Hello community, I’ll try to be brief. My 13 year old son got a 3d printer as a gift, and I’d like to learn alongside him. We have 0 experience. However, I am a data scientist, so lots of professional Python experience, if that helps. We’re a foss/Linux family so my questions are:
What tools are the best to learn for 3d printing for me? I am ready to learn CAD programming. Can you all recommend a tech stack and resources to learn it?
Designing stuff: FreeCad and OpenSCAD. Lots of YouTube material for educational purposes.
Regarding the printer, this depends on the make/model/manufacturer, but the more serious people (not starting a flame war here, just my observation) tend to use Klipper. Most printers run some form of Marlin, but most can run Klipper as an alternative firmware.
And there are the slicers… A huge amount of choice here, but one way or the other, most are forks/spinoffs of previous work. Personal choice here is SuperSlicer, mostly due to its interface and me being too lazy to use OrcaSlicer of one of the other options.
But beware: tuning, measuring adjusting will take a lot of time. And the entire 3d printing community likes is.
I actually use Blender to 3d design. I guess it’s easier for me? Maybe I’ll give the other ones a shot.
I use OpenSCAD to have a declarative method to ‘design’ boxes for my electronic projects. So boxes and lids with hinges and stuff.
When I need something with accurate measurements but a more complex design, FreeCad is the go-to tool. Sprockets, PS5 controller loading-station, bolts and nuts.
Blender probably can be used too, but I have never used it.