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Hi Everyone, I’m looking to program or adapt modelling software for specific applications to control extension and designs based on input values, but don’t know how to achieve this.

Basically I’ve been looking into networks whereby the shortest route or time of travel is calculated based on algorithms. This works like a satnav which works out the shortest route on roads. I wish to achieve an application that can map out 3D models of roads, sewage and trainline connections for visual representation.

My question is how can I make 3D models to illustrate this based on controlled inputs like extruding distances and creating points.

Is it best to adapt existing software or are there developers that can achieve better results. I have both Sketchup and Blender which I may be able to edit if I knew how.

Any advice would be really appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

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One word you might want to look up is parametric as it relaters to modeling. If you do better with shapes and drawing you might look into FreeCAD (similar to solidworks) or if you code more you might look up OpenScad. There are tutorials all over the internet. You can use equations in either of these programs to create lines and geometries.

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Thanks for the response. I shall look into what you d suggested further.

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I suppose you can write a plugin for a spline drawing tool to enable uploading set of ordered points (instead of click based input) then have it extrude accordingly

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I think SelfCAD.com already has a very simular function to this