• OpenSCAD.org, CAD done with a programming language, my favorite approach
  • modules take variables: parametric pieces
  • quick preview while designing, slow and memory intensive export to STL
  • limited multi-material/color export support
  • limited language
  • no vertices access of the solids
  • notable projects:
    • Ashtar C (Core XY): apprx. 100 parts designed
    • Ashtar K (Prusa i3): apprx. 90 parts designed (both share some common parts: extruder, V-modules)
    • Parametric Part Cooler
• TinkerCAD, cloud CAD (online only), if things need to be designed quickly
  • best to use if you have a complex STL, designed by someone else, to change for your own needs
• FreeCAD, many ways to model, Open Source CAD
• Curated Code CAD, lesser known programmatic CAD approaches
• Blender, powerful Open Source CAD / Modeler
• Fusion 360, by Autodesk cloud CAD solution ($500/yr)

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The past years I have developed and/or contributed to and use:

• OpenJSCAD.org: OpenSCAD alike JavaScript framework, I mostly gave it a modern GUI and documented it properly
  • full JavaScript use support
  • slow rendering of changes (no quick preview)
• Discrete OpenSCAD, a small library implemented in OpenSCAD to provide low-level access to vertices of 3D primitives
• ScriptCAD.org: a new take on 3D + JavaScript environment (launched 2019/11), developed from scratch, very early alpha (partial documentation yet, API subject of changes)
  • full JavaScript use support (with all its short comings)
  • scene computation and scene rendering separated
  • multi-material/color export supported (AMF, 3MJ)
  • slow CSG operations (no quick preview)

Parametric Design

One way to save time is to design a part in a parametric or variable manner: overall functionality stays the same, but certain aspect are parametric, as example Parametric Part Cooler as used for 3D printers to cool the molten plastic:

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The result of multiple use-cases of the same design:

That’s it.