Anyone here ever tried to make material patterns for textiles using FreeCAD or other FOSS tools?
  • the16bitgamer the16bitgamer 4h ago 100%

    I’ve used it to pattern cuts for a laser cutter.

    While it’s possible it’s very buggy especially with curvy designs. There’s a function called Flatten to SVG which helps with this step but it requires a lot of tuning of the model, to get the export right.

    A great example is a hole in the design, perhaps for a button. If done wrong the button hole is the main solid and the rest of the design is not solid. Plus you’ll have so much extra lines that cleanup is not fun.

    For me I need to do it this way since the pattern is mated to a 3D print so having every 1:1 is a must. But if you are doing it for other reasons, I would look elsewhere.

    Tech drawings is another way to export an design too if you want to go through with it anyways.

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  • Amazon announces first Kindle ever with color screen, retailing for $279
  • the16bitgamer the16bitgamer 3d ago 100%

    Only if you live in the US or UK. Lol I didn't realize Amazon's international kneecapping of their products moved to include hardware along with software.

    For context if you are Canadian you don't get access to overdrive or audiobooks on Kindle. Fun fact this also includes their fire tablets.

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  • diy
    DIY 2w ago
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    Added LED's to a clear bag
  • the16bitgamer the16bitgamer 1w ago 100%

    I made a update to the main post, but I will update here too.

    They were good, but the quality of the bags themselves were obviously cheap, and one of the two bag I tailored up, broke down on the lower strap loop. I probably could return it, but it might just be easier to sew back down.

    The LEDs though were a godsend. The event I went was a night and at night finding people was so, so easy. We split up and try to find each other again, just look for the person with the glowing bag. It also was bright enough that I was able to see the specific color of candy I wanted in my bag, and illuminate friends for photos.

    Making more bags if we go again so everyone has one.

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  • Steam now tells gamers up front that they're buying a license, not a game
  • the16bitgamer the16bitgamer 1w ago 95%

    So if I download a pirate copy, I'm in the clear because I purchased a license.

    Nope since the copy of the software was obtained with someone else's license. That said this would be hypothetically impossible to prove in court so 🤷

    Circumventing DRM is questionable since I think it's illegal to distribute but not own. So let's say you have a CD installer for the Sims and download a crack exe to launch it without the CD. You are in the clear but the host for the download is not.

    GOG or backing the game up yourself is the only way around this.

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  • "Initials" by "Florian Körner", licensed under "CC0 1.0". / Remix of the original. - Created with dicebear.comInitialsFlorian Körnerhttps://github.com/dicebear/dicebearBO
    Books 2w ago
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    Where do you buy (or get) e-books from besides Amazon?
  • the16bitgamer the16bitgamer 1w ago 100%

    Depends on region… depends on what you want to read… depends on you e-reader.

    For example a kobo or a kindle will only read from kobo and amazon respectively.

    Kobo and Google Play Books is my first stop to shop, since it supports Adobe Digital Editions, along with their own apps.

    Amazon is my second stop. Not because I like them, I’m I. The same boat as you. But believe it or not their encryption is based off of your devices serial number. And you can DeDRM your Kindle books very easily.

    Then it’s from publishers directly if they let you, like J-Novel Club is pricy but they offer drm free books.

    My last option is obscure, but cool if you are looking for a deal. Humble Bundle is where I go for textbooks and older series. Only issue is they sell only in Bundles, and you’d get a lot of stuff you may not necessarily want. But the deals are crazy if you don’t want to pirate.

    Finally depending on value and how much I feel the book is worth, I may sail the high seas.

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  • diy
    DIY 2w ago
    Jump
    Added LED's to a clear bag
  • the16bitgamer the16bitgamer 2w ago 100%

    The remote is IR, so it’s facing up so the receiver can see it. That said I don’t think it’ll work when the bag is full. It’s in the front pocket for easy access.

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  • diy
    DIY 2w ago
    Jump
    Added LED's to a clear bag
  • the16bitgamer the16bitgamer 2w ago 100%

    Though dim, it can fill a room with light

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  • So I'm going to an evening event which requires clear concert bags if you wanted to bring one. The max size is 12"x12"x6". If I was going clear I at least wanted RGB, so I looked it up and it was $75CAD... Ouch, bags are like $20CAD. So I thought about it and I wondered if I could make one. So I got this bag and a 16.5ft string of fairy lights. I busted out the misses sewing needles and stitched in the wires to the fabric seme and this was the result. I am extremely pleased with it. Next time I think I'd move the battery pack to the edge where the zipper starts or ends. Otherwise would recommend. Bag was $19CAD and the LED's were $13CAD After Event Edit: So we came, we saw, we kicked it's ass... OK I did no such thing but adding LEDs certainly was a benefit. I made 2 of these bags, and honestly having big glowing somethings on your friends makes them insanely easy to find in a crowd. Especially for a night event which I went too. The LEDs were even helpful when I was looking for a specific color of candy in the bag, or illuminating people for pictures. My stitching was good and the wiring didn't get loose, but the same cannot be said for them bags themselves. As one of the straps on the bottom which holds a loop deteriorated and almost came off. I expected this, but it does sting non the less. Going forward I am making these bags for everyone I'm going with. They are just so helpful.

