Your 3d Modeling Workflow: Idea to Print

[curious aardvark]

Generally model in openscad. Export stl.
Import into s3d or makerware - s3d isn't working 100% yet so for certain models I still use makerware :-)
And print.

Usually i just print over usb. For longer or overnight prints I'll use the sd card. But mostly at the moment over usb.
Plus as i'm still trouble shooting s3d - it's much quicker.

Openscad only makes solids. I've never checked anything Ive designed. It's always worked and printed what I wanted it to.

You have to adjust sizes for abs due to shrinkage after extrusion - but just enlarging the entire model by 1% in makerware or s3d takes care of that.
With pla I don't have the same issue - the dimensions I design are exactly what gets printed.

If I ever have to check a model for manifoldness - I'll use s3d's in house modules.

But as I'm unlikely to suddenly develop artistic ability and start using a gui based cad program - it's doubtful I'll ever need to check anything I design.