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by mft_ 628 days ago
Hey, I've just spent an hour creating my first design with Cuttle - and I'm very impressed! You're right that it has a very short learning curve, especially coming from a hobbyist CAD and programming background.

A few random thoughts/questions/suggestions (and apologies if I've missed options or existing functions):

* Would it be possible to add edge snapping?

* Could there be a slicker way to switch from the central origin for shapes? (Central is frustrating as it means having to change position every time I tweak the size.) Being able to easily select an arbitrary corner as the origin with a click would be great; maybe even auto-selecting the origin based on snapping two shapes together - i.e. 'anchoring' the shape based on snapping it to another one?

* Any way of exporting multiple components in one go, without clicking through for each one?

* Being able to set custom rounded corners with a list is great, but it's not easily discoverable!

* It might be neat to have a pop-up offering boolean options when snapping or overlapping shapes?

* Given the (I think?) JS under the surface, is it possible to import data, either as a CSV or an image from which pixel values can be read?

* Lastly, any thoughts on offering an intermediate 'hobbyist' paid tier? I'd be strongly tempted to support you and access some of the paywalled features, but $19/month is honestly too high for an occasional/fun hobby product.

1 comments

Cuttle’s snapping is very good (imo). But you have to drag from the snap point to the snap point. So if you want to snap a particular midpoint (say) to a particular corner, you need to drag from that midpoint to that corner. That is, your drag is explicit about the from and to snap points.

To export multiple components, we usually create a component (called “Cut Layout” for example), then drag out each of the other components (the pieces) into that component.

There is a modifier called Flatten which might be useful for you for doing lots of Boolean operations at once. I think this video shows the workflow, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGHKRfIC6QA

Yes it’s all JS. You could copy and paste your data in and then process it and create geometry. (Sorry we don’t have any data import other than copy and paste at the moment.) Our scripting documentation is pretty good: https://cuttle.xyz/learn/scripting/getting-started-with-scri...

We are experimenting with being able to read pixel values of raster images. Coming soon likely.

Perhaps some kind of middle tier that gives full access to the Editor but does not give full access to the Pro templates makes sense. Many of our customers subscribe for access to those templates rather than the Editor!

You are also free to subscribe when working on a project and need the Pro features, then cancel when you’re dormant. We don’t delete your projects when you downgrade to free, you can still access/edit/download them.

I appreciate the feedback and the questions!

Thanks for the very comprehensive reply!

For snapping, I was missing being able to drag the side of an object (not on a corner or midpoint) and have it snap to any parallel line it encounters. You're right that using a corner or midpoint does work very well, but you just have to be more conscious about the action you're making.

For the point about a boolean operation, I was only thinking that if I drag one object on top of another, it would be a timesaver to have icons quickly pop up as a shortcut to the different boolean operations. But probably not a big gain.

RE: the subscription, agree that unlocking projects, downloads, and maybe folders might suit people that are mostly into designing things for themselves. Also, have you considered allowing read-only access to the pro templates within the editor? There are a few that I have no interest in making, but I'd like to learn the more advanced techniques of Cuttle by viewing.

Lastly, one other suggestion; you may already to thinking of this, but given the proliferation of selling 3D/CNC designs online (e.g. Printables, Etsy) have you thought about allowing creators to sell their designs directly from your site?