We have a few types of 3D printers in the FabLab, mostly PolyPrinter 229s (you can read more about all our printers on the FabLab Equipment page: https://fablab.uta.edu/equipment/3d-printing : )
We can print with multiple colors in the Z axis: we have our own programmed solution for modifying the .gcode to build in pause-at-layer commands (so don’t worry about trying to do that before you come in), but here’s a video that will give you an idea how it works: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8JplBO-tils
There is a huge ecosystem of available 3D modeling software; there is no clear “best”… it all depends on what your goals are. If you aren’t already familiar with 3D modeling, we’d recommend starting with TInkerCAD, as it’s free, has built in tutorials, and is actually super capable of producing precise models. Start with the Starters, then work through a few Lessons (I recommend the Bat Button, Chess Pawn, and Die from Scratch). After you’ve been through those and maybe a few other Lessons, you can explore the Projects if you prefer directed learning, but you’ll have the skills needed to Create a New Design to make whatever you can imagine!
