# S6E37 Duann Scott | Computational Design & The Best File Format for 3D Printing

- Show: [Being an Engineer](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer)
- Published: 2025-09-12
- Length: 41m
- Episode: 37
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2025-09-12-s6e37-duann-scott-computational-design-the-best-file-format-for-3d-printing

## Summary

Duann Scott, founder of CDFAM and Executive Director of the 3MF Consortium, discusses the evolution of computational design and the critical importance of standardized file formats in additive manufacturing. He explains how computational design differs from traditional CAD by integrating multi-objective requirements like performance and manufacturability, citing examples from medical implants to footwear. Scott details the history and technical advantages of the 3MF file format, which has become an ISO standard, contrasting it with the limitations of STL. He also explores how computational workflows provide the necessary data infrastructure to train effective AI and machine learning models for engineering decisions.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2025-09-12-s6e37-duann-scott-computational-design-the-best-file-format-for-3d-printing#t=0) Introduction: Duann Scott and CDFAM
- [3:04](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2025-09-12-s6e37-duann-scott-computational-design-the-best-file-format-for-3d-printing#t=184) Defining Computational Design vs. Traditional CAD
- [7:45](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2025-09-12-s6e37-duann-scott-computational-design-the-best-file-format-for-3d-printing#t=465) Software Ecosystems: Grasshopper, Rhino, and nTopology
- [14:55](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2025-09-12-s6e37-duann-scott-computational-design-the-best-file-format-for-3d-printing#t=895) The 3MF Consortium and Standardization History
- [20:20](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2025-09-12-s6e37-duann-scott-computational-design-the-best-file-format-for-3d-printing#t=1220) Technical Advantages of 3MF over STL
- [23:47](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2025-09-12-s6e37-duann-scott-computational-design-the-best-file-format-for-3d-printing#t=1427) Computational Design in Traditional Manufacturing
- [27:18](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2025-09-12-s6e37-duann-scott-computational-design-the-best-file-format-for-3d-printing#t=1638) Computational Design as Data Infrastructure for AI
- [30:15](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2025-09-12-s6e37-duann-scott-computational-design-the-best-file-format-for-3d-printing#t=1815) The Growth and Impact of CDFAM Events

## Topics

- [PCB design & layout](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pcb-design)
- [Mechanical engineering](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/mechanical-engineering)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [EDA & CAD tools](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/eda-and-cad-tools)
- [AI & machine learning](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/ai-and-machine-learning)
- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- CDFAM (other)
- 3MF Consortium (other)
- Shapeways (company)
- Autodesk (company)
- nTopology (company)
- Grasshopper (tool)
- Rhino (tool)
- ShapeDiver (tool)
- Netfabb (product)
- STL (other)
- 3MF (other)
- Bambu Lab (company)
- HP (company)
- Siemens (company)
- Microsoft (company)
- Yeezy (company)
- Adidas (company)
- New Balance (company)
- Puma (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [AI Update in Additive Manufacturing: Design, Process, Workforce and Industry impact](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/additive-snack/2026-03-04-ai-update-in-additive-manufacturing-design-process-workforce-and-industry-impact) (Additive Snack)
- [S2 E5: Rapid Prototyping Deep Dive with Greg Paulsen](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-builder-circle/2024-01-23-s2-e5-rapid-prototyping-deep-dive-with-greg-paulsen) (The Builder Circle)
- [Design for AM: CAD Tools, Simulation, Voxels & the Future of AM Design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/additive-snack/2025-05-06-design-for-am-cad-tools-simulation-voxels-the-future-of-am-design) (Additive Snack)
- [Unlocking Higher Performance 3D Printing Applications with Brad Rothenberg](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/additive-snack/2021-01-15-unlocking-higher-performance-3d-printing-applications-with-brad-rothenberg) (Additive Snack)
- [203: Design for Manufacturing for a New Invention Product](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2023-11-24-203-design-for-manufacturing-for-a-new-invention-product) (Product Startup)

## Citing this page

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