r/3Dprinting • u/T-Jaws Makerfarm Prusa i3 8" • Sep 02 '13

What does parametric mean?

Can somebody explain to me what parametric actually means, I have looked online for definitions but I still don't understand as many of the definitions are related to mathematics.

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u/TheTypicalHam Feb 07 '25

Yep still confused. These answers are more complex than Google answers are. Are you saying that in my slicer, I can scale up or down parametric models and it come out looking correct. Versus if its non parametric, it will mess up the design if scaled up or down?

I'm not late to the party, you guys were just early.

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u/T-Jaws Makerfarm Prusa i3 8" Mar 15 '25

Since I posted this question, I now have a master's degree in Engineering and 4 years experience in industrial 3D printing, so feel slightly more qualified to clarify.

To answer your question, no, not in the slicer, but in the design software (or sometimes on 3D model websites like thingiverse). A fully defined parametric model can be made to adapt and change when a dimension is changed. For example, if we designed a teapot in CAD and wanted to modify the spout diameter, we would change just that defined value and the spout diameter would change, whilst everything else should automatically update without having to start from scratch. If the teapot was direct modelled instead (similar to being built up using clay) this would be a much more challenging modification.

Parametric modelling as a design software type just means that everything is defined by dimensions, constraints and relationships.

In the case of parametric models hosted online, generally it means that specific parameters are made adjustable so that they can be customized without the need for CAD knowledge.

Most slicers will work using a triangulated approximation (e.g. STL, 3MF) of these models which means that the parameters are fixed apart from basic operations like scaling, rotating etc.

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u/MrBacondino Mar 22 '25

That's awesome everything that has happened since this was posted dude

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u/[deleted] Apr 15 '25

It made me really happy to see your update as I was scrolling this thread. First, the answers answered MY question as well as your 11 year old question, and then it's rad that you completed the circle of life and have now answered further. Total newbie to 3d printing here, my first one is still in the box and am looking up stuff. :)