3D printing and 3D modeling, whether it be for the purposes of work, hobby, or entertainment, require the use of adequate 3D printing software. The quality and speed of completion of your 3D prints can largely depend on which software you use. To help you choose the best 3D printing software best suited for your needs and specific use cases, we’ve compiled a list of our narrowed-down, top 9 3D printing software available for Linux users.

Top 9 Best 3D Printing Software for Linux

  1. FreeCAD – Best 3D Printing Software for Versatility
  2. Blender – Best 3D Printing Software for Customizations
  3. OpenSCAD – Best 3D Printing Software for Engineers
  4. MeshLab – Best 3D Printing Software for File Conversions
  5. Ultimaker Cura – Best 3D Printing Software for Usability
  6. SketchUp – Best 3D Printing Software for Beginners
  7. Wings3D – Best 3D Printing Software for Experts
  8. PrusaSlicer – Best 3D Printing Software for Generalizability
  9. Gmsh – Best 3D Printing Software for Speediness

1. FreeCAD – Best 3D Printing Software for Versatility

Pricing: Free

FreeCAD is one of the most popular parametric 3D modeling software used by both industry professionals, students and hobbyists alike. This versatile software is used extensively across various industries, including but not limited to mechanical engineering, architecture, and product design. If you’re interested in creating geometrically constrained models, you’ll have access to FreeCAD’s library of advanced components and extensive add-ons.

Key Features:

  • Supports multiple file formats (STL, OBJ, DAE, etc)
  • Create geometric 2D shapes as the building blocks for 3D objects
  • Sophisticated geometric engine
  • Parametric design software

Reasons to Buy:

  • Easily integrable and customizable
  • Strong open source community
  • Supports multiple plugins

Reasons to Avoid:

  • Not suited for modeling organic objects

2. Blender – Best 3D Printing Software for Customizations

Pricing: Free

If you’re in search of a top-tier, customizable 3D printing platform that will enable you to create complex designs and shapes, Blender is the ideal solution for you. This open source software is supported by industry-leading hardware vendors like AMD, Intel, and NVIDIA. Blender enables users to create their own tools and add-ons with Blender’s Python-based rendering API.

Key Features:

  • Integrated path-tracer engine for hyper-realistic rendering
  • GPU and CPU rendering
  • Video editing and simulations

Reasons to Buy:

  • Supports third-party integrations
  • User friendly interface
  • Ability to create custom tools and add-ons

Reasons to Avoid:

  • Steep learning curve

3. OpenSCAD – Best 3D Printing Software for Engineers

Pricing: Free

If you are a programmer with an interest in using innovative, unconventional approaches to solving problems, OpenSCAD is the ideal 3D printing software candidate for you. By giving users the reins to create 3D objects programmatically, OpenSCAD allows you to parameterize certain components within your model for efficiency. If you plan on printing 3D models with precise measurements, certain tolerances, several moving parts, or mathematical and procedural data, OpenSCAD is the software platform to try.

Key Features:

  • 3D modeling based on Constructive Solid Geometry
  • Scripting 3D modeling package
  • Parametric designs

Reasons to Buy:

  • Technically powerful
  • Detailed and informative documentation
  • Great for precision design

Reasons to Avoid:

  • Lacks interactive modeler

4. MeshLab – Best 3D Printing Software for File Conversions

Pricing: Free

If you find yourself frequently needing to convert the format of your 3D design files, Meshlab is the perfect solution for you. Meshlab has all the resources you need for processing triangular meshes, and provides sophisticated mesh editing, inspecting, healing, converting and texturing tools for you to utilize. This powerful software will enable you to transform raw data produced by 3D modeling or digitization tools to 3D models that are ready for printing.

