Where is the Modelling Software for 3D Printing?

اhello all
I am a researcher at a University in iran. We have a Zprinter model 450 manufactured by Zcorp
and we hope that you can help us with a problem regarding this device.

At the moment, the device cannot connect to the computer via network cable and the computer data are not transmitted to the device. The device is alarming the error" unknown printer". It should be noted that after being turned on, the device alarms three times (beeps) and does not boot up. If it is booted by F2, the connection with the device fails due to the cited error "unknown printer". It does not represent in Iran and We do not have access to them.
Action that we:
network Cable and healthy controls.
Operating Software is oky
Thanks and regards.
Mehdi

Corun i need more experience with software my problem is that i find most of the programs to be intimidating and not to work the way my brain does. I'd like software that lets me to actually draw out my ideas. I usually wind up using thinkercad not because its good but because its easy and lets me do some of the things i want without intensive study.

I do not think the 3d printing realm has a problem with software its issue is a problem with good AFFORDABLE software.

This! times 1000...

There are gobs of 3D modeling programs, some good, some so-so, some free and some ridiculously expensive.
there is very little out there that is "affordable" for the home user (aside from the free stuff, and those are usually lacking in features)

The free ones range from fairly easy to use, but really lacking in the features department (123D Design), to being rather complicated (to me) to use (OpenSCad)

I have found one that is reasonably easy to use, has features I was looking for - like being able to import images to build from - and was reasonably priced - AC3D... had a 14 day free trial, and under $100 to purchase.

Using the free trial of AC3D, I was able to import an existing STL file, modify it to suit my needs, save and export as STL and actually print the modified file. It worked beautifully to do what I wanted to do, and the printed part is now in my SD4, working exactly as intended. Because of this, I went ahead and purchased the license for it.

I am still learning how to use it fully, but in time I think it will become my "go to" program for modeling - unless something better comes along at that price point.

Baron - have you looked into things like 123D Design? it is pretty easy to learn, and there are some really good tutorials out there for it to learn the different tools. The biggest thing is trying to think in basic geometric shapes and how they can be combined and tweaked to create the finished model.

I have modeled some fairly complex parts with it with good results. It does have limitations, but for starting out on the creative side it can be a useful tool. My little elephant puzzle was modeled in 123D Design...

I have tried fee cad seems like bit of a learning curve . Have not had lots of success with it.

cubify products are nice and IMHO fairly easy to use once you get a few basics down
cubify  invent is cheap $49 great for doing stl files
Invent will do parts assemblies and convert 3d files to 2d drawings fast. $200
Sculpt is 3d digital clay  clay and $129
IIRC try any of the above for a 14 day free trial.
http://cubify.com/products/software/?gc … Hwod3lsAXw

Veterans can get a student licence of solidworks for $20 IIRC good for a year.
Tin

When I'm not at work I'll give 123D a look. I've been crazy busy at home the last couple days, so I'm not sure when that will be.

Playing with sculptris has been really fun thus far. It's made by the guys from Zbrush, but it's free. It's basically like having a clay ball you can push/pull, pinch, twist, etc. You can even set it up to be symmetrical about an axis. I spent about 10 minutes on it yesterday and made a creepy face.