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Machine settings and tuning are critical for digital fabrication outcomes. However, exploring these parameters is non-trivial. We seek to enable exploration of the full design space of digital fabrication. To identify where we might intervene, we studied how practitioners approach 3D printing. We found that beyond using CAD/CAM, they create bespoke routines and workflows to explore interdependent material and machine settings. We seek to provide a system that supports this workflow development. We identified design goals around material exploration, fine-tuned control, and iteration. Based on these, we present p5.fab, a system for controlling digital fabrication machines from the creative coding environment p5.js. We demonstrate p5.fab with examples of 3D prints that cannot be made with traditional 3D printing software. We evaluate p5.fab in workshops and find that it encourages novel printing workflows and artifacts. Finally, we discuss implications for future digital fabrication systems.more » « less
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Interactive fabrication aims to close the gap between design and fabrication, allowing for rich interactions with materials and reflection in action. Drawing from craft practice, we contribute software that enables real-time control of digital fabrication machines from a Computer-Aided Design (CAD) environment. Our software not only allows interactive control of toolpath geometry, but also enables the control of machine parameters such as speed, acceleration, or jerk. This creates new opportunities for toolpath and material exploration. We evaluate our software with a professional glass artist on a custom digital fabrication machine that can accommodate multiple tools such as brushes, engraving bits, or microscopes. Finally, we reflect on implications for machine control.more » « less
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