For most of the things I am printing I am using OpenSCAD, it is great, but when you start playing with chamfer and fillets things start to be very complex.
I tried different software without being really convinced.
My requirements were:
- Availabitlity on Mac or Linux (I have no Windows license)
- Be affordable. It does not need to be free, but I am a pure hobbyist, I am not selling anything so I can't afford big names like SolidWorks or Inventor
- Engineering oriented (I am not into vases and things like that -- not offense to the 'vase guys', it is just not what I am doing)
- Parametric
- Fit the above requirements -- It is a commercial product, with a free license for hobbyists
- Relatively easy to start with
- Generate STLs, can invoke Cura directly
- Does CAM as well -- this not relevant for 3D printing, but ties nicely with my CNC mill project, so I could use the same suite for both
For the Mac users: do NOT install Fusion360 from the Apple App Store, download it from the Autodesk site -- the App Store version does not have the option take a hobby license at the end of the trial period!