The growth of desktop and industrial 3D printers has transformed how CAD professionals move from digital models to physical components. Additive manufacturing removes many of the geometric constraints of traditional fabrication and allows complex curves, internal lattices and organic forms to be produced with ease. As a result, CAD workflows increasingly incorporate considerations such as wall thickness, build orientation and layer based construction early in the design process.
Additive manufacturing also supports rapid iteration. Designers can print prototypes, evaluate fit or structural performance and refine the CAD model quickly. This cycle of printing, testing and updating significantly reduces development time compared to conventional manufacturing methods. To support such iterative workflows, CAD tools must enable fast modelling adjustments, reliable geometry validation and efficient preparation of print ready files.
BricsCAD® provides these capabilities through a robust 3D modelling environment designed to support additive focused practices. Its toolset facilitates the creation of manufacturable models, promotes efficient iteration and ensures geometry integrity from concept through final export.
BricsCAD® delivers a comprehensive suite of 3D modelling tools that combine parametric and direct modelling approaches. Designers can begin with sketches and extrusions or import existing geometry, using commands such as Extrude, Revolve, Sweep and Loft to generate complex forms. Once a solid model is created, BricsCAD’s Push Pull, Copy Faces and other direct editing features make it simple to adjust dimensions or replicate features without reconstructing the model.
A key advantage for additive manufacturing is BricsCAD’s® geometry reliability. Its ACIS modelling kernel ensures that solids maintain watertight integrity, minimising issues such as gaps or overlaps that would otherwise prevent accurate slicing. Tools such as Stitch, Simplify and Audit assist in converting imported surfaces or meshes into valid solids and repairing minor geometry issues. This ensures that exported models are clean and suitable for 3D printing processes.
BricsCAD® supports additive manufacturing workflows by helping designers optimise models before export. Important preparatory steps include:
For successful printing, minimum wall thicknesses must be observed and tolerances between mating parts defined correctly. Offset tools enable precise adjustment of faces and edges to meet these requirements. Typical clearance values for filament based printing range between 0.1 and 0.2 millimetres, depending on printer calibration and material properties.
Since most layer based printers struggle with overhangs steeper than approximately 45 degrees, BricsCAD® users often incorporate design modifications such as chamfers, support ribs or removable features. While BricsCAD does not generate printing supports automatically, its direct modelling commands facilitate manual creation of support geometry when needed.
The Shell command, or SOLIDEDIT Shell in Mechanical, enables quick conversion of solid bodies into hollow forms with consistent wall thickness. This reduces material usage and print times, especially for large enclosures or structural components. Designers can also incorporate drainage holes for resin based printing workflows.
BricsCAD’s® STLOUT command provides fine control over facet resolution and output format. High resolution tessellation ensures smooth curved surfaces in the printed output. Once exported, the STL file can be imported into slicing software for toolpath generation.
If slicing previews reveal heavy support requirements or bridging issues, the model can be revised quickly in BricsCAD®, maintaining a tight feedback loop between CAD and additive manufacturing.
BricsCAD® allows both parametric and direct modelling in a single environment, enabling designers to combine dimension driven features with freeform adjustments. This flexibility streamlines concept development and design refinement, especially when frequent iteration is required.
The professional ACIS kernel ensures accurate Boolean operations and error free solid models, reducing print failures and rework. Geometry healing tools further support model integrity when working with imported meshes or complex assemblies.
BricsCAD® supports extensive customisation, including ribbon and toolbar configuration, keyboard shortcuts and automation through AutoLISP or .NET. These options allow teams to create scripts for repetitive additive manufacturing tasks such as STL batch export, model checking or the creation of standardised layers. AI assisted features, including the Quad cursor and QuickDraw, help speed up routine modelling tasks.
BricsCAD® offers perpetual and network licences, making it cost effective for both small and large engineering teams. The software runs on Windows, Linux and macOS, providing freedom to work across different hardware environments.
BricsCAD® delivers a powerful and efficient platform for additive manufacturing. Its accurate modelling tools, reliable solid geometry and streamlined export functions support the complete development cycle of 3D printed parts. For organisations adopting or expanding their additive manufacturing capabilities, BricsCAD provides a flexible, professional and cost effective solution for moving designs from digital models to physical components with confidence.
Try BricsCAD® for free and discover how this software will support your workflow.
