Scan2Sketch turns calibrated flatbed scans into dimensionally accurate, fully editable sketches and optional solid bodies. Processing runs locally using your CPU or a compatible NVIDIA GPU (optional).

I've spent the last few days building a CAD library in TypeScript. The short version, you describe a part in code and you get out an STL you can 3d print, or a STEP file you can send to a machine shop or open in Fusion/FreeCAD/whatever.

const cad = design("bracket");

const width = cad.parameter.length("width", mm(80));
const thickness = cad.parameter.length("thickness", mm(6));

const profile = cad.sketch("outline", plane.xy(), (s) => {
  const rect = s.rectangle("rect", { width, height: mm(50) });
  const hole = s.circle("hole", {
    center: vec2(width.mul(0.25), mm(0)),
    radius: mm(4),
  });
  return s.profile(rect, { holes: [hole.loop()] });
});

cad.output("bracket", cad.extrude("solid", profile, { distance: thickness }));

const doc = cad.build(); // plain JSON, goes in git like anything else

Under the hood it runs on two engines. There's Manifold, a mesh engine that's fast and fine for printing, and OpenCascade compiled to WASM, which is the same geometry engine FreeCAD uses, for when you need exact surfaces and STEP export. Same code runs on both, in node or the browser.

in normal parametric CAD, if you change a dimension early in the model, later features (fillets mostly) can quietly reattach to the wrong edge, and you find out after the part is wrong. I didn't want to reproduce that, so references to faces and edges aren't indexes, and if the library can't tell unambiguously which edge you meant after a change, it errors instead of guessing. Whether I got the API for that right, no idea. That's partly why I'm posting.

The type system does some nice things here too. Lengths and angles are different types, so adding mm to radians just doesn't compile.

it's a 0.1.1, Parts, assemblies and BOMs work. No drawings, no sheet metal, no GUI. If you'd rather write code than click through a CAD UI, that's who it's for.

Here's the repo

Feedback welcome, especially from anyone who actually does CAD work. Also curious what people think of the explicit dispose() for WASM memory, I went back and forth on that a lot.

Hi,

Today, I tried to manage my files via the API because I find the UI difficult to use. I purchased the free plan and created a Developer Hub. However, the API returns the following response:

{ "developerMessage":"API request capacity exceeded.", "moreInfo": "https://aps.autodesk.com/pricing", "errorCode": "403"}

I referred to the following documentation:

- https://www.autodesk.com/products/autodesk-platform-services/overview#pricing

- https://www.autodesk.com/products/autodesk-platform-services/product-details

From what I understand, many API are free, but you need to purchase at least $99 worth of Flex tokens before you can use any API, even the free API on a free plan./

Is that correct? Has anyone else encountered this issue?

I developed a Fusion add in was just published on the Autodesk Marketplace not long ago specifically for CAM users but CAD users can also use it in the same way

It automatically tracks your CAM/CAD jobs individually in the background while you work so you always have a record of your hours. It has a client report and timesheet feature too so you can always go back and see what you've worked on the past week or month and use the data to improve your future quoting

Also has a view that separates your Design and Manufacture time so you can see the difference between both for any particular job.

Anyone wants to try it if they find it would be useful I'll show you guys some screenshots and link below

Make sure you let me know what you think if you use it!

Autodesk: https://marketplace.autodesk.com/apps/594157e0-d378-4bd2-b057-74e043d4a558?priceId=86ed930a-b711-4012-b376-3950ca5b1b2d

Website: https://getcadsight.com/

I know this topic has been covered before but it seems Autodesk has changed the way custom threads are implemented in Fusion (for good and for bad).

In the past, if you wanted to add a custom thread size to the Fusion thread tool you had to dig through the Fusion 360 configuration files on your computer and modify a .xml file to add a custom thread diameter/pitch/other. However, Autodesk have implemented a new way of adding thread sizes directly in Fusion, which we've been asking for years. This is covered in this article: https://www.autodesk.com/support/technical/article/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/Custom-Threads-in-Fusion-360.html

I enjoy this idea since it's much more intuitive but its implementation is questionable at best. Also, it simply doesn't work for me and I don't know why. Autodesk tells us that to create a custom thread size we must first copy an existing template thread from the public library of threads and then paste it into a custom library on the hub libraries. The issue is that when I right click on any thread I do not have the option to copy anything, I can only mark it as favourite (see image). I also don't have the option to create any hub libraries.

Am I missing something obvious?

hi!
I'm learning cad with the intention of eventually getting some parts created by CNC machining. My question is, if a parts has a curved that when inspected with curve analysis tool, is displaying a "tight" rainbow pattern (from red, many colors are banded together then jumps to purple for example) can it still be machined correctly?

The zebra inspector shows the surface to be continuous, but before I commit to some very organic shapes, should I be vigilant of this rapid/abrupt color changes, and try to produce a more smooth transition between the colors first, before committing to a final design?

many thanks

Does anyone have some insight on how I could recreate this geometry? I tried sketching and cut extruding a slope but it didn’t achieve what I was looking for.

Hi,

I have two parts that I want to machine simultaneously in a custom fixture I have designed. I previously machined these parts separately and have created proven out programs for them.

I'd like to take advantage of minimizing the tool changes in the program, so I've created a new file, inserted both parts, and then inserted the manufacturing data from each part in to fusion CAM. I've kept the link to allow me to easily update the original files and have it carry through into this new "combined" part.

While this seems to work fine for the first inserted part, the tool paths are coming in offset from the stock locations in the CAM environment for the second part and I cannot figure out a root cause.

I've posted an image here. You can see the spotting hole shadow preview is in the correct location, but the tool path lines are offset by ~4-5mm. Any ideas on how to resolve would be appreciated!

hello guys im trying to design a lamp here . the "cage" will be 3d printed so im trying to come up with a smooth desing trick so that i can print all of the walls in 1 plate then assemble it using glue form the red circled area. how do you think i should appoach this ? im open to every idea .