As the title implies I am wondering if we could benefit from a dedicated 3D CAD software section on this forum. A place where we could ask each other how to perform certain operations when you get stuck or get general information about modeling in CAD.
Would other people think this is a good idea? Please let me know.
Categories are not created for our benefit, they are to delineate the main categories of printers and then sub-categorise to issue type.
If you look on the left of the forum screen, the list is very one sided.
There are positives and negatives to that.
I once tried to get a Community category created (or any other suitable caption) to act as a central repository for information related to the activities @JonRaymond began when he was made moderator. It fell on deaf ears.
It is not the word category that is important in this case. I am not a native English speaker so I might use the wrong term hereâŚ
What I want to know is if we can benefit from a dedicated section where we can discuss everything CAD.
If you mean in one of these below, no chance.
If you mean a post where everyone can add their thoughts.
You need two things:
Point 2. is important as you need a few people to keep adding thoughts to it before it becomes the defacto (only) location where people add thoughts or get advice.
Good luck.
Yes I agree⌠The problem with using a post is that it quickly becomes a big mess where no one can find anything anymore.
Imagine 2 people asking 2 different questions in one post and receiving answersâŚ
You may address one of the BL support staff moderating the forum to create a new main topic category with several subtopics covering the most used CAD softwares. You never know until you try if youâre luckyâŚor if youâre âluckyâ.
I am not against you, I am just telling you how it will inevitably end.
Correct, you never know until you know 
(me)
Just be prepared to be disappointed as too many have tried and failed.
I truly wish you luck being the first though.
I understand the chance of succes is slim, but first I would need to know if there are more people who would like to see this happen.
There is strength in numbersâŚ
Doesnât mean that if we get the numbers, BL staff will oblige. Up until very recently, they were omnipresent through a (total) lack of (visible, or noticeable if you want) presence on any topics. That seems to have (somehow) changed lately, with one or two of them (canât really tell them apart as theyâre using- apparently- the same username) have shown some semblance of activity by answering some usersâ questions. Nevertheless, youâve got nothing to lose if you try. Worst case scenario would be that theyâll ignore your request, while the best would be you getting your topic request approved⌠most likely case would be for them to answer âNo can doâ, but as Malc said it already, "you never knowâŚuntil you know "(TM Malc).
Go 4 it!
The problem you will have here is people tend to wait until something is there before they put any effort in.
I support the idea.
There is an âOther topicsâ section. Maybe start a few there - say first word âCADâ, then broad description - maybe topics headed âCAD - which is the best free softwareâ ,another âCAD - How to get from step to stlâ, âCAD - is it worth printing screw threadsâ and whatever you think/need.
But, I can get that info, give that info in fora elsewhere, so I do not personally see the need, other than helping folk who donât know how to use search engines.
Honestly, I think youâre looking for a sub reddit. There are already some for Bambu lab stuff. Add another, Iâll join!
Why not ask 3d CAD specific questions in a forum dedicated to that topic. While the results may not be Bambu Lab specific, they will be from a much broader collection of CAD users.
Cadforum.net has a healthy collection of Solidworks users. Iâm sure there are other forums specific to the software you are using.
I understand this forum is purpose-built for BL support and isnât setup as a general purpose forum, so understand if itâs not feasible. But I do support the idea, for what itâs worth.
While I agree for the more hardcore CAD questions, designers focused on 3D printing tend to be a niche among CAD users, with a heavy hobbyist bent. Unless they have an area dedicated to 3D printing and hobbyists, seeking advice on a regular CAD forum may not be the most effective or useful method to get help. 3D printing has unique design considerations that donât apply to other additive or especially subtractive manufacturing methods, like injection molding or CNC. Designing for optimal 3D printing is a different animal.
And having to go to a different forum for each major CAD package fragments the information shared. Many CAD concepts are, if not universal, at least similar between many of the CAD products, especially between parametric CAD products like Fusion, OnShape, SolidWorks, and FreeCAD. Or likewise organic CAD products like Blender or Plasticity. Someone might ask a question about one of those thatâs relevant to someone using another product, which inspires a solution for them too.
Not a bad idea. I have access to a license of Solidworks at the moment, and I would love to stay with that, but might not be able to afford in the future, so it would be good to know what others are using.
A CAD section would be a good idea. Many if not most of us are using some kind of CAD software. It would be nice to have those discussions organized in one place.
I think itâd be cool to have a cad section on the Bambu forums. I have no interest in going and joining CAD communities elsewhere, like Reddit. However, given the chance to talk with yâall about CAD related topics, Iâm on board. I just enjoy the community here. 
The forums may have been setup as a community driven way to support Bambuâs customers, but we are a community that goes beyond just needing support. We talk, have fun, complain about things beyond our control; all the things a good group of friends does.
Thereâs the Other Topics section. Maybe it needs a little rebranding with some added sub categories. call it The Community Center, and then put a cad sub category in there? It fits with the idea of the other sub categories, like print show off.
It is short-sighted not to allow a CAD forum/thread/section whatever. The more people hang out on the Bambu Lab official forum - for ANY reason - the better for Bambuâs business. This is a basic tenant of business - get people in the door, and donât worry (too much) about why they are there. Say yes to (nearly) all opportunities.
Yes, I wish we have one.
1- Learn/ share ideas
2- dedicate design software tutorials
Great idea!! Iâm all for it. Iâm a pretty good 2D drawer, but I cannot think in 3D and get all confused with almost any program but Tinkercad which is not exactly high end/performance CAD package. Iâd be interested in others who have experience in low cost or no cost CAD packages.
