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Once again I'm asking the community what they want from 3D printer manufacturers. I will create a video with the results and last time, this had an actual impact. Please complete this five minute survey:  https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScLdZ1f56dygzCpS1spAEFAlMpM195eg-mkkUoCHunfhutQrA/viewform 

A considered response to some comments on my Ondsel/FreeCAD video.
This was also prompted by a great video response from 4 Axis Printing, which can be found here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KsMKL... 


I consider this video to be well communicated, fair and honest. Workflows of an experienced user are shown and hard limitations are acknowledged. I thank 4 Axis Printing for making it and I will reference it below.

Firstly, a misconception about my video: I did not do any research when using FreeCAD/Ondsel. As mentioned in the video, I did in fact spend a lot of time looking up things I was frustrated by. I spent time on the wiki trying to understand the different workbenches and why you even need them, and for each individual limitation I identified I went through the forums to double check the feature was actually missing. Whenever I am making a video portraying something in a negative way, I try to be very diligent in making sure the problem is real and also exists for others.



I reject the idea that my criticisms were solely related to my inexperience. Let’s address the specific limitations I identified in my video.



1. No midpoint constraint. A lot of people said I should use a symmetric constraint. The symmetric constraint exists in other CAD packages and can be used in the same way. Doing so is a workaround. My workaround was to use two construction lines, coincident with the geometry I wanted to be centred, and set them to equal. You can get the job done with either of these methods, but the fact remains that a midpoint constraint does not exist and workflow would be easier and more efficient with it. Please see the video I’ve posted at the bottom. Can anyone honestly say FreeCAD/Ondsel would not be improved by adding a proper midpoint snapping/constraint?


2. One shape/feature per sketch. I have yet to see anyone dispute this. In my opinion it is the biggest drawback to FreeCAD/Ondsel. 4 Axis Printing demonstrates a workaround for this (similar to mine but with more skill) but it is clear how much more involved the process is. Modelling the second example is a trivial job in Onshape and other proprietary CAD packages. It is simple and intuitive. In FreeCAD, an experienced user has to jump through multiple hoops to achieve the same thing, but with the risk of parts breaking with future edits. I was also frustrated by many commenting that I needed to use the external geometry tool when this was clearly demonstrated in the video! My gripe with this approach is that the referenced portions are magenta, and not able to be used for pads/extrusions. Therefore, you have to draw what you want again and use constraints to match the externally referenced components. More clicks, more time, needlessly in my opinion.


3. Manual management of bodies. Again, this one didn’t really receive much attention in the comments. Yes, you can handle it yourself, but you don’t have to in almost any other CAD option. More clicks, more time, more complication.

4. No timeline. In my video I said that the Ondsel/FreeCAD tree view was not strictly in chronological order because some items were nested. That is still correct. I did search for timeline functionality for FreeCAD, but came up empty. Forum posts said it was missing. Commenters, however, pointed out that you can right click and use ‘set tip’ in FreeCAD. Not only did I not come across this when searching, but it is only present if you have the ‘Part Design’ workbench selected, not the ‘Part’ workbench. That one is on me, but in my defence the implementation is counterintuitive and obscure. The visual slider found in other options is easier to use and understand.

5. Topological naming problem. This is an acknowledged problem for which I showed the wiki article. I’m glad to hear fixes to the underlying architecture are in the works.



Besides the ‘set tip’ workflow, I stand by all of my criticism of Ondsel/FreeCAD communicated in the video. If you still disagree, please consider two specific questions:



1. All of the industry standard CAD programs conform to an ‘industry standard’ workflow. FreeCAD/Ondsel is different, but is that better?



In my opinion, the other options have converged on this workflow because it is the best one. That is why it is easy to switch between them with only temporary inconveniences. As explained in the video, that is the most I’ve ever used Fusion 360, but it was simple to pick up and create what I wanted. Ondsel and FreeCAD were the opposite. So where is the advantage in how FreeCAD/Ondsel modelling is approached? How will the user accomplish more, or do so in a more intuitive and efficient way? I see in 4 Axis Printing’s video that workarounds are possible, but the process takes longer and is more complex. Why choose this alternate path if the end result is diminished? Why do the Ondsel or the Realthunder variations exist if vanilla FreeCAD has no problems?



Consider this situation in a different way. If a 3D printer was launched that required the user to jump through hoops, read manuals and tinker a lot, but didn’t print any better than other options on the market, it would be rightly criticised for being inferior. When people were frustrated, no one would say it was a skill issue, they would expect the product to improve.



2. Why is FreeCAD/Ondsel not so much more popular?

Although not a dealbreaker for me, I acknowledge the legitimate concerns many people have about Onshape and Fusion360 being tied to the cloud, and the risk of them removing features without notice in future. This should mean that a CAD option that is 100% free and can run 100% locally should be the easy winner, but in reality it is not. Some commenters were upset by the video, but there were just as many who shared my conclusion. The like ratio for the video is still above 96%, so I am confident that my opinion on the state of Ondsel/FreeCAD is not an anomaly. It is also shared by my fellow Youtubers in Angus Deveson and Tom Sanladerer.


Could the reason that the free and open source option is not popular is because it is simply not as good? That users are expected to jump through extra hoops, read wikis and troubleshoot cryptic errors, whereas in other options, you just design and model stuff?  That it is so frustrating and limited that the vast majority of people will seek other solutions, if they are tied to corporate entities.



