DEFCAD 2023: The best 3D-printed gun archive on the internet, now even better
May 02, 2023
We've made many recent improvement at DEFCAD! No doubt you've seen some of these, but read on to learn what's new:
1. New Theme
The most visible change is, of course, our new theme. Over six months in development, this is the biggest visual change to DEFCAD since our relaunch in 2020. The new theme provides easier and cleaner readability and functionality across all devices. Our testing registers dramatically faster loading times, especially on mobile. The theme comes in both dark and light modes, which you can switch between using the icon in the header.
2. New Library Explorer
Launched alongside the new theme is the DEFCAD Library Explorer</a >, the single best method of exploring guncad files from across the Internet, let alone our archive. The 3D-printed gun community has long suffered from not having an easy way to search for and retrieve files, not to mention a way to browse just what files are "out there." The Library Explorer</a > is the first public solution to this problem.
Each file at DEFCAD has been categorized on fifteen different metadata axes, including:
- Firearm type – pistol</a >, rifle</a >, shotgun</a >, etc.
- Firearm part - lower</a >, grip</a >, stock</a >, etc.
- Firearm platform – AR-15</a >, MAC-11</a >, FGC-9</a >, etc.
- Fabrication type – fully DIY</a >, hybrid</a >, parts kit conversion</a >, etc.
The Library Explorer allows you to easily sort, filter and search files based on all this metadata. Check it out</a > today!
3. 500+ New Files
DEFCAD file archiving continues unabated. Since the last DEFCAD newsletter, over 500 files have been made live at DEFCAD. These include major releases, including Derwood’s</a > latest PCC design, the RTT-9</a >, and the Avidity Arms 3DPD10</a >, the world’s first new firearm design to be released with a 3D-printed variant.
We are proud to continue improving this website. Your continued support makes the existence of the site, and the greater work of the guncad community, possible. If you wish to support this work, we ask that you become a member at LEGIO.
4. Access Control Consolidation and Improvement
The changing legal landscape and technological improvements have allowed DEFCAD to consolidate and streamline our access controls. Several of these improvements – most notably in liveness verification – were released with the retheme, but many larger improvements will be relased in the coming days and weeks, which we may announce shortly. Stay tuned, and thank you.
