# Parametric Variables

**URL:** <https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/parametric-variables/36144>\
**Category:** Feature requests\
**Created:** [January 21, 2025, 1:29pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/parametric-variables/36144 "2025-01-21T13:29:45Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 15\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![mikebronner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/43a26b/32.png) [@mikebronner](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/mikebronner)\
**Post date:** [January 21, 2025, 1:29pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/parametric-variables/36144/1 "2025-01-21T13:29:45Z")

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Please follow the format below for requesting a feature.

**The problem that this feature will solve:**  
it is currently very tedious and sometimes difficult to make changes to intricate designs after the fact, as the history tab has too many entries. Some entries like movements are even more difficult to adjust, as they don’t have parameters in the history element.

**Brief description of the outcomes that you expect from this feature:**  
Fusion 360 has a well-known parameters table where variables are managed that are used throughout sketches. This makes it very easy to facilitate changes after the fact, and even making different versions possible by allowing for variable presets.

**What can’t you achieve without this feature?**  
Without this feature Shapr3D remains slightly less useful for complex designs, and designs that undergo frequent changes, or designs that are meant to be dynamic and the parameters changed as the requirements change from job to job.

_Is this a workflow blocker for you? Is this why you can’t use Shapr3D for work? Is this slowing you down?_  
Yes, no, yes. I have gone back to Fusion for my complex designs, as the workflow with their parameter list just makes it much easier.

This has been discussed in other topics for a long time now, and it has been repeatedly stated that this is in the works. Can you provide an update as to the status of this feature?

(I tried responding to the existing topics, but I am unable to reply to those, seems I am only able to create a new topic.)

> [@Feature Request: Ability to create variables to be used in modeling](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/feature-request-ability-to-create-variables-to-be-used-in-modeling/28090):
>
> I would like the ability to create variables that can be used in the design. For example, when modeling a box, vars called box\_width, box\_height, box\_depth, and box\_wall\_width. This way you can adjust the parameters at any point and the box size will adjust accordingly

> [@Variables?](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/variables/8238):
>
> Any plans in the roadmap for simple variables? Like a common hole ID, overall adjustment value to fit’s for 3d printing, dimensions etc… (fusion 360 like)

> [@Parameters/Variables across projects](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/parameters-variables-across-projects/30035):
>
> Hello, greetings and salutations I’m using CAD softwares to make piloted contraptions. I’m looking to use motors, sensors, lights, screens, coffee capsules, etc… Many of my projects have modular pieces/designs with reused dimensions. The current problem is that to change a dimension repeated in many projects I have to go in each one, search for the right parameter and change it individually. It would be great to have a list of tuneable parameters that feed multiple projects. For example, I’m …

> [@Question on approach or constraint](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/question-on-approach-or-constraint/30108/2):
>
> Variables and expressions are something that we’re working on as we speak and will be released in a few months. They’re indeed useful for such use cases – that’s why we’re adding them. Until then, many of the simpler situations (such as halves, thirds etc.) can be used with some geometrics. For this particular case you could add three construction lines that are [constrainted to be](https://support.shapr3d.com/hc/en-us/articles/7873983670044-Constraints-overview): tangent to each other perpendicular to the edges of the body of equal length If that’s all set, the application…

> [@Create parameters in Beta](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/create-parameters-in-beta/30623/10):
>
> Hi @Istvan, any chance the variables for parameters are coming soon? Don’t mean to be a pest, but this is the big feature I’ve been waiting on to fully switch away from Fusion360. Thank you!

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![arroniow](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/discourse.shapr3d.com/arroniow/32/30268_2.png) [@arroniow](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/arroniow)\
**Post date:** [February 3, 2025, 11:45pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/parametric-variables/36144/2 "2025-02-03T23:45:17Z")

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Hi @Istvan  
100% agree with this!!  
I have literally just helped somebody on a topic, where variables would have been awesome.  
The other thing that would naturally follow variables, would be ‘SCRIPTING’  
Shapr3D is a great package that is coming along nicely.

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**Author:** ![DerGolo](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/discourse.shapr3d.com/dergolo/32/30624_2.png) [@DerGolo](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/DerGolo)\
**Post date:** [February 10, 2025, 2:21am UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/parametric-variables/36144/3 "2025-02-10T02:21:32Z")

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+1 I have to use Fusion 360 or OpenSCAD for parametric models for 3D printing. I would love to use Shapr3D and design my own models with parametric properties.

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**Author:** ![Lys](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/67e7ee/32.png) [@Lys](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/Lys)\
**Post date:** [February 11, 2025, 2:41pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/parametric-variables/36144/4 "2025-02-11T14:41:25Z")

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We’re actively working on this feature. While we can’t provide a definitive release timeline, please know that it’s in development.

