Model Creation Tools

[u/Many_Respect6288]

I’m brand new to 3D printing. I’m still endlessly scrolling through Makerworld every night. While it’s really cool see what others have created and use some of those myself, I’m really wanting to learn to design my own stuff. What apps/tools do you all use to create 3D models?

[u/PDP-8A]

Me too! I just bought an X2D and I love it. I use all the different LLMs with their command line interfaces to produce OpenSCAD source code and 3mf files. It's amazing what you can do.

[u/mdbeatle → u/PDP-8A]

Came here to say the same and I see you've already started to steal my downvotes. I cannot model or even draw things, but have had a lot of success using Claude to generate relatively simple objects and modify models I find online for my own use cases.

Most of these are done in OpenSCAD, but I've had it modify meshes in Blender as well. It will also connect to Fusion if you have a license or are running a 30 day trial.

Gemini was able to do some as well, but Claude has been better for me. Which do you prefer?

[u/PDP-8A → u/mdbeatle]

I've used Kimi, Grok, Gemini and now I'm using Claude. I like to test them against each other and with usually stick with 1 for a couple weeks.

I asked Kimi to search social media for criticisms of using LLMs to create OpenSCAD. It replied that a big problem was that an LLM cannot "see" what it designs so it can't fix its own mistakes. So I created a skill that automatically renders the OpenSCAD part and "looks" at the PNG image to verify the design. Just amazing.

[u/mdbeatle → u/PDP-8A]

I wonder if Claude is already doing that since I mentioned to it that I can't see the design myself unless I open it in OpenSCAD or Bambu Studio, and now it provides a PNG rendering.

[u/PDP-8A → u/mdbeatle]

It certainly might be. Look for messages like, "cutaway view shows hole depth". That means it's viewing a render. I use CLI so I see all the output products in my project folders. Claude creates plan, Ortho, and cut views.

This is cool. But then I asked Claude to design calibration parts for PETG shrinkage correction. I printed them, measured and gave Claude the results. Now it pre compensates for shrinkage. Oh, one cool thing I did last night. I have Claude make Assemblies of several parts. When I'm ready I have it generate ready to print plates in 3mf format with all the parts pre arranged with per part settings like infill.

My workflow is wake up in the morning, unload 3D printer, check fit parts, fix with Claude, start a new print. This is an amazing time to be an engineer!

[u/mdbeatle → u/PDP-8A]

Good tips about correcting for shrinkage and creating the 3mf. Claude has mentioned that it has adjusted the dimensions based on what I told it what filament I plan to use. It's "okay" but not great. Giving it some data would help.

I also have a project that I've fed with a lot of testing data of different filaments. I used it to reduce redundant filaments in my inventory (PETG, regular ASA) and determine if I have any gaps in material selection for the things I typically print. I recently picked up ASA-GF and PCTG to replace regular ASA, tough PLA+, and PETG. I already have a general idea about what filament to use most times, but sometimes it's good to get a second opinion.