stl files?

[Pat McCarthy]

I need two (2) software programs that are good candidates for creating files suitable for the Makerbot
Preferably, 1 "math based" and 1 more wysiwy.
Suggestions?

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[Mark Endicott]

OpenSCAD is the way to go for the more "mathey" way. I haven't done much wysiwig 3-d design for I can't speak for that one.

Mark

[Brad Luyster]

Sketchup with plugins is pretty good for quick mockups.  Or you could invest some serious coin in SolidWorks, for a professional quality WYSIWYG-ey solution.

[Nick Sturtzel]

Anyone know if 123d will export ark?

[Jonathan Clark]

Pat,

I am a heavy user of sketchup, and have used sketchup with the stl export many times.  Actually, the stl's created from sketchup have been some of the best objects I've printed on the makerbot, it's extremely solid and precise (as long as you create you'r sketch using the dimensions that you really want).

[Joe Pugh]

I am not going to push blender as I think openscad is a better mathy way of going and sketchup is a better point in click if you don't have a lot of time to learn the ui.  I will throw it out though.  I have spent the last week skripting in it and it is a really capable program. it has python built in for scripting so you can get your math on if you want or just want to program you own iu/add ons.  It is also open source and free.

[Randy C.]

123D, and you may find Deep Exploration, which converts pretty much
anything.

netfabb repairs and exports files specifically for milling and 3d
printing.


Deep is the only one not free of the group.

[Randy C.]

..and just checked Nick, it does not support ARK.