I don’t think of myself as a 3D Print Designer - I’m just a guy who owns a good 3D printer and likes to use it to solve problems. Every month I find a problem or two for which 3DP is the right tool in my kit, so I’m not going to create a new project here on CH for each and every one. That would be insane. Instead, I’m creating this catch-all project and I’ll report them all here.
I originally started printing on a MakerBot Replicator 2 back in 2017, which was the printer available in the maker lab I used, but I’ve owned a Prusa MK3S+ of my own since January of 2021, and that’s now the only printer I use.
As a longtime user of Blender for animations, live action special effects, book cover design, etc., it was my obvious choice when I started 3D printing too. And while I still use it for visualization, and sometimes for modifying STL files that I get from somebody else, I have since moved on.
My design tool of choice is now OpenSCAD - an open source, constructive solid modeling tool that is both free and available on all OS platforms. Instead of having to learn a bunch of fiddly interactive tools, I much prefer OpenSCAD’s simple, logical programming-style interface.
For slicing, I stick with PrusaSlicer. It’s excellent, I’m familiar with it, and it works well with my Prusa printer.
And lastly, my sharing platform. I was on Thingiverse until it took a crap-dive, but I quickly pivoted to Printables (also by Prusa :-) and I haven’t looked back since.
Years ago, I learned (the hard way) that coat hooks attached to drywall using standard cone-shaped anchors function more like a drywall zipper than a garment hanger. But as part my recent home renovation, I wanted a more artistically arranged sequence of floating hooks - too close together to use the studs - so I thought I’d try a more secure anchor. And I wondered if I could 3DP something to do the job.
My son-in-law is a rabid LA Kings fan. Knowing this, my daughter bought him this nifty memento, which he keeps on the wall of his man cave so he can point to it and crow whenever they score. Very annoying. It was a situation begging for a bit of creative adjustment…