Doodle3D Makes CAD Easy

A number of skeptics still don’t think 3D printers will become a ubiquitous piece of home electronics. Although the quality and cost of a home additive manufacturing (AM) system have both improved tremendously, naysayers are certain that the machines are too complicated and don’t offer enough variety in materials from a single printer.

Of the two, the materials argument is the stronger. I don’t think complexity is as big an issue. Most people have no idea how a computer works, but that hasn’t stopped sales. Complexity in CAD design is a bigger hindrance, though this can be overcome by simply downloading stuff to print. Even better, CAD programs meant for home use continue to get easier to use. Such is the case with Doodle3D.

Doodle3D was designed by Rick Companje, who works at a small fablab in the Netherlands. Companje built his own 3D printer, then realized he lacked enough knowledge about CAD to create designs to print. Rather than downloading designs, or undertaking a multi-year quest to learn CAD, he instead designed Doodle3D.

The program, which runs on PCs, smartphones or tablets, is an extremely simple CAD tool. Using the most basic design implement, a finger, users can create three dimensional models by drawing them. Doodle3D also has a few additional controls for adjusting the size of the model, and it displays a 3D image of your design as you sketch.

Doodle3D will be sent out with its own Wi-Fi attachment, to make printing even easier. From the Doodle3D website:

 It works like this; you make a drawing on a tablet, smartphone or computer, connect the Doodle3D Wi-Fi Box to the 3D printer, and with the press of a button your drawing is sent to the printer.

While this particular program is obviously intended for novices (and a hit with the kids, apparently), the idea is solid for more complex designs. As AM is more commonly used by all different kinds of businesses, the demand for an easy-to-use CAD program will grow. And where there’s demand, there will eventually be a product to fill it.

Below you’ll find the Kickstarter video for Doodle3D.

Source: Doodle3D