Is anycubic i3 mega a viable choice to buy today

[topaz tapir]

I have never used a 3d printer before..... I am looking for a 3d printer and in my budget only able to find an anycubic i3 mega should i buy it.... Is it still worth buying all the videos available on YouTube are from 6 years ago and the all say its the best they have used........ Can anyone advice me on that...... And are there any slicer or other software compatibility issues...?
The other option i have is Anet A8

[obtuse apex]

Generally it depends on what you want to use it for.
I have no experience with FDM printers, I use Resin printers when doing 3D-Printing, but the technology evolves pretty fast. Older printers won't be as good as newer printers.
As far as I can see it, the Anet A8 isn't beginner friendly.
People with a lot more experience than I have generally advise against Anycubic Printers and favor Elegoo and Phrozen. Maybe look at some of their printers.

[topaz tapir]

I tried the only other option is ender3 and its more than double the price........ The concern that i have is that if the software side is still good i dont want to buy a printer and not be able to print out anything cause it's not compatible with the softwares

[obtuse apex]

If I may ask, what do you want to do with the printer?
As far as I know, the ender3 is pretty affordable, but it is an entry level printer as well, and depending on your needs, you might outgrow it.

Generally, 3D printers aren't very beginner friendly, and from what I've heard and seen, FDM has a harder learning curve than resin printers.
On the upside, FDM is less toxic than resin. And for some applications it's downright better.

Software shouldn't be much of an issue, most slicers are compatible to older printers.

[topaz tapir]

Well i want it for simple projects and prototyping of some ideas that i have in mind learn to model and design..... Mostly basic stuff

[topaz tapir]

The issue is i am from Pakistan and its really difficult to get things here we have to import it and import charges are like double the pruce of original item and none of the companies ship to Pakistan......also that is the issue with resin printer because i have to import resin and thats emmensely expensive..... Filament is relatively easy to access...... Ender is a bit more expensive for my budget at this moment

[obtuse apex]

If you think you need a 3d printer and the Anycubic is within your budget, you can go for it. I'm not telling you that you shouldn't, just that there are better options for 3d printing. If those aren't affordable for whatever reason, ignore them. You will get results out of any printer.

[topaz tapir]

Thanks alot .....i was really worried if it would just work properly and print files......i only have the options of the ones which someone has already imported and are on sale.....

[obtuse apex]

"just work" is an euphemism when it comes to 3d printing. It is a lot of fiddling around and takes time and patience.

[topaz tapir]

Thats scary

[topaz tapir]

Which modeling softwares do you recommend...... Preferably free and also easy to use

[obtuse apex]

Blender

It's one of the best software solutions you'll find for free, but it takes a lot of time to learn how to use it.

[proper prism]

@Mars As mentioned, Blender is probably the best option. That said, if you are wanting to get started with a lower learning curve, TinkerCAD.com has a free web software that you can use to make some basic things. It also has a tutorial built into it if I remember correctly.

If you decide to move from TinkerCAD to Blender later, some of the concepts translate, but most of the menu options, etc. do not. As a result, you might find your self re-learning things. To me, that means that you should just start with Blender if you are really serious about doing complex stuff, but some folks just want to tinker or have ideas that can be created from more basic shapes.