Melanie Griffin

Your 3D Print is Done! Now What? My favorite part of 3D printing is seeing my object completed in all its glory. It’s a tangible manifestation of all the hard …

In the world of computer-aided drafting, Autodesk looms large. And for a good reason; its AutoCAD program was the first commercially available CAD software for home computers that were just starting to take off in the 1980s. This combination made CAD accessible for more price and skill points, paving the way for its current range of uses. 

AutoCAD originally offered only 2D drafting capabilities – basically, it started as a computerized version of an engineer’s desk, pencil, and measuring tools. While AutoCAD still uses 2D as its basis, recent versions in the last five years have added 3D capabilities meant to give its users a full spectrum of design possibilities.

AutoCAD has also started offering modules that pertain to specific industries that depend on drafting as their base process, such as engineers who build electrical systems. The program has continued to bran

Autodesk’s two powerhouse design programs, AutoCAD and Revit, are on their way to conquering the design world. AutoCAD is the broadly applicable geometry-driven traditional drafting program that’s grown a lot since its 1982 beginnings; Revit is the powerhouse 3D modeler that gives you real-world information about your design before you build a stick of it. 

But how do they compare to each other? 

The Main Differences Between AutoCAD and Revit, at a Glance

• AutoCAD has a geometric CAD approach, whereas Revit has a 3D modeling CAD approach. The biggest difference between AutoCAD and Revit is their approach to computer-aided drafting as a whole. AutoCAD offers a traditional, geometric-based 2D experience with 3D features. Revit, as a BIM, lets you build a 3D model with real-world component information. 

If you’ve gotten bored with thermoplastics and are looking for a new way to experiment with your 3D printer, wood filaments are a great direction to take. These are filaments …

When you think of silicone and 3D printing, you’re more likely to consider it as a helping hand, rather than a star player. Silicone is commonly used as a mold …

Nylon is designed to give you a next-level experience with 3D printing. As a printing material, it’s just as versatile as more common filaments like PLS or ABS, but it …

Wax seems like the opposite of a good 3D printing material. Its defining property is how changeable it is, never quite hardening to settle into a definite shape, always moldable …

Today we’re pitting two 3D printers against each other to see who really earns their spot on the top of “best of” lists. Both the Prusa i3 MK3 and the …

But once in a while, a company knows how to transcend the limitations of the genre, and delivers an excellent quality that you can build yourself. And we’ve found two …

There’s no better example of 3D printing’s innovation than its use of wood. At first glance, it seems incompatible with the basic process — instead of melting into pliable material …