I expect and accept others won’t always have the same view as me, but I would hope they do so constructively and fairly. There were too many commenters who clearly didn’t watch the video, or were disingenuous in their responses. Some people were commenting the same thing repeatedly to try and flood the comment section. Others acted as if the symmetric constraint workaround negated everything else I said. When I was reading through the FreeCAD forums, as I mentioned in the video, it was not uncommon to find responses to reasonable questions like ‘read the manual’, or ‘it’s open source so make whatever changes you like yourself’. A less than welcoming community might be another reason the free options are not more popular. Not to say there aren’t generous and talented people in these communities. The trouble is the bad ambassadors tend to leave a stronger impression.



In the end, it comes down to the question I posed in the video: Your willingness to adopt open source solutions vs your efficiency and productivity. 4 Axis Printing’s video did a great job of demonstrating how to model my test pieces skilfully in FreeCAD, but it also showed me that it is going to take extra time and extra steps to achieve the same things. Some people commented that it would be fairer to showcase and compare two experienced users’ workflow in Onshape and FreeCAD/Ondsel. Here is a 70 second video of me modelling the second example:  https://youtu.be/vYDVphD3rDU 


I tried to keep the same pacing: efficient, no unnecessary pauses, but not rushing and still with some commentary. What takes 70 seconds in Onshape takes three and a half minutes in FreeCAD ( 6:00  to  9:30 ), with many extra little steps and gotchas. Even if we ignore the time taken, watch each video and make a list of the steps required. Ask yourself how the final model, or the user experience is improved by all of the extra steps and nuances. Now imagine an inexperienced user who doesn’t know those workarounds. Then consider this is just a very simple part, with only one body. The differences and nuances will only be exaggerated from here.



One more thing to consider: my background and perspective. I have been using CAD for over twenty years, from back when I started studying Industrial Design at University in 2001, using Solidworks. I also spent eleven years as a primary and secondary school teacher, and at each school one of my jobs was to implement 3D modelling into the curriculum. Therefore, I have spent a lot of time over the years testing and evaluating free CAD options, as well as seeing how easily they were picked up by students and my fellow teachers. Judging through that lens, Ondsel/FreeCAD would be a long way down the preference list when selecting CAD to teach in a school. Teachers and students want to spend their precious time working creatively and actually designing their ideas, not searching for workarounds to obscure and counter intuitive software. I think it’s pretty clear that the average hobbyist feels the same way.



To repeat what I said in the video, when FreeCAD/Ondsel is developed a lot more to the point where it can compete, I will gladly throw my weight behind it and promote it on the channel. I applaud the commitment and effort of the developers, and I hope in time an outcome is achieved that is satisfactory for all. 

Bambu Lab A1 (not A1 mini) recall!

In case you haven't seen it, there has been a problem with the heated bed cable on some A1 printers:  https://blog.bambulab.com/a1-recall-update/ 

Not ideal for anyone, but I think Bambu Lab is now doing the right thing. Do you agree? 

Bambu Lab is having a 10% off sale on the A1 mini / A1 mini combo until Feb 19th 2024. Follow the link and enter the code A1M-NY-10 at checkout.
 https://shareasale.com/u.cfm?d=1087256&m=138211&u=2259340&afftrack= 
Please note this is an affiliate link. Please do not use it if you are not comfortable with this. My test of the A1 mini combo here:  https://youtu.be/tzWvzobf4LE 

Bambu Lab custom firmware update!

Dr Tao has spoken with the X1plus team and written about this in a blog post:  https://blog.bambulab.com/rooted-the-good-the-bad-and-freedom-of-choice/ 

Users will have a choice between OEM and X1plus firmware if they sign a waiver. In my opinion, a waiver is completely reasonable from Bambu Lab. They should not be held responsible for the modifications/damage a user causes when using firmware beyond Bambu Labs control.

Of course, each user should read and consider that waiver very carefully before trying the custom firmware. The vast majority of users will likely want to continue straightforward 3d printing. Others may wish to explore custom firmware further and will accept the implications. It is up to each individual to make a choice based on their needs. But now at least, users do have that choice.

X1plus video:  https://youtu.be/Oio2ibz7rMw 

The 1440 Maker's are conducting another 24 hour live stream to raise money for the Hawaii Community Foundation's  #mauistrong  charity drive. Check it out over on their channel:  https://www.youtube.com/@1440Makers 
I will be joining in 13-14 hours from now, and will be giving away a brand new in the box Prusa i3 MK4 kit to someone down under. Join the stream to see lots of your favourite makers and be in the running for other giveaways. 

I had the pleasure of being a guest on the Simple Electronics podcast recently. We talk 3D printing, cars and ways to change the world, please check it out! 

For a long time people have been suggesting I create a 2nd channel for car content. I've taken their advice, and after six months of planning, I'm almost ready to launch it. I promise you the car in question is fast and exciting! 

This week I'm testing the newer, cheaper Bambu Lab P1P. In this video, I'm planning to answer community questions about this 3D printer, so please post them below. 

Do you want to learn 3D CAD for 3D printing?
Often in practical printing videos I see comments saying that in order to get the most out of 3D printing, you need to be able to design your own parts. I agree! Fusion 360 is by far the most popular solution but the free license has become more restrictive. Therefore I am considering a series of short, concise tutorials on 3D design for 3D printing using a free alternative.