As 3D printers expose more of their capabilities, understanding 3D modeling becomes more important. There are many objects to download and print directly from the web, but learning to model has its advantages as long as we use the most convenient learning path. BlocksCAD is a portal that helps us grasp the basics of 3D modeling through the Blockly language, ideal for all ages.
Why Does Programming Feel So Hard?
Why is it so complicated to learn to program? In reality, the final answer depends on each person. What seems an indecipherable language to one ends up being relatively simple for another, but without intending to err, I think we can mention as one of the main reasons the lack of context or meaning. Unless the programmer has added a comment on each line trying to explain its meaning (which is not enough), when we see a piece of code we have no idea what it does. Even learning a language is easier, simply because you already know one. Do you want to learn English? Great: If you already know a word like 'teclado', a basic comparison process will reveal that its equivalent is 'keyboard'. When learning a programming language from scratch, we don't even have those equivalences in our favor, and in essence it's a journey back to age 4–5, struggling with a notebook to write 'dog, cat, mom, dad'.
From Visual to Parametric Modeling
Something similar happens to the most advanced 3D modeling tools. Visual modeling is very useful for taking the first steps, but on the other side we find parametric platforms that seem to have escaped from another dimension. How can we study what they have to offer without our brains melting? One possibility is BlocksCAD. It is a development by the Einstein's Workshop center, funded by none other than our friends at DARPA. Its objective is to explore the frontier of parametric 3D modeling through a high-level, very friendly language designed for the little ones, such as Blockly. BlocksCAD tries to respond to the new demands of 3D printing. Slowly, elementary schools are managing to incorporate a 3D printer into their laboratories, and the software must be up to its environment.
BlocksCAD in the Browser
BlocksCAD works directly in the browser, and creating an account is necessary to save progress, but it has already been confirmed that an offline equivalent will be available soon at no cost. Learning the essential elements of Blockly is a matter of minutes, and if you already have previous knowledge of Scratch or other similar variants, you'll feel right at home. Once the object is finished, BlocksCAD allows you to export the result to STL, and from there to the printer of your choice. No, this is not SolidWorks, and fortunately it doesn't intend to be. It's the 'dog, cat, mom, dad' of 3D modeling, and as such, it works wonderfully.