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**Author:** ![Istvan](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/discourse.shapr3d.com/istvan/32/23668_2.png) [@Istvan](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/Istvan)\
**Post date:** [February 18, 2025, 4:57pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/parametric-variables/36144/5 "2025-02-18T16:57:57Z")

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> [@5.800 - Variables are here](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/5-800-variables-are-here/36465):
>
> Variables are here—make your models smarter and more adaptable. New: Now you can use variables with expressions to create smarter, adaptable models that update automatically, reducing manual work and ensuring consistency across multiple inputs. To learn more, visit [Variables and Expressions](https://support.shapr3d.com/hc/en-us/articles/18320182069916-Variables-and-expressions#variables) in our Help Center. Give this update a try and let us know what you think below! arrow_down

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**Author:** ![arroniow](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/discourse.shapr3d.com/arroniow/32/30268_2.png) [@arroniow](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/arroniow)\
**Post date:** [February 18, 2025, 9:09pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/parametric-variables/36144/6 "2025-02-18T21:09:50Z")

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So far so good.  
This is going to make a massive difference!

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**Author:** ![TheBum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@TheBum](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/TheBum)\
**Post date:** [February 18, 2025, 9:15pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/parametric-variables/36144/7 "2025-02-18T21:15:12Z")

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Works pretty well. It would be nice if variables could be defined on the fly, by entering “var = \<value\>” in a dimension box.

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**Author:** ![arroniow](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/discourse.shapr3d.com/arroniow/32/30268_2.png) [@arroniow](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/arroniow)\
**Post date:** [February 18, 2025, 9:16pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/parametric-variables/36144/8 "2025-02-18T21:16:38Z")

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Many hours of fun to come, along with many hours saved designing.

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**Author:** ![SCALEMODEL](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/77aa72/32.png) [@SCALEMODEL](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/SCALEMODEL)\
**Post date:** [February 18, 2025, 9:23pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/parametric-variables/36144/9 "2025-02-18T21:23:40Z")

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That is the first thing I thought using it. Would love to have that too but keyboard shortcut is ok for now.

 ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/uploads/shapr3d/original/3X/3/d/3d03a206b6d710a19249836784222b4c37bea153.png)

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**Author:** ![arroniow](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/discourse.shapr3d.com/arroniow/32/30268_2.png) [@arroniow](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/arroniow)\
**Post date:** [February 18, 2025, 9:28pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/parametric-variables/36144/10 "2025-02-18T21:28:27Z")

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It is pretty close to doing that.  
For a minute I thought we were going to add them in the side panel.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![arroniow](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/discourse.shapr3d.com/arroniow/32/30268_2.png) [@arroniow](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/arroniow)\
**Post date:** [February 18, 2025, 9:31pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/parametric-variables/36144/11 "2025-02-18T21:31:31Z")

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Just noticed  
You can use one line on a sketch and create multiple variables.  
Once created they stay.  
After that, when you draw you just select the variable in the widget as you draw

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![TheBum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@TheBum](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/TheBum)\
**Post date:** [February 18, 2025, 9:33pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/parametric-variables/36144/12 "2025-02-18T21:33:38Z")

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Not picturing what you’re getting at. Can you elaborate?

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![arroniow](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/discourse.shapr3d.com/arroniow/32/30268_2.png) [@arroniow](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/arroniow)\
**Post date:** [February 18, 2025, 9:42pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/parametric-variables/36144/13 "2025-02-18T21:42:31Z")

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Example:  
Just create the Var.  
Then fix the dimension  
Then set a new Var.  
When you have a table of Vars you want, you can name them all.  
After that they can be selected in the widget.  
I am just using REDO for some of the video

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![arroniow](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/discourse.shapr3d.com/arroniow/32/30268_2.png) [@arroniow](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/arroniow)\
**Post date:** [February 18, 2025, 9:52pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/parametric-variables/36144/14 "2025-02-18T21:52:19Z")

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On the first sketch  
You can pre designate all your variables you intend to use in the model.

 ![Screenshot 2025-02-18 215257](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/uploads/shapr3d/original/3X/f/c/fcb97076e380586429c3b11799917fe4041a81e4.jpeg)

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**Author:** ![mechstarpb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f4b2a3/32.png) [@mechstarpb](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/mechstarpb)\
**Post date:** [February 19, 2025, 3:27am UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/parametric-variables/36144/15 "2025-02-19T03:27:31Z")

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Hey Istvan, great to see you back! (If only briefly). We missed you!  
4 MONTHS is a long time to be away.  
I am sure it probably unsustainable for the creator and CEO to continue to be immersed in the tens of thousands of posts, questions and discussions on Discourse, Facebook, etc.  
And after a contentious and challenging 2024 (both on the discussion boards and the scope of what was implemented), you probably needed a break anyway.  
Anyway I only wanted to say thank you for the years of intense interaction with your users, and hope to see more of you in the future.  
I have not always agreed with Shapr3d’s roadmap, priorities or your responses, but I have never doubted your RIGHT to steer the company as you deem best.  
Thanks for an amazing software and thanks for listening.  
Marc