Joining the Community: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 17:54, 1 March 2026

GunCAD^[1] (also 3D2A or FOSSCAD) is a broad, decentralized community of hobbyists who create and share designs for DIY firearms and related material. It moves rapidly and has been subject to frequent deplatformings over the years. This can make it difficult for a new community member to keep up with developments.

This guide will list useful resources for participating in 3D2A discussions and keeping up with development. Note that these places are for discussion; to find files, see Finding Tested Gun Designs.

Newsletters

Guncad Digest

The Guncad Digest (https://guncad.substack.com) is a well-curated biweekly Substack newsletter that gathers information on new releases, betas, and developments. It also keeps track of the larger landscape, where 2A or printing-specific developments may be relevant.

You can subscribe to the Guncad Digest to ensure new issues are delivered to a Substack or email inbox.

Chat Rooms

GunCAD Index Matrix Space

The GunCAD Index maintains a Matrix space (https://matrix.to/#/#guncad-index:matrix.org) for discussion of the site and any of its other projects. Development and construction can be discussed there, but they aren't its primary focus.

FOSSCAD Matrix Space

FOSSCAD has a Matrix presence (https://matrix.to/#/#fosscad:matrix.org) for discussion of all things DIY firearms, from development to construction to general discussion and even design help.

They are currently migrating from their Discord (https://discord.gg/FAncmATZkp) to this platform in anticipation of platform-level censorship and Discord's imminent ID verification policies.

Black Lotus Coalition Matrix Space

Black Lotus Coalition is a release group that does practically all of their design work and beta testing over Matrix (https://matrix.to/#/#blacklotuscoalitionteam:matrix.org). If you're interested in learning how to develop a DIY firearm or want to contribute to testing someone else's design, you should definitely drop by.

Dedicated Discussion Forums

GunCAD Forums

The GunCAD Forums (https://forum.guncadindex.com) is a federated forum for discussing all subjects related to DIY firearms. Leveraging the Lemmy software, its federated nature make it highly resistant to censorship and deplatforming, making it a stable location for discussing and asking questions related to DIY firearms.

FOSSCAD.io

FOSSCAD.io (https://fosscad.io) is another federated Lemmy instance. Due to their federated nature, all Lemmy instances can discuss the same posts as though they were all the same website. It is also a stable location for discussing DIY firearms.

Social Media Groups

/r/3D2A

One of the few subreddits for DIY firearms still standing, /r/3D2A allows users to discuss and show off builds and new releases with some restrictions.

Note: Reddit has very strict rules about what can and cannot be discussed, especially regarding DIY firearms. These rules are consistently enforced on /r/3d2a -- users are encouraged to read and follow them. Limitations include:
Users cannot discuss, link to, or vaguely allude to file-hosting websites

Users cannot solicit sales of any sort, including parts kit vendors
Rule breakage is swiftly punished. Users are encouraged to discuss those topics on a dedicated forum.

The Real 2A Printers! Facebook Group

"The Real 2A Printers!" (https://www.facebook.com/groups/1368258840310204/) is the largest Facebook community dedicated to 3D2A. It's a good place to view updates and ask questions related to 3D2A.

Note: Just like Reddit, there are very strict rules on Facebook related to discussing 3D2A. Rule breakage is swiftly punished.

3D2A Facebook Group

"3D2A" (https://www.facebook.com/groups/344556773663993/) is the second largest 3D2A-related Facebook community.

Note: Just like Reddit, there are very strict rules on Facebook related to discussing 3D2A. Rule breakage is swiftly punished.

↑ See Glossary:GunCAD.

[1] See Glossary:GunCAD.

