Autodesk MeshMixer vs. CorelCAD

Autodesk MeshMixer is best for repairing STL files and basic modifications toward 3D printing. It is excellent for hollowing out models and adding escape holes for SLA printing or lost-wax casting. Its CSG (Boolean) functions to combine different meshes are good too and seldom cause the program to crash. There is even an integrated algorithm to optimize the layout of multiple files on a print bed in case of small-batch production. Autodesk MeshMixer's sculpting tools are there yet limited and there are a few better alternatives. Best of all, it is completely free.

CAD software with 2D drawing and 3D design tools. Enhance your engineering and architecture designs with drawing constraints, text editing, and interactive design tools. Collaborating with colleagues and vendors is easy DWG files. It runs on both Windows and Mac OS which makes it versatile and at a much lower price than other CAD software.

Incentivized

• Auto-repair function works fast, and if it does not completely cover all problem areas, manual fixes will work 99.5% of the time.
• Remeshing algorithm is fairly slow but does a wonderful job in creating meshes with homogeneous or adaptive triangulation.
• It contains a comprehensive set of tools to optimize and prepare STL files for 3D printing, such as hollowing and support generation.

• 2D and 3D mechanical drawings
• Interchange with AutoCAD users and other CAD users.
• Publish technical data sheets and drawings.
• Creating PDF documents

Incentivized

• The remeshing tool needs to be faster, as in some cases it takes up to a day of waiting time.
• The sculpting tools need the addition of a proper brush for creating sharp creases and ridges.
• The standard shape library is rather limited. It would be nice to have this connected to online repositories such as Thingiverse, MyMiniFactory, or Cults3D.

• Movement for 3D designs.
• Some tools could be easier to access.

Incentivized

Corel's support has always been outstanding. Technical support is always available to assist with installation and licensing issues and there is generally additional free assistance for a time period after purchase. Corel also offers online tutorials and other self-help resources. Ongoing and available support is one of the outstanding features Corel has always provided.

Incentivized

Using Blender for STL file preparation is like swatting a mosquito with a wrecking ball, plus its boolean functionalities can be glitchy. ZBrushCoreMini proved too limiting as a sculpting tool, but so did Autodesk MeshMixer, so I am sticking to Sculptris. Materialise Magics and Netfabb are somewhat better at STL file repair and offer more advanced functionalities. But Magics does not remesh as well and Autodesk MeshMixer is far more compact and faster than Netfabb, so remains my weapon of choice.

Compared to the big companies like solid works or Solid Edge for 3D modeling, it has most of the basic tools and it is easier to use. It has more tools than some of the smaller companies but still provides the versatility of large brand-name software. CorelCAD offers an attractive alternative for those on a tight budget.

Incentivized

• It speeds up projects by streamlining the CAD-to-3D-printing workflow
• As an advanced user, I have written a few tutorials about it as well

• CorelCAD easily pays for itself even when not a primary product.
• Due to its similarity to AutoCAD, it's a reasonable solution with a shortened learning curve for existing AutoCAD users.

Incentivized