# Technical Writing for All3DP

> Published guides to Arduino, CNC, and 3D-printing software, grounded in hands-on maker work.

Canonical page: [Technical Writing for All3DP](<https://devanmetz.com/portfolio/technical-writing/>)

Project date: 2020

Updated: 2026-10-14

Category: Writing & documentation

Status: Published articles

Tags: All3DP, Arduino, CNC, Tutorials

- **My work:** Published maker guides and a functional CAD tutorial
- **Subjects:** Arduino · CNC · 3D-printing software
- **Publication:** All3DP

- [Read an All3DP guide](<https://all3dp.com/2/arduino-beginners-get-started/>)

## In short

I wrote maker guides for All3DP covering Arduino, CNC hardware, and 3D-printing software. I also wrote a separate functional CAD tutorial that takes measurements of USB drives and a card reader through modeling to a printed organizer, giving readers a concrete result to compare with the original need.

![A blue printed organizer holding USB drives and a card reader on a cutting mat.](<https://devanmetz.com/_astro/cad-tutorial.U_WNtE6c_PSMIQ.webp>)

A build photograph from my functional-CAD tutorial sample, separate from the published articles below.

## Overview 

I’ve written maker guides for All3DP (an online 3D-printing publication) covering Arduino (a platform for programmable electronics), CNC (computer numerical control) hardware, and 3D-printing software.

I’ve also written a functional CAD (computer-aided design) tutorial built around a printed organizer for USB drives and a card reader.

## Published articles 

The Arduino beginner guide introduces microcontrollers (small computers that control electronics), the Uno (an Arduino board), and a first Blink sketch (a program that blinks an LED). The CNC hardware guide covers a CNC shield (an add-on board for connecting CNC hardware to an Arduino). Cura (a slicer that prepares 3D models for printing) is the subject of the Linux walkthrough.

| Article | Subject and date |
| --- | --- |
| [Arduino for Beginners: How to Get Started](<https://all3dp.com/2/arduino-beginners-get-started/>) | Introduction to microcontrollers, the Uno, and a first Blink sketch; August 15, 2020 |
| [Arduino CNC Shield: Buyer’s Guide](<https://all3dp.com/2/arduino-cnc-shield-buyers-guide/>) | What the shield does and how controller options differ; August 1, 2020 |
| [Cura & Linux: How to Make Them Work Together](<https://all3dp.com/2/cura-linux-how-to-make-them-work-together/>) | Installation and first-use walkthrough; June 30, 2020 |
| [CNC 3018 (Pro) Software: The Best Programs](<https://all3dp.com/2/cnc-3018-pro-software-x-best-programs/>) | CNC software guide credited to Devan Metz and Guilherme Schendel; updated September 24, 2024 |

These links go to the articles on All3DP, where later editorial updates may have changed the original text. Product recommendations and software steps reflect their publication dates.

## Functional CAD tutorial 

My functional CAD tutorial walks through making an organizer for USB drives and a card reader. It starts with measurements, develops the shape through sketches and modeling, and ends with a printed part holding the devices.

The blue organizer in the cover photo is from this separate tutorial sample.

## Explaining through an object 

The tutorial’s sequence gives a reader a concrete path through the subject:

1.  Identify the physical objects that need organizing.
2.  Measure the dimensions that constrain the holder.
3.  Turn those measurements into sketches and model geometry.
4.  Show the intermediate modeling work.
5.  Compare the printed result with the original need.

The finished organizer gives the reader a way to compare the dimensions in the model with the fit of the real devices.

## Writing approach 

These guides explain a subject through a specific task: running a first Arduino sketch, choosing CNC controller hardware, or turning measurements into a part that fits. Each step gives the reader something concrete to try or compare.

For a related example with editable dimensions and printing notes, see [Parametric FreeCAD Designs](<https://devanmetz.com/portfolio/parametric-freecad/>).

## FAQ

### What subjects did Devan write about for All3DP?

The published guides cover Arduino, CNC hardware, and 3D-printing software, including a first Blink sketch, CNC shields, Cura on Linux, and CNC 3018 software.

### What does the functional CAD tutorial build?

The separate tutorial develops an organizer for USB drives and a card reader, starting with measurements and ending with a printed part holding the devices.

### Is the cover photo from an All3DP article?

The blue printed organizer in the cover is from the separate functional CAD tutorial sample.

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