[1]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-'''"3D2A"''' is a broad, decentralized community of hobbyists who create and share designs for DIY firearms and related material.
+'''{{Glossary|GunCAD}}''' (also '''3D2A''' or '''FOSSCAD''') is a broad, decentralized community of hobbyists who create and share designs for DIY firearms and related material. It moves rapidly and has been subject to frequent deplatformings over the years. This can make it difficult for a new community member to keep up with developments.
-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 useful resources for participating in 3D2A discussions and keeping up with development. Note that these places are for discussion; to find files, see [[Finding Tested Gun Designs]].
+== Newsletters ==
-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>
+=== Guncad Digest ===
+The [[Guncad Digest]] (https://guncad.substack.com) is a well-curated biweekly Substack newsletter that gathers information on new releases, betas, and developments. It also keeps track of the larger landscape, where 2A or printing-specific developments may be relevant.
-== Finding Files ==
+You can [https://guncad.substack.com/about subscribe to the Guncad Digest] to ensure new issues are delivered to a Substack or email inbox.
-=== GunCAD Index (https://guncadindex.com) ===
+== Chat Rooms ==
-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.
+=== GunCAD Index Matrix Space ===
+The [[GunCAD Index]] maintains a Matrix space (https://matrix.to/#/#guncad-index:matrix.org) for discussion of the site and any of its other projects. Development and construction can be discussed there, but they aren't its primary focus.
-=== Odysee ([https://guncadindex.com https://odysee.com]) ===
+=== FOSSCAD Matrix Space ===
-'''[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.
+[[FOSSCAD]] has a Matrix presence (https://matrix.to/#/#fosscad:matrix.org) for discussion of all things DIY firearms, from development to construction to general discussion and even design help.
-== 3D2A Newsletters ==
+They are currently migrating from their Discord (https://discord.gg/FAncmATZkp) to this platform in anticipation of platform-level censorship and Discord's imminent ID verification policies.
-=== Guncad Digest (https://guncad.substack.com) ===
+=== Black Lotus Coalition Matrix Space ===
-The '''[https://guncad.substack.com Guncad Digest]''' is a biweekly newsletter that gathers the best and most interesting 3D2A releases, betas and news.
+[[Black Lotus Coalition]] is a release group that does practically all of their design work and beta testing over Matrix (https://matrix.to/#/#blacklotuscoalitionteam:matrix.org). If you're interested in learning how to develop a DIY firearm or want to contribute to testing someone else's design, you should definitely drop by.
-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.
+== Dedicated Discussion Forums ==
-'''''Subscribing to the Digest is the best way to keep up with the latest news and developments in 3D2A'''!''
+=== GunCAD Forums ===
+The [[GunCAD Forums]] (https://forum.guncadindex.com) is a federated forum for discussing all subjects related to DIY firearms. Leveraging the Lemmy software, its federated nature make it highly resistant to censorship and deplatforming, making it a stable location for discussing and asking questions related to DIY firearms.
-== 3D2A Discussion Forums ==
+=== FOSSCAD.io ===
+[[FOSSCAD.io]] (https://fosscad.io) is another federated Lemmy instance. Due to their federated nature, all Lemmy instances can discuss the same posts as though they were all the same website. It is also a stable location for discussing DIY firearms.
-=== GunCAD Forum (https://forum.guncadindex.com) ===
+== Social Media Groups ==
-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.
+=== /r/3D2A ===
+One of the few subreddits for DIY firearms still standing, [https://reddit.com/r/3D2A /r/3D2A] allows users to discuss and show off builds and new releases with some restrictions. <blockquote>'''Note''': Reddit has very strict rules about what can and cannot be discussed, especially regarding DIY firearms. These rules are consistently enforced on /r/3d2a -- users are encouraged to read and follow them. Limitations include:
-== 3D2A Social Media Groups ==
+* Users cannot discuss, link to, or vaguely allude to file-hosting websites
+* Users cannot solicit sales of any sort, including parts kit vendors
-=== 3D2A Subreddit (https://reddit.com/r/3D2A) ===
+Rule breakage is swiftly punished. Users are encouraged to discuss those topics on a dedicated forum.</blockquote>
-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 ===
+"The Real 2A Printers!" (https://www.facebook.com/groups/1368258840310204/) is the largest Facebook community dedicated to 3D2A. It's a good place to view updates and ask questions related to 3D2A.<blockquote>'''Note''': Just like Reddit, there are very strict rules on Facebook related to discussing 3D2A. Rule breakage is swiftly punished.</blockquote>
-=== The Real 2A Printers! Facebook Group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/1368258840310204/) ===
+=== 3D2A Facebook Group ===
-'''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" (https://www.facebook.com/groups/344556773663993/) is the second largest 3D2A-related Facebook community.<blockquote>'''Note''': Just like Reddit, there are very strict rules on Facebook related to discussing 3D2A. Rule breakage is swiftly punished.</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:Guides]]