LibGuides: Idea Lab Software : Free Software

Free Software Index

Free Software

Audacity
Blender
Cricut Design Space
Cura
GIMP
Inkscape
MediBang Paint
MuseScore 3
OBS
Scupltris
SketchUp Free
Tinkercad
3D Slash

How to use our book list

In our collection and can be checked out.
orange book Always available in the Idea Lab as a reference book.

How to access classes

In the sections below classes available through Lynda.com and Universal Class will be listed. Lynda.com classes are available with a Free Library of Philadelphia card. Universal Classes are available with an Erie County Public Library card. Use the following step by step guides in order to access these resource for free.

How to get a library card from the Free Library of Philadelphia
The Free Library of Philadelphia has additional resources beyond what the Erie library offers.

Audacity

Audacity
Audacity is a free open source audio and recording software.

Audacity Basics
This PDF explains the tools available in Audacity.
Audacity Manual Online manual that explains all of audacity’s functions and workspace.

Lynda.com Free Library of Philadelphia educational resource.

Learning Audacity (2hr)

Audacity is a free audio-editing software that many beginners use to record audio. This class will discuss importing audio, recording two tracks simultaneously, splitting clips and removing background noise.

Blender

Blender
A free to download 3D modeling software. An incredibly complex and versatile software that can also be used to make animations and video games. Not for beginners, but worth learning if you want to learn professional 3D modeling, animation or game design.

Blender Training
Beginner and intermediate courses covering a variety of topics in Blender.

Blender Beginner Tutorial Series
The full playlist for the above donut demo series.

Lynda.com Free Library of Philadelphia educational resource.

Blender Essential Training (9hrs)

Learn how to model, animate, and render 3D graphics in Blender. Topics include: creating bump maps, add motion blur, subdivide mesh and more.

Cricut Design Space

Cricut Design Space
Cricut Design Space is the software that lets you create designs to make on a Cricut.

Cricut Design Space: Full Tutorial
This full tutorial explains what each part and tool of Cricut Design Space is for with links to learning more about each one.
Cricut Glossary
Working with the Cricut means learning a bunch of new vocabulary, fear not! This glossary explains important Cricut terms.

Cura

Cura Download Link to download Cura software

Prepare Prints in Cura
A short introduction (or reminder!) on how to prepare 3D print files in Cura.

Cura Guide
A guide to learn the settings in Cura.
How to Optimize Cura Support Settings
This article breaks down the support settings in Cura, describing what each setting does and how and when to use them.

GIMP

GIMP
GIMP is a free, open-source raster graphics editor used for image editing and drawing.

GIMP Tutorials
Tutorials created by GIMP on a variety of subject matters.

Lynda.com Free Library of Philadelphia educational resource.

GIMP Essential Training (5hr 10min)

This course goes over the basics of the free image editing software GIMP.

Gimp by Olivier Lecarme; Karine Delvare
Call Number: TR267.5.G56L4313 2013
ISBN: 9781593273835
Publication Date: 2013-01-29
Learn about all that GIMP has to offer, from photo retouching to animation.

Inkscape

Inkscape
Inkscape is a free, open- source, vector graphic software.

Video Lessons - Inkscape
A playlist of sixty-three lessons about Inkscape. Topics such as using layers, using filters, the shape tool and more.
Inkscape Basics
A written guide explaining the basic tools in Inkscape.

Lynda.com Free Library of Philadelphia educational resource.

Inkscape Essential Training (2hr 30min)

Learn to create vector graphics with Inkscape. Topics include: vector paths, draw shapes, add patterns, transform objects, and more.

Inkscape by Tavmjong Bah
Call Number: T385 .B297 2011
ISBN: 9780132764148
Publication Date: 2011-05-06

MediBang Paint

MediBang Paint
MediBang Paint is a free digital painting software.

MediBang Paint Tool List
A list of all the tools available in MediBang Paint and what they are used for.

MuseScore 3

MuseScore 3
MuseScore 3 is a free notation software used to create sheet music. Use the link to head to the download page.

MuseScore 3 Handbook MuseScore 3's online handbook offers a variety of how to guides.
MuseScore 3 Tutorials
Video lessons that show how to use MuseScore 3 from note input to adding lyrics.

OBS

OBS: Open Broadcaster Software
OBS is is a free and open-source cross-platform streaming and recording program.

OBS Studio Overview
This guide gives you a quick overview of the most important options and features in OBS Studio.

Sculptris

Sculptris
Sculptris is a free 3D modeling software with a clay modeling concept.

A beginner’s guide to Sculptris
An article explaining the different features in sculptris.

SketchUp Free

SketchUp Free
A free browser-based CAD software. A simple, easy to learn interface makes getting started less intimidating than FreeCAD. A good beginner to intermediate software.

SketchUp Free for Beginners
Learn the basics of SketchUp Free. You do not have to create a login for this tutorial you can use the navigation tabs on the left to view the lessons.

Lynda.com Free Library of Philadelphia educational resource.

Learning SketchUp Free (2hr)

Learn the basics of SketchUp free to create 3D models. Topics include: drawing in SketchUp, working with components, manipulating objects and more.

Tinkercad

Tinkercad
A free browser-based CAD software. We recommend this for beginners who want to learn the basics of geometric modeling.

3D Design Lessons
Beginner lessons to walk you though learning the basics of Tinkercad. Must create/have a Tinkercad account to view.
How to Create your First 3D Print in Tinkercad
Step-by-step instructions on how to create a simple design using shapes and letters in Tinkercad.

Lynda.com Free Library of Philadelphia educational resource.

Learning Tinkercad (2hr 18min)

This beginner level course to get you started with 3D designing with Tinkercad.

Getting Started with 3D Printing by Liza Wallach Kloski; Nick Kloski
Call Number: TS171.95.K56 2016
ISBN: 9781680456431
Publication Date: 2021-05-11
This book is a great introduction to 3D printing. It covers the different kinds of printers, materials, and software you can use for models as well as the different costs, challenges, and uses of 3D printing.

3D Slash
A free browser-based CAD software that is very easy to learn and surprisingly complex. We recommend using this if you want to quickly make a design (and have fun making it), but those interested in learning advanced CAD software should start with Tinkercad, SketchUp or FreeCAD instead.

3D Slash Video Tutorials
Short videos demonstration how to use 3D Slash. Topics include: basic tools, importing files, manipulating objects and more.