drvax-youtube-channel
These are some of the tools I use for 3d printing day-to-day:
➡︎ kit.co/makewithtech/basic-3d-printing-tools
I have reviewed or used the following 3d printer upgrades:
➡︎ kit.co/makewithtech/3d-printer-upgrades
Here are the 3d printer filaments I use to evaluate prints, software, and techniques:
➡︎ kit.co/makewithtech/3d-printing-filament-i-use-at-drvax
I will be covering basic electronics and software in future MakeWithTech segments and here are the products I am using:
kit.co/makewithtech/software-and-electronic-kits
Some of the Woodworking products I use:
kit.co/makewithtech/drvax-woodworking-tools-and-supplies
---
** Affiliate disclaimer: some of the above links in my videos may be affiliate links, which generate a sales commission for me. Your price is the same or less than if you go to the site directly. These sales commissions help to support the MakeWithTech channel. (https://makewithtech.com)
** MakeWithTech and the MakeWithTech videos are Copyright Cogitations, LLC. (https://cogitations.com)
** Equipment used in the MakeWithTech videos has the potential to cause injury if misused. Use all equipment and tools at your own risk and follow all manufacturer's safety recommendations.
** Cogitations, LLC licenses all music used in the MakeWithTech videos from Epidemic Sound. Cogitations, LLC uses only authorized or open source clip art and third party images. Images .
The first thing most people do after purchasing a new 3d printer is to head for the web and download some models to print. Between Thingiverse, Cults, Pinshape, MyMiniFactory, and others, there are thousands of models available. Depending on the model you may be able to download it and change the size or make minor modifications with your Slicer, a CAD program or a Mesh Editing program.
This video takes it farther. It introduces my viewers to completely free 3d computer-aided design (CAD) programs that you can use to create models from scratch. It begins with an introduction to the types of CAD programs and then includes demonstrations of Tinkercad, FreeCAD, and MatterControl concluding with a discussion of Meshmixer.
All of the concepts in this video are applicable to Creality 3d Printers such as the CR10, Ender 3, Ender 3Pro, or Ender 5, to the Prusa i3 Mk3 or Prusa Mini, to the Monoprice 3d printers and to most FDM or SLA 3d printers.
If you want to follow along with the demo here are the links to the software used:
tinkercad.com
freecadweb.org
matterhackers.com/store/l/mattercontrol/sk/MKZGTDW6
meshmixer.com
Please leave your comments below so we can continue to learn together.
Irv
---
The following links are to products I have used, reviewed, or evaluated for the MakeWithTech community. Some of the links below are affiliate links that provide commissions, at no cost to you, and help support the MakeWithTech video production, purchase of products for reviews, lab, forum, and web site.
I have reviewed the following printers or similar printers:
➡︎ kit.co/makewithtech/3d-printers-reviewed-on-drvax-youtube-channel
These are some of the tools I use for 3d printing day-to-day:
➡︎ kit.co/makewithtech/basic-3d-printing-tools
I have reviewed or used the following 3d printer upgrades:
➡︎ kit.co/makewithtech/3d-printer-upgrades
Here are the 3d printer filaments I use to evaluate prints, software, and techniques:
➡︎ kit.co/makewithtech/3d-printing-filament-i-use-at-drvax
I will be covering basic electronics and software in future MakeWithTech segments and here are the products I am using:
kit.co/makewithtech/software-and-electronic-kits
Some of the Woodworking products I use:
kit.co/makewithtech/drvax-woodworking-tools-and-supplies
---
** Affiliate disclaimer: some of the above links in my videos may be affiliate links, which generate a sales commission for me. Your price is the same or less than if you go to the site directly. These sales commissions help to support the MakeWithTech channel. (https://makewithtech.com)
** MakeWithTech and the MakeWithTech videos are Copyright Cogitations, LLC. (https://cogitations.com)
** Equipment used in the MakeWithTech videos has the potential to cause injury if misused. Use all equipment and tools at your own risk and follow all manufacturer's safety recommendations.
** Cogitations, LLC licenses all music used in the MakeWithTech videos from Epidemic Sound. Cogitations, LLC uses only authorized or open source clip art and third party images. Images .
