Software Tools
Software available to or useful to the Hackspace
The following is a list of the packages we have available to members of the hackspace. It includes packages installed on PCs at the hackspace, packages that we are able to offer a discount on to members of the hackspace and packages that members may find useful.
Software available on the Hackspace PCs
These packages are installed on the hackspace PCs. I there is a package that you would like to see available on one of the Hackpace PCs which isnt already listed please do get in touch with the Management committee and lets know what the package is. We can then check the licensing and install it if it is a good fit with the hackspace. Please do not install any packages yourself without first checking with the management committee.
Under no circumstance whatsoever install any pirated or illegal software on any Hackspace Systems!!
Main Office PC
General
- Libre Office
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- Open Source Free Suite of office tools much akin to Microsoft Office
- Writer, Calc, Impress and Draw
- Open Source Free Suite of office tools much akin to Microsoft Office
- Notepad++
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- Text and Code editor
Art and Image Manipulation
- Inkscape
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- Vector Art package
- Gimp
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- Raster / Pixel / Photo manipulation Art Package
Vinyl Cutter
- Silhouette Studio
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- Currently only running the free version of Silhouette Studio to process artworks for cutting on the Silhouette 3 vinyl cutter. We may get the full business version later.
CAD and 3D Packages
Creative 3D Modelling and Animation
- Blender
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- 3D Sculpting and modelling package capable of photo realistic image rendering and computer animation
CAD Solid Modelling
- FreeCAD
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- Open Source 3D CAD package
- OpenSCAD
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- Open Source 3D CAD package
- LibreCAD
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- Open Source 2D CAD package
- Autodesk Fusion 360
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- Commercial Professional CAD Tool Suite free for non commercial use.
3D Printer Specific Tools
- Cura
- Cura has been remixed by a number of different printer makers. We have the following variants installed
- Cura Creality Slicer
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- Creality customised version of Cura.
- Ultimaker Cura
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- Ultimaker customised version of Cura.
- Lulzbot TAZ 4 Cura 21.08
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- Lulzbot customised Cura, the last release that still supported the TAZ 4.
- Cura-Lulzbot 3.6.23
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- Most recent Lulzbot customised Cura.
- PrusaSlicer
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- Prusa's own Slicer. This is the recommended Slicer for the hackspace as all our printers are configured in it.
- Prusa G-Code Viewer
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- Prusa Tool for viewing G-Code
- Sli3r
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- MeshMixer
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- Netfabb
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- Meshlab
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- Pronterface
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- Repetier-Host
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Computer Aided Manufacture CAM Tools
- VCarvePRO - Makerspace edition
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- A 2.5D CAM Processing package that will take a 2D or 3D model and convert it in to G-Code which can then be run on our CNC Milling machine. We are currently locked at V11.00 as the latest release hasn't got the Makerspace functionality integrated yet. For Hackspace licencing see below. and also this CNC Mill Usage page
Electronics, PCB and Microcontroller Software
Electronics Schematic and PCB Layout
- EaglePCB
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- Electronics Schematic Layout and PCB Layout tools
- KiCAD
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- Electronics Schematic Layout and PCB Layout tools
Microcontroller Programming and Software Development Tools
- Arduino IDE 1.8
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- Legacy version. Code development and programming tools for the Arduino family of Microcontrollers.
- Arduino IDE 2.0
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- New version. Code development and programming tools for the Arduino family of Microcontrollers.
- Processing
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Laser Cutter Tools
- Ruida RDWorks V8
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- Custom OEM Laser cutter processing artwork package. Idiosyncratic user interface with interesting translations / interpretations from the native interface language which can make it challenging to understand. That said it works and members do still use it.
- Lightburn
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- Superior laser cutter artwork preparation tool. Allows users to directly send to the cutter across the network. For Hackspace licencing see below.
Other tools
- PuTTY
- Terminal tool for connecting to other devices using a terminal interface across serial or network connections.
- WinSCP
- File Transfer utility
- FileZilla
- File Transfer utility
- BalenaEtcher
- Tool for writing disk images to removeable media for creating bootable microSD cards for Raspberry Pi and the like.
Laser Cutter PC
General
- Libre Office
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- Open Source Free Suite of office tools much akin to Microsoft Office
- Notepad++
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- Text and Code editor
Art and Image Manipulation
- Inkscape
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- Vector Art package
- Gimp
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- Raster / Pixel / Photo manipulation Art Package
Laser Cutter Tools
Laser Cutter Tools
- Ruida RDWorks V8
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- Custom OEM Laser cutter processing artwork package. Idiosyncratic user interface with interesting translations / interpretations from the native interface language which can make it challenging to understand. That said it works and members do still use it.
- Lightburn
-
- Superior laser cutter artwork preparation tool. Allows users to directly send to the cutter across the network. For Hackspace licencing see below.
CNC Mill PC
General
- Libre Office
-
- Open Source Free Suite of office tools much akin to Microsoft Office
Art and Image Manipulation
- Inkscape
-
- Vector Art package
- Gimp
-
- Raster / Pixel / Photo manipulation Art Package
CAD and 3D Packages
Computer Aided Manufacture CAM Tools
- LinuxCNC
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- CNC Hardware control system used to drive the Hackspace CNC Milling Machine
Software available to Hackspace Members at Discounted Rates
- Lightburn
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- Buy buying a Hackspace Licence from Lightburn for this product we can offere hackspace members a special discount code to allow them to get the Full Lightburn Product for a fraction of the full retail price. Contact the Management Committe via Slack to get the discounbt code
- VCarvePRO
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- Our Hackspace Licence for VCarvePro allows us to generate special codes which allow members to run the package away from the space so that they can work on processing designs at home.
Recommended or Suggested Software of use to Hackspace Members
CAD Tools
If you are interested in more art / games modelling / animation / sculpting computer modelling then Blender is probably the way to go.
- Blender
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- https://www.blender.org/download/
- Win/Mac/Linux native versions available.
For Engineering / fitting things together in the real world or 3D printing parts that will mate with real world parts then CAD like:
- Free versions of Paid For Products
- Paid for products
- (for those with DEEP pockets or lucky enough to be able to access discounted/Educational versions
- Dassault Systems Catia/3DExperince
- Dassault Systems Solidworks
- Siemens NX
- ONShape
- Open Source Free CAD
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- FreeCAD
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- https://www.freecad.org/downloads.php
- Win/Mac/Linux native versions available
- For anyone interested in looking at FreeCAD there is a free user guide / manual available from Hackspace Magazine called FreeCAD for Makers a PDF of which is available here https://hackspace.raspberrypi.com/books/freecad
- Other packages people use
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- Sketchup
- TinkerCAD