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    I am 40 and a nurse. Would it be more beneficial to get a cyber security degree? Instead of bouncing around the countries as a traveling nurse?
  • the16bitgamer the16bitgamer 2w ago 100%

    Honestly if you are looking to move to Canada, they are desperately looking for Nurses especially out in Eastern Canada like Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.

    Immigration is being tightened right now, but if you already have a degree and looking to get recertified here its a good starting point.

    Source: lived in Halifax for 5 years and know a connection or two in that industry

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  • Printing on Linux
  • the16bitgamer the16bitgamer 3w ago 100%

    Because printing in Linux both works and is supported and not supported and hope that there are drivers and they work.

    For example, I have a brother printer and in both arch and Ubuntu/mint the printer worked out of the box. But I was missing features like double sided printing. So I had to download drivers for it.

    In arch the drivers were on the AUR, so I was printing is seconds.

    In Ubuntu/mint they weren’t in my package manager, so I had to go to brother’s website and hope they had drivers. Brother did and while it took a bit it did work too. No worse than windows.

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  • What's an obsolete or incredibly obscure word you think people should know?
  • the16bitgamer the16bitgamer 3w ago 100%

    Twaddle: something insignificant or worthless or another word Nonsense.

    Discovered this word while reading the dictionary during silent reading in English and they wouldn’t let me play games.

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  • Nintendo Targets YouTube Accounts Showing Emulated Games
  • the16bitgamer the16bitgamer 3w ago 100%

    Welp I guess this also includes NSO games.

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  • Made a wallpaper based off of some icons I made
  • the16bitgamer the16bitgamer 3w ago 100%

    I'm not worried, after all I didn't use any emulators

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  • Recommendations other than Bambu and Prusa?
  • the16bitgamer the16bitgamer 3w ago 100%

    For me I was looking for reliability, so I ended up with Prusa. But I ended up with them thanks to a few simple rules I followed.

    1. Can the machine and it's parts be replaced with off shelf components?

    2. Does it use, or is the platform compatible with open source slicers (Prusaslicer/Cura)?

    3. Does the community support the device with mods on 3D model repositories (Thingiverse/Printables)?

    4. Does the manufacturer have a track record for support (or the lack thereof)?

    Before I got my Prusa, the Creality Ender 3 was the goto, and it was a really reliable machine. For my printing needs I need a direct drive print head, and a better auto bed leveling routine. But the Ender 3 s1 looks pretty good as an alternative.

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  • 196
    196 3w ago
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    Crispy Connector Rule
  • the16bitgamer the16bitgamer 3w ago 100%

    I've use metal watch bands for years instead of silicone. Current one was for my Pebble time I got from Fossil and it's still going strong.

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  • 196
    196 3w ago
    Jump
    Crispy Connector Rule
  • the16bitgamer the16bitgamer 3w ago 100%

    I personally use a metal watch band for myself. I react poorly to p/leather and silicone and I've used a watch band I first got as a substitute for my Pebble Time. Might be from Fossil, but any old stainless steel metal band works for me.

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  • 196
    196 3w ago
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    Crispy Connector Rule
  • the16bitgamer the16bitgamer 3w ago 100%

    Ditto, but I don't exercise as much as they do so I assume its longevity is based off of how much you sweat.

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  • I was asked to fix a new Garmin not charging. I asked what cable they were using and was told it was their old cable. This is what the old cable looked like. Fun fact, what killed their last Garmin was corrosion on the pads in the same position.

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    What are the pros and cons to buying a smart watch from temu?
  • the16bitgamer the16bitgamer 3w ago 100%

    Pro: Price, Convenience, Looks

    Cons: Much like buying an "iPhone" from Temu, the price is usually reflected in the quality.

    Don't get me wrong, there are cheep smart watches if you look for them or go second hand. But what you'll find advertised on Temu isn't it.

    Build quality is usually the first to suffer, but you'll find mislabeled battery info a 500mah instead of the promised 1000mah. Or an LCD instead of an OLED.

    But those are things we can adapt too. The biggest problem is software. That'll do and close enough has been the name of the game for years now. And sometimes "smart" just means it can (badly) track your steps and pretend to check your heart rate with a led pretending to be a sensor.


    Alternative

    If you are looking for any budget electronics try looking for last years or a few years ago models. I got a Garmin Forerunner 235 in 2022 for 1/5 of its asking price because I found a deal on eBay.

    I'd also look into the landscape of the market you are buying into and seeing who is actually making these things, and what is running on it.

    For smart watches I found the answer was

    Apple

    Android with Watch OS (Samsung google and many more)

    Garmin

    If the watch isn't running android watch os or is made by Apple or Garmin. Assume its good too be true and look into it more, or look elsewhere.

    Good news China is lazy and one clone usually is made by many factories and someone else made a video about it. Might not be the same name, but it'll be close enough.

