Editing How to Join 3D2A

'''"3D2A"''' is a broad, decentralized community of hobbyists who create and share designs for DIY firearms and related material.

The 3D2A community moves rapidly. It has also been subject to frequent deplatformings over the years. This can make it difficult for a new 3D2A member to keep up with community developments.

This guide will list resources you can sign up for to help keep up with 3D2A discussions and development.<blockquote>'''''Note:''' this guide is targeted at users who want to read about, discuss and ask questions about 3D2A, and who want to begin printing / building designs. A future guide will cover resources for those who want to participate in 3D2A testing and development.''</blockquote>

== Finding Files ==

=== GunCAD Index (https://guncadindex.com) ===
The '''[https://guncadindex.com GunCAD Index]''' is the best resource available for finding files. It features a powerful and easy-to-use search functionality.

As its name implies, the GunCAD Index is an ''index'' of files hosted elsewhere. '''It does not itself host or serve any files.''' Instead, each listing at the Index provides links to where the file can be downloaded.

=== Odysee ([https://guncadindex.com https://odysee.com]) ===
'''[https://odysee.com Odysee]''' is a file hosting website, and is where the vast majority of 3D2A files are actually hosted. You can visit Odysee directly to find files, but it's far more convenient to use the '''GunCAD Index''' to find the file you are looking for. The Index will then provide a direct link to the file's page on Odysee, where you can download it.

== 3D2A Newsletters ==

=== Guncad Digest (https://guncad.substack.com) ===
The '''[https://guncad.substack.com Guncad Digest]''' is a biweekly newsletter that gathers the best and most interesting 3D2A releases, betas and news. 

You can '''[https://guncad.substack.com/about subscribe to the Guncad Digest for free]''', at which point new issues will be delivered to your inbox immediately upon publication. 

'''''Subscribing to the Digest is the best way to keep up with the latest news and developments in 3D2A'''!'' 

== 3D2A Discussion Forums ==

=== GunCAD Forum (https://forum.guncadindex.com) ===
The '''[https://forum.guncadindex.com GunCAD Forum]''' is a federated forum for discussing all subjects related to 3D2A. 

'''Its federated nature makes it highly resistant to censorship and deplatforming''', making it the most stable location for discussing and asking questions related to 3D2A.

== 3D2A Social Media Groups ==

=== 3D2A Subreddit (https://reddit.com/r/3D2A) ===
The official Reddit community for 3D2A, [https://reddit.com/r/3D2A '''/r/3D2A'''] is a great place to view 3D2A projects and share your own. 

'''Subscribe to this subreddit so it will show up in your feed!''' This is a very convenient way to see 3D2A news and content in a platform you likely already visit.<blockquote>'''''Note:''''' ''Reddit has very strict rules about what we can and cannot say about 3D2A. These rules are consistently enforced on the 3D2A subreddit, so please read and follow them.''</blockquote>

=== The Real 2A Printers! Facebook Group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/1368258840310204/) ===
'''The Real 2A Printers!''' is the largest Facebook community dedicated to 3D2A. It's a good place to view updates and ask questions related to 3D2A. '''Follow this group so it will show up in your feed!'''<blockquote>'''''Note:''''' ''just like Reddit, there are very strict rules on Facebook related to discussing 3D2A. You must follow these rules or risk getting kicked out of the group.''</blockquote>

=== 3D2A Facebook Group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/344556773663993/) ===
'''3D2A''' is the second largest 3D2A-related Facebook community. '''Follow this group so it will show up in your feed!'''<blockquote>'''''Note:''''' ''as with the other Facebook group, there are very strict rules on Facebook related to discussing 3D2A. You must follow these rules or risk getting kicked out of the group.''</blockquote>

[[Category:Getting Started Guides]]