VECTOR DRAWING & DESIGN
Fresco
Drawing and painting app with a large array of digital brushes.
Graphic
Vector drawing and illustrating app for MacOS.
3D DRAWING & DESIGN
Fusion 360
Fusion 360 is a more sophisticated 3D Design software that works well for high school aged kids and up. There are cloud-based and downloadable options.
SketchUp
Sketchup is a powerful 3D design software that you can download. I find that it works really well for prototyping and creating blueprints and doesn’t play quite as nicely with 3D printing. The self-paced how-to videos are great for learning how to use it.
Tinkercad
Tinkercad is the best site around, right now, for teaching younger kids 3D design. Part of the site also teaches about electronics. You have to create an online account to use it.
PROJECT FILES DATABASES
Inventables
Inventables has free project files for laser cutting and milling. It also includes a forum for sharing ideas and asking questions.
Thingaverse
Thingaverse has free 3D printing files that you can use to make really cool, sophisticated 3D printed objects. Some of these work better than others. The site includes lessons under the “Education” tab.