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  • 2024 is about 75% done. Let's recommend the best games of 2024, but with a twist: only the ones with no paid DLC!
  • the16bitgamer the16bitgamer 3w ago 100%

    Pepper Grinder (Steam/GOG/Switch/PS4/PS5/XB/ONE/S/X)

    Released in March of the is year (and in August for non switch consoles) Pepper Grinder is a traditional 2D platformer with a world map, levels, and a gimmick of using a drill to travel underground like a dolphin through water.

    Its platforming has a good rhythm to it, with a nice momentum when you go in and out of the dirt. The best way I can describe the game is that it feels like a Mario Gimmick level that's been expanded to its own game.

    If I had any complaints about this game, is that the boss fights are a bit too tedious. Not impossible as I've been able to beat them. But requires a bit more precise movement than the levels which preceded it.

    Overall though, I haven't played a 2d platformed in ages which I've actually wanted to go through in ages. And it is a welcomed addition to my gaming library.

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  • Made a wallpaper based off of my FreeCAD Designs
  • the16bitgamer the16bitgamer 3w ago 100%

    They are Tech Drawing then cleaned up with InkScape.

    https://wiki.freecad.org/TechDraw_Workbench

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  • What is your favorite retro console?
  • the16bitgamer the16bitgamer 3w ago 100%

    Favourite as in the one I love the most. Model 1 Genesis, or Virtual Boy. Love their aesthetic.

    Favourite as in best Library. PS1/PS2. Massive library of games which are still being enjoyed decades after they were launched.

    Favourite as in still using. By my books, I’d consider the PS Vita as retro now, if not then the Nintendo DS/PSP.

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  • TL:DR, made some Icons for 3D Models, turned them into a banner for social media, liked it so I made it into this wallpaper. So over the years I've made various icons for controllers and systems for my 3D Printable Display Stands. These Icon and cut into the model to know which part belongs together. Anyways I needed a new Banner on YouTube so I took them, threw them into Inkscape and turn it into this. I am very pleased with the results, and kind of wished I had more icons to make it more detailed.

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    All your for $49.99/year. LOL JK. Nah, made this for a banner image, and just loved how well it turned out that I just kept that wall paper. The icons are designs I made in FreeCAD that I've turned into SVG and made into this wallpaper.

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    Thank you FreeCAD for not pay walling the ability to create technical drawings. So what I did to make this was to create a technical drawing of all the designs I wanted and I made this photo in Inkscape. Was designed to be a banner for my social media, but loved it so much that I'm just using it as my desktop wallpaper.

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    So why did I even want to do this? Because the front panel of my PC has a 3 1/2" drive hole and I wanted to populate it. ![](https://lemm.ee/api/v3/image_proxy?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.redd.it%2Fwd62v143acl91.jpg) Fine, real reason is because I have a few legacy machine lying around and having a floppy drive accessible is nice to have. How does it work? Well I have a Floppy to USB adapter inside my rig, and since my motherboard has an unused set of USB 2 headers, I just plugged it into that. Otherwise, it was just plug and play... almost. Why the drive works as Plug and Play, linux mint pokes the USB to see if it's still there, so I have a small script at boot that disables it for that internal header. I am just socked that it works, and while it sucks that I need to be root to read the disks, I am just happy that the whole setup works at all.

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    H1_SD is the name of a MicroSD card I'm connecting, it does connect a second later, but it's annoying to keep dismissing this error every time. I am also getting it with regular SD cards and USB Drives regardless on which USB Port I've connected it to, and which format it's been partitioned too. NTFS, exfat, fat all respond similarly. **EDIT** Welp, I was able to brute force a "fix". There appeared to be an issue with the Nemo configuration between 21 and 22. Not sure what the issue was specifically, but deleting the users ~/.config/nemo and a reboot fixed it for me.

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    www.virtualcuriosities.com

    I run Davinci Resolve on my machines and I've had a heck of a time trying to install/run it on Linux Mint 22. So I put off upgrading my main rig until a good enough resolution came around. Which turned out to be this. I followed it and it worked for me. Apparently this is an issue caused by Ubuntu 24.04 so this guide will help if you have issues on Ubuntu too.

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    This is the Ultimate HD version on Vita, and man it has been my goto for just relaxing strategy games. I just wished it explained the controller better, like pressing Square to drop bombs if you have 5 gems. It's available on Steam and I can only image how good it'll be on a Steam Deck, as the game was fantastic on the Vita and PSP.

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    Also included on the Printables and Thingiverse Links is the FreeCAD file which I used to make these. Simply add a font file, and change the text. [Printables](https://www.printables.com/model/600926-pla-color-swatch-20-min-print) [Thingiverse](https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:6246027)

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    I made a 3d printable eReader case for my wife. Wanted to test what would happen if we water logged them and left them in the sun to dry. Two of the cases are made from PLA while the other is made from PETG. They are all held together by thread and leather. The test here is to see if moving from PLA to PETG was the right move since the last time I did this, the case turned into a banana. My eventual plan once I've finished with my testing is to sell these cases and make their designs available for others to print.

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    So far I am happy with it, though I wouldn’t make another kit at least not without a drill.

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