Fabricating For Dummies

Chapter 13

Going Soft(ware)

IN THIS CHAPTER

Sorting out your software choices

Deciphering file formats

Designing and manufacturing with software

Building a nest and managing the tool crib

Keeping an eye on the shop floor

Truth is ever to be found in simplicity, and not in the multiplicity and confusion of things.

— ISAAC NEWTON

Ah, software. For anyone who grew up in the dark ages — meaning the ’60s and ’70s, when Teletype machines were all the rage and the only people with home computers were those who assembled one from a kit — software remains a mysterious, somewhat scary technology. I mean, how does it actually work, and why does it always crash at the worse possible moment? And more important, where did all the floppies go?

Love it or hate it, however, software (and by extension, computers) aren’t going anywhere. The good news is that software has gotten much better over the years; not only is it more capable but also much less prone to shutting off in the middle of a huge project ...