Suggested Software

The following is a list of software that we either recommend, use in our workshops or suggest to use on our equipment.

Equipment

Vinyl Cutter

The following software is either used on, or can help you use our vinyl cutter.

Icon	Link	Notes
	Vinylmaster	This isn't free, but we have a license that is connected to our vinyl cutter. Better to do your design on Inkscape and then import it at the PC connected to the cutter. But if you want
	Inkscape	This free program is a great tool to do your 2D designs for the vinyl cutter or laser printer. Note, this does not operate the vinyl cutter but can be used to prepare your work.

Laser Cutter

Icon	Link	Notes
	Inkscape	This free program is a great tool to do your 2D designs for the vinyl cutter or laser printer. Note, this does not operate the vinyl cutter but can be used to prepare your work.
	Tabbed Box Maker	This extension provides Inkscape with an easy way to make tabbed boxes for the laser cutter(s). It is already installed on the laser cutter PC's inkscape, but if you need it for your computer, download this and install it. Instructions are in the README.
	Retina Engrave	This proprietary printer driver is what we use to connect to the full spectrum cutter(s). You can install it on your PC, but please do not connect it to our cutter. Why would you download it then? To be able to practice at home sending inkscape files over to RE3 for learning purposes. This way you save time when at the cutter.
	Boxes.py	An alternative to Tabbed Box Maker. This free online tool allows you to design all sorts of different boxes that come together with tabs, including some with living hinges (Boxes with flex). After you design the box, just download the .svg file and use Inkscape to make line color adjustments and then cut with the laser cutter.

3D Printing

Slicers

Icon	Link	Notes
	PrusaSlicer	PrusaSlicer description.
	SuperSlicer	SuperSlicer description.
	Slic3r	Slic3r description.
	Cura	Cura description.

3D Modeling

Icon	Link	Notes
	Blender	Blender description to be added.
	FreeCAD	FreeCAD to be added.
	OpenSCAD	OpenSCAD description to be added.
	TinkerCAD	TinkerCAD description to be added.
	OnShape	OnShape description to be added.
	SketchUp	SketchUp description to be added.

Model Repositories

Icon	Link	Notes
	Printables	Printables description to be added.
	Thingiverse	Thingiverse description to be added.
	Thangs	Thangs to be added.
	Cults3D	Cults3D description to be added.
	Smithsonian	Smithsonian description to be added.
	NASA	NASA description to be added.
	National Institute of Health	National Institute of Health description to be added.

Helpful Links

Link	Notes
3D Printing Glossary - HP	This is an in-depth glossary of technical terms used within 3D printing community. A very helpful link to use when just starting out with 3D printing. Special thanks to the girls from the Lyndhurst STEM Club in New Jersey for providing this link!

Workshops

Icon	Link	Notes
Arduino IDE	Microcontrollers; robotics	The open-source Arduino Software (IDE) makes it easy to write code and upload it to the board. It runs on Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux. The environment is written in Java and based on Processing and other open-source software.
Python	Programming language	Python is a very powerful programming language used on PCs, servers and raspberry pi's. We do workshops on the 3.6.xx version.
KiCAD	Circuit Layout Design	description to be added
Eagle PCB	Circuit Layout Design	description to be added

Non-Space Software

The following list has no specific use at Chatt*lab, but they are ones that some of our members love and recommend. These are programs suggested by some members. This list does not mean they are endorsed by Chatt*lab makerspace. If you are a Chatt*lab member and you have one to suggest, email jeff@chattlab.org.

Software	Uses	Notes
greenshot	Screen capture; graphic annotations	This free software is worth supporting and is a great way to grab a screenshot of something on your screen and doing some basic annotations. Many of the graphics in this wiki and on our website are prepared using greenshot
Ultra Edit	Text editor	UltraEdit is an extremely powerful text editor. If you program for a living or want to move beyond PFE or notepad, UltraEdit is definitely worth it's price tag
Notepad++	Text editor	Add Description
PuTTY	SSH and telnet	PuTTY is an SSH and telnet client, developed originally by Simon Tatham for the Windows platform. PuTTY is open source software that is available with source code and is developed and supported by a group of volunteers.

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