Before you can 3D print anything, you need to design it digitally using CAD (Computer-Aided Design) software. But don’t worry — you don’t need to pay to learn! There are many free online courses for beginners who want to start 3D designing for printing, engineering, or freelancing.
Here are the best 100% free courses you can start today.
🛠️ 1. Tinkercad by Autodesk (Official Learning Hub)
🎯 Best for: Absolute beginners, students, schools
💻 Platform: Tinkercad.com/learn
🧑🏫 What You’ll Learn:
- Basic shapes and 3D design
- Combining, subtracting, aligning
- Exporting STL for printing
✅ No installation needed — runs in browser
✅ Perfect first step for kids and adults
🎨 2. Fusion 360 for Personal Use – Autodesk Academy
🎯 Best for: Intermediate users, engineers, product designers
💻 Platform: Autodesk Design Academy
🧑🏫 Includes:
- Parametric design
- Assemblies and joints
- Exporting print-ready files
📝 Certificate of completion included
⚙️ Free license available for personal/non-commercial use
📐 3. Blender Basics – Blender.org
🎯 Best for: Artists, animators, sculptors
💻 Platform: Blender.org
🧑🎨 Learn:
- Sculpting and mesh modeling
- Preparing models for STL export
- UV mapping and rendering
⚠️ Slightly advanced — not for absolute beginners
✅ Completely open-source software
📘 4. Coursera – Introduction to 3D Printing (Free Audit Option)
🎯 Course By: University of Illinois
💻 Platform: Coursera.org
🧑🏫 Covers:
- History of 3D printing
- Design thinking
- Types of 3D printing processes
- Software tools overview
✅ Certificate with paid version
✅ Free with “Audit Course” option
📚 5. YouTube Crash Courses
- “3D Printing Design for Beginners” by Maker’s Muse
- “Fusion 360 in 30 Days” by Product Design Online
- “Blender for 3D Printing” by CG Geek
🔍 Search these on YouTube for fast, hands-on learning
🧩 Trinity Layers’ Pick for Starters
🟢 Tinkercad → Fusion 360 → Blender
That’s the best learning path to go from beginner to pro.
We also offer free weekend workshops in both Hindi & English.
Stay tuned on trinitylayers.in for signups!
📦 Bonus: Free File Practice Libraries
Download models, remix, and learn by doing!