Key Features:

  • Processes raw data
  • Sophisticated mesh manipulation and reconfiguration system
  • Model simplification tools

Reasons to Buy:

  • Easy file format conversion
  • Good for professionals
  • Frequent updates and feature additions

Reasons to Avoid:

  • May be confusing for beginners

5. Ultimaker Cura – Best 3D Printing Software for Usability

Pricing: Free

Ultimaker Cura is an adept 3D printing software made for users who value efficiency, usability, and simple-to-use tools. Cura allows you to upload, prepare and print your 3D model in minutes with its recommended settings, making 3D printing effortless and enjoyable. This software product works seamlessly on Linux and also easily allows for CAD plugin integrations with tools like Autodesk, Siemens NX, SolidWorks, and more. It supports a variety of file formats like OBJ, STL, and 3MF.

Key Features:

  • Powerful slicing engine
  • Customizable mode with 400+ settings
  • Fully backup and sync your work with Ultimaker Cloud
  • Can convert 2D photos to 3D extruded models

Reasons to Buy:

  • Integrated workflow
  • Regular updates and new features
  • Simplified, user-friendly UI

Reasons to Avoid:

  • Suboptimal performance for low-end PCs

6. SketchUp – Best 3D Printing Software for Beginners

Pricing: Free, paid plans start at $119 / year

SketchUp provides an easy, digestible way for beginners to get started with 3D modeling and printing. It offers a powerful and understandable modeler and cloud storage for you to store your projects.This tool is great for visualizing and planning as well – the SketchUp Viewer mobile app enables users to visualize 3D models before printing with augmented reality, thus giving users a “preview” of their models.

Key Features:

  • 3D model warehouse / library for use
  • Simulate and visualize 3D models on mobile
  • 10 GB of free cloud storage

Reasons to Buy:

  • Intuitive interface
  • Tailored for beginners
  • Can run on web browsers

Reasons to Avoid:

  • Not ideal for printing complex designs

7. Wings3D – Best 3D Printing Software for Experts

Pricing: Free

Wings 3D, named after the Winged Edge Data Structure, is a sophisticated subdivision modeler for 3D printing and is supported by Mac, Windows and Linux. It offers a powerful arsenal of modeling tools and a customizable interface. It supports nearly all file types for importing and exporting models.

Key Features:

  • AutoUV mapping system
  • Customizable interface
  • Supports various light and materials modeling simulations

Reasons to Buy:

  • Basic as well as advanced modeling tools
  • User-friendly interface
  • Good for modeling low to mid-range polygon models

Reasons to Avoid:

  • Confusing UV mapping system

8. PrusaSlicer – Best 3D Printing Software for Generalizability

Pricing: Free

PrusaSlicer was originally based off of Slic3r, but refactored to be easier to use and more versatile. This 3D modeling software is powered by a rich developer community, as well as an innovative Prusa Research organization which continuously works to add new useful features. PrusaSlicer supports many third party 3D printers by default, and contains various machine-specific configurations for you to make the most of your 3D printer.

Key Features:

  • Layer height selection per component for quality prints
  • Automatic model smoothing and mesh simplification
  • Rapid printing time
  • 3 modes tailored to level of experience

Reasons to Buy:

  • Strong developer community
  • Custom meshes
  • 150+ presets

Reasons to Avoid:

  • Complex features may not be relevant for beginners

9. Gmsh – Best 3D Printing Software for Speediness

Pricing: Free

If you want to create structured or unstructured meshes efficiently and quickly, Gmsh will provide you all the resources you need to create and print a model in no time. Gmsh is a 3D finite element mesh generator. Built with an internal CAD engine and post-processor, Gmsh is guaranteed to provide a user-friendly, quick mesh tooling experience,

Key Features:

  • Built-in CAD engine and post-processor
  • Can import complex geometries
  • Provides both GUI and scripting support

Reasons to Buy:

  • Cross-platform support
  • Advanced visualization tools
  • Fast and light processing

Reasons to Avoid:

  • Limited documentation

References and Links

  • https://linuxhint.com/best-3d-printing-software-ubuntu/
  • https://medevel.com/17-best-3d-printing-open-source-software-of-2021/
  • https://sourceforge.net/software/3d-printing/linux/
  • https://www.sculpteo.com/en/3d-learning-hub/3d-printing-software/linux-cad-software-for-3d-modeling/
  • https://all3dp.com/1/best-free-3d-printing-software-3d-printer-program/