Episode 124: The Cloud.

Making It · 16 Jun 2017 · 1h 11m

What this episode covers

Jimmy Diresta, Bob Clagett, and David Picciuto discuss the integration of software into physical making, highlighting frustrations with SketchUp, Fusion 360, and Torchmate, while praising cloud-based tools like Easel and Glow Forge. They detail specific pain points including drone firmware updates, GoPro account restrictions, and the learning curve of parametric design. The conversation also covers safety protocols for working alone in workshops and the use of Trello for project management.

Mentioned

Companies
DJI, GoPro
Tools
SketchUp, Fusion 360, Torchmate, Easel, Glow Forge, Trello, Final Cut Pro, WooCommerce, ConvertKit, Squarespace

Other shows on the same ground, closest first.

  • Thoroughly Considered · 45m

    14: Top Tools

    Tom Gerhardt, Dan Provost, and Myke Hurley of Studio Neat discuss their top three professional and personal tools. Tom highlights Autodesk Fusion 360 for its integrated CAD/CAM workflow, while Dan praises the Olympus E-M5 camera for capturing memories and Myke recommends Apple's Notes app for its reliable sync and extensions. The conversation also covers physical tools like Exacto knives, calipers, and the Cricket knife, alongside software like the to.do app and OmniFocus automation.

  • Embedded.fm · 55m

    343: Getting Brains to Work

    Hosts Elecia White and Christopher White discuss the show's new transcript availability, the technical details of using a Cricut Maker with SVG files, and the legal and technical risks of using the Arduino IDE for professional products. They also cover debugging strategies for intermittent bugs and share personal experiences with focus, motivation, and executive function challenges.

  • Product Startup · 32m

    122: Modern Methods for New Product Development

    John McEleney, Co-Founder and CEO of Onshape, explains how cloud-based 3D CAD software enables hardware startups to iterate faster and achieve product-market fit. He contrasts Onshape’s real-time collaboration and version control with legacy desktop systems like SolidWorks, highlighting how features like branching and FeatureScript reduce friction in the design process. McEleney emphasizes that modern tools allow teams to get prototypes into customer hands quickly to observe usage, rather than relying on static file exchanges. The discussion covers the shift from local installation to cloud-native platforms, enabling parallel workflows and agile product development for small teams and large enterprises alike.

  • The Amp Hour · 1h 11m

    Get Smart About Automation - Caducous Cyborg Concerns

    Dave Jones and Chris Gammell discuss the viability of online CAD tools by testing them in an isolated environment, specifically on an airplane, comparing local tools like KiCad and Altium with cloud-based options like CircuitMaker and Upverter. They analyze the economic impact of automation on electronics design, noting how integration on silicon reduces the need for dedicated hardware engineers, and review SparkFun's data on engineering time allocation. The conversation concludes with a review of the Intel MAX 10 FPGA, the open-sourced Parallax Propeller chip, and broader concerns about the rising costs of semiconductor manufacturing at companies like Samsung.

  • The Amp Hour · 1h 09m

    Alternate Info Sources

    Hosts Chris Gammell and Dave Jones discuss Dave's upcoming Kickstarter for a new multimeter, which faces delays due to a calibration issue with the Hicon chipset. They analyze the technical and logistical challenges of crowdfunding, the industry shift toward cloud-based CAD licensing (Autodesk, Altium), and the state of open-source tools like KiCad. The conversation also covers Amazon's branded FreeRTOS, the impracticality of the Tesla Semi's charging infrastructure, and skepticism regarding new solid-state battery claims.

The summary, chapters and topics are generated from the episode’s audio by this directory, not written by Making It. The episode itself belongs to its publisher.