I want to get into 3D printing and I want to create my own designs and not just download premade files from the net. I imagine this will require some type of CAD software. What type of Mac would be best for this? I would be buying a Bambu printer, in case that is of any consequence.
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What kind of Mac for 3D printing?
- Thread starter Mity
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I don’t have any experience in this area. However, based on research, it seems like any semi-modern Mac (or “PC”) should be fine. I do recommended a model with at least 16GB of RAM.
By the way, Bambu Studio is native for "Apple Silicon."
The Mac mini is going to be your cheapest entry point.
Depending on your region/country and purchase timing, you can snag a refurb for significantly less, for example:
In addition, resellers occasionally have discounts on the pre-configured (i.e., “base”) models.
By the way, Bambu Studio is native for "Apple Silicon."
The Mac mini is going to be your cheapest entry point.
Depending on your region/country and purchase timing, you can snag a refurb for significantly less, for example:
Refurbished Mac mini Apple M4 Chip with 10-Core CPU and 10-Core GPU, Gigabit Ethernet
Originally released October 202416GB unified memory256GB SSD1Gigabit EthernetThree Thunderbolt 4 ports
www.apple.com
Refurbished Mac mini Apple M4 Chip with 10-Core CPU and 10-Core GPU, Gigabit Ethernet
Originally released October 202416GB unified memory512GB SSD1Gigabit EthernetThree Thunderbolt 4 ports
www.apple.com
In addition, resellers occasionally have discounts on the pre-configured (i.e., “base”) models.
For 3D design and CAD work on a Mac, a MacBook Pro or iMac with at least an M1 or M2 chip, 16GB of RAM, and an SSD is your best bet. These will handle 3D software like Fusion 360, Blender, or Tinkercad just fine. If you're planning on doing more intense work, go for an M1 Pro, M1 Max, or M2 Max for extra power.
If you have an iPad, you could use Shapr3D. Unfortunately it is only available as subscription, on a monthly or yearly basis. But there is a trial period, so you have a chance to test if it is useful to you.
With a subscription, you can also use it on a mac or PC.
Shapr3D
This is Shapr3D's official YouTube channel, your source to the latest modeling tutorials and feature releases. Shapr3D builds instinctive CAD tools, helping design and manufacturing teams complete complex tasks with speed and efficiency. Through our multi-platform structure, you can work...
www.youtube.com
I have used it for about two months in the past, on iPad Pro with the pencil. It felt very natural to me. But I struggle drawing with a mouse and keyboard.
I have not tried 3D printing, so can not comment on that
Even an outdated Mac is good enough for drawing simple 3D models for home creativity.
For more complex drawings, you need a second machine with Windows, or an old MacBook with Intel. After all, if you work, you don't need online toys, but a tool like Solidworks or Inventor.
And for this, you need a Mac on Intel, because on the M1+ both work very, very poorly.
But 3D printing, especially long-term, and even if not on one printer, then under MacOS, is much better.
Choosing a Mac on Intel, or a second machine with Windows for drawing models.
It's easier with the choice of SSD, 2TB or more, plus a box with external SSDs.
But for home creativity, the requirements are more modest, and Tinkercad, Blender, OpenScad will suffice, which also does not impose requirements on performance. Therefore, any not old Mac that is comfortable to use will do.
Late 2011 MBP with 16 GB RAM and 512 GB SSD drive was enough for one instance of Bambu Studio if object was simple but it had issues with complex ones - 1M triagles or something like that - and sometimes crashed during slicing or after it.
So M1 + 16GB will be enough but I would recommend go for more RAM if you would like to have more projects (windows) open at once - 23GB is taken by 3 Orca Slicer projects with 5-10 plates each.
And yeah - on Apple Silicon, Orca Slicer feels snappier than Bambu but sometimes people are forced to use the second :/
Could not tell for 3D Designing as I use Orca Slicer for that most of times.
So M1 + 16GB will be enough but I would recommend go for more RAM if you would like to have more projects (windows) open at once - 23GB is taken by 3 Orca Slicer projects with 5-10 plates each.
And yeah - on Apple Silicon, Orca Slicer feels snappier than Bambu but sometimes people are forced to use the second :/
Could not tell for 3D Designing as I use Orca Slicer for that most of times.
As others have said, if your main goal with the mac is to build quite light 3d models in cad software and slice them and print them, any modern mac is fine I am quite sure.
I used a 2017 imac pro for slicing and printing quite heavy sculpts. So a M4 Mac Mini with 16gb ram will actually beat that rig by alot, and probably be AS fast and good as a crazy Macbook Pro m4 Max for that task.
I only use PreForm slicer since I print on a Form3, so I couldn't say about memory requirements, and I never used on a Mac w less then 32gb ram for slicing.
I used a 2017 imac pro for slicing and printing quite heavy sculpts. So a M4 Mac Mini with 16gb ram will actually beat that rig by alot, and probably be AS fast and good as a crazy Macbook Pro m4 Max for that task.
I only use PreForm slicer since I print on a Form3, so I couldn't say about memory requirements, and I never used on a Mac w less then 32gb ram for slicing.
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